Patent ID: 6797008
Filing Date: 2004-09-28
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A system for releasably securing a prosthetic limb to a residual limb, comprising:a liner for fitting over said residual limb, said liner having a distal end that is adapted to mate with a receiving device located in a receiving cavity of a first portion of said prosthetic limb, said distal end further having a connecting means for permitting releasable connection of said liner to a lanyard; a receiving device located near a bottom of said receiving cavity, said receiving device provided to mate with said distal end of said liner and to produce an evacuated seal therewith; a releasable retention mechanism affixed between said first portion of said prosthetic limb and a second portion of said prosthetic limb; a passageway leading from said receiving cavity in said first portion of said prosthetic limb, through said receiving device, and into said retention mechanism; and a lanyard running from said receiving cavity through said passageway and said retention mechanism, said lanyard having a first end located in said receiving cavity for releasable attachment to said connecting means on said distal end of said liner, and a second, free end, located outside said prosthetic limb; wherein during donning of said prosthetic limb, said residual limb is drawn into said receiving cavity as said lanyard is pulled through said retention mechanism by a user of said system, and is held against withdrawal from said receiving cavity at any position therein due to gripping of said lanyard by said retention mechanism; and wherein said prosthetic limb is configured to be retained on said residual limb during use by a combination of said evacuated seal and tension in said lanyard.