INTELLIGENT PROSTHETIC SOCKET SYSTEM WITH ACTIVE USER FEEDBACK INTERFACE AND REAL TIME PROSTHESIS DIAGNOSTICS
An apparatus is provided for use with a prosthetic system. The apparatus includes a housing that is disposed within a prosthetic socket. The housing has a vacuum pump and a switch. The a vacuum pump is actuated to maintain a negative air pressure within the prosthetic socket. The switch is configured to allow a user to operate the vacuum pump.
1 . An apparatus for use with a prosthetic system, the apparatus comprising:
a housing, disposed within a prosthetic socket, said housing comprising:
a vacuum pump, actuated to maintain a negative air pressure within said prosthetic socket; and
a switch, configured to allow a user to operate said vacuum pump.
2 . The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said switch comprises a sealed switch disposed on the side of said housing.
3 . The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said switch comprises a Hall Effect switch, and wherein said Hall Effect switch is actuated by a magnetic device held in proximity thereto.
4 . The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said housing is disposed within the distal end of said prosthetic socket, and wherein said housing further comprises:
a seal; that seals the interior of said prosthetic socket from an ambient environment.
5 . The apparatus as recited in claim 5 , wherein said prosthetic socket does not require a vacuum inlet.
6 . The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said prosthetic socket comprises:
a formed reservoir at its distal end in which said housing is disposed.
7 . The apparatus as recited in claim 6 , wherein said housing comprises a cylindrical housing having a top and a bottom.
8 . An apparatus for use with a prosthetic system, the apparatus comprising:
a housing, disposed within a prosthetic socket, said housing comprising:
a vacuum pump, actuated to maintain a negative air pressure within said prosthetic socket;
a switch, configured to allow a user to operate said vacuum pump; and
a seal, configured to seal the interior of said prosthetic socket from an ambient environment.
9 . The apparatus as recited in claim 8 , wherein said switch comprises a sealed switch disposed on the side of said housing.
10 . The apparatus as recited in claim 8 , wherein said switch comprises a Hall Effect switch, and wherein said Hall Effect switch is actuated by a magnetic device held in proximity thereto.
11 . The apparatus as recited in claim 8 , wherein said housing is disposed within the distal end of said prosthetic socket.
12 . The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein said prosthetic socket does not require a vacuum inlet.
13 . The apparatus as recited in claim 8 , wherein said prosthetic socket comprises:
a formed reservoir at its distal end in which said housing is disposed.
14 . The apparatus as recited in claim 13 , wherein said housing comprises a cylindrical housing having a top and a bottom.
15 . An apparatus for use with a prosthetic system, the apparatus comprising:
a prosthetic socket, that provides a conforming receptacle for a residual limb of a user; and
a housing, disposed within the distal end of said prosthetic socket, said housing comprising:
a vacuum pump, actuated to maintain a negative air pressure within said prosthetic socket;
a switch, configured to allow a user to operate said vacuum pump; and
a seal, configured to seal the interior of said prosthetic socket from an ambient environment.
16 . The apparatus as recited in claim 15 , wherein said switch comprises a sealed switch disposed on the side of said housing.
17 . The apparatus as recited in claim 15 , wherein said switch comprises a Hall Effect switch, and wherein said Hall Effect switch is actuated by a magnetic device held in proximity thereto.
18 . The apparatus as recited in claim 15 , wherein said prosthetic socket does not require a vacuum inlet.
19 . The apparatus as recited in claim 15 , wherein said prosthetic socket comprises:
a formed reservoir at its distal end in which said housing is disposed.
20 . The apparatus as recited in claim 19 , wherein said housing comprises a cylindrical housing having a top and a bottom.