suction/vacuum valve alternatives

suction/vacuum valve alternatives

Walter P Afable

4/3/2007

Dear list,

I am looking for an alternative to the Otto Bock V5 valve kit. I
have recently delivered a Symes prosthesis with the V5 kit used to
establish a suction fit with a 3S10 Contex gel sleeve as the
proximal seal. As the patient walks the valve leaks and air is heard
traveling through the chamber with each step. The patient is unhappy
with the increased pistoning and increased perceived weight that
ensue. Same problem occurred with a brand new V5 kit.

The desired one-way valve would eliminate the leak and be able to be
retrofitted into the current socket system either by connecting to
the elbow barb via tygon tubing or by removing the elbow barb fitting
altogether and drilling a new hole in its place to house the new
valve system.

Also I'd like to hear about any devices used to create elevated
vacuum within the socket. The Symes prosthesis doesn't have
clearance for a Harmony pump and the patient is not interested in
eVac. Can someone tell me what pump was shown in the Warren Flip
videos on the April edition of John Michael's corner?

(I used a long piece of spare tubing and connected the Symes
prosthesis to another prosthesis' Harmony unit to temporarily achieve
elevated vacuum--the pt loved it, until it leaked away several
minutes later. We then tried a bladder-style hand pump similar to
what is provided with the Airlimb but it couldn't draw enough
negative pressure from the socket system.)

[Symes prosthesis details: 3S10 Contex gel sleeve from Euro
International/Streifeneder, Otto Bock custom urethane liner with
buildups along the shin to create a stovepipe type shape, in-
house carbon fiber acrylic resin socket without openings, OB 3
pronged female socket adapter, OB V5 expulsion valve kit, College
Park TruStep foot.]

Any insights or recommendations are greatly appreciated. I will post
helpful replies.

Thanks in advance,

Walter P Afable CP