Combination container and air removal fixture for simplified filling of an implantable hydraulic device

Apparatus for removing air from and filling a hydraulic prosthetic sphincter, said sphincter including a hollow flexible actuator to be filled with a supply of air free hydraulic fluid, a check valve to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to the actuator, and a hollow, flexible occlusion cuff also to be filled with a supply of air free hydraulic fluid;

• said air removal and fluid filling apparatus comprising first and second fluid chambers containing supplies of air free hydraulic fluid with which to fill said actuator and said occlusion cuff and having respective pistons movable therethrough, and means to place said first and second fluid chambers in fluid communication with said actuator and said occlusion cuff, respectively;
• said air removal and fluid filling apparatus further comprising means to control the bias of said check valve so that said check valve is either open or closed to the flow of hydraulic fluid therepast;
• a compression of said actuator and said occlusion cuff with said check valve biased closed to hydraulic fluid flow therepast causing the corresponding movement of said pistons in a direction outwardly from said first and second fluid chambers for causing air and air filled fluid to be withdrawn from said actuator and cuff and removed to said chambers;
• and
• the movement of said pistons in a direction inwardly through said first and second fluid chambers with said check valve biased open to hydraulic fluid flow therepast forcing air free hydraulic fluid in said chambers to be delivered to said actuator and cuff for replacing the air and air filled fluid that is withdrawn therefrom.