Abstract: Vacuum locking systems for prosthetic limbs are generally disclosed. An example double-wall socket system according to at least some aspects of the present disclosure may include a flexible liner shaped to accept a portion of a residual limb; a plunger pin mounted to a distal end of the flexible liner; an inner socket shaped to receive the flexible liner and the residual limb; an outer socket shaped to receive the inner socket, the flexible liner, and the residual limb; a locking mechanism mounted at least partially within the inner socket approximate a distal end of the inner socket; and a manifold mounted to a distal end of the outer socket. The manifold may be configured to be connected to a vacuum pump for withdrawing air from the double wall socket system.

Abstract: An elevated vacuum locking system for prosthetic limb. An exemplary embodiment may include a plunger pin mounted to a flexible liner and including a through passage between a location proximate the exterior of the liner and a distal end of the plunger pin; a locking mechanism mounted within the distal end of a socket; a manifold mounted to the exterior of the distal end of the socket and including a cavity adapted to receive the distal end of the plunger pin when the patient's residual limb and the liner are installed into the socket, the manifold including a through passage connecting an interior of the cavity to an exterior fitting; and a vacuum pump operative to withdraw air from the interior of the socket via the through passage of the plunger pin, the cavity, and the through passage of the manifold.

Abstract: An elevated vacuum locking system for prosthetic limb. An exemplary embodiment may include a plunger pin mounted to a flexible liner and including a through passage between a location proximate the exterior of the liner and a distal end of the plunger pin; a locking mechanism mounted within the distal end of a socket; a manifold mounted to the exterior of the distal end of the socket and including a cavity adapted to receive the distal end of the plunger pin when the patient's residual limb and the liner are installed into the socket, the manifold including a through passage connecting an interior of the cavity to an exterior fitting; and a vacuum pump operative to withdraw air from the interior of the socket via the through passage of the plunger pin, the cavity, and the through passage of the manifold.

Abstract: Locking systems for prosthetic sockets utilizing integrated vacuum and mechanical coupling are disclosed. Some example embodiments may include a flexible liner shaped to accept a portion of a patient's residual limb, the flexible liner including a liner distal end including at least one surface feature; a plunger pin extending distally from the liner distal end; and a locking mechanism for mounting within a prosthetic limb socket approximate a socket distal end, the locking mechanism including a central opening sized to receive the plunger pin, the locking mechanism releasably engaging the plunger pin when the residual limb and the liner are inserted into the socket, wherein a proximal end of the locking mechanism includes at least one surface feature for releasably and sealingly engaging the at least one surface feature of the distal end of the flexible liner.

Abstract: Elevated vacuum locking systems for prosthetic limbs are disclosed. Some example embodiments may include a manifold mounted to the exterior of the distal end of a socket and may include a cavity adapted to receive a distal end of a plunger pin when the patient's residual limb and a liner are installed into the socket. Some example manifolds may include a through passage fluidicly connecting an interior of the cavity to a fitting mounted on an exterior of the manifold and/or a spool valve arranged to selectively vent the cavity to atmosphere via the through passage and a vent hole. The spool valve may be axially slidable between an open position and a shut position within a channel integrally formed with the manifold.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a prosthetic limb socket component includes the following steps: (a) obtaining measurements of an individual's residual limb; (b) generating electronic data representing outer dimensions of the individual's residual limb utilizing (at least in part) the obtained measurements; (c) storing the electronic data representing outer dimensions of the individual's residual limb in an electronic record, where the electronic record includes cross-reference information; (d) manufacturing a first prosthetic limb socket component utilizing, at least in part, the electronic data representing outer dimensions of the individual's residual limb; (e) placing a permanent unique indicia on the prosthetic limb socket component, where the unique indicia includes data corresponding to the cross-reference information; and (f) utilizing the unique indicia data to access, with the assistance of a computer, the electronic record via the cross-reference information.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a double-wall prosthetic limb socket assembly includes: (a) a first substantially rigid inner-wall socket adapted to receive a patient's residual limb; and (b) a second substantially rigid outer-wall socket seating the first inner-wall socket therein, the second outer-wall socket including, (i) a distal, circular base-plate; and (ii) a molded circumferential wall bonded to and extending proximally from the distal, circular base-plate; where the circular base-plate includes a vacuum port extending radially from a circumferential outer side of the base-plate in fluid communication with a vacuum channel extending through the circular base-plate and out through an outlet hole in a proximal side of the circular base-plate; such that when the vacuum port is coupled to a vacuum pump, the vacuum will help to draw the first inner-wall socket into the second outer-wall socket.

Abstract: Fuel tank stands are disclosed. Some example embodiments may include a base configured to engage a chassis of a vehicle; at least one arm comprising a first end pivotably mounted to the base; and a tank support mounted to a second end of the at least one arm, the tank support being configured to selectively engage and at least partially support a fuel tank of the vehicle. Some example embodiments may include a bias, such as a torsion spring, configured bias the arms into a generally upright configuration. Some example embodiments may include a latch configured to retain the arms in a collapsed configuration.

Abstract: A lanyard suspension system for a prosthetic limb that includes: (a) a lanyard cord adapted to extend from a distal end of a patient's residual limb; and (b) a lanyard lock assembly adapted to be seated at a distal end of a patient's prosthetic limb socket assembly. The lanyard lock assembly includes: (1) a lanyard lock base having a lanyard cord channel extending therethrough from an inlet hole in a proximal surface of the lanyard lock base to an outlet hole in one of a side surface and a distal surface of the lanyard lock base; and (2) a locking mechanism designed to allow the lanyard cord to substantially freely thread through the lanyard cord channel from the inlet hole to the outlet hole while substantially inhibiting the lanyard cord from threading in the opposite direction when in an active setting.

Abstract: An elevated vacuum locking system for prosthetic limb. An exemplary embodiment may include a plunger pin mounted to a flexible liner and including a through passage between a location proximate the exterior of the liner and a distal end of the plunger pin; a locking mechanism mounted within the distal end of a socket; a manifold mounted to the exterior of the distal end of the socket and including a cavity adapted to receive the distal end of the plunger pin when the patient's residual limb and the liner are installed into the socket, the manifold including a through passage connecting an interior of the cavity to an exterior fitting; and a vacuum pump operative to withdraw air from the interior of the socket via the through passage of the plunger pin, the cavity, and the through passage of the manifold.

Abstract: An elevated vacuum locking system for prosthetic limb. An exemplary embodiment may include a plunger pin mounted to a flexible liner and including a through passage between a location proximate the exterior of the liner and a distal end of the plunger pin; a locking mechanism mounted within the distal end of a socket; a manifold mounted to the exterior of the distal end of the socket and including a cavity adapted to receive the distal end of the plunger pin when the patient's residual limb and the liner are installed into the socket, the manifold including a through passage connecting an interior of the cavity to an exterior fitting; and a vacuum pump operative to withdraw air from the interior of the socket via the through passage of the plunger pin, the cavity, and the through passage of the manifold.

Abstract: An elevated vacuum locking system for prosthetic limb. An exemplary embodiment may include a plunger pin mounted to a flexible liner and including a through passage between a location proximate the exterior of the liner and a distal end of the plunger pin; a locking mechanism mounted within the distal end of a socket; a manifold mounted to the exterior of the distal end of the socket and including a cavity adapted to receive the distal end of the plunger pin when the patient's residual limb and the liner are installed into the socket, the manifold including a through passage connecting an interior of the cavity to an exterior fitting; and a vacuum pump operative to withdraw air from the interior of the socket via the through passage of the plunger pin, the cavity, and the through passage of the manifold.

Abstract: Locking systems for prosthetic sockets utilizing integrated vacuum and mechanical coupling are disclosed. Some example embodiments may include a flexible liner shaped to accept a portion of a patient's residual limb, the flexible liner including a liner distal end including at least one surface feature; a plunger pin extending distally from the liner distal end; and a locking mechanism for mounting within a prosthetic limb socket approximate a socket distal end, the locking mechanism including a central opening sized to receive the plunger pin, the locking mechanism releasably engaging the plunger pin when the residual limb and the liner are inserted into the socket, wherein a proximal end of the locking mechanism includes at least one surface feature for releasably and sealingly engaging the at least one surface feature of the distal end of the flexible liner.

Abstract: Elevated vacuum locking systems for prosthetic limbs are disclosed. Some example embodiments may include a manifold mounted to the exterior of the distal end of a socket and may include a cavity adapted to receive a distal end of a plunger pin when the patient's residual limb and a liner are installed into the socket. Some example manifolds may include a through passage fluidicly connecting an interior of the cavity to a fitting mounted on an exterior of the manifold and/or a spool valve arranged to selectively vent the cavity to atmosphere via the through passage and a vent hole. The spool valve may be axially slidable between an open position and a shut position within a channel integrally formed with the manifold.

Abstract: A cosmesis including a thigh component and a shin component that fit over a prosthetic knee joint. The thigh component and shin component are pivotally joined along an axis of rotation coinciding with that of the prosthetic knee joint. The thigh component and shin component can include internal contours molded into their inside walls to seat the prosthetic knee joint securely therein. The knee ball region of the thigh component can be made relatively thicker to provide a protective cushion and allow the patient to kneel. Additionally, a floating knee cap can be fit over the knee ball area. The upper end of the thigh component can be made of sufficiently thin material to permit rolling onto itself.

Abstract: An elevated vacuum locking system for prosthetic limb. An exemplary embodiment may include a plunger pin mounted to a flexible liner and including a through passage between a location proximate the exterior of the liner and a distal end of the plunger pin; a locking mechanism mounted within the distal end of a socket; a manifold mounted to the exterior of the distal end of the socket and including a cavity adapted to receive the distal end of the plunger pin when the patient's residual limb and the liner are installed into the socket, the manifold including a through passage connecting an interior of the cavity to an exterior fitting; and a vacuum pump operative to withdraw air from the interior of the socket via the through passage of the plunger pin, the cavity, and the through passage of the manifold.

Abstract: A modular shock absorber for a prosthetic limb which may be selectively interconnected between a socket for receiving a residual limb and other prosthetic limb components. An exemplary modular shock absorber includes a generally C-shaped body having a substantially planar first extension coupled to a prosthetic socket, a substantially planar second extension coupled to a prosthetic knee chassis, a substantially curved closed end connecting the first extension and the second extension, and a bias interposing the first extension and the second extension. Some exemplary modular shock absorbers may include first and second extensions that are horizontally and/or angularly offset relative to each other.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee-joint assembly includes: (a) a proximal segment; (b) a distal segment pivotally disposed with respect to the proximal segment to form a knee joint; (c) a first coupling integral with the proximal segment that includes a first adjustable member having a frustopyramidal boss extending proximally with respect to the proximal segment that is adapted to mount the proximal segment to above-knee prosthetic knee components, where the frustopyramidal boss is slidably adjustable and/or rotatably adjustable with respect to the proximal segment; and (d) a second coupling integral with the distal segment that includes a second adjustable member having a second frustopyramidal boss extending distally with respect to the distal segment that is adapted to mount the distal segment to below-knee prosthetic limb components, and where the second frustopyramidal boss is slidably adjustable and/or rotatably adjustable with respect to the distal segment.

Abstract: A prosthetic knee-joint assembly includes: (a) a proximal segment; (b) a distal segment pivotally disposed with respect to the proximal segment to form a knee joint; (c) a first coupling integral with the proximal segment that includes a first adjustable member having a frustopyramidal boss extending proximally with respect to the proximal segment that is adapted to mount the proximal segment to above-knee prosthetic knee components, where the frustopyramidal boss is slidably adjustable and/or rotatably adjustable with respect to the proximal segment; and (d) a second coupling integral with the distal segment that includes a second adjustable member having a second frustopyramidal boss extending distally with respect to the distal segment that is adapted to mount the distal segment to below-knee prosthetic limb components, and where the second frustopyramidal boss is slidably adjustable and/or rotatably adjustable with respect to the distal segment.

Abstract: A prosthetic coupling providing height and rotation adjustability. Exemplary embodiments include a Double Ended Pyramid Adapter (DEPR) allowing a prosthesis to be height adjusted and rotated using a single adapter. An exemplary DEPR also has an anti-rotation locking feature that selectively inhibits rotation of the components with respect to one another, and can selectively be unlocked to allow rotation when desired. An exemplary DEPR adapter allows for height and rotation adjustment, and may be utilized with transfemoral patients for height adjustments between the distal end of the socket and the prosthetic knee.