Abstract: A hydraulically-driven vacuum pump is used for a prosthetic or orthotic artificial limb for amputees having a residual limb. The artificial limb has a pylon and a socket for receiving the residual limb. The vacuum pump is connected to the socket and mounted in-line on the pylon. An upper portion housing of the vacuum pump is connected to the vacuum pump by a port. A lower portion housing of the vacuum pump reciprocates within the upper housing portion and is connected to a piston of the hydraulic pump. The weight of the amputee bears on the pylon and drives the lower portion within the upper portion thereby driving the hydraulic pump.

Abstract: An articulating prosthetic foot is used for a prosthetic or orthotic artificial limb for amputees having a residual limb. The artificial limb has a pylon and a socket for receiving the residual limb and a vacuum pump connected to the socket. The articulating foot articulates on the pylon and has a hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump is driven by the articulating motion of the foot and drives the vacuum pump.

Abstract: A socket system in an artificial limb for amputees, the socket system being dynamically activated by weight-bearing loads and variable in response to shear forces imposed by weight-bearing loads. The socket system includes: a liner adapted to engage the residual limb; a semi-flexible inner socket having a textured surface; an inner socket air wick between the liner and the textured surface of the inner socket; a semi-rigid outer socket having a textured surface; an outer socket air wick between the inner socket and the textured surface of the outer socket; a sealing sleeve engaging the outer socket and the residual limb, the sealing sleeve, the outer socket, and the residual limb creating a sealed chamber; and a vacuum source connected to the sealed chamber and creating a vacuum within the sealed chamber. The vacuum source is dynamically activated in response to weight-bearing loads and varies the response of the socket system to shear forces imposed by weight-bearing loads.