Prosthetic Valve Adapter for Vacuum Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prosthesis systems face challenges with air leakage leading to decreased adhesive effect over time, requiring external vacuum pumps that are cumbersome and difficult for older or mobility-challenged users to manage, and non-return valves prevent air refilling or accurately measure pressure.
Innovation Solution
A device with a movable valve that functions as a one-way valve when no pump is connected to prevent air ingress and as a two-way valve when a pump is connected, allowing air to be pumped in or out, and a closure element to manage air flow through a third orifice, ensuring secure attachment and detachment of the prosthesis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If an external vacuum pump is provided separately, then the prosthesis system can be lighter and more compact, but the wearer has difficulty operating it and cannot easily equalize pressure loss
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pump is integrated into the adapter element, which is itself part of the prosthesis shaft assembly. This nesting approach allows the pump to be housed within the existing structural volume of the prosthesis, eliminating the need for separate external pump units while maintaining ease of operation through automatic or simple manual activation mechanisms built into the adapter.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of the adapter element and vacuum pump are merged into a single integrated unit. The adapter element not only serves as a connection interface but also houses the vacuum pump and its control mechanisms, combining multiple functions (connection, vacuum generation, pressure equalization) into one component that simplifies operation for the wearer.
2Reliability
If a non-return valve is provided to prevent air ingress, then air cannot penetrate into the inner volume, but the valve prevents air refilling when the prosthesis needs to be removed
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static. It automatically changes its flow characteristics based on pressure differential: maintaining one-way flow (preventing air ingress) under normal negative pressure conditions, but allowing bidirectional flow when pressure equalization is needed during donning or doffing operations. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between maintaining airtightness and enabling adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve's operational parameters (flow direction restrictions) are changed based on system state. During vacuum operation, the valve maintains strict one-way flow to prevent air ingress. During donning/doffing, the valve parameters are adjusted to allow bidirectional flow for pressure equalization, thus adapting to different operational requirements without compromising reliability in either state.
3Reliability
If a fixed non-return valve is provided, then air ingress is prevented, but the opening pressure of the valve falsifies negative pressure measurement
Solution Approach 1:
A separate pressure sensing channel or intermediary pathway is introduced that bypasses the non-return valve mechanism. This allows pressure to be measured through a different route that does not involve the valve's opening pressure, thus eliminating the measurement error while the valve continues to perform its airtightness function independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure measurement function is segmented from the valve mechanism. Instead of measuring pressure through the valve pathway (which introduces error), the system uses a separate measurement channel or sensor arrangement that independently monitors pressure without being influenced by the valve's opening characteristics, thus maintaining both airtightness and measurement precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reliably maintains negative pressure, allows easy donning and doffing of the prosthesis, and prevents air ingress, thus extending pump runtime and reducing noise, while being adaptable to various prosthesis shaft configurations.
Implementation Method 1
negative pressure is frequently generated between the amputation stump or a liner pulled over the same, for example produced from an elastomer, and the prosthesis shaft
Implementation Method 2
the valve is movable into a first mode and into a second mode, wherein the valve is a one-way valve in the first mode and a two-way valve in the second mode
Data Source
AI summary
A device for connecting a pump, having a through-hold provided in a prosthesis shaft, wherein the device comprises at least one channel having a first outlet for connecting to the through-hole in the prosthesis shaft and a second outlet which can be connected to the pump and at least one valve, wherein the valve can be switched to a first mode and to a second mode, and the valve is a one-way valve in the first mode and a two-way valve in the second mode.