Understanding Vacuum
Limb Health
Tissue Profusion (Constant Vacuum)
Technology that improved blood flow and limb health puck technology is the only suspension that can physiologically improve limb health. Helps pull blood, lymph and nutrients flow into your residual limb, making tissue healthier and stronger.
Pin Locks, Lanyards, Sealing liners and vacuum systems that allow pressure fluctuations
All other types of suspension for volume loss require constantly tightening the socket, either by adding socks or ratcheting down the socket tighter on the limb. The end result can be a constriction of the circulation on your residual limb.
UNDERSTANDING NEGATIVE PRESSURE SOCKET TECHNOLOGY
Just because you have a vacuum does not mean your limb is under vacuum.
SEALING
LINER/SOCK
Poor - Moderate
SLEEVE
Maximum
HOW MUCH OF YOUR LIMB IS UNDER VACUUM?
All of the vacuum benefits work better when more of your limb is under vacuum. Low seal placement is adequate for a suction socket but for poor vacuum, as only the distal 1/3 of your limb is getting tissue profusion. The socket will feel loose and allow for more movement.
When using sealing liners (liners that create an air seal against the socket wall) the height of the bottom seal determines how much of your leg is under vacuum. The higher the seal, the more effective the benefits of the vacuum will be.
Comfort Cushion Technology
Vacuum pulls your tissue and prosthetic liner to the inner walls of your socket. Your limb is also pulled down into the socket. Let's face it, a hard distal socket is not comfortable. Coyote’s puck system offers the option of injecting a custom soft silicone distal pad. Maximizing your socket comfort and making the socket one of the most comfortable sockets you have ever worn.
How Skilled is Your Clinician?
Degree of difficulty related to fitting particular socket systems and prosthetist experience and skill level required.
Pins, lanyards or compression technology may be easy to install in your prosthesis.
But is it right for you?
The ability to fit an air tight vacuum socket requires expert skill. Inexperience with fitting vacuum systems typically results in patients receiving sockets that consistently leak of bleed vacuum, cause tissue injury and/or failure where the prosthesis does not feel any different than typical prosthetic suspensions. With external mechanical vacuums there is no way to tell how much or how well the vacuum is being maintained. Your prosthesis should never feel loose after short periods of in activity. If it does, it may be time to switch to puck technology-vacuum that works.
Selecting the Right Puck
This means the puck has a computer that will maintain an exact vacuum all day with out you having to manage your vacuum level. The SmartPuck is controlled with an Apple or Android app or with a magnetic switch when your phone is not available. SmartPuck will turn on automatically to maintain vacuum level you specified.
On demand vacuum vacuums like the the AirPuck, VaporPuck, and ZeroPuck provide excellent vacuum for extended periods of time. On demand vacuums only turn on when you push the button or hold a magnet near the puck. The system will never automatically turn on when you do not want it to.
Sealing sleeves are our choice because they allow for vacuum over the entire limb allowing for maximum stabilization and tissue profusion benefits. However, sleeves can be susceptible to damage that can cause vacuum leaks.
Sealing liners are advantageous because they are less prone to leaks from holes in the sleeve. Down side they often do not get the vacuum level on your limb as high as a sleeve does and the tissue profusion benefits are not as good if the seal placement is less than 2/3 the limb length.
If you have a long residual limb or if you would like a higher profile prosthetic foot the ZeroPuck is a great choice. ZeroPucks are side / posterior mount vacuum systems that allow for maximum distal componentry clearance and selection.
The ZeroPuck is available as a Smart Version. Smart Vacuum technology helps to keep the vacuum level in your socket at an exact level all day long. On Demand Technology allows the user to turn the vacuum pump on only when the user specifies.
An integrated valve makes the ZeroPuck a great choice with internal seals. The low profile foot print and light weight of the system make the ZeroPuck a great match for all Bionic foot and ankle systems.