Abstract: Vacuum-assist artificial limb assemblies (10, 94) are provided having a socket (22, 104) for receiving a residual limb (20). The assemblies (10, 94) include a vacuum pump and control assembly (18, 100, 102) with a selectively operable vacuum pump (72, 116) controlled by a microprocessor (44, 102). The microprocessor (44, 102) is also connected with an on-off switch (48, 146), pressure adjust buttons (68, 148), a pressure read-out (66, 150), and an optional alarm (70). In use, a pressure transducer (74) in communication with the interior of socket (22, 104) and coupled with microprocessor (44, 102) monitors negative pressure conditions within the socket (22, 104), and the microprocessor (44, 102) operates pump (72, 116) in response to transducer pressure signals. In this manner, the vacuum-assist operation of assemblies (10, 104) is essentially automatic.

Abstract: A vacuum-assist artificial limb assembly (10) is provided having a socket (22) for receiving a residual limb (20). The assembly (10) includes an on-board vacuum pump and control assembly (18) with a selectively operable vacuum pump (72) controlled by a microprocessor (44). The microprocessor (44) is also connected with an on-off switch (48), pressure adjust buttons (68), a pressure read-out (66), and an alarm (70). In use, a pressure transducer (74) in communication with the interior of socket (22) and coupled with microprocessor (44) monitors negative pressure conditions within the socket, and the microprocessor (44) operates pump (72) in response to transducer pressure signals. In this manner, the vacuum-assist operation of assembly (10) is essentially automatic.