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 controller and a wireless smart device. The controller operates to gather data and derive prosthetic information from a plurality of sensors, and transmits the prosthetic information over a wireless radio link, where the controller and the plurality of sensors are disposed within the interior of a prosthetic socket. The wireless smart device is coupled to the controller via the wireless radio link, and receives the prosthetic information, and provides visual and audio representations of the prosthetic information to a user.

1 - 42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . An apparatus for use with a prosthetic system, the apparatus comprising:
 a controller configured to gather data and derive prosthetic information from a plurality of sensors, and configured to transmit said prosthetic information using a wireless radio link,
 wherein said controller and said plurality of sensors are disposed within a housing that is contained within an interior cavity of a prosthetic socket, said prosthetic socket adapted to receive a residual limb into said interior cavity, said residual limb having a cover, said prosthetic socket comprising a reservoir within said interior cavity inside, said housing disposed with said interior cavity, and 
 wherein said housing presents a first surface for contacting a second surface of said covered residual limb when inserted into said interior cavity; 
   a pump, wherein the pump is coupled to said controller and wherein the pump is operable to maintain a prescribed negative air pressure within said prosthetic socket, and wherein the pump is disposed within the housing; and   a mobile device coupled to said controller via said wireless radio link.   
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein said plurality of sensors comprises:
 an accelerometer for sensing relative motion data corresponding to the prosthetic system, and for providing said relative motion data to said controller, wherein said controller derives a portion of said prosthetic information based upon said relative motion data.   
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein said wireless radio link comprises a BLUETOOTH radio link, and wherein said mobile device comprises a mobile device. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 45 , wherein said mobile device executes an application program that enables said mobile device to receive and transmit said prosthetic information and to receive input from said user for transmission to said controller. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein said mobile device provides a visual or audio representation of said prosthetic information to a user. 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein said visual or audio representation comprise an alert concerning excess pressure within said prosthetic socket. 
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein said cover for said residual limb is a liner. 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 49 , wherein said liner is a silicone liner contained within a sleeve. 
     
     
         51 . An apparatus for use with a prosthetic system, the apparatus comprising:
 a controller configured to gather data and derive prosthetic information from a plurality of sensors, and configured to transmit said prosthetic information over a wireless radio link,
 wherein said controller and said plurality of sensors are disposed within a housing that is contained within an interior cavity of a prosthetic socket that is adapted to receive a residual limb into said interior cavity, said residual limb having a cover, said prosthetic socket having a formed reservoir within said interior cavity inside of which said housing is disposed, 
 wherein said housing presents a first surface for contacting a second surface of said covered residual limb when inserted into said interior cavity; 
   a pump coupled to said controller, wherein the pump is operable to maintain a prescribed air pressure within said prosthetic socket, and wherein the pump is disposed within the housing.   
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein said prescribed air pressure is a negative air pressure. 
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , further comprising a seal for sealing said housing to said interior receptacle. 
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein said plurality of sensors comprises:
 an accelerometer for sensing relative motion data corresponding to the prosthetic system, and for providing said relative motion data to said controller, wherein said controller derives a portion of said prosthetic information based upon said relative motion data.   
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein said cover for said residual limb is a liner. 
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 55 , wherein said liner is a silicone liner contained within a sleeve. 
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , further comprising a mobile device adapted to receive said prosthetic information. 
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein said mobile device provides a visual or audio representation of said prosthetic information to a user. 
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein said visual or audio representation comprises an alert concerning excess pressure within said prosthetic socket. 
     
     
         60 . The apparatus of  claim 51 , wherein said wireless radio link comprises a BLUETOOTH radio link. 
     
     
         61 . The apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein said mobile device is configured to execute an application program that enables said mobile device to receive and transmit said prosthetic information. 
     
     
         62 . An apparatus for use with a prosthetic system, the apparatus comprising:
 a prosthetic socket for receiving a residual limb of a user, said residual limb having a cover;   a housing contained within said formed reservoir of said interior receptacle, wherein said housing presents a first surface for contacting a second surface of said covered residual limb when inserted into said interior receptacle, said housing comprising:   a controller configured to gather data and derive prosthetic information from a plurality of sensors, and that transmits said prosthetic information over a wireless radio link, wherein said controller and said plurality of sensors are disposed within said housing;   a seal for sealing said interior receptacle from an ambient environment;   a pump, wherein the pump is coupled to said controller and wherein the pump is operable to maintain a prescribed air pressure within said prosthetic socket;   a mobile device, coupled to said controller via said wireless radio link, for receiving said prosthetic information.