Osmotic membrane and vacuum system for artificial limb
AssigneeOtto Bock Healthcare GmbH
InventorCarl Caspers
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for removing perspiration from a residual limb inserted in a prosthesis comprising an nonporous prosthesis socket, a porous thin sheath adjacent the socket, a nonporous liner adjacent the sheath, an osmotic membrane adjacent the liner allowing water vapor to pass from the limb but preventing liquid from passing to the limb, a nonporous seal that prevents air leakage between the residual limb and the socket; and, a vacuum source to reduce the pressure in a space between the limb and socket. A method of removing perspiration from a residual limb in a prosthesis.
Claims14
A system for removing perspiration from a residual limb inserted in a prosthesis comprising:
- an nonporous prosthesis socket;
- a porous thin sheath adjacent the socket;
- a nonporous liner adjacent the sheath;
- an osmotic membrane adjacent the liner allowing water vapor to pass from the limb but preventing liquid from passing to the limb;
- a nonporous seal that prevents air leakage between the residual limb and the socket;
- and
- a vacuum source to reduce the pressure in a space between the limb and socket.
A method of removing perspiration from a residual limb in a prosthesis comprising the steps of:
- inserting the residual limb into a sleeve comprising an osmotic membrane that allows water vapor to pass from the limb but preventing liquid from passing to the limb;
- inserting the residual limb and osmotic membrane sleeve into a flexible, nonporous liner;
- inserting the residual limb, osmotic membrane sleeve and liner into a porous sheath;
- inserting the residual limb, osmotic membrane sleeve, liner and sheath into a prosthetic socket cavity having a volume and shape to receive the residual limb;
- sealing the socket cavity with a nonporous seal;
- and
- applying a vacuum to the socket cavity in the space between the membrane and the socket to draw the residual limb and liner into firm contact with the socket and provide a reduced pressure in the socket cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.