Filling device for use in manufacturing of gel filled prostheses
First Claim
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1. Prosthesis filling apparatus comprising:
- a cannula having first and second ports for insertion through a fill port on a prosthesis shell to provide communication with an interior of the prosthesis shell through the first and second ports;
a source of filling material;
a low shear pump coupled to the source of filling material;
a first flexible hose coupled between the low shear pump and the first port on the cannula;
a vacuum source;
a second flexible hose coupled between the vacuum pump and the second port on the cannula;
a weight measuring scale;
the cannula being positioned on the scale so that the scale will respond to the change in weight of a prosthesis, the fill port of which is penetrated by the cannula, the first and second flexible hoses being configured to not interfere with the free operation of the scale.
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Abstract
Filling device and method for use in manufacturing of gel filled prostheses which provides fast and accurate filling of prosthesis shells without deterioration of the gel or induction of air into the prosthesis. The filling method utilizes a dual port cannula for penetrating a preslit fill port on a prosthesis shell, the cannula having one port coupled through a flexible tube to a peristaltic pump supplied with gel under pressure, and a second port coupled through a flexible tube to a vacuum system. The cannula and prosthesis shell being filled are supported on a scale, with the flexible tubes being disposed so that pressure variations in the tubes do not effect the scale readings.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. Prosthesis filling apparatus comprising:
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a cannula having first and second ports for insertion through a fill port on a prosthesis shell to provide communication with an interior of the prosthesis shell through the first and second ports; a source of filling material; a low shear pump coupled to the source of filling material; a first flexible hose coupled between the low shear pump and the first port on the cannula; a vacuum source; a second flexible hose coupled between the vacuum pump and the second port on the cannula; a weight measuring scale; the cannula being positioned on the scale so that the scale will respond to the change in weight of a prosthesis, the fill port of which is penetrated by the cannula, the first and second flexible hoses being configured to not interfere with the free operation of the scale. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. Prosthesis filling apparatus for filling a prosthesis shell with a viscoelastic material comprising:
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a cannula having first and second ports for insertion through a fill port on a prosthesis shell to provide communication with an interior of the prosthesis shell through the first and second ports; a source of filling material under pressure, the filling material being isolated from air; a low shear pump coupled to the source of filling material; a first flexible hose coupled between the low shear pump and the first port on the cannula; a vacuum source; a second flexible hose coupled between the vacuum pump and the second port on the cannula, portions of the first and second hoses being adjacent the scale, said portions being substantially horizontal; a weight measuring scale; the cannula being positioned on the scale so that the scale will respond to the change in weight of a prosthesis, the fill port of which is penetrated by the cannula, the first and second flexible hoses being configured to not interfere with the free operation of the scale. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification