Patent ID: 6979355
Filing Date: 2005-12-27
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A prosthetic limb socket and valve assembly, comprising: a substantially impermeable sleeve to be worn over a residual limb, said sleeve having an inner surface and an outer surface; a base attached to an interior distal end of said socket, said base including at least one channel interior thereto for connecting an interior of said socket to an exterior of said socket, said base located within said socket such that said channel remains unblocked by said residual limb until said residual limb is fully inserted into said socket; an interface attached to a proximal surface of said base and having a proximal face positioned to receive a distal end of said residual limb upon its insertion into said socket, said interface provided with one or more passages therethrough for connecting said socket interior to said at least one channel; a duct extending through said socket and connected to said channel; and a valve coupled to said duct for controlling the flow of air through said channel caused by insertion of said residual limb into said socket; wherein the sleeve-covered residual limb is retained in said socket by means of a vacuum created by expelling air in said socket through said valve assembly, said vacuum maintained by sealing contact between said outer surface of said sleeve and interior walls of said socket; and wherein substantially no air pockets remain between said distal end of said residual limb and said proximal face of said interface once said residual limb has been fully inserted into said socket.