Prosthetic device, system and method for increasing vacuum attachment

Abstract

A prosthetic system includes a prosthetic foot defining an upper surface and having a flexible configuration and a pump system attached to the prosthetic foot. The pump system includes a pump mechanism defining a fluid chamber having variable configuration and an actuating part. The actuating part is arranged to selectively engage with and separate a distance from the upper surface of the foot plate to move the pump mechanism between a first position in which a volume of the fluid chamber is zero or near-zero and a second position in which the volume of the fluid chamber is expanded relative to the first position. The volume of the fluid chamber increases when the actuating part moves away from the upper surface of the foot plate.

1 . A prosthetic system comprising:
 a pump mechanism operatively connectable to a prosthetic foot, the pump mechanism including:
 a housing defining first and second ports; 
 a membrane having an outer edge portion secured to the housing; 
 a fluid chamber forming a volume defined between the housing and a first side of the membrane, the fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first and second ports; 
 a connector attached to a second side of the membrane opposite the first side of the membrane, the connector operatively connecting the membrane to the prosthetic foot; and 
 a rotatable cylinder extending from a first end of an arm, and a second end of the arm connecting to the membrane, such that when no weight is placed on the prosthetic foot the volume of the fluid chamber is zero or near-zero and when weight of a user is placed on the prosthetic foot, the membrane deforms to expand the volume of the fluid chamber according to movement of the rotatable cylinder on the prosthetic foot; 
   wherein the pump mechanism is positioned over a dorsal aspect of the prosthetic foot.   
     
     
         2 . The prosthetic system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing surrounds the outer edge portion of the membrane and creates an airtight seal with the membrane. 
     
     
         3 . The prosthetic system of  claim 2 , wherein the connector is attached to a central portion of the membrane defined radially inside of the outer edge portion of the membrane. 
     
     
         4 . The prosthetic system of  claim 3 , wherein the weight of the user applied to the prosthetic foot causes the central portion of the membrane to pull away from the housing to increase the volume of the fluid chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The prosthetic system of  claim 3 , wherein the weight of the user applied to the prosthetic foot causes the housing to pull away from the central portion of the membrane to increase the volume of the fluid chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The prosthetic system of  claim 1 , wherein the first side of the membrane is substantially flat and the housing engages and substantially complements the first side of the membrane. 
     
     
         7 . The prosthetic system of  claim 1 , wherein the connector includes an insert embedded in the membrane. 
     
     
         8 . The prosthetic system of  claim 7 , wherein the insert has a circular end embedded in the membrane and a fastener. 
     
     
         9 . The prosthetic system of  claim 1 , further comprising a tube connected to the first port. 
     
     
         10 . The prosthetic system of  claim 9 , wherein the first port is arranged to draw fluid through the tube due to an increase of the volume of the fluid chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The prosthetic system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second ports includes a one-way valve. 
     
     
         12 . The prosthetic system of  claim 1 , wherein the prosthetic foot includes a foot member and a heel member attached to the foot member, and wherein the housing is connected to the foot member. 
     
     
         13 . The prosthetic system of  claim 12 , further comprising a first plate secured to the foot member and supporting the pump mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . The prosthetic system of  claim 13 , wherein the housing is spaced apart from an interface securing the foot member to the first plate. 
     
     
         15 . The prosthetic system of  claim 13 , wherein the first plate suspends the pump mechanism over the foot member. 
     
     
         16 . A prosthetic system comprising:
 a pump mechanism operatively connectable to a prosthetic foot, the pump mechanism including:
 a housing defining first and second ports; 
 a membrane having an outer edge portion secured to the housing; 
 a fluid chamber forming a volume defined between the housing and a first side of the membrane, the fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first and second ports; 
 a connector attached to a second side of the membrane opposite the first side of the membrane, the connector operatively connecting the membrane to the prosthetic foot; and 
 a rotatable cylinder extending from a first end of an arm, and a second end of the arm connecting to the membrane, such that when no weight is placed on the prosthetic foot the volume of the fluid chamber is zero or near-zero and when weight of a user is placed on the prosthetic foot, the membrane deforms to expand the volume of the fluid chamber according to movement of the cylinder on the prosthetic foot; 
   wherein the prosthetic foot includes a foot member and a heel member attached to the foot member, and wherein the housing is connected to the foot member;   wherein a first plate is secured to the foot member and supports the pump mechanism such that the first plate suspends the pump mechanism over a dorsal aspect of the prosthetic foot.   
     
     
         17 . A prosthetic system comprising:
 a pump mechanism operatively connectable to a prosthetic foot, the pump mechanism including:
 a housing defining first and second ports; 
 a membrane having an outer edge portion secured to the housing; 
 a fluid chamber forming a volume defined between the housing and a first side of the membrane, the fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first and second ports; 
 a connector attached to a second side of the membrane opposite the first side of the membrane, the connector operatively connecting the membrane to the prosthetic foot; and 
 a rotatable cylinder extending from a first end of an arm, and a second end of the arm connecting to the membrane, such that when no weight is placed on the prosthetic foot the volume of the fluid chamber is zero or near-zero and when weight of a user is placed on the prosthetic foot, the membrane deforms to expand the volume of the fluid chamber according to movement of the rotatable cylinder on the prosthetic foot; 
   wherein the prosthetic foot includes a foot member and a heel member attached to the foot member, and wherein the housing is connected to the foot member;   wherein a first plate is secured to the foot member and supports the pump mechanism such that the arm extends between the first plate and the rotatable cylinder.