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 including a movable member and a pump system attached to the prosthetic foot mechanism. The pump system includes a pump mechanism defining defines a fluid chamber having variable configuration and an actuating part positioned between the member and the foot. 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. During heel strike, the member pulls the upper side of the pump forward to expand the fluid chamber; during stance or toe-off, the member pushes the pump backward to compress the fluid chamber. The member includes two non-pivotally joined pieces.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A prosthetic system comprising:
 a prosthetic foot including a foot plate defining an upper surface and having a flexible configuration; and   a pump system attached to the prosthetic foot, the pump system including a pump mechanism defining a fluid chamber having a variable configuration and an actuating part arranged to selectively engage with the foot plate by coming into contact with the foot plate, and separate a distance from the upper surface of the foot plate by moving away from 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, wherein the volume of the fluid chamber increases when the actuating part moves away from the upper surface of the foot plate;   wherein the volume of the fluid chamber increases as the prosthetic foot moves from a heel strike toward a foot strike.   
     
     
         2 . The prosthetic system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuating part is arranged to move away from the upper surface of the foot plate during a toe-off of the prosthetic foot. 
     
     
         3 . The prosthetic system of  claim 1 , wherein the volume of the fluid chamber deceases when the actuating part engages with the upper surface of the foot plate. 
     
     
         4 . The prosthetic system of  claim 3 , wherein the actuating part engages the upper surface of the foot plate during a heel strike of the prosthetic foot. 
     
     
         5 . The prosthetic system of  claim 1 , wherein the volume of the fluid chamber in the expanded position is defined by a compressive force applied to the pump mechanism during a heel strike of the prosthetic foot. 
     
     
         6 . The prosthetic system of  claim 1 , wherein the pump mechanism comprises a housing and a flexible portion. 
     
     
         7 . The prosthetic system of  claim 6 , wherein the flexible portion comprises a polymeric material. 
     
     
         8 . The prosthetic system of  claim 1 , wherein the pump mechanism includes a housing defining a port in fluid communication with the fluid chamber, and arranged to draw fluid from a prosthetic socket. 
     
     
         9 . The prosthetic system of  claim 8 , wherein the pump mechanism is arranged to draw fluid from the prosthetic socket into the fluid chamber when the pump mechanism moves from the first position toward the second position. 
     
     
         10 . The prosthetic system of  claim 8 , comprising a tube secured to the port. 
     
     
         11 . The prosthetic system of  claim 10 , comprising a one-way valve in fluid communication with the tube and the prosthetic socket. 
     
     
         12 . The prosthetic system of  claim 1 , wherein the pump mechanism is arranged to expel fluid from the fluid chamber when the pump mechanism moves from the second position toward the first position. 
     
     
         13 . A prosthetic system comprising:
 a prosthetic foot including a foot plate defining an upper surface and having a flexible configuration;   a prosthetic socket connected to the prosthetic foot; and   a pump system in fluid communication with the prosthetic socket and attached to the prosthetic foot, the pump system including a pump mechanism defining a fluid chamber having a variable configuration and an actuating part, the actuating part arranged to selectively engage with the foot plate by coming into contact with the foot plate, and separate a distance from the upper surface of the foot plate by moving away from 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 to draw fluid into the fluid chamber from the prosthetic socket,   wherein the volume of the fluid chamber increases when the actuating part moves away from the upper surface of the foot plate;   wherein the volume of the fluid chamber increases as the prosthetic foot moves from a heel strike toward a foot strike.   
     
     
         14 . The prosthetic system of  claim 13 , wherein the actuating part moves away from the foot plate during a toe-off of the prosthetic foot. 
     
     
         15 . The prosthetic system of  claim 13 , wherein the volume of the fluid chamber deceases when the actuating part engages with the upper surface of the foot plate. 
     
     
         16 . The prosthetic system of  claim 15 , wherein the actuating part engages the upper surface of the foot plate during a heel strike of the prosthetic foot. 
     
     
       17. A prosthetic device comprising:
 a prosthetic foot with a movable member extending over an anterior surface of the prosthetic foot, the movable member having an attached end connected to the prosthetic foot and an unattached end disconnected from the prosthetic foot; and   a pump mechanism having opposite first and second sides and at least one side wall surrounding an internal fluid chamber;   wherein the pump mechanism is positioned between the movable member and the anterior surface of the prosthetic foot;   wherein the movable member follows a curvature of the anterior surface of the prosthetic foot;   wherein a clearance between the movable member and the anterior surface of the prosthetic foot gradually increases from the attached end toward the unattached end;   wherein the first side of the pump mechanism is attached to the movable member and the second side of the pump mechanism is attached to the anterior surface of the prosthetic foot;   wherein the pump mechanism is formed of an elastomeric material and configured to stretch when opposing forces are applied to the first and second sides of the pump mechanism;   wherein the unattached end of the movable member is configured to move away from the anterior surface of the prosthetic foot during a heel strike event and is further configured to pull the first side of the pump mechanism in an anterior direction and increase a volume of the internal fluid chamber of the pump mechanism;   wherein the unattached end of the movable member is configured to move toward the anterior surface of the prosthetic foot during a stance phase event or a toe-off event and is further configured to push the first side of the pump mechanism in a posterior direction and decrease the volume of the internal fluid chamber; and   wherein the movable member comprises a first piece and a second piece connected at a non-pivoting joint, the first piece being secured to the anterior surface of the prosthetic foot and the second piece being secured to the pump mechanism.   
     
     
       18. The prosthetic device according to  claim 17 , wherein the increase in the volume of the internal fluid chamber draws fluid into the internal fluid chamber and wherein the decrease in the volume of the internal fluid chamber expels fluid out of the internal fluid chamber. 
     
     
       19. The prosthetic device according to  claim 17 , wherein one or more one-way valves are fitted between the internal fluid chamber and the pump mechanism and configured to prevent fluid from being drawn in from a surrounding atmosphere when the volume of the internal chamber is increased. 
     
     
       20. The prosthetic device according to  claim 17 , wherein the pump mechanism is operatively coupled to both the prosthetic foot and the movable member and is configured to move between a first position in which the volume of the internal fluid chamber is zero or near-zero and a second position in which the volume of the internal fluid chamber is expanded relative to the first position, wherein the volume of the internal fluid chamber increases when the movable member moves away from the anterior surface of the prosthetic foot. 
     
     
       21. The prosthetic device according to  claim 17 , wherein the pump mechanism is formed of an airtight material. 
     
     
       22. The prosthetic device according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one side wall of the pump mechanism has an accordion-like shape. 
     
     
       23. The prosthetic device according to  claim 17 , wherein the attached end of the movable member is connected to the prosthetic foot using an attachment member. 
     
     
       24. The prosthetic device according to  claim 17 , wherein the movable member is a plate, wire, or arm. 
     
     
       25. The prosthetic device according to  claim 17 , wherein the attached end of the movable member is non-pivoting. 
     
     
       26. The prosthetic device according to  claim 17 , wherein the pump mechanism is a bladder-type pump. 
     
     
       27. A prosthetic system comprising:
 a prosthetic foot including a movable member extending over an anterior surface of the prosthetic foot, the movable member having an attached end connected to the prosthetic foot and an unattached end disconnected from the prosthetic foot;   a connector secured to a proximal end of the prosthetic foot and configured to couple the proximal end of the prosthetic foot to a socket;   a pump mechanism having opposite first and second sides and at least one side wall surrounding an internal fluid chamber; and   wherein the pump mechanism is positioned between the movable member and the anterior surface of the prosthetic foot;   wherein the movable member follows a curvature of the anterior surface of the prosthetic foot;   wherein a clearance between the movable member and the anterior surface of the prosthetic foot gradually increases from the attached end toward the unattached end;   wherein the first side of the pump mechanism is attached to the movable member and the second side of the pump mechanism is attached to the anterior surface of the prosthetic foot;   wherein the pump mechanism is configured to stretch when opposing forces are applied to the first and second sides of the pump mechanism;   wherein the unattached end of the movable member is configured to move away from the anterior surface of the prosthetic foot during a heel strike event and is further configured to pull the first side of the pump mechanism in an anterior direction and increase a volume of the internal fluid chamber of the pump mechanism;   wherein the unattached end of the movable member is configured to move toward the anterior surface of the prosthetic foot during a stance phase event or a toe-off event and is further configured to push the first side of the pump mechanism in a posterior direction and decrease the volume of the internal fluid chamber; and   wherein the movable member comprises a first piece and a second piece connected at a non-pivoting joint, the first piece being secured to the anterior surface of the prosthetic foot and the second piece being secured to the pump mechanism.   
     
     
       28. The prosthetic system according to  claim 27 , wherein the increase in the volume of the internal fluid chamber draws fluid into the internal fluid chamber and wherein the decrease in the volume of the internal fluid chamber expels fluid out of the internal fluid chamber. 
     
     
       29. The prosthetic system according to  claim 27 , wherein one or more one-way valves are fitted between the internal fluid chamber and the pump mechanism and configured to prevent fluid from being drawn in from a surrounding atmosphere when the volume of the internal chamber is increased. 
     
     
       30. The prosthetic system according to  claim 27 , wherein the pump mechanism is operatively coupled to both the prosthetic foot and the movable member and is configured to move between a first position in which the volume of the internal fluid chamber is zero or near-zero and a second position in which the volume of the internal fluid chamber is expanded relative to the first position, wherein the volume of the internal fluid chamber increases when the movable member moves away from the anterior surface of the prosthetic foot. 
     
     
       31. The prosthetic system according to  claim 27 , wherein the pump mechanism is formed of an airtight elastomeric material. 
     
     
       32. The prosthetic system according to  claim 27 , wherein the movable member is formed of material selected from the group consisting of carbon fiber, plastic, and metal. 
     
     
       33. The prosthetic system according to  claim 27 , wherein the attached end of the movable member is connected to the prosthetic foot using an attachment member. 
     
     
       34. The prosthetic system according to  claim 27 , wherein a tube is configured to connect an interior of the socket to a first port of the pump mechanism. 
     
     
       35. The prosthetic system according to  claim 27 , wherein the attached end of the movable member is pivotable. 
     
     
       36. The prosthetic system according to  claim 27 , wherein the pump mechanism is a bladder-type pump.