Vacuum Suspension System Socket Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum suspension systems for prosthetic sockets are cumbersome, uncomfortable, and inefficient, often leading to air leaks and loss of suction, which can cause the prosthesis to separate from the residual limb during use, and are difficult to operate and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum suspension system with a hand-operated pump directly integrated into the socket, featuring a one-way valve and a flexible covering that allows for easy air expulsion, providing a reliable and adjustable suction mechanism that maintains a secure fit without adding bulk or compromising comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional vacuum systems with separate reservoirs are used, then suction can be maintained, but the system creates additional bulk and weight making it difficult to achieve natural mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vacuum reservoir function with the prosthetic socket structure itself. The socket is designed with a collapsible chamber that serves as the vacuum reservoir, eliminating the need for separate vacuum reservoirs. This integration maintains suction capability while reducing overall system weight and bulk, allowing for more natural mobility.
2Ease of operation
If a valve system with threaded outer housing is used, then air can be expelled from the socket, but the system fails to maintain desired air pressure because it is installed on flat socket wall surfaces and air leaks around the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a valve housing with a curved or domed exterior surface that conforms to the curved outer surface of the prosthetic socket. This curved design allows the valve housing to be installed on curved socket wall surfaces, creating an air-tight seal that prevents air leakage around the housing while still enabling effective air expulsion from the socket interior.
3Strength
If the prosthetic socket is made rigid for structural integrity, then it can support the prosthesis, but it cannot conform to the residual limb and provide a smooth comfortable fit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the prosthetic socket into multiple functional segments: a rigid outer shell providing structural integrity and support, and a collapsible inner chamber providing the vacuum suspension function. This segmentation allows the rigid portion to maintain strength while the collapsible portion adapts to the residual limb shape, ensuring both structural integrity and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a collapsible chamber with flexible walls that can deform to conform to the shape of the residual limb. This flexible inner chamber is contained within the rigid outer shell, allowing the socket to maintain its structural strength while the flexible portion provides a smooth, comfortable fit that adapts to the user's anatomy.
4Ease of operation
If conventional liners are used, then they provide slight compression and gripping connection, but they do not form a true air-tight seal allowing air to slowly enter the socket
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a one-way valve mechanism that allows air to be expelled from the socket interior during limb insertion but prevents air from re-entering. This pneumatic control mechanism creates and maintains a true air-tight seal within the socket, ensuring that once vacuum is established, air cannot leak back in, thereby maintaining reliable suction suspension.
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 system ensures a consistent and comfortable suction fit, allowing amputees to easily regulate and maintain the vacuum suspension, reducing the risk of air leaks and improving the security and comfort of the prosthetic attachment, while being easy to use and less prone to damage.
Implementation Method 1
vacuum suspension system for securing a prosthetic socket to a user
Implementation Method 2
The differential air pressure is routinely referred to as suction or vacuum by those having skill in the art
Implementation Method 3
A one-way valve is provided at the aperture
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5(c)
Figure 6~7B
AI summary
A vacuum suspension system includes a rigid socket defining a wall having exterior and interior surfaces, and an aperture extending between the exterior and interior surfaces. The socket has a closed distal end and an open proximal end, and forms an interior cavity defined by the interior surface. A fluid regulator is provided at the aperture. A pump system includes a pump and a covering for securing over the exterior surface of the socket and supporting the pump. The pump is configured for placement proximate to the fluid regulator and arranged for drawing air from the socket through the aperture and operatively engages the fluid regulator. A chamber has a variable volume and is formed by a space defined between the exterior surface and an inner surface of the covering proximate to the pump.