Patent ID: 6554868
Filing Date: 2003-04-29
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
In a hypobarically-controlled artificial limb for amputees who have a residual limb, the artificial limb having a socket with a volume and shape to receive a substantial portion of the residual limb with a cavity therebetween, a foot, and a pylon between the foot and the socket; a weight-activated vacuum pump and shock absorber attached to the pylon, said vacuum pump and shock absorber comprising:(a) a housing fixedly attached to the socket and having a housing top wall and housing side walls; (b) a cylinder reciprocating within said housing and sealingly engaging said housing side walls; (c) said cylinder having a cylinder top wall and cylinder side walls and being fixedly attached to a cap, said cap being fixedly attached to the pylon; (d) a piston fixedly attached to said housing and reciprocating within said cylinder, said cylinder top wall, cylinder side walls and said piston cooperating to form a first chamber; (e) said cylinder top wall, said housing top wall and said housing side walls cooperating to form a second chamber; (f) said piston, said cylinder side walls and said cap cooperating to form a third chamber; (g) first valve means connecting said first chamber to the cavity and to the atmosphere; and (h) second valve means connecting said second chamber to the cavity and to the atmosphere.