Method of inflating a prosthesis
OwnerTimothy B. Petrickinventor
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Abstract
Testicular prosthesis and method of manufacturing wherein the testicular prosthesis has a saline or other biologically safe fluid filled silicone elastomer shell which includes a self-sealing injection site for filling the prosthesis and a tab for suturing the testicular prosthesis into position in the scrotum. A method of filling and a method of identifying and serialization is also provided.
Claims18
A method for filling a prosthesis having an elastomeric shell and a self-sealing injection site with a fluid using an injection needle having at least one opening, said elastomeric shell defining an interior, said method comprising the steps of:
- inserting the injection needle through the self-sealing injection site;
- injecting a sufficient quantity of the fluid through the injection needle and the self-sealing injection site to provide excess fluid within the interior of the elastomeric shell so as to expand the elastomeric shell and compress air disposed within the interior;
- orienting the prosthesis such that the self-sealing injection site is disposed so as to allow air within the interior of the elastomeric shell to collect in the proximity of the self-sealing injection site;
- and
- withdrawing the air from within the interior of the elastomeric shell through injection needle having the opening aligned proximate to the injection site.
A method for filling an interior of a flexible, inflatable shell of a prosthesis with a fluid using an injection device having at least one opening, said method comprising the steps up:
- inserting the injection device through an injection site into the interior of the flexible, inflatable shell for filling the interior with the fluid;
- injecting the fluid into the interior of the shell;
- orienting the prosthesis such that air accumulates at a selected region of the interior of the shell;
- positioning the opening of the injection device relative to the selected region of the interior of the shell where air has accumulated such that the opening of the injection device is disposed within the selected region;
- and
- withdrawing the air through the opening of the injection device to purge the air from the interior of the flexible, inflatable shell of the prosthesis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.