WO1996034581A1

WO1996034581A1 - Penile prosthesis

Info

Publication number: WO1996034581A1
Application number: PCT/AU1996/000259
Authority: WO
Inventors: John James Bell
Original assignee: John James Bell
Priority date: 1995-05-05
Filing date: 1996-05-03
Publication date: 1996-11-07
Also published as: AUPN281495A0

Abstract

A penile prosthesis (10) including a reservoir (11) arranged to be accommodated within an abdomen of a user, a pumping means (13) having an inlet and an outlet arranged to be located within the body of the user at a position at which the pumping means (13) may be manipulated from the exterior of the body and one or more expandable chambers (12) arranged to be located within a penis, the reservoir (11) being connected to the one or more expandable chambers (12) preferably through a first conduit (14) which includes a check valve means (20, 21, 22) whereby the check valve means (20, 21, 22) regulates the flow of fluid in a direction from the reservoir (11) to the one or more expandable chambers (12), the one or more expandable chambers (12) being connected to the inlet of the pumping means (13) preferably through a second conduit, the outlet of the pumping means (13) further being connected to the reservoir preferably through a third conduit, said check valve means (20, 21, 22) being capable of being controlled externally of the body by the user so as to control the flow of fluid from the reservoir (11) to the one or more expandable cylinders (12) in the penis.

Description

TITLE

PENILE PROSTHESIS BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a penile prosthesis which can be used to remedy the effects of certain forms of functional impotency.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION It has become established practice to overcome some forms of functional impotence in males by means of a penile prosthesis. A common form of prosthesis comprises a pair of elongate tubes which are inserted into the corpus cavernosum of the penis and which are connected to a reservoir of an inflating liquid such as a saline solution through a pump. It is common practice to locate the pump in the abdomen, or alternatively the scrotum of the user in order that the pump is readily capable of manipulation to effect a transfer of the inflating fluid from the reservoir to the tubes whereby the tubes can be filled with the fluid to be inflated and in some cases distended to effect erection of the penis. Examples of these forms of devices are disclosed in US Patent Specifications 3,954,102; 4,424,807; 4,566,446; 4,881,530; 4,449,520; 5,167,611; 5,344,388; 5,062,416; 4,574,792; 5,062,417; 5,101,813; 5,141,509; 4,550,720; EP532162; and AU- B-43798/85. While the arrangements of the form referred to above can effectively overcome the problem of impotency their utilisation does not take into consideration the sensitive circumstances under which they are required to be used.

The existence of functional impotence can be a severely debilitating and embarrassing prospect, and while it is a function of a penile prosthesis to attempt to overcome the functional difficulty created by such impotence, utilisation of the prostheses of the form referred to above requires a great degree of understanding on behalf of the user's partner to be able to accommodate for manipulation of the pump by the user in order to effect an erect penis. This requirement can create a very difficult and embarrassing circumstance between the user and his partner at a most inappropriate time, since the user is then required to manipulate a pump located in the abdomen or scrotum in order to effect erection before partaking in intercourse. This requires a great degree of understanding by the user's partner, since at this point in time, both parties and in particular the user can be psychologically vulnerable, particularly if the couple have not had extensive experience of each other. As in the case of all forms of prosthesis, it is desirable that a penile prosthesis be as natural in its action and in its initiation as possible. It is particularly desirable that a penile prosthesis be as natural as possible in its initiation in order to avoid embarrassment and concern by either party prior to partaking in intercourse. One form of device which may overcome this difficulty is disclosed in US Patent Specification 4,917,110. This device comprises an accumulator which is charged with a fluid and which is connected to a pair of cylindrical chambers accommodated in separate corpus cavernosum of the penis whereby the accumulator comprises a chamber which is associated with a piston. A spring is provided in the chamber to bias the piston to an end position and an operating lever is associated with the accumulator and is operatively connected to the piston to retain the piston in a position at which the chamber occupies its maximum volume. On activation of the lever, the spring is allowed to act upon the piston to cause the chamber to reduce in volume whereby fluid is transferred from the accumulator to the chambers accommodated within the penis to effect erection of the penis. In order to effect deflation of the penis, it is then necessary for the wearer to squeeze the penis in order that the fluid contained within the tubes within the penis is displaced into the accumulator against the pressure applied by the spring. This action can be extremely difficult and uncomfortable and can be damaging to the tissue of the penis. It is an object of this invention to provide a penile prosthesis whereby activation of the prosthesis effects a somewhat "natural" erection of the penis and whereby deflation of the penis can be effected without causing undue stresses on the tissue of a penis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a penile prosthesis including a reservoir arranged to be accommodated within an abdomen of a user, a pumping means having an inlet and an outlet arranged to be located within a body of the user at a position at which the pumping means can be manipulated from the exterior of the body, and one or more expandable chambers arranged to be located within a penis, characterised in that there is a check valve means located between the reservoir and the one or more expandable chambers, whereby the check valve means permits flow of fluid in a direction from the reservoir to the one or more expandable chambers, the one or more expandable chambers being connected to the inlet of the pumping means , the outlet of the pumping means further being connected to the reservoir, the check valve means being capable of being controlled externally of the body by the user so as to control the flow of fluid from the reservoir to the one or more expandable chambers in the penis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a penile prosthesis in accordance with a first embodiment with the expandable chambers in the flaccid condition;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a penile prosthesis as shown in Figure 1 with the expandable chambers in an "erect" condition; Figure 3 is an end view of a pump illustrating the connection between the pump body and the expandable chambers;

Figure 4 is a sectional elevation along the line A-A of the pump shown at Figure 3 when the pressure chambers are in the "erect" condition;

Figure 5 is a sectional view along line C-C of Figure 4 when the pressure chambers are in the "erect" condition;

Figure 6 is a sectional view along the line D-D of Figure 4 when the pressure chambers are in the "erect" condition;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the pump corresponding with the view shown at Figure 4 with the pump in the compression mode;

Figure 8 is a sectional view along line H-H of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a sectional view corresponding with the view of Figure 7 with the pumping chamber in decompression mode; Figure 10 is a sectional view along the line K-K of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a schematic view of a penile prosthesis in accordance with a second embodiment with the chambers in the flaccid condition;

Figure 12 is a schematic view of a penile prosthesis as shown in Figure 11 with the expandable chambers in an "erect" condition; Figure 13 is a sectional elevation view along line B-B of Figure 3 with the check valve and a pumping means in a unitary housing, with the check valve in a closed position;

Figure 14 is a sectional elevation view as shown in Figure 13 with the check valve in an open position;

Figure 15 is a sectional elevation view of the check valve in a separate housing, in a closed position; and

Figure 16 is a sectional elevation view of the check valve as shown in Figure 15 in an open position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The penile prosthesis 10, as best seen in Figures 1 and 2, according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a reservoir 11, a pair of expandable chambers 12 which are intended to be accommodated within the corpus cavernosum of a penis and a pump body 13 with an associated check valve 34 which is intended to be accommodated within a unitary housing located in the scrotum of the user. The reservoir

11 is intended to be accommodated within a suitable space within the abdomen of a user and is formed to have a resiliently expandable wall whereby fluid in the form of saline solution can be introduced into the reservoir 11 to cause resilient inflation of the reservoir

11. The reservoir 11 is connected to the expandable chambers 12 through the check valve 34 located in the pump body 13 by means of a first conduit 14 which extends between the reservoir 11 and the pump body 13. The pump body 13 is then connected to the expandable chambers 12 through a second delivery conduit 15 which extends between the pump body 13 and the expandable chambers 12. The first conduit 14 is connected to the pump body by a first branch 16 and a second branch 17 while the second conduit 15 is connected into the pump body by means of a first branch 18 and a second branch 19.

As shown in Figures 13 and 14, each first branch 16 and 18 of the respective conduits, 14 and 15, open into a cavity 20 within the pump body 13 which is associated with a first check valve 34 which controls flow from the first branch 16 of the first conduit 14 to the first branch 18 of the second conduit 15. The walls of the first cavity 20 are formed with a valve seat 21 which is associated with a first ball valve member 22 which is spring biased into engagement with the valve seat 21 in the direction of fluid flow from the first conduit 14 to the second conduit 15. The first cavity 20 further accommodates a button member 23 which is supported by a diaphragmatic wall 24 of the first cavity 20 to be in opposed relation to the ball valve member 22. The button member 23 is itself accommodated in an enclosed chamber 27 and can be depressed by pressing on a flexible end wall 28. The button member 23 is associated with an axial extension member 25 which extends into the first cavity 20 to be in close abutting relationship with the ball valve member 22. The button 23 is spring biased to an outermost position with respect to the cavity 20 by a spring 26. If the button member 23 is pushed inwardly against the action of the spring 26 the inner end of the elongate extension member 25 will bear on the ball valve member 22 to disengage the ball valve member 22 from the first valve seat 21. On opening of the first check valve 34, fluid will flow from the first branch 16 of the first conduit 14 into the first branch 18 of the second conduit 15 and then to the expandable chambers 12.

Each second branch 17 and 19 of the first conduit 14 and second conduit 15, respectively, opens into a pumping chamber 30 of the pump body 13 which is defined by a resilient flexible wall 33. The interconnection of the second branch members 17 and 19 of the first and second conduits 14 and 15, respectively, with the pumping chamber 30 is effected through a second and third check valve 31 and 32 respectively. Each check valve 31 and 32 comprises a valve seat and an associated valve member which is spring biased into engagement with the valve seat whereby the action of the second and third check valves 31 and 32, respectively, are in opposed relation to each other and whereby the second check valve 31 will only permit fluid flow from the pumping chamber 30 into the second branch member 17 of the first conduit 14 and the third check valve 32 will only permit fluid flow from the second branch member 19 of the second conduit 15 into the pumping chamber 30. The resilient flexible walls 33 of the pump body 13 which define the pump chamber 30 are formed so that the volume of the pump chamber 30 can be varied by squeezing on the resilient flexible wall 33.

In Figures 11 to 14 there is shown a penile prosthesis 10' in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals that were used to indicate items in the first embodiment will be used to denote similar items in the second embodiment. The penile prosthesis 10' is similar to that described for the first embodiment 10 of the present invention except that the check valve means 34 is separated from the pump body 13.

The first conduit 14 extends from the reservoir 11 to a separate check valve housing 34. The first check valve 34 is similar to the check valve arrangement as previously described for the first embodiment. A conduit 18 extends from the check valve housing 34 and then continues to extend through a second delivery line 15 to the pair of expandable chambers 12 located in the penis. Another delivery line 19 extends from the delivery line 15 to an inlet of the pump 13. The pump 13 has an inlet which contains a second valve member 32. This valve member 32 permits the flow of saline solution from the expandable chambers 12 into a pump chamber 30 of the pump 13. A delivery line 17 is connected at one end to the outlet of the pump 13 whilst the other end is connected to the first conduit 14. The outlet of the pump 13 contains another valve member 31 which permits flow of saline solution from the cavity 30 to the reservoir 11. The pump 13 is otherwise substantially similar to that previously described for the first embodiment. In use, the apparatus according to each embodiment is installed in the body of the user such that the reservoir 11 is accommodated within the abdomen of the user, the expandable chambers 12 are located in the corpus cavernosum of the penis of the user 5 and the pump body 13 is located within the scrotum. In order to activate both of the embodiments, a volume of fluid is introduced into the pump chamber 30 of the pump body 13 and this volume of fluid is then to be displaced into the reservoir 11 by squeezing the flexible resilient walls 33 to cause resilient inflation of the reservoir 11. If desired, the filling of the reservoir 11 may be effected in stages by sequentially

10 introducing quantities of saline solution into the pump chamber 30 and then squeezing the resilient flexible walls 33 of the pump chamber 30 to cause displacement of the solution from the pump chamber 30 through the first check valve 31 into the first conduit 14 and thence into the reservoir 11. As a result of the presence of the first 34, second 31 and third 32 check valves, the pressure is maintained in the reservoir 11. Once in

15 position, the reservoir is maintained in a pressurised condition.

When the user wishes to generate an erection, it is merely necessary for the user to press the button member 23 provided on either the pump body 13 or on the separate check valve 34 to effect opening of the first check valve 34. This causes a flow of saline solution through the first conduit 14, the first branch 16 of the first conduit 14, the cavity

20 20, the first branch 18 of the second conduit 15 and thence into the pressure chambers 12 to effect inflation of the pressure chambers which results in the generation of an erection. This effect results in the development of a somewhat "natural" erection. This generation of pressure also causes inflation of the pump chamber 30. In order to effect deflation of the penis, the flexible resilient wall 33 of the pump body

25 is squeezed to cause fluid to be displaced from the pumping chamber 30 into the first conduit 14 through the second check valve 31 into the reservoir 11. On release of the resilient flexible wall 33 of the pumping chamber, pressurised fluid is then caused to flow from the expandable chambers 12 to the second conduit 15 and third check valve 32 into the pumping chamber 30 from whence fluid can then be pumped into the reservoir 11 by again squeezing the resilient flexible walls 33 of the pumping chamber 30 of the pump body 13.

The embodiments of the present invention provides a means whereby a user is able to effect an erection without the embarrassment of disturbing the activity which would normally precede intercourse, by having to pump the pressure chambers accommodated within the penis. At the conclusion of intercourse the user is able to effect deflation of the penis by a pumping action which will not cause discomfort to the user or damage to the penis tissue. Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a person skilled in the art are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A penile prosthesis including a reservoir arranged to be accommodated within an abdomen of a user, a pumping means having an inlet and an outlet arranged to be located within a body of the user at a position at which the pumping means may be manipulated from the exterior of the body, and one or more expandable chambers arranged to be located within a penis, characterised in that there is a check valve means located between the reservoir and the one or more expandable chambers, whereby the check valve means permits flow of fluid in a direction from the reservoir to the one or more expandable chambers, the one or more expandable chambers being connected to the inlet of the pumping means , the outlet of the pumping means further being connected to the reservoir, the check valve means being capable of being controlled externally of the body by the user so as to control the flow of fluid from the reservoir to the one or more expandable chambers in the penis.

2. A penile prosthesis in accordance with claim 1, characterised in that the reservoir is , in use , at a pressure greater than the or each expandable chamber.

3. A penile prosthesis in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterised in that there is a first conduit which includes a first valve means for permitting the flow of fluid from the one or more expandable chambers to the pumping means whilst preventing back flow from the pumping means to the one or more expandable chambers located in the penis. 4. A penile prosthesis in accordance with claim 3, characterised in that there is a second conduit which includes a second valve means for permitting flow of fluid from the pumping means to the reservoir whilst preventing back flow from the reservoir to the pumping means.

5. A penile prosthesis in accordance with claim 4, characterised in that the arrangement is such that when the first valve means is arranged to be open permitting the flow of fluid from the or each expandable chamber into the pump chamber of the pumping means, the second valve means is closed.

6. A penile prosthesis in accordance with of claim 4, characterised in that the arrangement is such that when the second valve means is open permitting the flow of fluid from the pump chamber of the pumping means to the reservoir, the first valve means is closed.

7. A penile prosthesis in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in 5 that the pump chamber of the pumping means is defined by resilient walls such that the volume of the cavity may be varied by squeezing the resilient walls.

8. A penile prosthesis in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the check valve means is located in a first housing whilst the pumping means is located in a second housing which is separate from the first housing.

10 9. A penile prosthesis in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the check valve means and the pumping means are located within a unitary housing. 10. A penile prosthesis in accordance with any one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the inlet of the pumping means contains the first valve means and the outlet of the pumping means contains the second valve means.

15 11. A penile prosthesis in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the check valve means comprises a ball valve member which is biased in engagement with a valve seat such that the check valve is normally closed.

12. A penile prosthesis in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the check valve is capable of being opened by an axial extension member which bears 0 against the check valve means such that suitable force applied to the extension member will act on and open the check valve means thereby permitting fluid to flow from the reservoir to the one or more expandable chambers.

13. A penile prosthesis in accordance with claim 12, characterised in that the check valve is capable of being opened by force being applied to the axial extension member by

25 means of a button member which is positioned at a point external of the body of the user.

14. A penile prosthesis in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that there are a pair of expandable chambers arranged to be located in the penis.