CN104968303A

CN104968303A - Vacuum assisted suspension system

Info

Publication number: CN104968303A
Application number: CN201380011641.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 格里穆尔·琼森; 比亚德尼·贡纳松; 奥拉维尔·哈多森; 大卫·桑达尔
Original assignee: Ossur hf
Current assignee: Ossur hf
Priority date: 2013-02-13
Filing date: 2013-02-13
Publication date: 2015-10-07
Anticipated expiration: 2033-02-13
Also published as: WO2014126554A1; AU2013377235A1; CA2864208C; AU2013377235B2; CA2864208A1; CN104968303B

Abstract

A vacuum assisted suspension system is used to increase or maintain negative pressure or vacuum in a sealed socket cavity as a socket and prosthetic limb attachment mechanism. The system includes a vacuum pump (2) having a housing (8) that defines an enclosed space to receive a fluid. At least one wall of the housing (8) and at least one movable wall (10) define a fluid compartment (12). The system includes a compression transfer element (15) connected to the at least one movable wall (10) and connected to a prosthetic foot (6). The compression transfer element (15) causes the at least one movable wall (10) of the fluid compartment (12) to move and increase the volume of the fluid compartment (12) in response to a compressive force on the prosthetic foot (6) to draw in fluid from the prosthetic socket (4). In the absence of a compressive force, the volume of the fluid compartment (12) decreases thereby expelling fluid out of the fluid compartment (12).

Description

Vacuum aided suspension

Technical field

The disclosure relates to prosthetic device field, and relates more particularly to a kind of vacuum aided suspension.

Background technology

In field of prosthetic limbs, amputee can use multiple mechanical fastener or hitch to be connected with deformed limb by artificial limb by the mortar of artificial limb.Suspension usually depends in the space between mortar and the surface of deformed limb and forms vacuum or negative air pressure.Sealing is formed by covering the edge of mortar with sleeve.But the sealing of vacuum space is not airtight, and therefore air can penetrate in vacuum space and make reduction connect.

Therefore, needs can be formed during use and keep the system of negative air pressure.

In some artificial limb systems, when to prosthetic connector element, such as justice foot applies weight, the weight applied can cause vacuum pump reduce pump appearance and be discharged to outside pump by air.Like this, after removing pressure, pump dilatation also deflates to form vacuum effectiveness from vacuum space.In the system of these types, the thorough compression that system air-out in each circulation depends on pump arrives its maximum volume to use pump.Be not constant due to the impact of pump and displacement and can change according to user, therefore using user take a step can be difficult to as pressure produce thoroughly compression in each circulation.

Summary of the invention

According to embodiment of the present disclosure, provide the vacuum aided suspension comprising vacuum pump, solve known vacuum aided suspension institute problems faced.

According to the embodiment of method forming vacuum in artificial limb mortar, by applying weight or power to prosthetic device or artificial limb, pressure can be applied to the first end of compression transmitting element.The power be applied on the first end of compression transmitting element causes the volume of fluid chamber to be increased by the second end of compression transmitting element be connected with the removable wall of fluid chamber, and when the volume of fluid chamber increases, fluid is pumped in fluid chamber through entrance by from mortar space or chamber.When removing pressure, pressure lacks the volume of fluid chamber is reduced, and is discharged to outside fluid chamber by fluid thus by outlet.

Preferably, when lacking pressure, the volume of fluid chamber is zero or close to zero.Have been found that volume that pressure exists Hui Shi fluid chamber to increase and lacking of pressure can make volume turn back to zero or be advantageously close to zero from zero, this is due to by fully to discharge all or whole fluids be drawn in fluid chamber can fully use each pump to circulate substantially.This method and artificial limb system can more effectively and efficiently use vacuum pump to realize supercharging at the mortar intracavity of sealing, to form vacuum or negative pressure.Also fluctuation less in negative pressure can be realized.

In multiple embodiments of vacuum aided suspension described here, system comprises justice foot, artificial limb mortar, the long and narrow compression transmitting element be connected with justice foot, and with artificial limb mortar and the vacuum pump compressing transmitting element and be connected.Vacuum pump comprises and defines enclosed space to receive the housing of fluid, defines at least one wall and at least one removable wall of the housing of fluid chamber, and at least one removable wall is connected with compression transmitting element.Compression transmitting element causes at least one removable wall of fluid chamber to move and makes the volume of fluid chamber respond the pressure on justice foot and increase with the suction fluid from artificial limb mortar, and when lacking pressure, removable wall is set to move in the direction reduced at the volume of fluid chamber, is discharged by fluid thus in fluid chamber.

According to an embodiment of vacuum pump, the enclosed space in housing is separated into fluid chamber and nonfluid room by removable wall.The inwall of removable wall and housing is formed and seals and the volume moved back and forth in housing to change room along with applying and remove pressure.An embodiment of vacuum pump can comprise flexible member, described flexible member by compressed by removable wall when applying pressure and the pressure be configured on removable wall reduces time and stretch to promote air to be discharged to outside fluid chamber.Compression transmitting element can be linear formula, and by the pin be used on each end of compression transmitting element, from justice foot to removable wall transmit force, described pin moves due to pressure for it.

In an embodiment of system, the cable being connected to the tension between adopted foot and the housing of vacuum pump is set to flexible member to be stretched when applying pressure to the cable of tension, makes the volume of fluid chamber increase thus.When removing or there is no pressure, the cable Compress Spring of tension and cause the volume of fluid chamber to reduce.

According to an embodiment of system, system comprises the vacuum pump with housing, and described housing comprises a pair relative removable wall and elastic sidewall, and described fluid chamber is limited by removable wall.Each of relative wall comprises wall extension pressure to be converted to the increase of the volume of fluid chamber.One in wall extension to be connected with the proximal part of justice foot and second wall extension is connected with the distal portions such as heel part of justice foot.

In an embodiment of system, system comprises vacuum pump, and described vacuum pump is included in first end place by the rotary base plate part that is connected with each other of joint and rotary part.At the second end (relative with the fitting end) place of vacuum pump, base plate part is relatively provided with the wall of protrusion with the depression of rotary part.The wall protruded can move back and forth in the depression of rotary part, and is formed seal with the wall of depression.The wall protruded and the fluid chamber be recessed to form for vacuum pump.Base plate part is connected with justice foot, and rotary part has adapter to be connected with the mortar of pylon or deformed limb on fitting end.When base plate part and rotary part rotate dorsad, the volume of fluid chamber increases with from mortar chamber suction fluid, and when base plate part and rotary part rotate in opposite directions, the volume reduction of fluid chamber is to discharge fluid from fluid chamber.

According to hereafter describing and corresponding accompanying drawing, multiple advantages of multiple embodiments of vacuum aided suspension, Characteristic and function can become apparent and can be better understood.Hereafter describe the scope being not intended to limit artificial limb system, and be merely easy to understand and exemplary embodiment is provided.

Accompanying drawing explanation

With reference to drawings describing vacuum aided suspension accordingly, described in drawings show preferred embodiment according to device described herein.It should be noted that, only by way of example to such as in the accompanying drawings disclosed device be illustrated.Can by hereafter described with accompanying drawing in the combination of multiple element of showing and element arrange and be combined as different to obtain multiple embodiment, within the spirit and scope of these embodiments still device described here.

Fig. 1 is the schematic diagram of the vacuum aided suspension according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is the explosive view of the vacuum pump in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows the view of the vacuum pump of the Fig. 2 in assembling form.

Fig. 4 shows the sectional view of an embodiment of vacuum pump.

Fig. 5 is the sectional view of another embodiment of vacuum pump.

Fig. 6 shows the sectional view of another embodiment of vacuum pump.

Fig. 7 shows the sectional view of another embodiment of vacuum pump.

Fig. 8 shows the variant of vacuum aided suspension arrangement.

Fig. 9 a shows the embodiment of vacuum aided suspension when lacking pressure.

Fig. 9 b shows the embodiment of vacuum aided suspension when bearing pressure.

Figure 10 is the side view of the 4th embodiment of artificial limb system.

Detailed description of the invention

Hereafter illustrate by reading in conjunction with corresponding accompanying drawing, can understand the different embodiments of vacuum aided suspension better, Reference numeral identical in the drawing represents similar element.

Although the disclosure is vulnerable to the impact of different amendment and alternative structure, shows in the accompanying drawings and described in detail hereinafter the embodiment of certain illustrated.Be be not intended to the disclosure to be defined as disclosed particular with it should be understood that, antithesis, object covers allly to fall into amendment in spirit and scope of the present disclosure and defined by the appended claims, alternative structure and equivalent.

Should be appreciated that to possess described implication unless be clearly defined as by term in the disclosure, then the implication directly or indirectly not limiting these terms exceeds its direct implication or original meaning.

Anatomy term described herein is not intended to the general sense departing from these terms work, the understandable implication of technical staff of such as field of prosthetic limbs.Such as, term " far-end " is for representing the middle body part farthest apart from human body or the end of limbs.Term far-end is the antonym of " near-end ", and described " near-end " is for representing the part nearer apart from the middle body of human body or the end of limbs.

The embodiment of vacuum aided suspension comprises the vacuum pump having and be connected with mortar fluid-type, and vacuum pump contributes to forming vacuum between deformed limb and mortar by pumping fluid into outside mortar.When its weight is applied on justice foot by user, such as, time heelstrike, fluid can be pumped into outside mortar.The pressure produced heelstrike can cause the compression transmitting element of pump to increase the volume of pump inner fluid room.The increase of the volume of pump can from the vacuum space suction fluid between deformed limb and the mortar of artificial limb.By this method, pump reduces the air pressure in vacuum space, and produces vacuum effectiveness.

After removing pressure, such as, when toe is liftoff and between swing phase, the volume of the fluid chamber in pump reduces.Connection between the vacuum space of mortar and pump can have check valve, and all air in the volume of pump are discharged in other space or in air by from outlet.Entrance can have check valve, makes the vacuum space of mortar be the exclusive source of air or fluid.

Pump pressure contracts with air-out than of the prior art and make pump release more favourable with the method for suction air by this method producing vacuum effectiveness in artificial limb mortar.The fluctuation that method as described herein achieves air pressure is less, therefore compared with the method for prior art, in method described here, the maximum pressure in vacuum space and the difference between minimum pressure less.

The efficiency portion ground of pump depends on effective minimizing of the volume of fluid chamber.Due to pump each circulation beginning and at the end of can be returned to volume be zero or close to zero original state, therefore the volume of fluid chamber depends on the degree of pressure putting on pump.In method described here, all fluids be drawn in pump can be discharged subsequently, thus can make full use of each circulation.In addition, method as described herein can use the pump of the element without any types of springs and implement, and the element of described types of springs can affect the bio-mechanical function of artificial limb system.

Use the benefit of vacuum suspension to comprise the blood making to flow to deformed limb due to the pressure minimizing on deformed limb to increase.Vacuum suspension also reduces the volume fluctuation of deformed limb, and makes the wound healing on deformed limb faster.Better connect owing to existing between mortar and deformed limb, therefore vacuum aided suspension allows to increase proprioception and reduction activity.The cutting line of mortar also can reduce due to vacuum suspension, and this causes gentlier, less artificial limb system.

The low pressure produced in mortar lower than specified level also can be useful.This realizes by using sealing member between deformed limb and mortar, instead of by using sleeve to form the conventional sealing method be tightly connected between deformed limb and the proximal end of mortar.The exemplary prosthetic liner that the United States Patent (USP) 8034120 that sealing member can be announcement on October 11st, 2011 is instructed.

Use the benefit such as with the liner of sealing member to be reduce the volume of air be extracted to outside mortar, and therefore can reach better suspension within the shorter time.The pad of silica gel with integrated sealing member is used to additionally provide extra benefit: area of low pressure does not directly apply to skin.

Multiple embodiments of vacuum aided suspension will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings now.

Fig. 1 is the schematic diagram of an embodiment of vacuum aided suspension.Fig. 1 shows the sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of of the connection of vacuum pump 2 and vacuum pump 2 and mortar 4 and justice foot 6.Vacuum pump 2 has housing 8, and described housing 8 defines the closed interior space comprising fluid chamber 12 and nonfluid room 14.Room 12 and 14 is by forming with the sidewall of housing 8 removable wall 10 that seals and separating.One sidewall of removable wall 10 forms a part for fluid chamber 12, and another sidewall of removable wall 10 forms a part for non-streaming body cavity 14.

Compression transmitting element 15 is connected with justice foot 6 with the housing 8 of vacuum pump 2.Compression transmitting element 15 comprises line 16, and described line 16 has the first pin 18 on the end be connected with the heel part of justice foot 6, and has the second pin 20 on the end be connected with housing 8.Second pin 20 enters into regulate the position of removable wall 10 in fluid chamber 12 through the opening in housing 8, and the second pin 20 is connected with the sidewall of the formation fluid chamber 12 of removable wall 10.Line 16 can be the flexible wires be arranged in tubular casing, forms air hermetic and connect between its online 16, second pin 20 and the housing 8 comprising fluid chamber 12.The opening for the second pin 20 in housing 8 also can have sealing member such as elastic ring, and described sealing member allows the second pin 20 to move back and forth through opening, provides air hermetic to connect between compression transmitting element 15 and vacuum pump 2 simultaneously.As an alternative, compress transmitting element 15 and can be the hard line in tubular casing.Pressure is converted to the power putting on removable wall 10 and moves back and forth in housing 8 to cause removable wall 10 by compression transmitting element 15.

Pressure can be the power that (particularly by applying weight to a part for justice foot 6) produces on justice foot in swing phase.In an embodiment of native system, when the heel area of the justice foot 6 that user connects to the end compressing transmitting element applies weight, pressure produces heelstrike time.Power is heelstrike converted to and causes the reciprocating power of removable wall 10 by compression transmitting element 15.

When lacking pressure, removable wall 10 rest on there is entrance 24 and outlet 26 surface of shell on, make the volume of fluid chamber 12 be zero or close to zero.Entrance 24 and outlet 26 can be arranged on the optional position on the surface of housing 8.Preferably, by mouth 24 and 26 and removable wall 10 just to arranging to reach the most effective pumping mechanism, and the homonymy of the opening for the second pin 20 is arranged on.

In order to produce or increase vacuum effectiveness, its weight is applied on justice foot 6 by user, this generates and the first pin 18 can be caused to promote line 16 and slip into the pressure in tubular casing.When the first pin 18 promotes line 16, line 16 can be shifted and promote the second pin 20.Second pin 20 applying can be generally perpendicular to the power of removable wall 10 to increase the volume of fluid chamber 12.Because the volume of fluid chamber 12 increases, fluid is drawn in fluid chamber 12 through entrance 24 from mortar 4 through pipe 44.

When removing pressure, removable wall 10 turns back to it and stops original state on the surface of the housing, this make simultaneously fluid chamber 12 turn back to its volume close to zero original state.When the volume of fluid chamber 12 reduces, be transported to now outside outlet 26 from the fluid of mortar 4 suction before.Outlet 26 has the check valve only allowing fluid to flow out from outlet 26.Entrance 24 also can have check valve, and described check valve stops the fluid in fluid chamber 12 to turn back in mortar and only allows fluid to enter into fluid chamber 12.

Pump 2 optionally has flexible member 22 in nonfluid indoor, and it contributes to fluid chamber 12, and to turn back to volume be zero or be similar to zero.Flexible member 22 can with removable wall 10 less perpendicular and it is compressed when fluid chamber 12 expands.In other words, the compression of flexible member and the direction of stretching, extension are set to vertical with removable wall 10.When removing pressure, flexible member 22 release also promotes removable wall 10.Add flexible member 22 improves pump efficiency by allowing pump release quickly, this is owing to the extra power be applied on removable wall 10 provided by flexible member 22.Flexible member 22 can be coil or spring or is formed by elastomeric material.

By this method, produce low pressure or strengthen described low pressure in the space can closed at deformed limb and mortar 4.

Fig. 2 is the explosive view of the embodiment of vacuum pump 2 in FIG.The housing 8 of the pump shown in the present embodiment is formed by two parts.The housing 8 of pump can be formed by independent continuous housing.In addition, although the housing 8 of vacuum pump is shown as have cylindrical shape, the housing 8 of pump can adopt the arbitrary shape comprising any polygon-prism such as rectangular prism.As shown in Figure 2, removable wall 10 has the circle corresponding with the base plate configuration being columniform internal capacity in the present embodiment.Similar to the housing 8 of vacuum pump, removable wall 10 can have various shape, and this depends on the shape of the inner space closed of housing 8.The shape of removable wall 10 should be corresponding with the base plate configuration of housing 8 to produce two distinct rooms.Removable wall 10 also can form profile to produce airtight separating between fluid chamber 12 and nonfluid room 14 by elastomeric material, still allows removable wall 10 to be easy to move back and forth between two rooms 12 and 14 simultaneously.

Originally entrance and exit is being looked not shown.Flexible member 22 is arranged between the side of removable wall 10 and housing 8.Flexible member 22 can be received in the corresponding depression 28 on removable wall 10 and housing 8 to keep the position of flexible member 22 in vacuum pump 2.

Because the housing 8 of vacuum pump can adopt shapes different in a large number, therefore vacuum pump 2 can be arranged in the multiple positions on justice foot.In addition, the ability that vacuum pump 2 produces vacuum effect can not be arranged on the size in any chamber wherein by vacuum pump 2 and limit.This allows vacuum pump mutually compatible with large-scale adopted foot-shape shape.Vacuum pump 2 also adds minimum weight to justice foot 6.

Fig. 3 shows the embodiment of the Fig. 2 be assembled together with the external shell 8 of the first pin 18, line 16 in cover and vacuum pump 2.

Line 16 has housing connector, and housing 8 has corresponding compression transmitting element adapter.Connection between compression transmitting element 15 and housing 8 can be the connection of be threaded or interlock connection or other types known in the art.

The line 16 of compression transmitting element 15 can provide the material of certain hardness and rigidity to make to compression transmitting element 15 by the meeting of any type, and these materials comprise metal, plastics or fiberglass.Outer tubular cover for line 16 can be made up of the multiple material comprising plastics or elastomeric material.

In addition, compression transmitting element 15 can be shaft-like, and it is connected with the heel part of justice foot.The pressure acted on pump can be produced by the vertical displacement of the heel caused heelstrike.

Vacuum pump also can be arranged in justice foot.During the stance of taking a step, the weight of user can apply pressure to increase the volume of fluid chamber to pump, and from mortar exhaust as above.

Fig. 4 shows other variants of vacuum pump 2 to 7.

Fig. 4 shows the removable wall 10 with depression, and described depression is identical with the shape of flexible member 22 with the flexible member 22 received in fluid chamber.Such as, flexible member 22 can be cylindrical, thus depression is the circular groove in removable wall 10.What entrance 24 and outlet 26 were arranged on housing 8 enters on the relative sidewall of the sidewall of vacuum pump with the second pin 20.Vacuum pump is in the diagram shown as in compressive state, and simultaneously the second pin 20 extends into nonfluid room from line 16 to promote removable wall 10 to opposition side with by outside fluid expulsion to outlet 26.Once release the pressure be applied on the second pin 20, flexible member 22 release can be promoted removable wall 10 with the pin receiver side towards housing 8 and is pumped in pump 2 by fluid by entrance 24.

Fig. 5 shows other settings of the element of vacuum pump 2.In Figure 5, similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 to 3, mouth 24 is disposed adjacent with 26 or is arranged on the sidewall identical with the second pin 20 of housing 8.Removable wall 10 in Fig. 5 has cylindrical depression, and described depression has certain depth to be received in the roughly half of the flexible member 22 in uncompressed state.When the second pin 20 be under pressure or power time, the second pin 20 sidewall towards the opposite promotes removable wall 10, until removable wall 10 contacts with housing 8.Second pin 20 to extend in fluid chamber and is connected with the removable wall 10 on fluid chamber side.

Fig. 6 shows the another embodiment of vacuum pump 2.Embodiment shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 4 is similar, but the second pin 20 is arranged on the sidewall identical with 26 with mouth 24.In such an implementation, pin 20 can extend into fluid chamber from line 16 to promote removable wall 10 and through entrance 24 suction fluid.Flexible member 22 in fluid chamber can produce and pin 20 reverse effect, and pulls removable wall 10 to be discharged to outside outlet 26 by air towards mouth 24 and 26.

Fig. 7 shows the embodiment of the vacuum pump 2 with the element similar to those elements in Fig. 5.In the figure 7, the second pin 20 to extend to outside line 16 and enters into nonfluid room to promote removable wall 10 towards mouth 24 and 26.When being applied to the earth pressure release on the second pin 20, the flexible member 22 in nonfluid room can be used for pulling removable wall 10 away from mouth 24 and 26, to be pumped in pump 2 by fluid by entrance 24.

Fig. 8 describes the variant of vacuum aided suspension.Vacuum aided suspension shown in Fig. 8 comprises the connection between the sectional view of the amplification of vacuum pump 2 and pump 2, mortar 4 and justice foot 6.Vacuum pump 2 has the housing 8 that can comprise two parts.These two parts can use and are threaded and are connected with each other.Housing 8 form internal closed space and removable wall 10 in internal closed space, enclosed space is divided into fluid chamber 12 and non-streaming body cavity 14 by described removable wall 10.The side of removable wall 10 forms fluid chamber 12 and opposite side forms nonfluid room 14.Removable wall 10 moves back and forth the volume with alter room 12 and nonfluid room 14 in enclosed space.As shown in Figure 8, vacuum pump 2 can be connected with the shank on ankle zone of justice foot or pylon.

Compression transmitting element 15 comprises cable or the line 34 of the tension with end pin 38, end pin 38 can be made by pulling to interact with the protrusion pin 30 of removable wall 10 with release coil 39.Protrude pin 30 to be arranged on the sidewall of a part for the formation fluid chamber 12 of removable wall 10, and extend through fluid chamber 12.Protrude pin 30 to may extend into outside housing 8, and reciprocating opening can have sealing member such as elastic ring and connects to provide air-tightness through it to protrude pin 30.

When lack point to the pressure of vacuum pump 2, strained by the cable 34 of tension and pull removable wall 10 towards outlet 26, this can compression elastic element 32 and volume of fluid chamber 12 is changed into zero or close to zero.Similar to embodiment before, mouth 24 and 26 can be arranged on any position on the surface of housing 8, and be preferably set to removable wall 10 just right.

When user its weight is applied to justice foot upper time, such as, in period heelstrike, the tension force in cable 34 reduces, and this allows flexible member 32 release also to promote removable wall 10 away from entrance 24 and outlet 26.Cable 34 is connected by the heel part of the cable fixing piece 36 at the distal end place of cable 34 with justice foot 6.The proximal end of cable 34 has the end pin 38 be arranged in coil 39.Coil 39 is around end pin 38, thus one end of coil 39 is connected with the outside of housing 8 and the other end of coil 39 is connected with the protrusion pin 30 of removable wall 10.The end pin 38 of cable 34 is arranged on the inside of coil 39, and apply weight by the mid portion at coil 39, end pin 38 shows as the adjustable weight for removable wall 10 to pull or releasing activity wall 10.

Compression transmitting element 15 can be included in the cable guide part 40 of pump arm 42 end of protruding from the bottom of housing 8.Pump arm 42 can have vertical stretch at distal end place, and to have roughly the shape of " L ", cable guide 40 is connected with the end of vertical stretch simultaneously.Cable guide part 40 is configured such that the proximal end of cable 34 and protrudes pin 30 general parallel orientation.Flexible member 32 can coil or be wrapped in and protrude around pin 30.Flexible member 32 can be spring or can be made up of elastomeric material.

The optional setting of the element of the vacuum pump 2 shown in Fig. 4 to Fig. 7 also can be used in the vacuum pump 2 of second embodiment of artificial limb system as described herein.Protrude pin 30 to can be used in Fig. 4 to 7 and to replace pin 20.Those skilled in the art it should be known that how to make the different embodiments of vacuum pump 2 to be used and the embodiment of artificial limb system as described herein adapt.

Fig. 9 a and 9b shows the different visual angles of the vacuum aided suspension comprising vacuum pump 44.Fig. 9 a describes the vacuum pump 44 in initial, depressurization phase, and vacuum pump 44 is not subject to any pressure here.In figure 9b, vacuum pump 44 has been applied with pressure 56.

The housing 8 of vacuum pump 44 is made up of at least one pair of parallel preferred removable wall 46 and 48 for rigidity.It is the fluid chamber 54 can be made up of elastomeric material between removable wall 46 and 48.Fluid chamber 54 also has the sidewall 47 and 49 can be made up of elastomeric material.Elastomeric material can have similar folding structure and can expand and shrink to make fluid chamber 54.When expanding, the housing of vacuum pump 44 can have the shape of rectangular prism.

First removable wall 46 has extension 60, and its chamber region from wall extends and is connected with the proximal part of justice foot 6.On wall extension 60, an end of the first hinge 50 is connected with the first removable wall 46 at fluid chamber's areas outside.The second end of the first hinge 50 is tiltedly connected to formula with the second removable wall 48 in the fluid chamber region of the second removable wall 48.Second hinge 52 is connected with the distal end of the first removable wall 46 and the wall extension 62 of the second removable wall 48.Second wall 48 has the distal extension 62 be connected with the heel of justice foot.As illustrated in fig. 9, when fluid chamber 54 does not have volume, stagger in the fluid chamber region of wall 46 and 48.

Wall extension 60 can be formed together with 48 with wall 46 respectively with 62, or wall extension 60 and 62 can be the separate parts be connected rigidly with wall 46 and 48, such as rigidity or hard cable, wire rod or sheet material.Wall extension 62 is shown as and is connected with the heel of justice foot 6.Wall extension 60 is reconfigurable for making wall extension 60 be connected with the heel part of justice foot 6 with 62, and wall extension 62 is connected with the proximal part of justice foot 6.

Compression transmitting element comprises the wall extension 62 being connected with wall 48 or combining.When occurring in the pressure in direction 56, such as, when period heelstrike, the volume of fluid chamber 54 is by least making wall extension 62 promote or mobile removable wall 48 obliquely increases away from removable wall 46, to increase the volume between two removable walls 46 and 48.The movement of wall 46 and 48 is guided by hinge 50 and 52.The direction of fluid chamber's extension 58 also can with pressure 56 less perpendicular.

After heelstrike, compressing member such as elastomer or spring system by by the volume reducing of fluid chamber 54 be zero or close to zero compressor pump 44, and make pump 44 turn back to the state shown in Fig. 9 a.

Similar to embodiment before, the entrance and exit of fluid chamber 54 can be arranged on any surface of pump.

Vacuum pump 44 can comprise two to relative parallel walls.First pair of wall can have the setting similar with 48 to removable wall 46.Second pair of wall can be parallel with 52 with hinge 50.

As shown in figure 9b, vacuum pump 44 can have the cross section of rectangle.Vacuum pump 44 also can have the fluid chamber 44 of lozenge shape cross-section.

Figure 10 shows the side view of another embodiment of vacuum aided suspension, and described vacuum aided suspension comprises the vacuum pump 64 be arranged on justice foot 6.Vacuum pump 64 is run by rotating mechanism.Rotating mechanism usually comprises base plate part and rotary part, and it moves back and forth around common joint pivotable or rotation with the wall or piston that cause protrusion in fluid chamber.Base plate part and rotary part are arranged so that and rotate between justice foot and deformed limb.By this method, being rotated through the action similar to common heel and contributing to making the process of taking a step more steady of pump.Therefore, the 4th embodiment is favourable, and this is the negative pressure can assisted taking a step of user due to the 4th embodiment and contribute to keeping in the annular seal space of mortar.

In the embodiment depicted in fig. 10, vacuum pump 44 has adapter 66 to be such as connected with the end of pylon or deformed limb by pump 64 in proximal end.Pump 64 also comprises long and narrow base plate part 68, long and narrow rotary part 70, joint 72, fluid chamber 76 and the wall protruded or piston 80.Base plate part 68 is arranged in a part for justice foot 6, is preferably the lower leg area at justice foot 6, and adapter 66 is connected with rotary part and makes justice foot 6 and pylon and deformed limb rotating separation.Joint 72 is near the proximal end of base plate part 68, and described joint 72 makes base plate part 68 be connected with rotary part 70.Joint 72 makes relative to each other pivotable or the rotation in the direction shown in arrow 74 of base plate part 68 and rotary part 70.Joint 72 can be formed by two subelements, and such as cylindrical pin is on one component inserted through the dowel bushing of another parts.The pivotable of base plate part 68 and rotary part 70 or rotation preferably occur in anterior-posterior in parallel plane plane.Joint 72 turning cylinder is preferably perpendicular to anterior-posterior plane.

In the end relative with joint 72 (as shown in the distal end in Figure 10), base plate part 68 has wall or the piston 80 of the protrusion be oppositely arranged with the depression in rotary part 70.The wall protruded or piston 80 receive in the valley, and the wall 80 protruded forms sealing in the inside of depression.The wall 80 protruded and depression together form fluid chamber 76.Fluid chamber 76 preferably sentences at the opposite lateral ends place of joint 72 or the distal end of pump 64 and makes the difference between the volume maximum of fluid chamber 76 and minima reach maximization.Arrow 80 shows the reciprocating direction of piston 80 in the depression of rotary part 70.The arrow 82 parallel with arrow 80 shows the general direction that fluid chamber 76 expands and shrinks.When base plate part 68 and rotary part 70 rotate in opposite directions, piston 80 is deeper inserted in depression, causes the volume of fluid chamber 76 to reduce.When base plate part 68 and the opposing rotation of rotary part 70, piston 80 is pulled away from the inside of depression and causes the volume of fluid chamber 76 to increase.

Fluid chamber 76 has opening 78, and described opening 78 is preferably the direction being connected with check valve and flowing into indoor to control fluid and flow out indoor.Such as, an opening can be connected with only allowing the check valve of fluid incoming fluid room 76.The chamber fluidic communication of this valve and mortar, to improve vacuum or the negative pressure of the mortar intracavity of sealing.Another opening with only allow such as to be connected to the check valve air from fluid chamber 76 displacement fluids.

Between swing phase, such as, heelstrike time, base plate part 68 and the opposing rotation of rotary part 70 increase to cause the volume of fluid chamber 76 expansion and fluid chamber 76, and fluid can be pumped into pump 64 from mortar chamber by this.After toe is liftoff, base plate part 68 and rotary part 70 relatively rotate to make the volume of fluid chamber 76 to reduce and by outside fluid expulsion to one of them opening.Base plate part 68 and rotary part 70 relatively rotate by flexible member or other element providing external force and realize.

Similar to other embodiments as described herein, the fluid chamber 76 of vacuum pump 64 preferably have be zero or close to zero minimum volume, make between swing phase, any fluid be drawn in a cycle in fluid chamber 76 was substantially discharged before more fluid is drawn into fluid chamber 76.

The resistance of joint 72 is adjustable, increases or reduce rotary bottom plate parts 68 and the revolving force needed for rotary part 70 with the preference based on user.The angle that the angle of pump 64 and parts 68 and 70 can rotate also is adjustable, to adapt to the such as different footwear of different situations.

Use together with the exemplary artificial limb mortar that the United States Patent (USP) 7427297 that embodiment as described herein can be announced with JIUYUE in 2008 on the 23rd is instructed.

Use together with the United States Patent (USP) 6969408 exemplary justice foot of instructing that embodiment as described herein can be public with on November 29th, 2005.

Embodiment as described herein can use the safety and comfort ensureing user together with pressure regulator, method that is that this can use machinery known in the art and/or electricity and realizing.

Although describe and illustrate foregoing embodiments, should be appreciated that, these embodiments substitute and modification as other people advise those can fall within the scope of the present invention.Any principle as described herein may extend to prosthetic device or the orthotic device of other types.

Claims

1. a vacuum aided suspension, comprising:

Justice foot (6);

Artificial limb mortar (4);

The long and narrow compression transmitting element (15) be connected with described justice foot; And

The vacuum pump (2 be connected with described compression transmitting element (15) with described artificial limb mortar (4), 44), described vacuum pump (2,44) comprise and define enclosed space to receive the housing (8) of fluid, at least one wall of described housing (8) and at least one removable wall (10,48) in housing (8), fluid chamber (12 is defined, 54), at least one removable wall (10 described, 48) be connected with described compression transmitting element (15)

It is characterized in that, described compression transmitting element (15) causes described fluid chamber (12,54) at least one removable wall (10,48) mobile, and respond described justice foot on pressure and increase fluid chamber (12,54) volume, thus by fluid suction from artificial limb mortar (4), wherein, when lacking pressure, removable wall (10,48) is set to move in the direction of the volume reducing described fluid chamber (12,54).

2. system according to claim 1, is characterized in that, when lacking pressure, described fluid chamber (12,54) have be zero or close to zero volume.

3. system according to claim 1, is characterized in that, also comprises:

Be configured to receive fluid and enter into entrance (24) in fluid chamber (12,54); And

Be configured to the outlet (26) from fluid chamber (12,54) displacement fluids,

Wherein, described outlet (26) has and is set to only allow fluid to leave the check valve of fluid chamber, and described entrance (24) has and is set to only allow fluid to enter the check valve of fluid chamber (12,54).

4. system according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, described housing (8) is in prism shape, and described removable wall (10) has the shape identical with the base plate of housing (8), and formed with the sidewall of housing (8) and seal described enclosed space to be divided into fluid chamber (12) and nonfluid room (14), described removable wall (10) moves back and forth in housing (8), to change room (12 according to the pressure applied and remove on described compression transmitting element, 14) volume, thus fluid be pumped in fluid chamber and be discharged to outside fluid chamber.

5. system according to claim 4, it is characterized in that, also comprise: be in the flexible member (22) in described nonfluid room (14), described flexible member (22) is set to have the stretching, extension vertical with removable wall (10) and compression direction, wherein, when described compression transmitting element (15) upper applying pressure, described flexible member (22) is compressed by removable wall (10), and when lacking the pressure be applied on removable wall (10), described flexible member (22) can stretch.

6. system according to claim 1, is characterized in that, described compression transmitting element (15) comprising:

The line (16 be connected with justice foot (6) with removable wall (10), 34), wherein, apply online (16,34) pressure at first end place can by with line (16,34) removable wall (10) that the second end is connected is mobile, to make the cubical expansion of described fluid chamber (12).

7. system according to claim 6, is characterized in that, described compression transmitting element (15) also comprises:

First pin (18) at the first end place of online (16) is set, described first pin (18) is connected with described justice foot (6), and is set to promote described line (16) when being applied with power towards housing (8); And

Second pin (20) at the second end place of online (16) is set, described second pin (20) is set to when the first pin (18) applies pressure, promote removable wall (10) in justice foot (6), and the volume of fluid chamber (12) is increased.

8. system according to claim 4, is characterized in that, also comprises:

Be arranged on the flexible member (32) in fluid chamber (12), the compression of described flexible member (32) is set to vertical with removable wall (10) with stretching, extension axle, when lacking the pressure be applied in compression transmitting element (15), described flexible member (32) is compressed by removable wall (10), and when compressing transmitting element (15) upper applying pressure, described flexible member (32) stretches, to make flexible member (32) described removable wall (10) can be shifted, thus the volume of fluid chamber (12) is increased.

9. system according to claim 8, is characterized in that, described compression transmitting element (15) also comprises:

The cable (34) of tension and end pin (38), the cable (34) of described tension is connected with end pin (38) in its proximal end, and be connected with justice foot (6) at its distal end, described end pin (38) is connected with removable wall (10), and the cable (34) of tension is set to make the flexible member (32) in fluid chamber (12) stretch when applying pressure to the cable (34) of tension, and when lacking pressure, the cable (34) of tension pulls removable wall (10) with compression elastic element (32).

10. system according to claim 9, it is characterized in that, also comprise: coil (39), described coil is connected with the pin (30) of protrusion at its first end place, and be connected with the outside of housing (8) at its second end place, the pin (30) of described protrusion extends from the fluid chamber side of removable wall (10), and described coil (39) is connected with end pin (38).

11. systems according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, described housing (8) comprises a pair relative wall (46,48) with a pair relative elastic sidewall (47,49), described relative wall (46,48) and relative elastic sidewall (47,49) form fluid chamber (54), and at least one wall (48) is connected with compression transmitting element (15).

12. systems according to claim 11, it is characterized in that, described relative wall (46,48) each in comprises wall extension (60,62), the wall extension (60) of the wall (46) that first-phase is right is connected with the proximal part of justice foot (6), and the distal portions of the wall extension (62) of the wall that second-phase is right (48) and justice foot (6) is connected, described compression transmitting element (15) is the wall extension (62) of the right wall (48) of second-phase.

13. systems according to claim 1, is characterized in that, described compression transmitting element (15) is connected with the fluid chamber side of removable wall (10).

14. systems according to claim 1, is characterized in that, described compression transmitting element (15) is connected with the heel part of justice foot (6).

15. systems according to claim 1, is characterized in that, put on the direction (56) of pressure of compression transmitting element (15) and expansion direction (58) less perpendicular of fluid chamber (54).