VALVE FOR PROSTHESIS ATTACHMENT

• US 20140067084A1
• Filed: 07/18/2013
• Published: 03/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bouch, Dustin, Soss, Adam
• Original Assignee: Bouch, Dustin, Soss, Adam
• Inventors: Soss, Adam, Bouch, Dustin
• Granted Patent: US 9,089,444 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/78 Means for protecting prostheses or for attaching them to the body, e.g. bandages, harnesses, straps, or stockings for the limb stump
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/80 Sockets, e.g. of suction type
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/805 having an air valve

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods relating to a valve that may be used with a prosthesis attachment include a valve assembly that includes a spring loaded insert portion and a base portion that interfaces to lock and unlock by depressing the spring loaded insert portion.

Claims

1. A valve assembly comprising:

a base outside a bottom portion comprising an inner containment ring;

a one-way valve with an inlet and an outlet configured to fit inside the inner containment ring;

a spring which is outside the one-way valve and fits inside the inner containment ring;

a latching actuating ring configured to fit over the inner containment ring, the latching actuating ring comprising;

a top cap with an air passage configured to be in fluid communication with the outlet of the one-way valve; and

teeth positioned around an outer, lower portion of the latching actuating ring; and

an indexing ring that is configured to interact with the teeth on the latching actuating ring.

2. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a threaded outer portion.

3. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a bottom cap which interfaces with the inlet of the one-way valve.

4. The valve assembly of claim 1, further comprising a lanyard connected to the top cap and configured to attach to a point on a surface into which the valve assembly inserts.

5. The valve assembly of claim 4, wherein the surface into which the valve assembly inserts is a prosthetic limb.

6. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the indexing ring comprises a snap fit portion located at a top portion of the indexing ring, the snap fit portion configured to maintain the indexing ring inside the base when the valve assembly is in use.

7. The valve assembly of claim 1, further comprising a seal on a bottom side of the bottom portion.

8. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner containment ring comprises tabs and the latching actuating ring comprises receiving cut outs configured to match the tabs.

9. A prosthesis comprising:

a valve assembly comprising;

a base outside a bottom portion comprising an inner containment ring;

a one-way valve with an inlet and an outlet configured to fit inside the inner containment ring;

a spring which is outside the one-way valve and fits inside the inner containment ring;

a latching actuating ring configured to fit over the inner containment ring, the latching actuating ring comprising;

a top cap with an air passage configured to be in fluid communication with the outlet of the one-way valve; and

teeth positioned around an outer, lower portion of the latching actuating ring; and

an indexing ring that is configured to interact with the teeth on the latching actuating ring; and

a prosthesis attachment site, the valve configured to expel air from a space between the prosthesis and a patient'"'"'s limb within the prosthesis attachment site.

10. The prosthesis of claim 9, wherein the indexing ring comprises a snap fit portion located at a top portion of the indexing ring, the snap fit portion configured to maintain the indexing ring inside the base when the valve assembly is in use.

11. The prosthesis of claim 9, further comprising a seal on a bottom side of the bottom portion.

12. The prosthesis of claim 9, wherein the inner containment ring of the valve assembly comprises tabs and the latching actuating ring comprises receiving cut outs configured to match the tabs.

13. The prosthesis of claim 9, wherein the indexing ring interacts with the teeth of the latching actuating ring through indexing teeth located on the indexing ring, the indexing teeth configured to induce a motion of the indexing ring when the latching actuating ring is moved vertically over the indexing ring.

14. The prosthesis of claim 9, wherein the indexing ring comprises upper and lower teeth, the upper teeth shaped as elongated hexagons and the lower teeth having receiving recesses.

15. A suction socket prosthetic valve assembly comprising a top and a bottom, the valve assembly configured to alternatively lock into a first position and unlock when force is applied to the top to direct it towards the bottom, such that a first applied force causes locking into the first position, and a second applied force causes unlocking.

16. The suction socket prosthetic valve assembly of claim 15, further comprising:

a base that is part of the bottom of the valve assembly and outside a bottom portion comprising an inner containment ring;

a one-way valve with an inlet and an outlet configured to fit inside the inner containment ring;

a spring which is outside the one-way valve and fits inside the inner containment ring;

a latching actuating ring configured to fit over the inner containment ring, the latching actuating ring comprising;

a top cap that is part of the top of the valve assembly, the top cap having an air passage configured to be in fluid communication with the outlet of the one-way valve; and

teeth positioned around an outer, lower portion of the latching actuating ring; and

an indexing ring that is configured to interact with the teeth on the latching actuating ring.

17. The suction socket prosthetic valve assembly of claim 16, wherein the latching actuating ring and the indexing ring interact to alternately lock and unlock the suction socket prosthetic valve assembly when force is applied.

18. The suction socket prosthetic valve assembly of claim 16, wherein the indexing ring interacts with the teeth of the latching actuating ring through indexing teeth located on the indexing ring, the indexing teeth configured to induce a motion of the indexing ring when the latching actuating ring is moved vertically over the indexing ring.

19. The suction socket prosthetic valve assembly of claim 16, wherein the indexing ring comprises a snap fit portion located at a top portion of the indexing ring, the snap fit portion configured to maintain the indexing ring inside the base when the valve assembly is in use.

20. A method of creating and maintaining negative pressure in an attachment site in a prosthetic limb, comprising:

providing a prosthetic limb comprising a valve assembly comprising;

a base outside a bottom portion comprising an inner containment ring;

a one-way valve with an inlet and an outlet configured to fit inside the inner containment ring;

a spring which is outside the one-way valve and fits inside the inner containment ring;

a latching actuating ring configured to fit over the inner containment ring, the latching actuating ring comprising;

a top cap with an air passage configured to be in fluid communication with the outlet of the one-way valve; and

teeth positioned around an outer, lower portion of the latching actuating ring; and

an indexing ring that is configured to interact with the teeth on the latching actuating ring.