Abstract: A hypobarically-controlled artificial limb for amputees includes a single socket with a volume and shape to receive a substantial portion of the residual limb. A liner with a volume less than the residual limb is donned over the residual limb, with the liner tensioned into a total contact relationship with the residual limb. A sealed cavity is formed between the socket and the liner. A vacuum source is connected to the socket cavity thereby drawing the residual limb and liner into firm and total contact with the socket. To compensate for some air leakage past the seal, there is a mechanism to maintain the vacuum in the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for securing a prosthesis to the residuum of a limb of an amputee and for providing pressure therapy to the residuum so as to manage fluid within the residuum. The apparatus includes a socket shaped to receive a residuum of a limb of an amputee and configured to connect to a prosthetic limb. The socket forming a chamber between the socket and the residuum when the socket receives the residuum. The apparatus also includes a pressure control device operably connected to the chamber and capable of creating a positive pressure and a negative pressure within the chamber to provide pressure therapy to the residuum, as well as provide securement of the socket to the residuum. The apparatus may also include a liner surrounding at least a portion of the residuum. The control device adjust pressure within the chamber based on manual and automatic inputs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing positive and negative pressure to a portion of a body for the purpose of improving blood flow in that portion of the body. The apparatus including a pressure chamber configured to generally conform to and surround a portion of the body, with the chamber adapted to receive the portion of the body within an opening in the chamber. The chamber also including a flexible liner adapted to surround the portion. The liner is configured to extend beyond the chamber when the portion covered by the liner is placed within the chamber with the chamber sealing to the liner. Additionally including a pressure control device having sources of positive and negative pressure. The device being operably connected to the chamber to provide positive and negative pressure to the portion within the chamber in a predetermined, controlled manner. A pressure patch is also described.

Abstract: A weight-actuated vacuum pump and shock absorber for an artificial limb. Ambulation causes the vacuum pump, under the influence of the wearer's body weight, to draw air out of the artificial limb socket cavity, producing a vacuum within the socket. The vacuum pulls the residual limb into firm and total contact with the socket and prevents the loss of fluids in the residual limb. A shock absorber acts in conjunction with the vacuum pump to reduce the shock of impact on the wearer caused by ambulation.

Abstract: A weight-actuated vacuum pump and shock absorber for an artificial limb. Ambulation causes the vacuum pump, under the influence of the wearer's body weight, to draw air out of the artificial limb socket cavity, producing a vacuum within the socket. The vacuum pulls the residual limb into firm and total contact with the socket and prevents the loss of fluids in the residual limb. A shock absorber acts in conjunction with the vacuum pump to reduce the shock of impact on the wearer caused by ambulation.

Abstract: A weight-actuated vacuum pump for a hypobarically-controlled artificial limb having a socket with a cavity to receive a residual limb. A dual-action pump has a housing fixedly attached to the socket of the artificial limb, a cylinder reciprocating within the housing and attached to the pylon of the artificial limb, a first chamber within the cylinder, a piston reciprocating within the first chamber, a second chamber between the cylinder and the housing, and valves for connecting the first chamber and second chamber to the cavity and to atmosphere. A single-action pump has a housing fixedly attached to the pylon of the artificial limb with a first chamber therein, a piston reciprocating in the first chamber with a seal, forming a second chamber between the piston and the housing, an intake/exhaust port connected to the second chamber, and one-way valves connecting the second chamber to the cavity and to atmosphere.

Abstract: A hypobarically-controlled artificial limb for amputees includes a single socket with a volume and shape to receive a substantial portion of the residual limb. A sealed cavity is formed between the socket and the residual limb. Optionally, the wearer may use a liner over the residual limb for comfort. A vacuum source is connected to a vacuum valve connected to the cavity to suspend the artificial limb from the residual limb and to control and minimize volumetric and fluid changes within the residual limb. A liner for a hypobarically-controlled socket for an artificial limb, with: a) an inner layer contacting the residual limb; b) an outer fabric layer engaging the inner layer; and c) an annual seal extending outwardly from the outer fabric layer and sealingly engaging the suspension sleeve, thereby making a seal between the residual limb and the socket to minimize air leakage into the cavity.

Abstract: A hypobarically-controlled artificial limb for amputees includes a single socket with a volume and shape to receive a substantial portion of the residual limb. A liner with a volume less than the residual limb is donned over the residual limb, with the liner tensioned into a total contact relationship with the residual limb. A sealed cavity is formed between the socket and the liner. A vacuum source is connected to the socket cavity thereby drawing the residual limb and liner into firm and total contact with the socket. To compensate for some air leakage past the seal, there is a mechanism to maintain the vacuum in the cavity. A plate/socket attachment connects the vacuum source to the cavity.

Abstract: A weight-actuated vacuum pump for a hypobarically-controlled artificial limb having a socket with a cavity to receive a residual limb. A dual-action pump has a housing fixedly attached to the socket of the artificial limb, a cylinder reciprocating within the housing and attached to the pylon of the artificial limb, a first chamber within the cylinder, a piston reciprocating within the first chamber, a second chamber between the cylinder and the housing, and valve means for connecting the first chamber and second chamber to the cavity and to atmosphere. A single-action pump has a housing fixedly attached to the pylon of the artificial limb with a first chamber therein, a piston reciprocating in the first chamber with a seal, forming a second chamber between the piston and the housing, an intake/exhaust port connected to the second chamber, and one-way valves connecting the second chamber to the cavity and to atmosphere.

Abstract: A hypobarically-controlled artificial limb for amputees includes a single socket with a volume and shape to receive a substantial portion of the residual limb. A liner with a volume less than the residual limb is donned over the residual limb, with the liner tensioned into a total contact relationship with the residual limb. A sealed cavity is formed between the socket and the liner. A vacuum source is connected to the socket cavity thereby drawing the residual limb and liner into firm and total contact with the socket. To compensate for some air leakage past the seal, there is a mechanism to maintain the vacuum in the cavity. An osmotic membrane encases the residual limb and creates a space between the residual limb and the liner. The osmotic membrane allows passage of water only in one direction: from the residual limb toward the liner. Vacuum may be applied to the space between the osmotic membrane and the liner to assist in wicking perspiration away from the residual limb.

Abstract: A hypobarically-controlled artificial limb for amputees includes a single socket with a volume and shape to receive a substantial portion of the residual limb. A liner with a volume less than the residual limb is donned over the residual limb, with the liner tensioned into a total contact relationship with the residual limb. A sealed cavity is formed between the socket and the liner. A vacuum source is connected to the socket cavity thereby drawing the residual limb and liner into firm and total contact with the socket. To compensate for some air leakage past the seal, there is a mechanism to maintain the vacuum in the cavity.

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.

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.

Abstract: A visco-elastic polymer liner and sleeve for prosthetic devices utilize the liner for donning over a residual limb and fitting within the socket of an artificial limb. The sleeve is rolled on over the top of the artificial limb and onto the amputee's remaining stump. The liner is shaped to have its cavity formed with a volume and shape less than a volume and shape of the residual limb for both tension and tissue configuration relief while the liner has an outer surface formed with a volume and shape greater than the volume and shape of the artificial limb socket for relief of certain tissue configurations and to create weight bearing, relief and compression areas on and in the liner to absorb and dissipate shock, shear and mechanical forces through the liner otherwise transmitted to the residual limb. The sleeve is shaped like a tube.

Abstract: A hypobarically-controlled artificial limb for amputees comprises 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.

Abstract: A visco-elastic polymer liner and sleeve for prosthetic devices utilize the liner for donning over a residual limb and fitting within the socket of an artificial limb. The sleeve is rolled on over the top of the artificial limb and onto the amputee's remaining stump. The liner is shaped to have its cavity formed with a volume and shape less than a volume and shape of the residual limb for both tension and tissue configuration relief while the liner has an outer surface formed with a volume and shape greater than the volume and shape of the artificial limb socket for relief of certain tissue configurations and to create weight bearing, relief and compression areas on and in the liner to absorb and dissipate shock, shear and mechanical forces through the liner otherwise transmitted to the residual limb. The sleeve is shaped like a tube.

Abstract: A visco-elastic polymer liner for use in donning over a residual limb and fitting within the socket of an artificial limb. The liner is shaped to have its cavity formed with a volume and shape less than a volume and shape of the residual limb for both tension and tissue configuration relief while the liner has an outer surface formed with a volume and shape greater than the volume and shape of the artificial limb socket for relief of certain tissue configurations and to create weight bearing, relief and compression areas on and in the liner to absorb and dissipate shock, shear and mechanical forces through the liner otherwise transmitted to the residual limb. The liner may have imbedded on its inner cavity side electrodes adjacent muscles that are sensitive to the muscle action potentials to generate signals to a power source to move an articulable artificial limb.

Abstract: A visco-elastic polymer liner for use in donning over a residual limb and fitting within the socket of an artificial limb. The liner is shaped to have its cavity formed with a volume and shape less than a volume and shape of the residual limb for both tension and tissue configuration relief while the liner has an outer surface formed with a volume and shape greater than the volume and shape of the artificial limb socket for relief of certain tissue configurations and to create weight bearing, relief and compression areas on and in the liner to absorb and dissipate shock, shear and mechanical forces through the liner otherwise transmitted to the residual limb. The liner may have imbedded on its inner cavity side electrodes adjacent muscles that are sensitive to the muscle action potentials to generate signals to a power source to move an articulable artificial limb.

Abstract: An electrical system fault detector for connection across the source terminals of an electrical system includes circuitry responsive to the relative potentials and current flows between the terminals and a selected point in the electrical system to provide a digital indication of acceptable continuity when current can flow between the selected point and one of the terminals and the potentials thereat are approximately equal. A lack of an indication of acceptable continuity indicates a fault such as an open circuit oran excessive impedance between the selected point and the terminal to which it is connected. An incongruous indication would further indicate a fault such as an incorrect connection or a short circuit. Further circuitry produces and is responsive to an oscillating signal subject to line impedances to distinguish between an open circuit and an excessive impedance.