Prosthetic system and method utilizing microprocessor-controlled electric vacuum pump
AssigneeThe Ohio Willow Wood Company
InventorMichael L. Haynes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A prosthetic system having a microprocessor-controlled socket evacuation device, and a method of retaining a prosthesis on the residual limb of an amputee using such an evacuation device are described herein. The evacuation device can include an electrically powered vacuum pump. The evacuation device can be operated in a manner that automatically adjusts the socket vacuum level to correspond to a determined activity level of a user. The microprocessor control can also limit operation of the evacuation device to certain determined portions of a user's gait cycle.
Claims23
A prosthetic system, comprising:
- a socket comprising an interior that receives a residual limb;
- a vacuum passageway extending from the interior of socket;
- an electrically powered vacuum pump in communication with the vacuum passageway;
- at least one pressure sensor that monitors vacuum pressure within the socket;
- a microprocessor in communication with the evacuation device and the at least one pressure sensor, the microprocessor programmed to automatically:
- evacuate the interior of the socket with the electrically powered vacuum pump to a vacuum level;
- observe the vacuum pressure within the socket based on signals from the at least one pressure sensor;
- determine an activity level of a user of the socket based upon the vacuum pressure that is observed;
- determine a correlating vacuum level based upon the activity level;
- and
- evacuate the interior of the socket with the electrically powered vacuum pump to the correlating vacuum level.
A method for controlling a vacuum pump, comprising:
- receiving a residual limb with an interior of a socket of a prosthetic device, wherein the prosthetic device comprises a vacuum passageway extending from the interior of socket, an electrically powered vacuum pump in communication with the vacuum passageway, and at least one pressure sensor that monitors vacuum pressure within the socket;
- evacuating the interior of the socket with the electrically powered vacuum pump to a vacuum level;
- observing, automatically with the microprocessor, the vacuum pressure within the socket based on signals from the at least one pressure sensor;
- determining, automatically with the microprocessor, an activity level of a user of the socket based upon the vacuum pressure that is observed;
- determining, automatically with the microprocessor, a correlating vacuum level based upon the activity level;
- and
- evacuating the interior of the socket with the electrically powered vacuum pump to the correlating vacuum level.
A prosthetic system, comprising:
- a socket comprising an interior that receives a residual limb;
- a vacuum passageway extending from the interior of socket;
- an electrically powered vacuum pump in communication with the vacuum passageway;
- a microprocessor in communication with the electrically powered vacuum pump, the microprocessor programmed to automatically:
- evacuate the interior of the socket with the electrically powered vacuum pump to maintain a vacuum level;
- monitor a duty cycle of the electrically powered vacuum pump;
- compare the duty cycle of the electrically powered vacuum pump to a baseline duty cycle;
- and
- provide a measure of air leaks based upon comparison of the duty cycle and the baseline duty cycle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.