Medical prosthetic pull valve and system for using same

An implantable medical prosthetic system comprising:

• a fluid reservoir for implantation in a human being;
• an inflatable prosthetic structure for implantation in a human being;
• and
• a pull valve which is extensible to an open position by the application of external pulling force thereon, said pull valve being operatively connected in fluid flow communication between said fluid reservoir and said inflatable structure such that fluid pumped from said fluid reservoir will be retained by said pull valve within said inflatable structure when said pull valve is in a contracted state, and such that fluid will be allowed to drain through from said inflatable structure, through said pull valve, and into said fluid reservoir when said pull valve is extended by the application of pulling forces thereto.

An implantable medical prosthetic pull valve comprising:

• a valve member;
• a valve support;
• a resilient member extending between said valve member and said valve support;
• a seating member mounted to allow fluid flow past said valve member in only one direction by movement of said resilient member in response to fluid pressure when said extensible section is not extended, and said valve member being displaced from said seating member when said extensible section is extended by external pulling forces to allow fluid flow past said valve member in both directions;
• an outer member surrounding said valve support and said seating member, and having an extensible section located between said valve support and said seating member.