Inflatable limb prosthesis with preformed inner surface

Abstract

A prosthesis having a stump-receiving socket and a plurality of inflatable bladders with a means for the user to vary the pressures therein. The inflatable bladders each include a relatively soft, flexible membrane made of a suitable material such as polyurethane. The membranes are shaped to meet the anatomical characteristic of the wearer. Those membranes located adjacent the weight-bearing portions of the stump will provide a relatively soft uniform surface to support the stump. For those locations near the weight-bearing portions of the stump that should not be subjected to pressures, the adjacent bladder areas are non-inflatable and, therefore, not force inducing. The static pressures in the various bladders are independent of each other and may be regulated by the user.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.