Pump system for use with a prosthetic device

Abstract

A method of regulating pressure inside a prosthetic socket includes measuring pressure inside of a prosthetic socket using one or more sensors operatively coupled to a pump system to obtain pressure information associated with an inside of the prosthetic socket. The pump system has a pump mechanism in fluid communication with the inside of the prosthetic socket. The method involves actuating the pump mechanism without human intervention to regulate vacuum inside of the prosthetic socket based on the pressure information.

1 . A method of regulating pressure inside a prosthetic socket comprising:
 measuring pressure inside of a prosthetic socket using one or more sensors operatively coupled to a pump system to obtain pressure information associated with an inside of the prosthetic socket, the pump system having a pump mechanism in fluid communication with the inside of the prosthetic socket; and   actuating the pump mechanism without human intervention to regulate vacuum inside the prosthetic socket based on the pressure information.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining the pressure information includes comparing the pressure information to a value limit. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein actuating the pump mechanism includes increasing the vacuum in the prosthetic socket if the pressure information is above the value limit. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise a plurality of sensors. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , comprising:
 measuring volume fluctuation of a residual limb received in the prosthetic socket using the sensors; and   measuring relative movement between the residual limb and the prosthetic socket using the sensors.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , comprising comparing the pressure information and measured relative movement between the residual limb and the prosthetic socket when the volume of the residual limb fluctuates using a control system operably connected to the pump mechanism and the sensors. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , comprising generating vacuum performance information representative of an effectiveness of the pump mechanism via the control system, the vacuum performance information being based at least in part on the pressure information. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the vacuum performance information is based in part on the measured relative movement between the residual limb and the prosthetic socket. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the vacuum performance information is based in part on the measured volume fluctuation of the residual limb. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the vacuum performance information is based on the comparison of the pressure information and the measured relative movement between the residual limb and the prosthetic socket when the volume of the residual limb fluctuates. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , comprising communicating the vacuum performance information to an end user via a feedback system operably connected to the control system. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the control system actuates the pump mechanism to regulate the vacuum inside the prosthetic socket based on the comparison of the pressure information and the measured relative movement between the residual limb and the prosthetic socket when the volume of the residual limb fluctuates. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the sensors is adapted to detect at least one of location or motion of the pump mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the sensors is adapted to detect at least one of location or motion of a prosthetic foot operatively connected to the prosthetic socket. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the pump system is secured to the prosthetic socket. 
     
     
         16 . A method of regulating pressure inside a prosthetic socket adapted for receiving a residual limb, the method comprising:
 measuring pressure inside of a prosthetic socket using a plurality of sensors operatively coupled to a pump system to obtain pressure information associated with an inside of the prosthetic socket, the pump system having a pump mechanism in fluid communication with the inside of the prosthetic socket;   measuring volume fluctuation of the residual limb inside of the prosthetic socket using the sensors;   measuring relative movement between the residual limb and the prosthetic socket using the sensors;   comparing the pressure information and relative movement between the residual limb and the prosthetic socket when the volume of the residual limb fluctuates using a control system operably connected to the pump mechanism and the sensors; and   actuating the pump mechanism without human intervention to vary vacuum inside the prosthetic socket based on the comparison of the pressure information and the relative movement between the residual limb and the prosthetic socket when the volume of the residual limb fluctuates.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising generating vacuum performance information representative of an effectiveness of the pump mechanism via the control system based on the comparison of the pressure information and relative movement between the residual limb and the prosthetic socket when the volume of the residual limb fluctuates. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising communicating the vacuum performance information to an end user via a feedback system operably connected to the control system. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the sensors is adapted to detect at least one of location or motion of the pump mechanism. 
     
     
         20 . A method of regulating pressure inside a prosthetic socket, the method comprising:
 providing a prosthetic socket adapted for receiving a residual limb;   measuring pressure inside of the prosthetic socket using a plurality of sensors operatively coupled to a pump system to obtain pressure information associated with an inside of the prosthetic socket, the pump system having a pump mechanism in fluid communication with the inside of the prosthetic socket;   actuating the pump mechanism without human intervention to vary vacuum inside the prosthetic socket based on the pressure information;   measuring volume fluctuation of the residual limb inside of the prosthetic socket using the sensors;   measuring relative movement between the residual limb and the prosthetic socket using the sensors;   generating vacuum performance information representative of an effectiveness of the pump mechanism via a control system operably connected to the pump mechanism and the sensors by comparing the pressure information and relative movement between the residual limb and the prosthetic socket when the volume of the residual limb fluctuates; and   communicating the vacuum performance information to an end user via a feedback system operatively coupled to the control system.