Patent ID: 9681964
Date: 2017-06-20
CPC Classifications: A61F,Y10T

Claim:
1. A vacuum liner for use with a prosthetic device for an amputee, the prosthetic device including a socket having a valve, the vacuum liner arranged to be secured to a residual limb, the vacuum liner comprising: an elongated tube defining a central axis, and having a closed distal end and an open proximal end located along the central axis, and the elongated tube defining an interior liner space configured to receive the residual limb; a distal portion forming a protrusion located at a bottom of the distal end of the elongated tube and defining an exterior liner space including a recessed surface located a depth into the protrusion and extending towards the distal end of the elongated tube, the protrusion being coaxial with the central axis; wherein the distal portion is sized and configured for mating against the socket so that when an amputee walks, the exterior liner space collapses under weight of the amputee and forces air contained therein out of the socket through the valve, and as weight is relieved from the prosthetic device during a swing phase of walking, the protrusion is urged to return to a predetermined, non-collapsed shape, pulling air into the exterior liner space from the socket.