Systems and methods for prosthetic suspension system

Abstract

A prosthetic device includes an inner socket assembly including an upper interface member having a generally cylindrical outer periphery, the outer periphery defining a diameter and a length, the diameter being substantially greater than the length, and an outer socket assembly including a lower interface member having a recess correspondingly-shaped to the outer periphery of the upper interface member. At least a portion of the upper interface member is received within the recess of the lower interface member to secure the inner socket assembly to the outer socket assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A prosthetic device comprising:
 an outer socket;   an inner liner configured to fit around a residual limb of a user and configured to fit into the outer socket, the inner liner including an upper interface member integrated with the inner liner;   a lower interface member coupled to an inner surface of the outer socket and configured to interface with the upper interface member to releasably secure the inner liner to the outer socket; and   a pylon coupled to an outer surface of the outer socket, wherein the outer surface is opposite the inner surface.   
     
     
         2 . The prosthetic device of  claim 1 , wherein the upper interface member is molded or cast with a bottom portion of the inner liner 
     
     
         3 . The prosthetic device of  claim 1 , wherein the pylon is coupled to the outer socket by one or more fasteners that extend through the pylon, through the outer socket, and into the lower interface member. 
     
     
         4 . The prosthetic device of  claim 1 , wherein one of the upper interface member or the lower interface member comprises a generally cylindrical outer surface having a diameter that is substantially greater than its length as measured along a longitudinal axis of the prosthetic device. 
     
     
         5 . The prosthetic device of  claim 4 , wherein the other of the upper interface member or the lower interface member comprises a receptacle having a generally cylindrical recess, the generally cylindrical recess sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the generally cylindrical outer surface. 
     
     
         6 . The prosthetic device of  claim 5 , wherein the generally cylindrical recess is formed by a raised annular wall of the receptacle, and wherein the generally cylindrical outer surface includes an annular slot configured to receive the raised annular wall of the receptacle in an interlocking manner. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum pump configured to generate a vacuum within the inner socket assembly, wherein the vacuum pump is in fluid communication with an interior of the inner socket assembly via at least one of the upper interface member and the lower interface member. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the upper interface member is rotationally fixed relative to the lower interface. 
     
     
         9 . A prosthetic device comprising:
 a socket assembly having:
 a rigid outer socket, 
 an inner liner configured to fit around a residual limb of a user and configured to fit into the outer socket, the inner liner including an upper interface member integrated with the inner liner, and 
 a lower interface member coupled to an inner surface of the outer socket and configured to interface with the upper interface member to releasably secure the inner liner to the outer socket; 
   a pylon coupled to the socket assembly at an upper portion of the pylon; and   a vacuum pump configured to generate a vacuum within the inner socket assembly.   
     
     
         10 . The prosthetic device of  claim 9 , wherein the upper interface member is molded or cast with a bottom portion of the inner liner 
     
     
         11 . The prosthetic device of  claim 9 , wherein the pylon is coupled to the upper portion of the socket assembly one or more fasteners that extend through the pylon, through the outer socket, and into the lower interface member. 
     
     
         12 . The prosthetic device of  claim 9 , wherein one of the upper interface member or the lower interface member comprises a generally cylindrical outer surface having a diameter that is substantially greater than its length as measured along a longitudinal axis of the prosthetic device. 
     
     
         13 . The prosthetic device of  claim 12 , wherein the other of the upper interface member or the lower interface member comprises a receptacle having a generally cylindrical recess, the generally cylindrical recess sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the generally cylindrical outer surface. 
     
     
         14 . The prosthetic device of  claim 13 , wherein the generally cylindrical recess is formed by a raised annular wall of the receptacle, and wherein the generally cylindrical outer surface includes an annular slot configured to receive the raised annular wall of the receptacle in an interlocking manner. 
     
     
         15 . The prosthetic device of  claim 9 , wherein the vacuum pump is in fluid communication with an interior of the inner socket assembly via at least one of the upper interface member and the lower interface member 
     
     
         16 . A prosthetic device, comprising:
 an inner socket assembly configured to receive a portion of a residual limb of a user;   an outer socket assembly configured to receive at least a portion of the inner socket assembly; and   an interface mechanism configured to releasably secure the inner socket assembly to the outer socket assembly during use of the prosthetic device by a user, the interface mechanism comprising:
 a generally cylindrical member having a diameter that is substantially greater than its length as measured along a longitudinal axis of the prosthetic device, and 
 a receptacle having a generally cylindrical recess, the generally cylindrical recess sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the generally cylindrical member, 
 wherein one of the generally cylindrical member or the receptacle is integrated with the inner socket assembly. 
   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the interface mechanism prevents relative rotational movement of the inner socket assembly and the outer socket assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a valve assembly disposed within the interface mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the valve assembly comprises a check valve configured to permit air to exhaust from a cavity defined between the residual limb and the inner liner. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the one of the generally cylindrical member or the receptacle that is integrated with the inner socket assembly is molded or cast with a bottom portion of the inner socket assembly.