| abstract |
A vacuum-assisted liner system for the socket of a limb prosthesis secures the prosthesis to a residual body portion. A vacuum is created directly between the residual body portion and the socket ( 8 ) to hold them together and minimise relative movement between them. The system includes a flexible liner ( 4 ) made of an impermeable material, at least a distal part ( 4 D) of the liner being porous to allow the transport of air and fluid directly away from the residual body portion to the outer surface of the liner. A fabric distribution layer ( 6 ) is located over the liner ( 4 ) and between the liner and the socket ( 8 ) to allow transmission of such extracted air and fluid laterally over the liner to an evacuation port ( 10 ) in the socket. Also disclosed is a limb apparatus suspension device incorporating the liner system, and a vacuum suspension device which secures a component such as a stamp socket to a residual body portion by creating an evacuated space sealed by intimate contact directly between the socket ( 8 ) and a boundary region of the liner ( 4 ). |