Patent ID: 7637958

Claim:
A method of detaching a prosthetic sleeve having a longitudinally smooth plunger passing through the opening to the top interior portion of a lock housing and engaged in the locking device, the locking device and comprising a lock housing having an exterior, a tapered interior, with a top interior portion, and an opening passing through the top interior portion to the exterior; a substantially smooth rolling element housed within said tapered interior; a spring biasing said rolling element towards the top portion of the tapered interior; and a release mechanism which moves the rolling element away from the top portion of the tapered interior when activated; Said method comprising the steps of: (a) activating the release mechanism to move the rolling element distally away from the top opening; (b) continuing distal movement of the rolling element until the width of the tapered interior is sufficient that the rolling element does not simultaneously contact both the tapered interior and the longitudinally smooth plunger; and (c) withdrawing the plunger out through the top opening.