Vacuum pump systems for prosthetic limbs and methods of using the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11877938-B2
Application number	US-202017065167-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 7, 2020
Priority date	Sep 4, 2015
Publication date	Jan 23, 2024
Grant date	Jan 23, 2024

Abstract

Pump systems for use in suspension of a prosthetic device from a residual limb and methods of suspending a prosthetic device from a residual limb are disclosed. The pump systems include a mechanically activated pump having a first compression member coupled to a second compression member, a diaphragm disposed between the first and second compression members, and coupling elements that engage and couple together the first and second compression members. The mechanically activated pump may be connected with an electrically activated pump, forming a hybrid pump system to provide vacuum engagement between a prosthetic device and a residual limb.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A mechanically activated pump for use in suspension of a prosthetic device from a residual limb comprising:
a first compression member coupled to a second compression member positioned below the first compression member, wherein the second compression member comprises:
a first one-way valve configured to engage an evacuation port in a socket of the prosthetic device, and
a second one-way valve configured to exhaust air;

a diaphragm disposed between the first and second compression members, wherein the diaphragm and the second compression member cooperate to define a void space therebetween; and
coupling elements that engage and couple together the first and second compression members, wherein all of the coupling elements are disposed about an outer perimeter of the diaphragm and guide translation of the first compression member relative to the second compression member, and
wherein the first and second compression members and the diaphragm are configured so that relative movement of the first and second compression members toward each other compresses the diaphragm to evacuate air from the void space between the diaphragm and the second compression member.

2. The mechanically activated pump in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the first compression member is slidably coupled to the second compression member.

3. The mechanically activated pump in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the first compression member is biased to move away from the second compression member.

4. The mechanically activated pump in accordance with claim 3 , wherein at least one spring provides the biasing of the first compression member away from the second compression member.

5. The mechanically activated pump in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm has a domed shape.

6. The mechanically activated pump in accordance with claim 1 , wherein a lower portion of the diaphragm is received in a recess of the second compression member.

7. The mechanically activated pump in accordance with claim 1 , wherein an upper portion of the diaphragm is received in a recess of the first compression member.

8. The mechanically activated pump in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the coupling elements comprise a first coupling element and a second coupling element positioned on opposite sides of the mechanically activated pump, wherein the first compression member is axially slidable along the coupling elements.

9. A pump system comprising:
a mechanical pump;
the mechanical pump being connected and providing vacuum for use in engagement between a prosthetic device and a residual limb, wherein the vacuum provided is from 15 mmHg to 25 mmHg;
the mechanical pump further comprising:
an upper compression member coupled to a lower compression member;
a diaphragm disposed between the upper and lower compression members, wherein the diaphragm and the lower compression member cooperate to define a void space therebetween; and
coupling elements that engage and couple together the upper and lower compression members, wherein the lower compression member comprises a first one-way valve and a second one-way valve,
wherein the upper and lower compression members and the diaphragm are configured so that relative movement of the upper and lower compression members toward each other compresses the diaphragm to evacuate air from the void space between the diaphragm and the second compression member.

10. The pump system in accordance with claim 9 , wherein the upper compression member is slidably coupled to the lower compression member.

11. The pump system in accordance with claim 9 , wherein the upper compression member is biased to move away from the lower compression member.

12. The pump system in accordance with claim 11 , wherein at least one spring provides the biasing of the upper compression member away from the lower compression member.

13. The pump system in accordance with claim 9 , wherein the diaphragm has a suction-cup shape.

14. The pump system in accordance with claim 9 , wherein a lower portion of the diaphragm is received in a recess of the lower compression member.

15. The pump system in accordance with claim 9 , wherein an upper portion of the diaphragm is received in a recess of the upper compression member.

16. The pump system in accordance with claim 9 further comprising:
an electrical pump, wherein the electrical pump is disposed outward from an outer perimeter of the diaphragm.

17. The pump system in accordance with claim 16 , wherein the electrical pump further comprises a battery.

18. The pump system in accordance with claim 16 , wherein the battery is rechargeable.

19. The pump system in accordance with claim 16 , wherein the electrical pump is disposed above or below the mechanically activated pump.

20. A mechanically activated pump for use in suspension of a transfemoral prosthetic limb device comprising:
a first compression member coupled to a second compression member positioned below the first compression member, wherein the second compression member comprises:
a first one-way valve configured to engage an evacuation port in a socket of the transfemoral prosthetic device, and
a second one-way valve configured to exhaust air;

a diaphragm disposed between the first and second compression members, wherein the diaphragm and the second compression member cooperate to define a void space therebetween; and
coupling elements that engage and couple together the first and second compression members, wherein all of the coupling elements are disposed about an outer perimeter of the diaphragm and guide translation of the first compression member relative to the second compression member, and
wherein the first and second compression members and the diaphragm are configured so that relative movement of the first and second compression members toward each other compresses the diaphragm to evacuate air from the void space between the diaphragm and the second compression member;
wherein the mechanically activated pump is positioned above or below a knee joint in the transfemoral prosthetic limb device; and
wherein the mechanically activated pump is configured to generate a vacuum from 15 mmHg to 25 mmHg.

Assignees

• Univ Northwestern
• Us Gov Veterans Affairs

Inventors

• Caldwell Ryan J
• Major Matthew J

Classifications

• A61F2/70 Primary

  electrical · CPC title

• A61F2/742

  Low pressure systems, e.g. vacuum pump · CPC title

• A61F2/80 Primary

  Sockets, e.g. of suction type · CPC title

• A61F2002/807

  having a vacuum reservoir chamber · CPC title

• A61F2002/802

  Suction sockets, i.e. utilizing differential air pressure to retain the prosthesis on the stump · CPC title