Patent ID: 8282686

Claim:
A socket assembly for use with a prosthetic device, the socket assembly capable of receiving at least a portion of a residual limb on which the prosthetic device is attached, the socket assembly comprising: an outer shell configured to fit onto the residual limb, the shell having an interior surface and an exterior surface; a vacuum-permeable skin interface attached to the interior surface of the outer shell only in selected areas where the vacuum-permeable skin-interface contacts skin of the residual limb capable of maintaining vacuum contact; and an air barb having an intake and an outlet, the air barb communicating between an interior of the socket assembly and an exterior of the socket assembly, and being configured to attach to a vacuum source; whereby, when the residual limb is positioned in the socket assembly and the air barb is connected to a vacuum source, a vacuum force exerted by the source is evenly distributed through the vacuum-permeable skin interface to the selected areas contacting skin of the residual limb.