Optimal socket connection is critical to an amputee’s comfort, security and stability. By pairing Biomimetic Hydraulic Technology with an elevated vacuum system, the design of EchelonVAC works to create a secure and comfortable socket connection.
By harnessing natural ankle motion, EchelonVAC quietly creates elevated vacuum, helping to maintain an optimally fitting socket throughout the day.
Applying vacuum to the residual limb not only improves residual tissue health, it also improves the suspension of the limb, increasing ground clearance. Our hydraulic ankles improve ground clearance too. The same applies with reduced tissue trauma. Elevated vacuum reduces relative movement and so chafing, hydraulic ankles reduce deep tissue trauma by virtue of their visco elastic response.
With every step, the wearer presses their weight into the prosthesis, initially expelling air through a one-way valve. Simultaneously the ankle plantarflexes, actively drawing air out of the socket. This air is held in the vacuum chamber and expelled through a secondary one way valve as the tibia progresses and the ankle dorsiflexes.
The result is greater residual limb volume control and an improved connection between the residual limb and the socket. For the user, this reduces relative movement, improving proprioception and control of the prosthesis for greater comfort and safety every day.
The innovative design of EchelonVAC is lightweight and has a low build height as no external power source is required.
With no batteries or pump to worry about, EchelonVAC is quiet and easy to fit.
When used in conjunction with a Silcare Breathe liner, the vacuum is applied directly to the residual limb to further enhance the connection between the limb and the socket.
Active vacuum systems help to stabilise residual limb volume to improve socket stability and proprioception. Scientific studies have shown that elevated vacuum systems help to:
The Echelon range sits at the heart of our pioneering prosthetic philosophy which makes our products so popular with users around the world. Created with a sharp focus on replicating a natural and safe walking experience, each product in the Echelon Range has a characteristic to suit different users and their requirements, providing confidence in every step.
This not only provides excellent energy storing and release properties but also works in harmony with the range of movement in the ankle to provide a natural and comfortable walking experience.
When walking up slopes, the additional range allows the body to move forward over the foot, reducing energy requirements by making rollover easier. When walking down slopes, the foot complies with the slope without forcing the leg forward, allowing for a more controlled descent.
Hydraulic damping and foot springs produce a visco-elastic response that simulates the behaviour of muscles by storing and releasing energy. When compared to non-hydraulic ankles*, this technology is clinically proven to provide comfort, safety, natural walking, balanced limb loading and overall greater patient satisfaction. *Clinical studies, latest research papers and full references available on our website.
Blatchford Biomimetic Hydraulic Technology mimics the dynamic and adaptive qualities of muscle actuation to encourage more natural gait. Multiple independent scientific studies, comparing Blatchford hydraulic ankle-feet to non-hydraulic feet, have shown:
Over a decade after challenging conventional wisdom, new scientific evidence continues to be published on the medical advantages of hydraulic ankles. Discover our White Paper ‘A Study of Hydraulic Ankles’.
DownloadImprovements in Clinical Outcomes using Echelon compared to ESR feet
Reduced risk of tripping and falls
Improving standing balance on a slope
Reduced energy expenditure during walking
Improved gait performance
Improved ground compliance when walking on slopes
Less of a prosthetic “dead spot” during gait
Improved ground compliance when walking on slopes
Helps protect vulnerable limb tissue, reducing likelihood of damage
Greater contribution of prosthetic limb to support during walking
Reduced reliance on sound limb for support during walking
Better symmetry of loading between prosthetic and sound limbs during standing on a slope
Reduced residual and sound joint moments during standing of a slope
Less pressure on the sole of the contralateral foot
Improved gait symmetry
Patient reported outcome measures indicate improvements
Subjective user preference for hydraulic ankle
Improvements in Clinical Outcomes using EVS compared to other suspension types
Fewer falls and less chance of multiple falls
Better balance in functional clinical tests
Better balance reported in patient-reported outcome measures
Fewer gait compensations19-21
Knee contact forces not significantly different to those of able-bodied controls22
Decreased pistoning
Maintain residual limb volume
Healthier residual limb tissue and skin
Reduced interface pressures
Improved wound management
Less painful than other suspension methods
Patients are more satisfied wearing their prosthesis18,19,26,34,37-38.
Riveras M, Ravera E, Ewins D, Shaheen AF, Catalfamo-Formento P.
Minimum toe clearance and tripping probability in people with unilateral transtibial amputation walking on ramps with different prosthetic designs. Gait & Posture. 2020 Sep 1;81:41-8.
Johnson L, De Asha AR, Munjal R, et al.
Toe clearance when walking in people with unilateral transtibial amputation: effects of passive hydraulic ankle. J Rehabil Res Dev 2014; 51: 429.
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Microprocessor knees with “standing support” and articulating, hydraulic ankles improve balance control and inter-limb loading during quiet standing. J Rehabil Assist Technol Eng 2018; 5: 2055668318795396.
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Energy cost of ambulation in trans-tibial amputees using a dynamic-response foot with hydraulic versus rigid ‘ankle’: insights from body centre of mass dynamics. J NeuroEngineering Rehabil 2019; 16: 39.
De Asha AR, Munjal R, Kulkarni J, et al.
Impact on the biomechanics of overground gait of using an ‘Echelon’ hydraulic ankle–foot device in unilateral trans-tibial and trans-femoral amputees. Clin Biomech 2014; 29: 728–734.
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Walking speed related joint kinetic alterations in trans-tibial amputees: impact of hydraulic ’ankle’ damping. J Neuroengineering Rehabil 2013; 10: 1.
De Asha AR, Johnson L, Munjal R, et al.
Attenuation of centre-of-pressure trajectory fluctuations under the prosthetic foot when using an articulating hydraulic ankle attachment compared to fixed attachment. Clin Biomech 2013; 28: 218–224.
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Mobility analysis of AmpuTees (MAAT 5): Impact of five common prosthetic ankle-foot categories for individuals with diabetic/dysvascular amputation. J Rehabil Assist Technol Eng 2019; 6: 2055668318820784.
Bai X, Ewins D, Crocombe AD, et al.
Kinematic and biomimetic assessment of a hydraulic ankle/foot in level ground and camber walking. PLOS ONE 2017; 12: e0180836.
Bai X, Ewins D, Crocombe AD, et al.
A biomechanical assessment of hydraulic ankle-foot devices with and without micro-processor control during slope ambulation in trans-femoral amputees. PLOS ONE 2018; 13: e0205093.
Portnoy S, Kristal A, Gefen A, et al.
Outdoor dynamic subject-specific evaluation of internal stresses in the residual limb: hydraulic energy-stored prosthetic foot compared to conventional energy-stored prosthetic feet. Gait Posture 2012; 35: 121–125.
McGrath M, Davies KC, Laszczak P, et al.
The influence of hydraulic ankles and microprocessor-control on the biomechanics of trans-tibial amputees during quiet standing on a 5° slope. Can Prosthet Orthot J; 2.
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Effect of a Prosthetic Foot with a Hydraulic Ankle Unit on the Contralateral Foot Peak Plantar Pressures in Individuals with Unilateral Amputation. JPO J Prosthet Orthot 2018; 30: 165–70.
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Effect on Stance Phase Timing Asymmetry in Individuals with Amputation Using Hydraulic Ankle Units. JPO J Prosthet Orthot 2016; 28: 44–48.
Sedki I, Moore R.
Patient evaluation of the Echelon foot using the Seattle Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire. Prosthet Orthot Int 2013; 37: 250–254.
Rosenblatt NJ, Ehrhardt T.
The effect of vacuum assisted socket suspension on prospective, community-based falls by users of lower limb prostheses. Gait Posture, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096663621730111X (2017, accessed 2 May 2017).
Samitier CB, Guirao L, Costea M, et al.
The benefits of using a vacuum-assisted socket system to improve balance and gait in elderly transtibial amputees. Prosthet Orthot Int 2016; 40: 83–88.
Ferraro C.
Outcomes study of transtibial amputees using elevated vacuum suspension in comparison with pin suspension. JPO J Prosthet Orthot 2011; 23: 78–81.
Gholizadeh H, Lemaire ED, Eshraghi A.
The evidence-base for elevated vacuum in lower limb prosthetics: Literature review and professional feedback. Clin Biomech 2016; 37: 108–116.
Xu H, Greenland K, Bloswick D, et al.
Vacuum level effects on gait characteristics for unilateral transtibial amputees with elevated vacuum suspension. Clin Biomech Bristol Avon 2017; 43: 95–101.
Board WJ, Street GM, Caspers C.
A comparison of trans-tibial amputee suction and vacuum socket conditions. Prosthet Orthot Int 2001; 25: 202–209.
Xu H, Greenland K, Bloswick D, et al.
Vacuum level effects on knee contact force for unilateral transtibial amputees with elevated vacuum suspension. J Biomech 2017; 57: 110–116.
Gerschutz MJ, Hayne ML, Colvin JM, et al.
Dynamic Effectiveness Evaluation of Elevated Vacuum Suspension. JPO J Prosthet Orthot 2015; 27: 161–165.
Klute GK, Berge JS, Biggs W, et al.
Vacuum-assisted socket suspension compared with pin suspension for lower extremity amputees: effect on fit, activity, and limb volume. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2011; 92: 1570–1575.
Darter BJ, Sinitski K, Wilken JM.
Axial bone-socket displacement for persons with a traumatic transtibial amputation: The effect of elevated vacuum suspension at progressive body-weight loads. Prosthet Orthot Int 2016; 40: 552–557.
Scott H, Hughes J.
Investigating The Use Of Elevated Vacuum Suspension On The Adult PFFD Patient: A Case Study. ACPOC 2013; 19: 7–12.
Youngblood RT, Brzostowski JT, Hafner BJ, et al.
Effectiveness of elevated vacuum and suction prosthetic suspension systems in managing daily residual limb fluid volume change in people with transtibial amputation. Prosthet Orthot Int 2020; 0309364620909044.
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Effects of elevated vacuum on in-socket residual limb fluid volume: Case study results using bioimpedance analysis. J Rehabil Res Dev 2011; 48: 1231.
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Goswami J, Lynn R, Street G, et al.
Walking in a vacuum-assisted socket shifts the stump fluid balance. Prosthet Orthot Int 2003; 27: 107–113.
Rink C, Wernke MM, Powell HM, et al.
Elevated vacuum suspension preserves residual-limb skin health in people with lower-limb amputation: Randomized clinical trial. J Rehabil Res Dev 2016; 53: 1121–1132.
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Interface pressures during ambulation using suction and vacuum-assisted prosthetic sockets. J Rehabil Res Dev 2002; 39: 693.
Hoskins RD, Sutton EE, Kinor D, et al.
Using vacuum-assisted suspension to manage residual limb wounds in persons with transtibial amputation: a case series. Prosthet Orthot Int 2014; 38: 68–74.
Traballesi M, Delussu AS, Fusco A, et al.
Residual limb wounds or ulcers heal in transtibial amputees using an active suction socket system. A randomized controlled study. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2012; 48: 613–23.
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Trans-tibial prosthesization in large area of residual limb wound: Is it possible? A case report. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol 2009; 4: 373–375.
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Use of a partial foot prosthesis with vacuum-assisted suspension: A case study. JPO J Prosthet Orthot 2011; 23: 82–88.
Rosenblatt NJ, Ehrhardt T, Fergus R, et al.
Effects of Vacuum-Assisted Socket Suspension on Energetic Costs of Walking, Functional Mobility, and Prosthesis-Related Quality of Life. JPO J Prosthet Orthot 2017; 29: 65–72.
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A case series featuring extremely short below-knee stumps. Prosthet Orthot Int 2012; 36: 236–238.
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Using elevated vacuum to improve functional outcomes: A case report. JPO J Prosthet Orthot 2011; 23: 184–189.
McGrath M, Laszczak P, McCarthy J, et al.
The biomechanical effects on gait of elevated vacuum suspension compared to suction suspension. Cape Town, South Africa, 2017.
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