Patent ID: 11877938
Assignee: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 19:
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.