Apparatus and Methods for Facilitating Prosthesis Donning, Doffing, Retention, and Fit

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for improved prosthesis donning, doffing, retention, and fit. A valve located in a prosthetic socket port includes a body, a core, a spring located partially within the core, a diaphragm, and a maintained operator. The operator includes a recess and a protrusion. The operator may be indexed to a displacement or vent position. When the operator is indexed to the displacement position, a tip of the core is pressed against the recess via the spring, and the diaphragm displaces any air that enters into the prosthetic socket when a load is applied to the residual limb. When the operator is laterally actuated, it is indexed to the vent position and the core tip moves from the recess to the protrusion. In this position, the diaphragm opens the socket cavity to the external atmosphere via valve vents, thereby facilitating prosthesis donning and doffing.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method of facilitating prosthesis donning and doffing, said prosthesis including a socket, said socket including a socket port, said socket donned upon a residual limb, comprising the steps of:
 installing a valve in said socket port, said valve including a two position maintained operator for indexing said valve to displacement mode or vent mode, said valve displacing air that enters into said socket of said prosthesis when a load is applied to said residual limb when said valve is indexed to said displacement mode, said valve opening said socket to an atmosphere external to said valve when said valve is indexed to said vent mode;   actuating said maintained operator to said vent mode;   donning said prosthesis;   actuating said maintained operator to said displacement mode;   wearing said prosthesis;   actuating said maintained operator to said vent mode; and   removing said prosthesis.   
     
     
         18 . A method of facilitating prosthesis donning and doffing, said prosthesis including a socket, said socket including a socket port, said socket donned upon a residual limb, comprising the steps of:
 installing a valve in said socket port, said valve including a two position maintained operator for indexing said valve to displacement mode or vent mode, said valve displacing any air entering said socket when said valve is indexed to displacement mode, said valve opening said socket to an atmosphere external to said valve when said valve is indexed to said vent mode;   actuating said maintained operator to said vent mode;   donning said prosthesis;   actuating said maintained operator to said displacement mode;   wearing said prosthesis;   actuating said maintained operator to said vent mode; and   removing said prosthesis.