A moisture permeable composite material for a wide variety of applications including without limitation prosthetic liners, orthotic liners, clothing, space suits and environmental suits comprising: an inner layer comprising a hydrogel, or a thin tough hydrogel membrane, or dual network hydrogel; and an outer layer comprising a porous elastomer or an open cell foam.

A vacuum suspension system includes a pump mechanism operatively connectable to a prosthetic socket. The pump mechanism has a first member and a second member. An inflatable bladder is disposed between the first and second members. A fluid chamber is located between the first and second members and fluidly separate from the inflatable bladder. Inflation of the inflatable bladder mechanically separates the first and second parts to create a vacuum pressure in the fluid chamber.

A prosthetic liner for application on a stump, the prosthetic liner including an elastic base, which has a proximal opening for insertion of the stump a receiving space, and a distal end. At least one pneumatic piston is arranged on the outer face of the prosthetic liner.

A prosthetic system includes a liner adapted to receive a residual limb and including an outer surface defining an outlet, and a socket including an interior surface and including an aperture extending from the interior surface to an external atmosphere. A first sealed volume is defined between a first portion of the outer surface of the liner and a first portion of the interior surface of the socket. A second sealed volume is defined between a second portion of the outer surface of the liner and a second portion of the interior surface of the socket. The first sealed volume is fluidly connected to the outer of the liner, fluidly separated from the second sealed volume by a seal element, and is independent from the second sealed volume throughout use of the system.

A prosthetic liner for application on a stump, comprising an elastic base, which has a proximal opening for insertion of the stump in a receiving space, and a distal end. At least one pneumatic piston is arranged on the outer face of the prosthetic liner.

Pump systems for use in suspension of a prosthetic device from a residual limb and methods of suspending a prosthetic device from a residual limb are disclosed. The pump systems include a mechanically activated pump having a first compression member coupled to a second compression member, a diaphragm disposed between the first and second compression members, and coupling elements that engage and couple together the first and second compression members. The mechanically activated pump may be connected with an electrically activated pump, forming a hybrid pump system to provide vacuum engagement between a prosthetic device and a residual limb.

A lower limb prosthesis comprises a foot component and an ankle unit pivotally mounted to the foot component. The ankle unit comprises an ankle joint mechanism comprising a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly for providing hydraulic damping whenever the ankle joint flexes, and a vacuum mechanism comprising a pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly for generating a vacuum. The hydraulic and pneumatic piston and cylinder assemblies are arranged such that the vacuum mechanism generates a vacuum during plantar-flexion of the ankle unit.

A liner system for applying to a limb or a limb stump, with an inner liner comprising an inner side facing the limb or limb stump and an outer side facing away from the limb or limb stump, and an outer liner that comprises an inner side facing the inner liner and an outer side facing away from the inner liner. The outer liner is designed to be applied over the inner liner, with a sealing element which is designed to be separate from the inner liner and the outer liner, for arranging between the outer side of the inner liner and the inner side of the outer liner.

A vacuum pump may be used to attach a prosthetic and/or orthotic device to a residual limb. The vacuum pump may be in line below a socket of a residual limb. The socket may be a portion of the prosthesis that accepts the residual limb. The vacuum pump may generate a vacuum condition between the prosthesis and the residual limb. Generally, a vacuum condition may be generated between a socket and the residual limb. The residual limb may be covered with a sock, elastomeric liner, or sheath covering the limb. The vacuum condition may positively attach the prosthesis to the residual limb without the need for straps, retaining pins, or suction type vacuum which do not use a vacuum pump.

A prosthetic interface includes a body portion having an open proximal end and a closed distal end including a distal cup. The body portion includes a membrane component having a flexible configuration defining an internal flow space extending along a length of the membrane component between an inner side arranged to face a skin surface of a residual limb and an outer side arranged to face away from the skin surface. At least one material coating is selectively applied to the membrane component that interacts with at least one of the membrane component and the distal cup to define at least one breathable region along the inner side that allows fluid flow between the internal flow space and the residual limb, and at least one impermeable region along the outer side that allows for vacuum suspension between the prosthetic interface and a prosthetic socket.