Patent ID: 6561231
Filing Date: 2003-05-13
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A method for bubble-free filling of an implantable transducer with a liquid, the implantable transducer including:a body which surrounds a hollow chamber that must be filled with the bubble-free liquid, the body including at least one thin membrane that forms at least a portion of a wall of the hollow chamber; and at least one passage formed in the body of the implantable transducer having: an exit that couples the passage to the hollow chamber of the implantable transducer; and an entrance that is located distal from the hollow chamber for communicating via the passage with the hollow chamber from outside the implantable transducer, the implantable transducer filling method comprising the steps of:establishing a seal around the entrance of the passage; while protecting the thin membrane of the body of the implantable transducer from damage, evacuating the hollow chamber through the passage by applying vacuum to the entrance thereof; while cooling the body of the implantable transducer to establish a temperature gradient therealong at least a portion of which has a temperature that is below a dew point of the liquid, introducing into the entrance of the passage a vapor of the liquid whereby, upon condensation of the vapor within the hollow chamber of the implantable transducer, the hollow chamber becomes filled with the liquid without creating a bubble within the hollow chamber.