Abstract: An improved prosthetic device with a vacuum system for maintaining a negative pressure seal between the socket and the residual limb. The vacuum system includes a vacuum surge chamber which maintains seal vacuum and increases the time between recharging a Li ion battery, allowing the battery to be recharged-up to 500 times. The system is small, lightweight, and concealable within the prosthetic device so that it neither impedes use of the device nor detracts from a cosmetically accurate limb.

Abstract: An improved prosthetic device with a vacuum system for maintaining a negative pressure seal between the socket and the residual limb. The vacuum system includes a vacuum surge chamber which maintains seal vacuum and increases battery life. The system is small, lightweight, and concealable within the prosthetic device so that it neither impedes use of the device nor detracts from a cosmetically accurate limb.

Abstract: A removable liner used in conjunction with a socket for a prosthetic device, in which a vacuum is wicked across the entire area of a porous fabric of the liner, is disclosed. The liner preferably includes a shaped-layer made from one of either a silicone or a urethane and has an exterior surface, an interior surface and a passage therein which opens at each of the two surfaces and connects to a valve of the socket. The liner further includes a first porous fabric covering at least a portion of the exterior surface of the shaped-layer including the corresponding opening of the passage, and a second porous fabric covering at least a portion of the interior surface of the shaped-layer including the corresponding opening of the passage. A vacuum source coupled to the liner, via the valve on the socket, draws a vacuum which is wicked across the entire surface of the first and second porous fabrics which interface with the socket and the user's residual limb, respectively.

Abstract: A socket assembly for use with a prosthetic device. The socket assembly receives at least a portion of a residual limb on which the prosthetic device is attached. The socket assembly includes an airtight outer shell adapted and constructed to receive a portion of the residual limb of an amputee, the shell having an interior and an exterior. A vacuum-permeable skin interface is secured to at least a portion of the interior of the outer shell. A high-vacuum valve communicates between the interior of the socket and the exterior of the socket, the valve being adapted and constructed to be attached to a vacuum source. When the residual limb is positioned in the socket assembly and the high-vacuum valve is connected to a vacuum source, the vacuum force exerted by the source is evenly distributed to the residual limb through the skin interface.

Abstract: A removable liner used in conjunction with a socket for a prosthetic device, in which a vacuum is wicked across the entire area of a porous fabric of the liner, is disclosed. The liner preferably includes a shaped-layer made from one of either a silicone or a urethane and has an exterior surface, an interior surface and a passage therein which opens at each of the two surfaces and connects to a valve of the socket. The liner further includes a first porous fabric covering at least a portion of the exterior surface of the shaped-layer including the corresponding opening of the passage, and a second porous fabric covering at least a portion of the interior surface of the shaped-layer including the corresponding opening of the passage. A vacuum source coupled to the liner, via the valve on the socket, draws a vacuum which is wicked across the entire surface of the first and second porous fabrics which interface with the socket and the user's residual limb, respectively.

Abstract: A socket assembly for use with a prosthetic device. The socket assembly receives at least a portion of a residual limb on which the prosthetic device is attached. The socket assembly includes an airtight outer shell adapted and constructed to receive a portion of the residual limb of an amputee, the shell having an interior and an exterior. A vacuum-permeable skin interface is secured to at least a portion of the interior of the outer shell. A high-vacuum valve communicates between the interior of the socket and the exterior of the socket, the valve being adapted and constructed to be attached to a vacuum source.

Abstract: An improved prosthetic device with a vacuum system for maintaining a negative pressure seal between the socket and the residual limb. The vacuum system includes a vacuum surge chamber which maintains seal vacuum and increases the time between recharging a Li ion battery, allowing the battery to be recharged-up to 500 times. The system is small, lightweight, and concealable within the prosthetic device so that it neither impedes use of the device nor detracts from a cosmetically accurate limb.

Abstract: An improved prosthetic device with a vacuum system for maintaining a negative pressure seal between the socket and the residual limb. The vacuum system includes a vacuum surge chamber which maintains seal vacuum and increases battery life. The system is small, lightweight, and concealable within the prosthetic device so that it neither impedes use of the device nor detracts from a cosmetically accurate limb.