Artificial limb
Along with continual progress of present medical techniques, not only remedial effects have been improved, but also beneficial rehabilitations are highly required. Many handicapped can depend on the transplantation or artificial limbs for the purpose of rehabilitation. Modern prostheses, such as artificial limbs, have enabled handicapped individuals to lead rather normal, productive lives. By providing an amputee with an artificial limb that simulates the operation of a real limb, it is possible, not only enabling him to perform his day-to-day tasks, but also to help him avoid the social embarrassments occasioned by his being recognized as an amputee. Artificial limbs are used throughout the world. Modern reinforced plastics and thermoplastics have reduced the weight of artificial limbs and improved the fit of the artificial limb socket to the residual limb. In general, artificial limbs including a knee axis comprises an upper member including a knee plate to which load of the amputee applies, a lower member including a hollow frame extending from the knee portion to the foot portion and connected to the upper member at the knee portion, and a knee axis rotatably supporting the upper and lower members, opposite end portions of the knee axis being supported respectively by a first and a second support member which are provided on the hollow frame. Artificial limbs typically include a socket which is used to support and connect the residual limb of a patient to the artificial limb. Artificial limbs using suction sockets are in widespread use today. These sockets are provided with a one-way air valve so that, on placing the stump of the patient's leg into the socket, the air is expelled from the interior of the socket to the outside, thus creating a partial vacuum in the airspace between the patient's stump and the interior of the socket. The difference in pressure between the atmospheric air outside the socket and the vacuum within the socket holds the socket in place until air is readmitted to the socket by opening the one-way valve.
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