Abstract: A vacuum assisted suspension system includes a prosthetic foot and a pump mechanism connected to the foot and fluidly couplable to a prosthetic socket. The pump mechanism includes an elongate pivoting member rotatable relative to the prosthetic foot about a joint and including a distal recess. A piston is connected to the foot and is movably received in the recess. A fluid chamber is defined between the piston and the interior of the recess. When no weight is placed on the foot a volume of the fluid chamber is zero or near-zero and when weight of a user is placed on the prosthetic foot the pivoting member rotates away from the piston and expands the volume of the fluid chamber to draw fluid into the fluid chamber from the prosthetic socket.

Abstract: A prosthetic system includes a prosthetic foot defining an upper surface and having a flexible configuration and a pump system attached to the prosthetic foot. The pump system includes a pump mechanism defining a fluid chamber having variable configuration and an actuating part. The actuating part is arranged to selectively engage with and separate a distance from the upper surface of the foot plate to move the pump mechanism between a first position in which a volume of the fluid chamber is zero or near-zero and a second position in which the volume of the fluid chamber is expanded relative to the first position. The volume of the fluid chamber increases when the actuating part moves away from the upper surface of the foot plate.

Abstract: A prosthetic system includes a prosthetic foot defining an upper surface and having a flexible configuration and a pump system attached to the prosthetic foot. The pump system includes a pump mechanism defining a fluid chamber having variable configuration and an actuating part. The actuating part is arranged to selectively engage with and separate a distance from the upper surface of the foot plate to move the pump mechanism between a first position in which a volume of the fluid chamber is zero or near-zero and a second position in which the volume of the fluid chamber is expanded relative to the first position. The volume of the fluid chamber increases when the actuating part moves away from the upper surface of the foot plate.

Abstract: A prosthetic system includes a prosthetic valve having a valve body with a shaft defining a flow channel fluidly connectable to an interior of a socket. One or more ports in the valve body are in fluid communication with the flow channel and a membrane is positioned in the valve body. A release button associated with the membrane controls allow air flow into the socket via the one or more ports while air can flow out of the socket via the one or more ports independent of operation of the release button. A one-way valve is connected to the valve assembly that selectively permit air flow out of the socket. A valve insert is mountable on the socket and arranged to couple the valve body to the socket. The valve insert defines an opening configured to allow the shaft to extend through the valve insert and into the socket.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted suspension system includes a prosthetic foot and a pump mechanism connected to the foot and fluidly couplable to a prosthetic socket. The pump mechanism includes an elongate pivoting member rotatable relative to the prosthetic foot about a joint and including a distal recess. A piston is connected to the foot and is movably received in the recess. A fluid chamber is defined between the piston and the interior of the recess. When no weight is placed on the foot a volume of the fluid chamber is zero or near-zero and when weight of a user is placed on the prosthetic foot the pivoting member rotates away from the piston and expands the volume of the fluid chamber to draw fluid into the fluid chamber from the prosthetic socket.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted suspension system includes a prosthetic foot and a pump mechanism connected to the foot and fluidly couplable to a prosthetic socket. The pump mechanism includes an elongate pivoting member rotatable relative to the prosthetic foot about a joint and including a distal recess. A piston is connected to the foot and is movably received in the recess. A fluid chamber is defined between the piston and the interior of the recess. When no weight is placed on the foot a volume of the fluid chamber is zero or near-zero and when weight of a user is placed on the prosthetic foot the pivoting member rotates away from the piston and expands the volume of the fluid chamber to draw fluid into the fluid chamber from the prosthetic socket.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot including a foot member and a heel member attached to a bottom surface of the foot member. A pump mechanism is located above the foot member and includes a housing and an elastomeric member at least in part defining a fluid chamber. The elastomeric member is operatively connected to the foot member such that when no weight is placed on the prosthetic foot the volume of the fluid chamber is zero or near-zero and upon heel strike the housing rotates relative to the foot member to expand the volume of the fluid chamber and draw fluid into the fluid chamber from a prosthetic socket in fluid communication with the pump mechanism.

Abstract: A prosthetic system includes a prosthetic foot defining an upper surface and having a flexible configuration and a pump system attached to the prosthetic foot. The pump system includes a pump mechanism defining a fluid chamber having variable configuration and an actuating part. The actuating part is arranged to selectively engage with and separate a distance from the upper surface of the foot plate to move the pump mechanism between a first position in which a volume of the fluid chamber is zero or near-zero and a second position in which the volume of the fluid chamber is expanded relative to the first position. The volume of the fluid chamber increases when the actuating part moves away from the upper surface of the foot plate.

Abstract: A prosthetic system includes a prosthetic valve having a valve body with a shaft defining a flow channel fluidly connectable to an interior of a socket. One or more ports in the valve body are in fluid communication with the flow channel and a membrane is positioned in the valve body. A release button associated with the membrane controls allow air flow into the socket via the one or more ports while air can flow out of the socket via the one or more ports independent of operation of the release button. A one-way valve is connected to the valve assembly that selectively permit air flow out of the socket. A valve insert is mountable on the socket and arranged to couple the valve body to the socket. The valve insert defines an opening configured to allow the shaft to extend through the valve insert and into the socket.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted suspension system includes a prosthetic foot and a pump mechanism connected to the foot and fluidly couplable to a prosthetic socket. The pump mechanism includes an elongate pivoting member rotatable relative to the prosthetic foot about a joint and including a distal recess. A piston is connected to the foot and is movably received in the recess. A fluid chamber is defined between the piston and the interior of the recess. When no weight is placed on the foot a volume of the fluid chamber is zero or near-zero and when weight of a user is placed on the prosthetic foot the pivoting member rotates away from the piston and expands the volume of the fluid chamber to draw fluid into the fluid chamber from the prosthetic socket.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted suspension system includes an elongate compression transfer element and a pump housing. The pump housing defines an enclosed space to receive a fluid. At least one wall of the housing and at least one movable wall define a fluid compartment and a non-fluid chamber. The at least one movable wall is connected to the compression transfer element. The compression transfer element causes the at least one movable wall of the fluid compartment to reciprocate in the fluid compartment to increase the volume of the fluid compartment in response to a compressive force on the compression transfer element and enables the at least one movable wall to decrease the volume of the fluid compartment in the absence of a compressive force.

Abstract: A prosthetic foot including a foot member and a heel member attached to a bottom surface of the foot member. A pump mechanism is located above the foot member and includes a housing and an elastomeric member at least in part defining a fluid chamber. The elastomeric member is operatively connected to the foot member such that when no weight is placed on the prosthetic foot the volume of the fluid chamber is zero or near-zero and upon heel strike the housing rotates relative to the foot member to expand the volume of the fluid chamber and draw fluid into the fluid chamber from a prosthetic socket in fluid communication with the pump mechanism.

Abstract: A prosthetic device includes a first place including a first end portion arranged for attachment to a foot member of a prosthetic foot. A second end portion is arranged to extend freely over at least a portion of the top surface of the foot member. A second plate includes a first end extending over a heel member of the prosthetic foot and a second end extending over and attached to the second end portion of the first plate. The second end portion of the first plate situated between the foot member and the second plate. A pump mechanism includes a housing secured to the second plate and a membrane operatively connected to the first place and the housing. The pump mechanism defines a fluid chamber between a bottom surface of the housing and a top surface of the membrane.

Abstract: A prosthetic system includes a pump mechanism operatively connectable to a prosthetic foot. The pump mechanism has a housing defining first and second ports, a membrane having an outer edge portion secured to the housing, and a fluid chamber with a volume defined between the housing and a first side of the membrane. The fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the first and second ports. A connector is attached to a second side of the membrane opposite the first side. The connector operatively connects the membrane to the prosthetic foot such that when no weight is placed on the prosthetic foot the volume of the fluid chamber is zero or near-zero and when weight of a user is placed on the prosthetic foot the membrane deforms to expand the volume of the fluid chamber.

Abstract: A vacuum assisted suspension system includes an elongate compression transfer element and a pump housing. The pump housing defines an enclosed space to receive a fluid. At least one wall of the housing and at least one movable wall define a fluid compartment and a non-fluid chamber. The at least one movable wall is connected to the compression transfer element. The compression transfer element causes the at least one movable wall of the fluid compartment to reciprocate in the fluid compartment to increase the volume of the fluid compartment in response to a compressive force on the compression transfer element and enables the at least one movable wall to decrease the volume of the fluid compartment in the absence of a compressive force.

Abstract: A suspension liner is adapted to provide an interface between a residual limb and a prosthetic socket. The liner includes an elongate, generally conical body portion, and a volume control pad located along the body portion. The volume control pad is arranged to distend outwardly from the body portion. A resilient seal element is connected to the body portion and protrudes radially from the body portion, and is located in correspondence with the volume control pad.

Abstract: 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 having a housing that defines an enclosed space to receive a fluid. At least one wall of the housing and at least one movable wall define a fluid compartment. The system includes a compression transfer element connected to the at least one movable wall and connected to a prosthetic foot. The compression transfer element causes the at least one movable wall of the fluid compartment to move and increase the volume of the fluid compartment in response to a compressive force on the prosthetic foot to draw in fluid from the prosthetic socket. In the absence of a compressive force, the volume of the fluid compartment decreases thereby expelling fluid out of the fluid compartment.

Abstract: A prosthetic device includes a first place including a first end portion arranged for attachment to a foot member of a prosthetic foot. A second end portion is arranged to extend freely over at least a portion of the top surface of the foot member. A second plate includes a first end extending over a heel member of the prosthetic foot and a second end extending over and attached to the second end portion of the first plate. The second end portion of the first plate situated between the foot member and the second plate. A pump mechanism includes a housing secured to the second plate and a membrane operatively connected to the first place and the housing. The pump mechanism defines a fluid chamber between a bottom surface of the housing and a top surface of the membrane.

Abstract: A prosthetic system includes a pump mechanism operatively connectable to a prosthetic foot. The pump mechanism has a housing defining first and second ports, a membrane having an outer edge portion secured to the housing, and a fluid chamber with a volume defined between the housing and a first side of the membrane. The fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the first and second ports. A connector is attached to a second side of the membrane opposite the first side. The connector operatively connects the membrane to the prosthetic foot such that when no weight is placed on the prosthetic foot the volume of the fluid chamber is zero or near-zero and when weight of a user is placed on the prosthetic foot the membrane deforms to expand the volume of the fluid chamber.

Abstract: A prosthetic device, system and method is arranged to generate negative pressure inside a prosthetic socket. A pump mechanism is connected to a prosthetic foot and has a fluid chamber in fluid communication with the prosthetic socket during gait for drawing air from the prosthetic socket in step phase, and expelling air into the atmosphere in swing phase. The vacuum assisted suspension results in secure and intimate suspension as the negative pressure formed inside the prosthetic socket holds a residuum firmly to walls of the prosthetic socket. The vacuum is preferably formed at the distal area of the prosthetic socket, and sealed by a suspension liner having a seal component.