Dynamic variable geometry fitting system for use with a body appliance
First Claim
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1. A variable geometry attachment fitting system for use in conjunction with a body appliance to be removably attached to a body part, comprising:
- a reservoir of non-leaking material, said reservoir having reservoir filling means for adding fluid to or removing fluid from said reservoir;
at least one pressure bladder made of a substantially pliable fluid-tight material capable of conforming to at least a portion of the appropriate soft tissue areas of the body part, said at least one pressure bladder having a fluid inlet, wherein said at least one pressure bladder is disposed between the body part and the body appliance;
at least one pumping bladder made of a substantially pliable fluid-tight material, said at least one pumping bladder operates as an automatic fluid pump communicating between said reservoir and said at least one pressure bladder for delivering pressurized fluid stored in said reservoir to said at least one pressure bladder, such that the pressure within said at least one pressure bladder may be increased with movement;
a fluid circuit operably interconnected between said reservoir, said at least one pumping bladder, and said at least one pressure bladder, said fluid circuit including pressure control means for regulating and maintaining a predetermined pressure in said at least one pressure bladder; and
said pressure control means comprises means for providing controlled leakage of the fluid from within said at least one pressure bladder, such that the pressure within said at least one pressure bladder may be decreased.
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Abstract
A dynamic variable geometry fitting system with fluid-filled bladders and automatically regulating their volumes to provide a continuously secure fit. This system can vary volume continuously to accommodate natural variation in an amputee'"'"'s residuum. It makes reliable suction retention of a prosthesis easier for the prosthetist to achieve while reducing the potential for tissue lesions. By maintaining a continuous, secure fit, the amputee'"'"'s sense of confidence and willingness to use the prosthesis increases.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. A variable geometry attachment fitting system for use in conjunction with a body appliance to be removably attached to a body part, comprising:
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a reservoir of non-leaking material, said reservoir having reservoir filling means for adding fluid to or removing fluid from said reservoir;
at least one pressure bladder made of a substantially pliable fluid-tight material capable of conforming to at least a portion of the appropriate soft tissue areas of the body part, said at least one pressure bladder having a fluid inlet, wherein said at least one pressure bladder is disposed between the body part and the body appliance;
at least one pumping bladder made of a substantially pliable fluid-tight material, said at least one pumping bladder operates as an automatic fluid pump communicating between said reservoir and said at least one pressure bladder for delivering pressurized fluid stored in said reservoir to said at least one pressure bladder, such that the pressure within said at least one pressure bladder may be increased with movement;
a fluid circuit operably interconnected between said reservoir, said at least one pumping bladder, and said at least one pressure bladder, said fluid circuit including pressure control means for regulating and maintaining a predetermined pressure in said at least one pressure bladder; and
said pressure control means comprises means for providing controlled leakage of the fluid from within said at least one pressure bladder, such that the pressure within said at least one pressure bladder may be decreased. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A fluid, volume-compensating attachment fitting system comprising:
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engaging means disposed between two opposing objects for applying a sufficient force to the surfaces of the two opposing objects where a first opposing object is removably retained within a second opposing object;
pressurizing means for automatically increasing pressure within said engaging means, whereby said engaging means expands and fills the volume between the two opposing objects to a predetermined pressure, such that the pressure within said engaging means may be increased with movement;
pressure control means for regulating the predetermined pressure within said engaging means; and
said pressure control means comprises means for providing controlled leakage of the fluid from within said engaging means, such that the pressure within said engaging means may be decreased. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. An automatic force applying retention system, comprising:
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a plurality of bladders being disposed between a body part and a body appliance;
means for automatically adjusting said plurality of bladders with a fluid, wherein said plurality of bladders cooperate to define a body part engaging surface, said body part engaging surface of said plurality of bladders being capable of conforming to at least a portion of an outer surface of said body part when said plurality of bladders are inflated and filling a space between the body part and the body appliance; and
said means for automatically adjusting said plurality of bladders comprise a pumping bladder for automatically supplying pressurized fluid to a plurality of pressure bladders upon movement of the body part and leakage means for providing controlled leakage of pressurized fluid from said plurality of bladders. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A lower-limb prosthesis socket system, comprising:
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a socket, said socket having a lower-limb prosthesis associated therewith;
a reservoir, said reservoir capable of being filled with a fluid;
at least one pumping bladder, said at least one pumping bladder being positioned near a distal-end of said socket;
a plurality of intrasocket bladders, said at least one pumping bladder being capable of pumping fluid to said plurality of intrasocket bladders during a positive pressure phase and said at least one pumping bladder being capable of drawing fluid from said reservoir during a negative pressure phase such that said plurality of intrasocket bladders create a continuously secure fit for the lower-limb prosthesis socket to a residuum, which is naturally changing volume; and
a plurality of conduits, said plurality of conduits connect said reservoir to said at least one pumping bladder and said plurality of intrasocket bladders, whereby said at least one pumping bladder and said plurality of intrasocket bladders are maintained at a predetermined pressure. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification