Vacuum-assisted prosthetic device

• US 20050143838A1
• Filed: 10/25/2004
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Milo S. Collier
• Original Assignee: Milo S. Collier
• Inventors: Collier, Milo S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,025,792 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/60 Artificial legs or feet or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/6607 Ankle joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/68 Operating or control means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/74 fluid , i.e. hydraulic or pneumatic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/742 Low pressure systems, e.g. vacuum pump
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/748 Valve systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/80 Sockets, e.g. of suction type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5003 having damping means, e.g. shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5007 having elastic means different from springs, e.g. including an elastomeric insert
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5009 having two or more elastomeric blocks
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5032 for adjusting fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5039 allowing only for single rotation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/5093 Tendon- or ligament-replacing cables
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/607 Lower legs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6621 Toes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/665 Soles
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/6685 S-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/802 Suction sockets, i.e. utilizing differential air pressure to retain the prosthesis on the stump
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/805 having an air valve

Abstract

A prosthetic device for attachment to a residual limb is provided that includes a socket-forming member configured to receive the residual limb, a first portion, and a second portion that is operatively connected to the first portion and rotationally movable relative to the first portion. The prosthetic device also includes a pump attached to the first portion that is adapted to draw a negative pressure within the socket-forming member upon rotational movement of the second portion relative to the first portion.

Claims

1. A prosthetic device for attachment to a residual limb, the prosthetic device comprising:

a socket-forming member configured to receive the residual limb;

a first portion;

a second portion operatively connected to the first portion and rotatably movable relative to the first portion; and

a pump attached to the first portion and adapted to draw a negative pressure within the socket-forming member upon rotating movement of the second portion relative to the first portion.

2. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the first portion is pivotal rotatable relative to the second portion.

3. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the first portion is flexible relative to the second portion.

4. The prosthetic of claim 1, wherein the pump includes an actuator operatively associated with the second portion such that the second portion acts on the actuator to effect drawing of the negative pressure by the pump upon selected rotational movement of the second portion relative to the first portion.

5. The prosthetic device of claim 4, wherein the actuator is a tether fixedly connected to the second portion.

6. The prosthetic device of claim 5, wherein the tether is at least one of a cable, a strap, a cord, a wire, a string, or a rod.

7. The prosthetic device of claim 4, wherein the position of the pump relative to the second portion affects the amount of negative pressure drawn by the pump with each iterative rotational movement of the first portion relative to the second portion.

8. The prosthetic device of claim 7, wherein the position of the pump relative to the first portion is adjustable to selectively alter the position of the pump relative to the second portion.

9. The prosthetic device of claim 4, wherein the pump further includes an exhaust system configured to expel fluids drawn from the socket-forming member.

10. The prosthetic device of claim 4, wherein the pump further includes a regulator configured to control a maximum negative pressure drawn within the socket-forming member.

11. The prosthetic device of claim 10, wherein the regulator includes an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the maximum negative pressure the regulator permits to be drawn within the socket-forming member.

12. The prosthetic device of claim 11 wherein the regulator is configured to permit the pump to maintain maximum negative pressures between 1 and 28 inches of mercury within the socket-forming cavity.

13. A prosthetic device for attachment to a residual limb, the prosthetic device comprising:

a leg member including a socket-forming member configured to receive the residual limb;

a foot member pivotally connected to the leg member; and

a pump mounted on the leg member and including an actuator operatively connected to the foot member, the pump being adapted to draw a negative pressure within the socket-forming member upon pivot of the foot member relative to the leg member during ambulatory motion.

14. The prosthetic device of claim 13, wherein the actuator is a tether operatively connecting the pump to the foot member.

15. The prosthetic device of claim 14, wherein the tether is attached to an anchor with an eccentric top, and the anchor is attached to the foot member with a bolt.

16. The prosthetic device of claim 14, wherein the tether is at least one of a cable, a cord, a wire, a string, or a rod.

17. The prosthetic device of claim 14, wherein position of the pump relative to the foot member affects an amount of negative pressure drawn by the pump with each iterative pivot of the foot member relative to the leg member during ambulatory motion.

18. The prosthetic device of claim 17, wherein an attachment position of the pump on the leg member is adjustable to selectively alter the position of the pump relative to the foot member.

19. The prosthetic device of claim 18, wherein the pump further includes a reference portion configured to facilitate adjustment of the attachment position of the pump.

20. The prosthetic device of claim 13, wherein the pump further includes an exhaust configured to expel fluids drawn from the socket-forming member.

21. The prosthetic device of claim 13, wherein the pump further includes a regulator configured to control a maximum negative pressure drawn within the socket-forming member.

22. The prosthetic device of claim 21, wherein the regulator includes an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the maximum negative pressure the regulator permits to be drawn within the socket-forming member.

23. The prosthetic device of claim 22 wherein the regulator is configured to permit the pump to maintain maximum negative pressures between 1 and 28 inches of mercury within the socket-forming cavity.

24. A prosthetic device for attachment to a residual limb, the prosthetic device comprising:

a leg member including a socket-forming member configured to receive the residual limb;

a foot member connected to the leg member and flexible relative to the leg member; and

a pump mounted on the leg member and including an actuator operatively connected to the foot member, the pump being adapted to draw a negative pressure within the socket-forming member upon flexure of the foot member during ambulatory motion.

25. The prosthetic device of claim 24, wherein the actuator is a tether attached to the foot member.

26. The prosthetic device of claim 25, wherein the tether is at least one of a cable, a cord, a wire, a string, or a rod.

27. The prosthetic device of claim 25, wherein position of the pump relative to the foot member affects an amount of negative pressure drawn by the pump with each iterative flexure of the foot member relative to the leg member during ambulatory motion.

28. The prosthetic device of claim 27, wherein an attachment position of the pump on the leg member is adjustable to selectively alter the position of the pump relative to the foot member.

29. The prosthetic device of claim 28, wherein the pump further includes a reference portion configured to facilitate adjustment of the attachment position of the pump.

30. The prosthetic device of claim 24, wherein the pump further includes an exhaust configured to expel fluids drawn from the socket-forming member.

31. The prosthetic device of claim 24, wherein the pump further includes a regulator configured to control a maximum negative pressure drawn within the socket-forming member.

32. The prosthetic device of claim 31, wherein the regulator includes an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the maximum negative pressure the regulator permits to be drawn within the socket-forming member.

33. The prosthetic device of claim 32 wherein the regulator is configured to permit the pump to maintain maximum negative pressures between 1 and 28 inches of mercury within the socket-forming cavity.

34. A prosthetic device for attachment to a residual limb the prosthetic device comprising:

a leg member including a socket-forming member configured to receive the residual limb;

a foot member pivotally connected to the leg member; and

a pump mounted on the leg member and adapted to draw a negative pressure within the socket-forming member upon pivot of the foot member relative to the leg member during ambulatory motion, the pump including;

a tether attached to the foot member;

an exhaust system configured to expel fluids drawn from the socket-forming member; and

a regulator configured to control the maximum negative pressure drawn within the socket-forming member.

35. A prosthetic device for attachment to a residual limb, the prosthetic device comprising:

a leg member including a socket-forming member configured to receive the residual limb;

a foot member connected to the leg member and flexibly rotatable relative to the leg member; and

a pump mounted on the leg member and adapted to draw a negative pressure within the socket-forming member when the foot member flexibly rotates relative to the leg member during ambulatory motion, the pump including;

a tether attached to the foot member;

an exhaust system configured to expel fluids drawn from the socket-forming member; and

a regulator configured to control the maximum negative pressure drawn within the socket-forming member.