VACUUM ASSISTED SUSPENSION SYSTEM

摘要

A vacuum assisted suspension system is used to increase or maintain negative pressure or vacuum in a sealed socket cavity as a socket and prosthetic limb attachment mechanism. The system includes a vacuum pump (2) having a housing (8) that defines an enclosed space to receive a fluid. At least one wall of the housing (8) and at least one movable wall (10) define a fluid compartment (12). The system includes a compression transfer element (15) connected to the at least one movable wall (10) and connected to a prosthetic foot (6). The compression transfer element (15) causes the at least one movable wall (10) of the fluid compartment (12) to move and increase the volume of the fluid compartment (12) in response to a compressive force on the prosthetic foot (6) to draw in fluid from the prosthetic socket (4). In the absence of a compressive force, the volume of the fluid compartment (12) decreases thereby expelling fluid out of the fluid compartment (12).