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US 5,904,722 AGranted
Hypobarically-controlled, double-socket artificial limb with mechanical interlock
OwnerCarl A. Caspersinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hypobarically-controlled artificial limb for amputees includes an outer socket, a flexible, compressible inner socket within the outer socket with a cavity for receiving the residual limb, a space between the inner socket and the outer socket, a vacuum source connected to the cavity, a positive pressure source connected to the space, a regulator for controlling the vacuum source and positive pressure source, and a seal for making an airtight seal between the residual limb and the socket. Another embodiment includes a semi-compressible molding material in the space to mold to the contours of the residual limb under the influence of vacuum and/or positive pressure. Another embodiment includes a positive mechanical interlock between the inner socket and the outer socket.
Claims61
A hypobarically-controlled artificial limb for amputees who have a residual limb, the artificial limb comprising:
- (a) an outer socket with a volume and shape to receive a substantial portion of the residual limb with a space therebetween;
- (b) an inner socket removable from said outer socket with a cavity with a volume and shape for receiving a substantial portion of the residual limb and fitting in said space between said outer socket and the residual limb, said inner socket having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface adapted to oppose the residual limb, said outer surface opposing said outer socket;
- (c) a vacuum source;
- (d) a vacuum tube connecting said vacuum source to said cavity and in flow communication with said cavity, thereby drawing the residual limb into firm contact with said inner surface of said inner socket, and a vacuum valve between said cavity and said vacuum source adapted to maintain vacuum in said cavity;
- (e) a regulator means for controlling said vacuum source;
- (f) a power source connected to said regulator means and said vacuum source;
- (g) a seal means for making an airtight seal between the residual limb and said inner socket;
- and
- (h) a mechanical interlock holding said inner socket to said outer socket.
6 more elements
A hypobarically-controlled artificial limb for amputees who have a residual limb, the artificial limb comprising:
- (a) an outer socket with a volume and shape to receive a substantial portion of the residual limb with a space therebetween, wherein said outer socket further comprises a rigid lower portion and a substantially flexible upper portion;
- (b) an inner socket removable from said outer socket with a cavity with a volume and shape for receiving a substantial portion of the residual limb and fitting in said space between said outer socket and the residual limb, said inner socket having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface adapted to oppose the residual limb, said outer surface opposing said outer socket, wherein said inner socket further comprises a rigid lower portion and a substantially flexible upper portion;
- (c) a vacuum source;
- (d) a vacuum tube connecting said vacuum source to said cavity and in flow communication with said cavity, thereby drawing the residual limb into firm contact with said inner surface of said inner socket, and a vacuum valve between said cavity and said vacuum source adapted to maintain vacuum in said cavity;
- (e) a regulator means for controlling said vacuum source;
- (f) a power source connected to said regulator means and said vacuum source;
- (g) a seal means for making an airtight seal between the residual limb and said inner socket;
- and
- (h) a mechanical interlock holding said inner socket to said outer socket.
6 more elements
A hypobarically-controlled artificial limb for amputees who have a residual limb, the artificial limb comprising:
- (a) an outer socket with a volume and shape to receive a substantial portion of the residual limb with a space therebetween, wherein said outer socket further comprises a rigid lower portion and a substantially flexible upper portion;
- (b) an inner socket removable from said outer socket with a cavity with a volume and shape for receiving a substantial portion of the residual limb and fitting in said space between said outer socket and the residual limb, said inner socket having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface adapted to oppose the residual limb, said outer surface opposing said outer socket, wherein said inner socket further comprises a rigid lower portion and a substantially flexible upper portion;
- (c) a vacuum source, further comprising a motor-driven vacuum pump;
- (d) a vacuum fitting attached to said inner socket and in flow communication with said cavity;
- (e) a vacuum tube connecting said vacuum source to said vacuum fitting and in flow communication with said cavity, thereby drawing the residual limb into firm contact with said inner surface of said inner socket, and a vacuum valve between said cavity and said vacuum source adapted to maintain vacuum in said cavity;
- (f) a regulator means for controlling said vacuum source;
- (g) a vacuum sensor attached to said vacuum fitting and adapted to sense the amount of vacuum in said cavity and a sensor lead connecting said vacuum sensor to said regulator means;
- (h) a power source connected to said regulator means and said vacuum source;
- (i) a seal means for making an airtight seal between the residual limb and said inner socket, wherein said seal means comprises a nonfoamed, nonporous polyurethane suspension sleeve for rolling over and covering said inner socket and a portion of the residual limb, thereby forming an airtight seal;
- and
- (j) a mechanical interlock engaging said inner socket and said outer socket, wherein said mechanical interlock further comprises an extension attached to said inner socket, a docking device attached to said outer socket and receiving said extension, and a locking mechanism engaging said extension and said docking device
- wherein said vacuum source, said vacuum tube, said vacuum valve, said regulator means, and said power source are attached to said outer socket in said space between said outer socket and said inner socket and further comprising a vacuum control adapted to control said regulator means and extending outside said outer socket.
9 more elements
A hypobarically-controlled artificial limb for amputees who have a residual limb, the artificial limb comprising:
- (a) an outer socket with a volume and shape to receive a substantial portion of the residual limb with a space therebetween, wherein said outer socket further comprises a rigid lower portion and a substantially flexible upper portion;
- (b) an inner socket removable from said outer socket with a cavity with a volume and shape for receiving a substantial portion of the residual limb and fitting in said space between said outer socket and the residual limb, said inner socket having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface adapted to oppose the residual limb, said outer surface opposing said outer socket, wherein said inner socket further comprises a rigid lower portion and a substantially flexible upper portion.
- (c) a vacuum source, further comprising a motor-driven vacuum pump;
- (d) a vacuum fitting attached to said inner socket and in flow communication with said cavity;
- (e) a vacuum tube connecting said vacuum source to said vacuum fitting and in flow communication with said cavity, thereby drawing the residual limb into firm contact with said inner surface of said inner socket, and a vacuum valve between said cavity and said vacuum source adapted to maintain vacuum in said cavity;
- (f) a regulator means for controlling said vacuum source;
- (g) a vacuum sensor attached to said vacuum fitting and adapted to sense the amount of vacuum in said cavity and a sensor lead connecting said vacuum sensor to said regulator means;
- (h) a power source connected to said regulator means and said vacuum source;
- (i) a seal means for making an airtight seal between the residual limb and said inner socket, wherein said seal means comprises a nonfoamed, nonporous polyurethane suspension sleeve for rolling over and covering said inner socket and a portion of the residual limb, thereby forming an airtight seal;
- and
- (j) a mechanical interlock holding said inner socket to said outer socket, wherein said mechanical interlock further comprises an extension attached to said suspension sleeve, a docking device attached to said outer socket and receiving said extension, and a locking mechanism engaging said extension and said docking device
- wherein said vacuum source, said vacuum tube, said vacuum valve, said regulator means, and said power source are attached to said outer socket in said space between said outer socket and said inner socket and further comprising a vacuum control adapted to control said regulator means and extending outside said outer socket.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.