CN104968303B

CN104968303B - Vacuum aided suspension

Info

Publication number: CN104968303B
Application number: CN201380011641.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 格里穆尔·琼森; 比亚德尼·贡纳松; 奥拉维尔·哈多森; 大卫·桑达尔
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-02-13
Filing date: 2013-02-13
Publication date: 2017-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 2033-02-13
Also published as: CA2864208A1; AU2013377235B2; AU2013377235A1; WO2014126554A1; CA2864208C; CN104968303A

Abstract

A kind of vacuum aided suspension as mortar and the bindiny mechanism of artificial limb, which is used for the negative pressure or vacuum of the mortar intracavity for increasing or keeping sealing.The system is included with defining sealing space to receive the vacuum pump (2) of the housing (8) of fluid.At least one wall and at least one removable wall (10) of housing (8) defines fluid chamber (12).System includes the compression transmitting element (15) for being connected with least one removable wall (10) and being connected with justice foot (6).Compression transmitting element (15) cause at least one removable wall (10) of fluid chamber (12) mobile and the pressure that is applied on adopted foot (6) of volume response of fluid chamber (12) and increase with from artificial limb mortar (4) suction fluid.In the case where pressure is lacked, the volume of fluid chamber (12) reduces, outside fluid is discharged to fluid chamber (12) thus.

Description

Vacuum aided suspension

Technical field

It relates to prosthetic device field, and relate more particularly to a kind of vacuum aided suspension.

Background technology

In field of prosthetic limbs, amputee can use various mechanical fasteners or hitch by the mortar of artificial limb by vacation Limb is connected with deformed limb.Vacuum or negative air pressure are formed in the space that suspension often relies between mortar and the surface of deformed limb Power.Sealing is formed by the edge of mortar is covered with sleeve.However, the sealing of vacuum space is not airtight, therefore air can Penetrate in vacuum space and connect reduction.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to be able to the system for being formed during use and keeping negative air pressure.

In some artificial limb systems, when to prosthetic connector element, for example justice foot applies weight, the weight for being applied can cause Vacuum pump reduces pump to be held and outside air is discharged to pump.So, after pressure is removed, pump dilatation is simultaneously extracted out from vacuum space Air is forming vacuum effectiveness.In the system of these types, system air-out in each circulation depends on the thorough of pump Base compression is reaching its maximum volume using pump.As the impact and displacement of pump are not constant and can be according to user Change, thus using user take a step as pressure to be difficult to circulate at each in produce and thoroughly compress.

The content of the invention

According to the embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided including the vacuum aided suspension of vacuum pump, solve known Vacuum aided suspension problem encountered.

According to an embodiment of the method that vacuum is formed in artificial limb mortar, by applying weight to prosthetic device or artificial limb Amount or power, can pressure is applied to compress the first end of transmitting element.It is applied on the first end of compression transmitting element Power causes the volume of fluid chamber to increase by the second end of the compression transmitting element that the removable wall with fluid chamber is connected, and When the volume of fluid chamber increases, fluid is passed through entrance from mortar space or chamber and is pumped in fluid chamber.When pressure is removed, Pressure lacks the volume reduction for causing fluid chamber, outside fluid is discharged to fluid chamber from there through outlet.

Preferably, when pressure is lacked, the volume of fluid chamber is zero or is close to zero.It has been found that pressure is present can make fluid The volume of room is from zero increase and pressure lacks that volume can be made to return to zero or be close to zero is that advantageously, this is due to by filling Divide discharge all or substantially whole fluids being drawn in fluid room can fully use each pump circulation.This method with And artificial limb system can more effectively and efficiently the mortar intracavity using vacuum pump in sealing is realized supercharging, forms vacuum or negative pressure Power.Also fluctuation less in achievable negative pressure.

In multiple embodiments of vacuum aided suspension described here, system includes adopted sufficient, artificial limb mortar, with The long and narrow compression transmitting element that adopted foot is connected, and the vacuum pump being connected with artificial limb mortar and compression transmitting element.Vacuum pump bag Include and define closing space to receive the housing of fluid, define at least one wall of the housing of fluid chamber and at least one movable Wall, and at least one removable wall with compression transmitting element be connected.Compression transmitting element causes at least one movable of fluid chamber Wall moves and makes the volume of fluid chamber to respond the pressure on adopted foot and increases with from artificial limb mortar suction fluid, and is lacking During pressure, removable wall is set to move in the direction that the volume of fluid chamber reduces, and thus fluid is discharged from fluid room.

According to an embodiment of vacuum pump, the closing space in housing can be separated into fluid chamber and non-by removable wall Fluid chamber.Removable wall is formed with the inwall of housing and seals and move back and forth to change with applying and removing pressure in housing Become the volume of room.One embodiment of vacuum pump may include flexible member, and the flexible member is by movable when applying pressure Wall pressure contracts and is configured to when the pressure on removable wall is reduced and outside stretching to promote for air to be discharged to fluid chamber.Compression Transmitting element can be line form, and which is by using the pin on each end of compression transmitting element from adopted foot to activity Wall transmits power, and the pin is moved due to pressure.

In an embodiment of system, the cable of the tension being connected between adopted foot and the housing of vacuum pump is set to Can stretch flexible member when pressure is applied to the cable for tensing, thus increase the volume of fluid chamber.When removing or not having During pressure, the cable compression spring of tension and cause the volume of fluid chamber to reduce.

According to an embodiment of system, system includes the vacuum pump with housing, the housing include a pair it is relative Removable wall and elastic sidewall, the fluid chamber limited by removable wall.Each of relative wall includes wall extension to incite somebody to action Increase of the pressure conversion for the volume of fluid chamber.One in wall extension is connected and second wall with the proximal part of adopted foot Extension is connected with the distal portions such as heel part of adopted foot.

In one embodiment of system, system includes vacuum pump, and the vacuum pump is included at first end by connecing Base plate part and rotary part that head rotating is connected with each other.At the second end (relative with the fitting end) place of vacuum pump, The wall of protrusion is oppositely disposed with the depression of rotary part on base plate part.The wall of protrusion can be past in the depression of rotary part It is multiple to move, and sealing is formed with the wall of depression.The wall and depression of protrusion forms the fluid chamber for vacuum pump.Base plate part and justice Foot is connected, and there is on fitting end rotary part adapter to be connected with the mortar with pylon or deformed limb.Work as base plate When part and rotary part are dorsad rotated, the increase of the volume of fluid chamber is with from mortar chamber suction fluid, and works as base plate part and rotation When part is rotated in opposite directions, the volume of fluid chamber reduces fluid is discharged from fluid chamber.

According to being described below and corresponding accompanying drawing, multiple advantages of multiple embodiments of vacuum aided suspension, spy Function of seeking peace can become apparent and can be better understood.The scope for being not intended to limit artificial limb system is described below, but Exemplary embodiment is provided only for the ease of understanding.

Description of the drawings

The vacuum aided suspension with reference to corresponding Description of Drawings, the accompanying drawing are shown according to device described herein Preferred embodiment.It should be noted that, only by way of example the device as disclosed in the accompanying drawings is illustrated.Can be by The combination of the multiple element and element that show in described below and accompanying drawing arranges and is combined as difference to obtain multiple enforcements Scheme, these embodiments are still within the spirit and scope of device described here.

Fig. 1 is the schematic diagram of the vacuum aided suspension according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is the explosive view of the vacuum pump in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows the view of the vacuum pump of the Fig. 2 in assembling form.

Fig. 4 shows the sectional view of an embodiment of vacuum pump.

Fig. 5 is the sectional view of the another embodiment of vacuum pump.

Fig. 6 shows the sectional view of the another embodiment of vacuum pump.

Fig. 7 shows the sectional view of the another embodiment of vacuum pump.

Fig. 8 shows the variant of vacuum aided suspension arrangement.

The embodiment that Fig. 9 a show vacuum aided suspension when lacking pressure.

The embodiment that Fig. 9 b show vacuum aided suspension when bearing pressure.

Figure 10 is the side view of the 4th embodiment of artificial limb system.

Specific embodiment

It is illustrated below to read by combining corresponding accompanying drawing, the difference of vacuum aided suspension may be better understood Embodiment, the element that the representative of identical reference is similar in the drawing.

Although the disclosure is vulnerable to the impact of different modifications and substitutions structures, show in the accompanying drawings and hereinafter detailed The embodiment for carefully describing certain illustrated.It should be understood that ground is to be not intended to for the disclosure to be defined to disclosed specific reality Scheme is applied, antithesis, it is therefore an objective to cover the modification in fallen with spirit and scope of the present disclosure, alternative structure and equivalent.

It should be understood that unless term to be clearly defined to possess described implication in the disclosure, then it is not direct Or the implication of these terms is limited indirectly beyond its direct implication or original meaning.

Anatomy term described herein is not intended to deviate the general sense that these terms are made, the technology of such as field of prosthetic limbs The understandable implication of personnel.For example, term " distal end " for the farthest part of the middle body away from human body that represents limbs or End.Term distal end is the antonym of " near-end ", and " near-end " is nearer for the middle body away from human body for representing limbs Part or end.

The embodiment of vacuum aided suspension is included with the vacuum pump being fluidly connected with mortar, and vacuum pump is logical Cross outside pumping fluid into mortar and contribute to vacuum is formed between deformed limb and mortar.When its weight is applied to adopted foot by user When upper, such as when heelstrike, fluid can be pumped into outside mortar.The pressure for heelstrike producing can cause the compression of pump to be transmitted Element increases the volume of Beng Nei fluid chamber.Vacuum space suction stream of the increase meeting of the volume of pump between deformed limb and the mortar of artificial limb Body.By this method, pump reduces the air pressure in vacuum space, and produces vacuum effectiveness.

After pressure is removed, such as when toe is liftoff and during taking a step, the volume of the fluid chamber in pump reduces.Mortar it is true The absolutely empty connection and pump between can have check valve so that all air in the volume of pump are discharged to other from outlet In space or in air.Entrance can have check valve so that the vacuum space of mortar is the exclusive source of air or fluid.

Pump pressure is contracted with air-out and is made than of the prior art by this method that vacuum effectiveness is produced in artificial limb mortar Pump release is more favourable in the method for suction air.The fluctuation that method as described herein realizes air pressure is less, therefore with The method of prior art is compared, here in described method, between the maximum pressure and minimum pressure in vacuum space Difference is less.

The efficiency of pump is partly dependent on effective reduction of the volume of fluid chamber.The beginning circulated at each due to pump and knot Shu Shihui is returned to volume and is zero or is close to zero original state, therefore the volume of fluid chamber depends on putting on the pressure journey of pump Degree.Here in described method, all fluids being drawn in pump can subsequently be discharged, thus can make full use of each Circulation.Additionally, method as described herein can use the not pump of the element with any types of springs and implement, the spring-like The element of type can affect the bio-mechanical function of artificial limb system.

Include increasing the blood for flowing to deformed limb as the pressure on deformed limb is reduced using the benefit of vacuum suspension. Vacuum suspension also reduces the volume fluctuation of deformed limb, and makes wound healing on deformed limb faster.Due in mortar and deformed limb Between exist and preferably connect, therefore vacuum aided suspension allows to increase proprioception reduction activity.The cutting line of mortar Can also be reduced due to vacuum suspension, this causes lighter, less artificial limb system.

Produce in mortar alternatively beneficial less than the low pressure of specified level.This can be close by using between deformed limb and mortar Sealing and realize, rather than by using sleeve so that the conventional seals being tightly connected are formed between deformed limb and the proximal end of mortar Method.The exemplary prosthetic liner that the United States Patent (USP) 8034120 that sealing member can be announced by October 11st, 2011 is instructed.

The use of the benefit of such as liner with sealing member is the volume of air outside reduction is extracted to mortar, and therefore Preferably suspension can be reached within the shorter time.Extra benefit is additionally provided using the pad of silica gel with integrated sealing member Place：Area of low pressure is not directly applied to skin.

Will be described with reference to the accompanying figures now multiple embodiments of vacuum aided suspension.

Fig. 1 is the schematic diagram of an embodiment of vacuum aided suspension.Fig. 1 shows vacuum pump 2 and vacuum The sectional view of the exemplary embodiment that pump 2 is connected with mortar 4 and justice foot 6.Vacuum pump 2 has housing 8, the housing 8 define the closed interior space including fluid chamber 12 and nonfluid room 14.Room 12 and 14 forms close by the side wall with housing 8 The removable wall 10 of envelope and separate.The side wall of removable wall 10 forms a part for fluid chamber 12, and removable wall 10 is another Side wall forms a part for non-streaming body cavity 14.

Compression transmitting element 15 is connected with the housing 8 and justice foot 6 of vacuum pump 2.Compression transmitting element 15 includes line 16, described Line 16 has the first pin 18 on the end that the heel part with adopted foot 6 is connected, and has on the end being connected with housing 8 There is the second pin 20.Second pin 20 enters in fluid chamber 12 to adjust the position of removable wall 10 through the opening in housing 8 Put, and the second pin 20 is connected with the side wall of the formation fluid chamber 12 of removable wall 10.Line 16 can be to be arranged in tubular casing Flexible wires, its online 16, second pin 20 and including between the housing 8 of fluid chamber 12 formed air hermetic connection.Use in housing 8 Can also have sealing member such as elastic ring in the opening of the second pin 20, the sealing member allows the second pin 20 through opening Move back and forth, while air hermetic connection is provided between compression transmitting element 15 and vacuum pump 2.It is that compression is passed as an alternative It can be the hard line in tubular casing to pass element 15.Compression transmitting element 15 by pressure conversion be put on the power of removable wall 10 with Removable wall 10 is caused to move back and forth in housing 8.

Pressure can be that on adopted foot, (especially by the part applying weight to adopted foot 6) is produced within period of taking a step Power.In an embodiment of the system, when the heel area of the justice foot 6 connected to the end of compression transmitting element by user When domain applies weight, pressure is produced when heelstrike.Power heelstrike is converted to and causes activity by compression transmitting element 15 10 reciprocating power of wall.

In the case where pressure is lacked, removable wall 10 is rested on the surface of shell with entrance 24 and outlet 26 so that The volume of fluid chamber 12 is zero or is close to zero.Entrance 24 and outlet 26 may be provided at the optional position on the surface of housing 8.It is preferred that Ground, by mouth 24 and 26 with removable wall 10 just to arranging to reach maximally effective pumping mechanism, and is arranged on for the second pin The homonymy of 20 opening.

In order to produce or increase vacuum effectiveness, user is applied to its weight on adopted foot 6, and this generates to cause first Pin 18 promotes line 16 and the pressure slipped in tubular casing.When the first pin 18 promotes line 16, line 16 can be shifted and be promoted Second pin 20.Second pin 20 applies can be generally perpendicular to the power of removable wall 10 to increase the volume of fluid chamber 12.Due to stream The volume of body room 12 increases, and fluid passes through 44 Jing entrances 24 of pipe from mortar 4 and is drawn in fluid chamber 12.

When pressure is removed, removable wall 10 returns to its stop original state on the surface of the housing, and this makes fluid simultaneously Room 12 returns to the original state that its volume is close to zero.When the volume of fluid chamber 12 reduces, the fluid before from 4 suction of mortar is existing Outside outlet 26 is transported to.Outlet 26 has the check valve for only allowing fluid to flow out from outlet 26.Entrance 24 can also have Check valve, allows during the fluid in the check valve prevention fluid chamber 12 returns to mortar and only fluid to enter into fluid chamber 12 In.

Pump 2 optionally has flexible member 22 in nonfluid room, and it is zero which contribute to fluid chamber 12 to return to volume Or it is similar to zero.Flexible member 22 can which be compressed generally vertically and when fluid chamber 12 expands with removable wall 10.In other words Say, the direction of the compression and stretching, extension of flexible member is set to vertical with removable wall 10.When pressure is removed, 22 release of flexible member And promote removable wall 10.Addition flexible member 22 by allow pump quickly release and improve the efficiency of pump, this be attributed to by The extra power being applied on removable wall 10 that flexible member 22 is provided.Flexible member 22 can be for coil or spring or by elastic material Material is formed.

By this method, low pressure can be produced in the space that deformed limb and mortar 4 are closed or strengthens the low pressure.

Fig. 2 is the explosive view of the embodiment of vacuum pump 2 in FIG.The housing 8 of the pump for showing in the present embodiment Formed by two parts.The housing 8 of pump can be formed by single continuous housing.In addition, although the housing 8 of vacuum pump is shown as to be had Cylindrical shape, but the housing of pump 8 can adopt the arbitrary shape for including any polygon-prism such as rectangular prism.Such as Fig. 2 institutes Show, removable wall 10 is with the circle corresponding with the base plate configuration of the internal capacity for being cylinder in the present embodiment.With vacuum The housing 8 of pump is similar, and removable wall 10 can have various shapes, and this depends on the shape of the inner space of the closing of housing 8.Activity The shape of wall 10 should be corresponding with the base plate configuration of housing 8 producing two distinct rooms.Removable wall 10 can also be by bullet Property material formed profile with produce between fluid chamber 12 and nonfluid room 14 it is airtight separate, while still allowing removable wall 10 to be easy to Move back and forth between two rooms 12 and 14.

The entrance and exit not shown in this view.Flexible member 22 is arranged between the side of removable wall 10 and housing 8. The corresponding depression 28 that flexible member 22 can be received on removable wall 10 and housing 8 is interior to keep flexible member in vacuum pump 2 22 position.

As the housing 8 of vacuum pump can adopt a large amount of different shapes, therefore vacuum pump 2 can be arranged on many on adopted foot In individual position.Additionally, vacuum pump 2 produces the size that the ability of vacuum effect not may be provided at any chamber therein by vacuum pump 2 And limit.This allows vacuum pump mutually compatible with large-scale adopted foot-shape shape.Vacuum pump 2 also increased the weight of minimum to adopted foot 6.

Fig. 3 shows Fig. 2 that the external shell 8 with the first pin 18, the line 16 in set and vacuum pump 2 is assembled together Embodiment.

Line 16 has housing connector, and housing 8 has corresponding compression transmitting element adapter.Compression transmitting element Connection between 15 and housing 8 can be threaded connection or interlock connection or other kinds of connection known in the art.

Compression transmitting element 15 line 16 can from it is any type of can to compression transmitting element 15 provide certain hardness and The material of rigidity is made, and these materials include metal, plastics or fiberglass.Outer tubular set for line 16 can be by including plastics Or the multiple material of elastomeric material is made.

Additionally, compression transmitting element 15 can be shaft-like, which is connected with the heel part of adopted foot.By heelstrike caused foot With vertical displacement can produce the pressure acted on pump.

Vacuum pump is may also be arranged in adopted foot.During the stance taken a step, the weight of user can apply to press to pump Power takes out air to increasely the volume of fluid chamber and as described above like that from mortar.

Fig. 4 to 7 shows other variants of vacuum pump 2.

Fig. 4 shows the removable wall 10 with depression, and the depression is identical with the shape of flexible member 22 receiving fluid Flexible member 22 in room.For example, flexible member 22 can be cylinder, so as to be recessed as the circular groove in removable wall 10.Enter Mouth 24 and outlet 26 are arranged on the side wall relative with the side wall that the second pin 20 enters vacuum pump of housing 8.In the diagram true Empty pump is shown as in compressive state, while the second pin 20 extends in nonfluid room to promote to opposition side from line 16 Outside removable wall 10 is to be discharged to outlet 26 by fluid.Once release the pressure being applied on the second pin 20, flexible member 22 meeting releases are promoted removable wall 10 and are drawn fluid in pump 2 by entrance 24 with the pin receiving side towards housing 8.

Fig. 5 shows other settings of the element of vacuum pump 2.It is in Figure 5, similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 to 3, Mouthfuls 24 and 26 be disposed adjacent or be arranged on housing 8 with 20 identical side wall of the second pin on.Removable wall 10 in Fig. 5 has Cylindrical depression, the depression have certain depth to receive the substantially half of the flexible member 22 in uncompressed state.When Second pin 20 is under pressure or during power, and the second pin 20 promotes removable wall 10 towards contrary side wall, until removable wall 10 with Housing 8 contacts.It is connected during second pin 20 extends into fluid chamber and with the removable wall 10 on fluid chamber side.

Fig. 6 shows the another embodiment of vacuum pump 2.Fig. 6 is similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, but second Pin 20 be arranged on on mouth 24 and 26 identical side walls.In such an implementation, pin 20 can be extended into from line 16 Promoting removable wall 10 and 24 suction fluid of Jing entrances in fluid chamber.Flexible member 22 in fluid room can be produced and pin 20 reverse effects, and outside pulling removable wall 10 so that air is discharged to outlet 26 towards mouth 24 and 26.

The embodiment that Fig. 7 shows the vacuum pump 2 with the element similar to those elements in Fig. 5.In the figure 7, Outside second pin 20 extends to line 16 and enter in nonfluid room with towards mouth 24 and 26 promote removable wall 10.Work as applying When pressure on the second pin 20 discharges, the flexible member 22 in nonfluid room can be used to pull removable wall 10 away from mouth 24 With 26, to be drawn fluid in pump 2 by entrance 24.

Fig. 8 describes the variant of vacuum aided suspension.Vacuum aided suspension shown in Fig. 8 includes vacuum pump The sectional view and pump 2 of 2 amplification, the connection between mortar 4 and justice foot 6.Vacuum pump 2 has the housing 8 that may include two parts.This two Part can be connected with each other using threaded connection.Housing 8 forms internal closed space and removable wall 10 closing space internally Interior, closing space is divided into fluid chamber 12 and non-streaming body cavity 14 by the removable wall 10.The side of removable wall 10 forms fluid chamber 12 and opposite side forms nonfluid room 14.Removable wall 10 moves back and forth to change fluid chamber 12 and nonfluid in closing space The volume of room 14.As shown in figure 8, vacuum pump 2 can be connected with the shank of adopted foot on ankle zone or pylon.

Compression transmitting element 15 includes the cable or line 34 of the tension with end pin 38, by pulling and release coil 39 can make end pin 38 and the protrusion pin 30 of removable wall 10 interact.Protrusion pin 30 is arranged on the formation of removable wall 10 On the side wall of a part for fluid chamber 12, and extend through fluid chamber 12.Protrusion pin 30 is may extend into outside housing 8, and And reciprocating opening can have sealing member such as elastic ring to provide air-tightness connection through which to protrude pin 30.

In the case where the pressure for pointing to vacuum pump 2 is lacked, the cable 34 of tension is tensed and drawn towards outlet 26 Dynamic removable wall 10, this understands compression elastic element 32 and the volume of fluid chamber 12 is changed into zero or zero is close to.With reality before Apply that scheme is similar, mouth 24 and 26 can be arranged on any position on the surface of housing 8, and be just preferably arranged to removable wall 10 It is right.

When user is applied to its weight on adopted foot, such as during heelstrike, the tension force in cable 34 reduces, This allows 32 release of flexible member and promotes removable wall 10 away from entrance 24 and outlet 26.Cable 34 is by the distal end of cable 34 The cable fixing piece 36 of end is connected with the heel part of adopted foot 6.The proximal end of cable 34 have be arranged in coil 39 End pin 38.Coil 39 surround end pin 38, so as to one end of coil 39 is connected with the outside of housing 8 and coil 39 The other end be connected with the protrusion pin 30 of removable wall 10.The end pin 38 of cable 34 is arranged on the inside of coil 39, passes through Apply weight in the mid portion of coil 39, end pin 38 shows as the adjustable weight for removable wall 10 pulling Or releasing activity wall 10.

Compression transmitting element 15 may include the cable guide part 40 in 42 end of pump arm protruded from the bottom of housing 8. Pump arm 42 can have vertical stretch at the distal end, with the shape with substantially " L ", while cable guide 40 with it is vertical The end of extension is connected.Cable guide part 40 is set to proximal end and protrusion 30 general parallel orientation of pin for making cable 34.Bullet Property element 32 can coil or be wrapped in protrusion pin 30 around.Flexible member 32 can be made up by spring or of elastomeric material.

The optional setting of the element of the vacuum pump 2 shown in Fig. 4 to Fig. 7 can be also used in artificial limb system as described herein Second embodiment vacuum pump 2 in.Protrusion pin 30 can be used on Fig. 4 in 7 and replace pin 20.The technology of this area Personnel should be known that the different embodiments of the vacuum pump 2 for how making to be used and the enforcement of artificial limb system as described herein Scheme is adapted.

Fig. 9 a and 9b show the different visual angles of the vacuum aided suspension including vacuum pump 44.Fig. 9 a are described first Vacuum pump 44 in beginning, depressurization phase, vacuum pump 44 is by any pressure here.In figure 9b, on vacuum pump 44 Jing is applied with pressure 56.

The housing 8 of vacuum pump 44 parallel is preferably made up of for rigid removable wall 46 and 48 at least one pair of.In removable wall Between 46 and 48 be can by made by elastomeric material fluid chamber 54.Fluid chamber 54 also have can by made by elastomeric material side wall 47 With 49.Elastomeric material can have the similar structure for folding so that fluid chamber 54 can expand and shrink.In expansion, vacuum pump 44 Housing can have rectangular prism shape.

First removable wall 46 has extension 60, and which is extended from the chamber region of wall and is connected with the proximal part of adopted foot 6. On wall extension 60, an end of first axle 50 is connected with the first removable wall 46 in fluid chamber's areas outside.First axle 50 the second end is tiltedly connected to formula with the second removable wall 48 in the fluid chamber region of the second removable wall 48.Second hinge 52 with The wall extension 62 of the distal end of the first removable wall 46 and the second removable wall 48 is connected.Second wall 48 is with the foot with adopted foot With the distal extension 62 being connected.As illustrated in fig. 9, when 54 no volume of fluid chamber, the fluid chamber region of wall 46 and 48 is wrong Open.

Wall extension 60 and 62 can be formed together with wall 46 and 48 respectively, or wall extension 60 and 62 can be and wall 46 and 48 The separate part being rigidly attached, such as rigidity or hard cable, wire rod or sheet material.Wall extension 62 is shown as and adopted foot 6 Heel is connected.Wall extension 60 and 62 is reconfigurable to cause wall extension 60 and the heel part of adopted foot 6 to be connected, and wall Extension 62 is connected with the proximal part of adopted foot 6.

Compression transmitting element includes the wall extension 62 for being connected with wall 48 or combining.When pressure of the generation in direction 56 When, such as during heelstrike, by least making, wall extension 62 is promoted the volume of fluid chamber 54 or mobile removable wall 48 is oblique Increase to ground away from removable wall 46, to increase the volume between two removable walls 46 and 48.The movement of wall 46 and 48 is by cutting with scissors Chain 50 and 52 is guided.The direction of fluid chamber's extension 58 also can be with pressure 56 generally vertically.

After heelstrike, compressing member such as elastomer or spring system are by being zero by the volume reducing of fluid chamber 54 Or it is close to zero and compressor pump 44, and make pump 44 return to the state shown in Fig. 9 a.

Similar to embodiment before, the entrance and exit of fluid chamber 54 is may be provided on any surface of pump.

Vacuum pump 44 may include the parallel walls of two pairs of opposed.First pair of wall can be set with similar to removable wall 46 and 48 Put.Second pair of wall can be parallel with hinge 50 and 52.

As shown in figure 9b, vacuum pump 44 can have the cross section of rectangle.Vacuum pump 44 can also have the stream of lozenge shape cross-section Body room 44.

Figure 10 shows the side view of another embodiment of vacuum aided suspension, and the vacuum aided hangs system System includes the vacuum pump 64 being arranged on adopted foot 6.Vacuum pump 64 is run by rotating mechanism.Rotating mechanism generally includes base plate Part and rotary part, which surrounds common joint and pivots or rotate to cause the wall or piston of protrusion back and forth to be transported in fluid room It is dynamic.Base plate part and rotary part are arranged so that and rotate between adopted foot and deformed limb.By this method, the rotation of pump Contribute to making course of a step more steady by the action similar to common heel.Therefore, the 4th embodiment be it is favourable, this Be due to the 4th embodiment can aid in user take a step and also help to maintain mortar sealing intracavity negative pressure.

In the embodiment depicted in fig. 10, vacuum pump 44 proximal end there is adapter 66 with by pump 64 for example with temporarily It is connected with the end of artificial limb or deformed limb.Pump 64 also includes long and narrow base plate part 68, long and narrow rotary part 70, joint 72, stream Body room 76 and the wall or piston 80 of protrusion.Base plate part 68 is arranged in a part for justice foot 6, preferably in the little of adopted foot 6 Lower limb region, and adapter 66 is connected with rotary part so that justice foot 6 and pylon and deformed limb rotating separation.Joint 72 is the bottom of at The vicinity of the proximal end of plate member 68, the joint 72 make base plate part 68 be connected with rotary part 70.Joint 72 causes bottom Plate member 68 and rotary part 70 relative to each other in the direction shown in arrow 74 are pivoted or are rotated.Joint 72 can be by two portions Subelement is formed, and cylindrical pin for example on one component is inserted through the dowel bushing of another part.Base plate part 68 and rotation The pivot of part 70 or rotation are preferably occur in the plane parallel with anterior-posterior plane.72 rotary shaft of joint is preferably vertical In anterior-posterior plane.

In the end relative with joint 72 (as shown in the distal end in Figure 10), base plate part 68 has and rotating part The wall or piston 80 of the protrusion that the depression in part 70 is oppositely arranged.The wall or piston 80 of protrusion is received in the valley, and is protruded Wall 80 depression be internally formed sealing.The wall 80 of protrusion and depression together form fluid chamber 76.Fluid chamber 76 is preferably At the opposite lateral ends of joint 72 or at the distal end of pump 64 so that the volume maximum and minima of fluid chamber 76 it Between difference reach maximization.Arrow 80 shows reciprocating direction of the piston 80 in the depression of rotary part 70.With The parallel arrow 82 of arrow 80 shows the general direction that fluid chamber 76 expands and shrinks.When base plate part 68 and rotary part 70 During opposite rotation, piston 80 is inserted more deeply in depression, causes the volume of fluid chamber 76 to reduce.When base plate part 68 and rotation During 70 opposite rotation of part, piston 80 is pulled away from the inside of depression and causes the volume of fluid chamber 76 to increase.

Fluid chamber 76 have opening 78, it is described opening 78 be preferably be connected with check valve with control fluid flow into interior and from The direction of indoor outflow.For example, an opening can be connected with the check valve of fluid incoming fluid room 76 is only allowed.This valve and mortar Chamber fluidic communication, to improve the vacuum or negative pressure of the mortar intracavity of sealing.Another is open and only allows from fluid chamber 76 Discharge check valve of the fluid for example in air to be connected.

During taking a step, such as when heelstrike, base plate part 68 and rotary part 70 rotate to cause fluid opposite to each other Room 76 expands and the volume of fluid chamber 76 increases, and fluid can be pumped in pump 64 by this from mortar chamber.After toe is liftoff, base plate Part 68 and rotary part 70 are relatively rotated so that the volume of fluid chamber 76 reduces and fluid is discharged to one of opening Outward.Base plate part 68 and rotary part 70 are relatively rotated can be realized by other elements of flexible member or offer external force.

Similar to other embodiments as described herein, it is zero or close that the fluid chamber 76 of vacuum pump 64 preferably has Zero minimum volume so that during taking a step, be drawn into any fluid in fluid chamber 76 in a cycle in more multithread Body is discharged before being drawn into fluid chamber 76 substantially.

The resistance of joint 72 is adjustable, increases or reduce 68 He of rotary bottom plate part with the preference based on user Revolving force needed for rotary part 70.The angle that the angle and part 68 and 70 of pump 64 can be rotated is also adjustable, to adapt to For example different footwear of different situations.

What the United States Patent (USP) 7427297 that embodiment as described herein can be announced with Septembers in 2008 on the 23rd was instructed shows Example property artificial limb mortar is used together.

The example that embodiment as described herein can be instructed with the public United States Patent (USP) 6969408 of on November 29th, 2005 Property justice foot be used together.

Embodiment as described herein can be used together with pressure regulator to ensure the safety of user and comfortable, and this can make Realized with machinery known in the art and/or electricity method.

Although having been described above and showing foregoing embodiments, it should be understood that ground is, the alternatives and modifications of these embodiments Those for example proposed by other people can fall within the scope of the present invention.Any principle as described herein may extend to other classes The prosthetic device or orthotic device of type.

Claims

1. a kind of vacuum aided suspension, including：

Adopted foot (6)；

Artificial limb mortar (4)；

The long and narrow compression transmitting element (15) being connected with the justice foot；And

Be connected with the artificial limb mortar (4) and compression transmitting element (15) vacuum pump (2,44), the vacuum pump (2,44) Including defining closing space to receive the housing (8) of fluid, at least one wall and at least one removable wall of the housing (8) (10,48) define in the housing (8) fluid chamber (12,54), at least one removable wall (10,48) with the compression transmission Element (15) is connected, and the flexible member in the housing, and the compression transmitting element includes end pin, by with institute The mid portion for stating the coil that housing is connected with the protrusion pin of at least one removable wall applies weight, the end pin Interact with the protrusion pin of at least one removable wall,

Characterized in that, it is described compression transmitting element (15) be tightened up and cause the fluid chamber (12,54) at least one Removable wall (10, it is 48) mobile, and respond the pressure on the adopted foot and increase fluid chamber (12, volume 54) thus will stream Body from suction in artificial limb mortar (4), wherein, in the case where pressure is lacked, removable wall (10,48) be set to reducing the fluid Room (12, move in the direction of volume 54),

Wherein in response to pressure, the tension force in the compression transmitting element reduces, and this described flexible member of permission is away from described Mobile removable wall in the direction of at least one wall, therefore improve the volume of the fluid chamber and from suction stream at the artificial limb mortar Body.

2. system according to claim 1, it is characterised in that in the case where pressure is lacked, and the fluid chamber (12,54) With for zero or be close to zero volume.

3. system according to claim 1, it is characterised in that also include：

Be configured to receive fluid enter into fluid chamber (12,54) in entrance (24)；And

Be configured to from fluid chamber (12,54) discharge fluid outlet (26),

Wherein, the outlet (26) with being set to only allow fluid to leave the check valve of fluid chamber, the entrance (24) has Be set to only to allow fluid enter fluid chamber (12, check valve 54).

4. system according to claim 1, it is characterised in that the housing (8) is in prism shape, and the removable wall (10) with the base plate identical shape with housing (8), and sealing is formed with by the closing space with the side wall of housing (8) It is divided into fluid chamber (12) and nonfluid room (14), the removable wall (10) is moved back and forth in housing (8), with according to applying and shifting Change except the pressure on the compression transmitting element room (12, volume 14), so as to drawing fluid in fluid room and arranging Go out to outside fluid chamber.

5. system according to claim 4, it is characterised in that also include：The flexible member is in the nonfluid room (14), in, the flexible member is set to the stretching, extension vertical with removable wall (10) and compression direction, wherein, in the compression When applying pressure on transmitting element (15), the flexible member is compressed by removable wall (10), and is applied to removable wall lacking (10), in the case of the pressure on, the flexible member can stretch.

6. system according to claim 1, it is characterised in that the compression transmitting element (15) includes：

Be connected with removable wall (10) and justice foot (6) line (16,34), wherein, apply online (16, the pressure at first end 34) Power can be by (16, the removable wall (10) that the second end 34) is connected is mobile, so that the cubical expansion of the fluid chamber (12) with line.

7. system according to claim 4, it is characterised in that the compression of the flexible member and stretch axle and be set to and work Dynamic wall (10) is vertical, and in the case where the pressure being applied in compression transmitting element (15) is lacked, the flexible member is movable Wall (10) compresses, and when applying pressure on transmitting element (15) is compressed, the flexible member stretches, so that flexible member energy The removable wall (10) is shifted, so that the volume increase of fluid chamber (12).

8. system according to claim 7, it is characterised in that the compression transmitting element (15) also includes：

The cable (34) of tension, the cable (34) of the tension are connected with the end pin in its proximal end, and at which Distal end is connected with justice foot (6), and the cable (34) for tensing is set to make when the cable (34) to tensing applies pressure The flexible member obtained in fluid chamber (12) stretches, and in the case where pressure is lacked, the cable (34) of tension pulls removable wall (10) with compression elastic element.

9. system according to claim 8, it is characterised in that the coil at its first end with the protrusion pin It is connected, and is connected with the outside of housing (8) at its second end, the protrusion pin is from the fluid chamber side of removable wall (10) Extend, the coil is connected with end pin.

10. system according to claim 1, it is characterised in that the compression transmitting element (15) and removable wall (10) Fluid chamber side is connected.

11. systems according to claim 1, it is characterised in that the heel of the compression transmitting element (15) and justice foot (6) Part is connected.

12. systems according to claim 1, it is characterised in that put on the direction of the pressure of compression transmitting element (15) (56) it is vertical with the expansion direction (58) of fluid chamber (54).