PROSTHETIC SYSTEM AND METHOD UTILIZING MICROPROCESSOR-CONTROLLED ELECTRIC VACUUM PUMP

摘要

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.

主权项

1. 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; andevacuate the interior of the socket with the electrically powered vacuum pump to the correlating vacuum level.