Intelligent prosthetic socket system with active user feedback interface and real time prosthesis diagnostics

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for use with a prosthetic system. The apparatus includes a housing that is disposed within a prosthetic socket. The housing has a vacuum pump and a switch. The a vacuum pump is actuated to maintain a negative air pressure within the prosthetic socket. The switch is configured to allow a user to operate the vacuum pump.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for use with a prosthetic system, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing, disposed within a prosthetic socket, said housing comprising:
 a vacuum pump, actuated to maintain a negative air pressure within said prosthetic socket; and 
 a switch, configured to allow a user to operate said vacuum pump. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said switch comprises a sealed switch disposed on the side of said housing. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said switch comprises a Hall Effect switch, and wherein said Hall Effect switch is actuated by a magnetic device held in proximity thereto. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said housing is disposed within the distal end of said prosthetic socket, and wherein said housing further comprises:
 a seal; that seals the interior of said prosthetic socket from an ambient environment.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said prosthetic socket does not require a vacuum inlet. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said prosthetic socket comprises:
 a formed reservoir at its distal end in which said housing is disposed.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said housing comprises a cylindrical housing having a top and a bottom. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for use with a prosthetic system, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing, disposed within a prosthetic socket, said housing comprising:
 a vacuum pump, actuated to maintain a negative air pressure within said prosthetic socket; 
 a switch, configured to allow a user to operate said vacuum pump; and 
 a seal, configured to seal the interior of said prosthetic socket from an ambient environment. 
   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said switch comprises a sealed switch disposed on the side of said housing. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said switch comprises a Hall Effect switch, and wherein said Hall Effect switch is actuated by a magnetic device held in proximity thereto. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said housing is disposed within the distal end of said prosthetic socket. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said prosthetic socket does not require a vacuum inlet. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said prosthetic socket comprises:
 a formed reservoir at its distal end in which said housing is disposed.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said housing comprises a cylindrical housing having a top and a bottom. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for use with a prosthetic system, the apparatus comprising:
 a prosthetic socket, that provides a conforming receptacle for a residual limb of a user; and   a housing, disposed within the distal end of said prosthetic socket, said housing comprising:
 a vacuum pump, actuated to maintain a negative air pressure within said prosthetic socket; 
 a switch, configured to allow a user to operate said vacuum pump; and 
 a seal, configured to seal the interior of said prosthetic socket from an ambient environment. 
   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said switch comprises a sealed switch disposed on the side of said housing. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said switch comprises a Hall Effect switch, and wherein said Hall Effect switch is actuated by a magnetic device held in proximity thereto. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said prosthetic socket does not require a vacuum inlet. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said prosthetic socket comprises:
 a formed reservoir at its distal end in which said housing is disposed.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 19 , wherein said housing comprises a cylindrical housing having a top and a bottom.