Electromagnetic suspension system for prosthetic device

A suspension system for attaching a prosthetic device to a residual limb, said suspension system comprising:

• a prosthetic socket having a base and sidewalls with an interior surface, said prosthetic socket being is attachable to the prosthetic device;
• a non-magnetized liner that is comprised of an outer layer comprising objects of attraction and an inner layer, said liner being operative to be in intimate contact with said residual limb;
• and
• a three-dimensional, cup-shaped array comprising a plurality of non-adjacent and spaced apart means for adhering said socket to said non-magnetized liner that are embedded in said sidewalls, but not in said base, of said prosthetic socket, said three-dimensional, cup-shaped array having a circular cross section;
• an array hub disposed at said base of said prosthetic socket that is in electrical communication with each of said means for adhering said prosthetic socket to said non-magnetized liner;
• a socket adaptor disposed at said base of said prosthetic socket that is in electrical communication with said socket adaptor comprising a microprocessor that is programmed to control the field strength of each of said means for adhering said prosthetic socket to said non-magnetized liner, a power supply for energizing said microprocessor and each of said means for adhering said prosthetic socket to said non-magnetized liner, and a power switch and having a locking pin receptacle;
• and
• one or more sensors that are disposed in said prosthetic socket or in said non-magnetized liner or in both of them, each of said one or more sensors being in electrical communication with said microprocessor;
• wherein, in use, each of said means for adhering said prosthetic socket to said non-magnetized liner is operative not to cause such adherence between said prosthetic socket and said non-magnetized liner when the suspension system is switched off using said power switch, facilitating a user's insertion of a liner-clad residual limb into said prosthetic socket;
• wherein, in use, each of said means for adhering said prosthetic socket to said non-magnetized liner is operative to be attracted to said non-magnetized liner and to prevent axial and rotational movement of said liner-clad residual limb relative to said prosthetic socket when the suspension system is switched on;
• wherein the field strength of each of said means for adhering said socket to said non-magnetized liner is controlled by said microcontroller in response to signals from said one or more sensors;
• wherein, in use, the suspension system is operative to suspend and control the volume of the residual limb.