Surgery – Sexual appliance – Male splint
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-23
2001-06-26
Gilbert, Samuel G. (Department: 3736)
Surgery
Sexual appliance
Male splint
Reexamination Certificate
active
06251067
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus which is useful to allow a man with erectile dysfunction to engage in sexual activity. Specifically, the current invention utilizes a prosthetic device designed to provide rigidity to the penis and to provide resistance against any backward movement of the penis.
2. Description of the Related Art
For a wide variety of reasons, many human males have erectile dysfunction. The problem of erectile dysfunction is wide spread. An estimated 10% of the male population of 10-20 million men are impotent in the United States.
Attempts to combat erectile dysfunction include the use of penile constrictor rings which are stretched over an erect penis and are designed to prevent blood from exiting the erect penis in an effort to maintain the erection. Use of these devices is limited to situations in which the man can achieve an erection and the devices can cause physical damage if left in place for an extended period of time.
Alternative attempts to combat erectile dysfunction include inflatable penile implants. Inflatable penile implants commonly utilize a pump located in the scrotum to inflate and deflate a balloon implanted in the penis. Receiving an inflatable penile implant is an expensive surgical procedure which many times does not produce acceptable results. These devices often fail and can cause ulceration and irreversible nerve and vascular damage as well as leading to further complications of penile function.
Vacuum devices have also been used to combat erectile dysfunction. These devices are designed to seal and lower the air pressure around a penis so that blood engorges the penis causing an erection. Vacuum type devices are commonly utilized in conjunction with constrictor rings so that the thusly obtained erection can be maintained. Vacuum devices are not uniformly successful and require significant time to be effectively utilized.
Various supporting devices have also been utilized to combat erectile dysfunction. These devices include support sleeves comprising one piece devices designed to fit around the penis. Many such support sleeves are difficult to attach and are additionally difficult to keep in place. Support sleeves do not provide resistance against backward movement of the penis.
In addition to support type devices, extension and other prosthetic type devices are available. However, these devices do not provide a satisfying sexual experience and are often only ornamental.
In addition to the above-mentioned efforts to combat erectile dysfunction, various pharmacological remedies are available. Pharmacological remedies include injectable drug solutions, urethral suppositories as well as oral pharmaceuticals.
Injectable pharmaceuticals work in only a certain number of cases and many times become ineffective after a few years of use. Injections require sterile needle handling by the patient and may lead to penile scarring. In addition to the requirements of sterile needle handling, these pharmaceuticals must be kept refrigerated, are expensive to purchase and cause discomfort in their method of application.
Urethral suppositories provide an alternative to injection. Urethral suppositories allow the pharmaceutical to be absorbed through the urethral wall into the penis and cause increased blood flow into the penis. Urethral suppositories do not work for everyone, must be kept refrigerated before use and are expensive.
Finally, oral pharmaceuticals may be employed to remedy erectile dysfunction. Oral pharmaceuticals currently available include VIAGRA. Oral pharmaceuticals are not uniformly effective and have side effects of varying degree. Side effects associated with oral pharmaceuticals utilized to combat erectile dysfunction include headache, facial flushing, nasal congestion, urinary tract infection, diarrhea, upset stomach and muscle aches in the pelvic area. Additionally, oral pharmaceuticals may produce extremely dangerous side effects in conjunction with other pharmaceuticals. For these reasons, extreme care must be taken when utilizing oral pharmaceuticals to combat erectile dysfunction.
What is needed in the art is a device which is effective to allow a man with erectile dysfunction to participate in sexual activity and which is free from the above-mentioned short comings of the currently available remedies for erectile dysfunction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to improve upon the currently available methods and apparatus for combating erectile dysfunction. Generally, a plate element having a sleeve is designed to fit against the pelvic region of a user, with the penis being placed in the sleeve. After the plate element is applied, a wrap element is utilized to wrap and provide rigidity to the penis. The wrap is applied starting just behind the glans and wrapping is completed when the sleeve of the thrust plate is covered.
Anatomical studies show that
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portion (As 6/16/99) of the length of the erection extends into the body interior to provide rigidity to an erect penis and to resist backward movement of the penis during intercourse. Men with erectile dysfunction will not have this resistance to backward movement of the penis. The plate element of the current invention is specifically designed to work in conjunction with the wrap element to provide rigidity to the penis as well as resisting backward movement of the penis during intercourse.
The present invention utilizes a two part device to form a male erectile prosthesis. A penile wrap is provided which, when wrapped around the penis, will provide sufficient turgor for normal coitus. The second part of the current invention is a thrust plate having a sleeve. The thrust plate is designed to resist backward motion of the penis. The penis is placed through the thrust plate sleeve prior to being wrapped with the penile wrap. The penis is wrapped with the penile wrap starting just behind the glans and ending when the thrust plate sleeve has been covered. The penile wrap end covering the thrust plate sleeve is then affixed to the penile wrap and/or to the thrust plate sleeve so that the penile wrap is effectively affixed to the thrust plate and any backward motion of the supported penis is resisted.
The invention, in one form thereof, comprises a male erectile prosthesis which includes a penile wrap for wrapping and providing rigidity to a penis and an attaching means for securing the end of the penile wrap closest to the user's body. The penile wrap has a first end and a second end, with the first end designating the portion of the wrap distal from the body and the second end designating the portion of the wrap proximal to the body. The penile wrap is formed from an elastic material which may be coated with a rubber material, e.g. surgical rubber.
The invention, in another form thereof, comprises a male erectile prosthesis which includes a penile wrap for wrapping and providing rigidity to a penis and a thrust plate which is operable to provide resistance against any backward movement of the penis. An attaching means is utilized for securing the second end of the penile wrap to the thrust plate after the penile wrap is in place around the penis.
The invention, in another form thereof, comprises a male erectile prosthesis which includes a penile wrap for wrapping and providing rigidity to a penis. The penile wrap has a first end and a second end, and an attaching means for securing the second end of the penile wrap after the penile wrap is in place around the penis. In this form of the current invention, the attaching means comprises a first attaching member affixed to the second end of the penile wrap and a second attaching member for selectively engaging the first attaching member. The first and second attaching members can be, for example, mating pieces of hook and loop material such as VELCRO. The second attaching member can be affixed either to the thrust plate or to the penile wrap such that the second end of the penile wrap may be selectively engaged with the seco
Advanced Research & Technology Institute
Baker & Daniels
Gilbert Samuel G.
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