Male sexual impotence treatment apparatus

• US 20030135089A1
• Filed: 11/25/2002
• Published: 07/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Obtech Medical AG
• Original Assignee: Obtech Medical AG
• Inventors: Forsell, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,338,437 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/38
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/26 Penis implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/41 Devices for promoting penis erection penis implants A61F2/26; massage of the genitals A61H19/00

Abstract

A male sexual impotence treatment apparatus comprises an adjustable restriction device (234) implanted in an impotent patient and engaging the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongation thereof (244). An implanted adjustment device is adapted to adjust the restriction device to temporarily contract the corpora cavernosa, in order to restrict the blood flow leaving the penis when the patient desires to achieve erection. An implanted powered hydraulic operation device (246) operates the adjustment device.

Claims

1. A male sexual impotence treatment apparatus, comprising an adjustable restriction device (2) implantable in a male patient, who suffers from sexual impotence, for engaging the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof of the patient'"'"'s penile tissue, an implantable adjustment device (5) for adjusting the restriction device to temporarily contract the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof to restrict the blood flow leaving the penis, and an implantable operation device (6,8;

10;

12;

10,14;

76-86) for operating the adjustment device, characterised in that the operation device comprises a powered operation device.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a reservoir (4;

10;

16) implantable in the patient and containing hydraulic fluid, wherein the operation device (6,8;

10;

12;

10,14;

76-86) is adapted to operate the adjustment device (5) by using the hydraulic fluid of the reservoir.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, Wherein the reservoir (4;

10;

16) contains a predetermined amount of hydraulic fluid.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the adjustment device comprises an expandable cavity (5) in the restriction device (2), the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongation thereof being contracted upon expansion of the cavity and released upon contraction of the cavity, and the hydraulic operation device (6,8;

10;

12;

10,14;

76-86) is adapted to distribute hydraulic fluid from the reservoir (4;

10;

16) to expand the cavity, and to distribute hydraulic fluid from the cavity to the reservoir to contract the cavity.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the reservoir (10) defines a chamber (42;

64) for said predetermined amount of fluid and the operation device is adapted to change the size of the chamber.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the operation device comprises first and second wall portions (48;

66) of the reservoir (10) and is adapted to provide relative displacement between the first and second wall portions of the reservoir, in order to change the volume of the chamber (42;

64).

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the operation device is adapted to provide said relative displacement in response to the pressure in the reservoir.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the operation device comprises a pressure controlled hydraulic operation device.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising an alarm adapted to generate an alarm signal in response to the lapse of a predetermined time period during which the pressure controlling the hydraulic operation device exceeds a predetermined high value.

11. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first and second wall portions of the reservoir (10) are displaceable relative to each other by magnetic means, hydraulic means, or electric control means, or a combination thereof.

12. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the operation device is adapted to distribute fluid from the reservoir (10) to the cavity (5) of the restriction device (2) in response to a predetermined first displacement of the first wall portion (48;

66) of the reservoir relative to the second wall portion of the reservoir and to distribute fluid from the cavity to the reservoir in response to a predetermined second displacement of the first wall portion relative to the second wall portion.

13. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the operation device comprises a pump (6,12) adapted to pump fluid between the reservoir (4) and the cavity (5) of the restriction device (2).

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the pump comprises a first activation member for activating the pump to pump fluid from the reservoir (4) to the cavity (5) of the restriction device (2) and a second activation member for activating the pump to pump fluid from the cavity to the reservoir.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the activation members is adapted to operate when subjected to a predetermined external pressure.

16. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the first and second activating members are operable by magnetic means, hydraulic means, electric control means or manual manipulation means, or a combination thereof.

17. An apparatus according to any of claims 1-16, wherein the operation device comprises a servo means.

18. An apparatus according to any of claims 7, 11 or 13 wherein the operation device comprises a reverse servo.

40. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 or 2 or 19, wherein the adjustment device comprises a hydraulic adjustment device, and further comprising a reservoir implantable in the patient and containing a predetermined amount of hydraulic fluid, and a conduit providing fluid connection between the reservoir and the hydraulic adjustment device, the operation device being adapted to operate the hydraulic adjustment device by distributing hydraulic fluid through the conduit between the reservoir and the hydraulic adjustment device, the conduit and hydraulic adjustment device being devoid of any non-return valve to permit free flow of hydraulic fluid in both directions in the conduit.

41. An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the reservoir forms a fluid chamber with a variable volume, and the operation device is adapted to distribute fluid from the chamber to the adjustment device by reduction of the volume of the chamber and to withdraw fluid from the adjustment device by expansion of the volume of the chamber.

42. An apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the operation device comprises a motor or a pump.

43. An apparatus according to claim 41 or 42, wherein the operation device comprises a movable wall of the reservoir for changing the volume of the chamber.

44. An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the operation device is adapted to change the volume of the chamber by moving the movable wall in response to the pressure in the chamber.

47. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or 19, wherein the restriction device comprises an elongated restriction member and forming means for forming the restriction member into at least a substantially closed loop around the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof, the loop defining a restriction opening, whereby the adjustment device is adapted to adjust the restriction member in the loop to change the size of the restriction opening.

48. An apparatus according to claim 47, wherein the forming means forms the restriction member (2) into a loop having a predetermined size or a size selected from several predetermined sizes.

49. An apparatus according to claim 47, wherein the adjustment device is adapted to change the size of the restriction opening such that the outer circumferential confinement surface of the restriction member is changed.

50. An apparatus according to claim 47, wherein the adjustment device is adapted to change the size of the restriction opening such that the outer circumferential confinement surface of the restriction member is unchanged.

51. An apparatus according to claim 47, wherein the restriction member is non-inflatable, and the adjustment device is adapted to adjust the restriction member in said loop.

53. An apparatus according to claim 51, wherein the adjustment device hydraulically adjusts the non-inflatable restriction member.

55. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or 19, wherein the adjustment device mechanically adjusts the restriction device.

56. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 or 2 or 19 and 3 or 40 or 55, wherein the restriction device (212) comprises at least two elements (214) to be placed on different sides of the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof, and the adjustment device is adapted to squeeze the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof between the elements to restrict the blood flow leaving the penis, and to release the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof from the elements to restore the blood flow (FIGS. 10A, 10B).

57. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 or 2 or 19, wherein the restriction device (218) comprises at least two articulated clamping elements (220) to be positioned on opposite or different sides of the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof, and the adjustment device (222) is adapted to turn the clamping elements toward each other to clamp the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof between the clamping elements to restrict the blood flow leaving the penis, and to turn the clamping elements away from each other to release the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof from the elements to restore the blood flow (FIG. 11).

58. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 or 2 or 19 and 3 or 40 or 55, wherein the restriction device is adapted to bend a portion of the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof (FIGS. 12A-17B).

59. An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the restriction device (224) comprises at least two bending members (226-230) to be positioned on opposite sides of the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof and to be displaced relative to each other along the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongation thereof in the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof, and the adjustment device (232) is adapted to move the bending members against the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof to bend them to restrict the blood flow leaving the penis, and to move the bending members away from the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof to release them from the bending members to restore the blood flow (FIGS. 12A-12C).

60. An apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the bending members comprise rollers.

61. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 or 19, wherein the restriction device is adapted to rotate a portion of the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof.

62. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a wireless remote control (44,126,132-144) for non-invasively controlling the hydraulic operation device (6,8;

10;

12;

10,14;

76-86).

63. An apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the remote control comprises an external wireless hand-held remote control unit which is manually operable by the patient to control the restriction device to squeeze or release the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof.

64. An apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the remote control (44,126,132-144) comprises an external signal transmitter (132,136), receiver or transceiver and a signal receiver (134,138), transmitter or transceiver implantable in the patient.

65. An apparatus according to claim 64, wherein the signal receiver (134,138) and/or transmitter comprises a control unit (138) adapted to control the operation device (6,8;

10;

12;

10,14;

76-86) in response to a control signal received from the signal transmitter (132, 136).

66. An apparatus according to claim 65, further comprising an implantable energizer unit (136) for providing energy to energy consuming implantable components of the apparatus.

67. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or 19 or 66, wherein the operation device comprises a motor (44) for operating the adjustment device.

68. An apparatus according to claims 66 and 67, wherein the control unit (138) is adapted to power the motor (44) with energy provided by the energizer unit (136) in response to a control signal received from the signal transmitter (132,136).

69. An apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the remote control (44,126,132-144) comprises wireless energy transfer means for transferring energy from outside the patient'"'"'s body to energy consuming implantable components of the apparatus.

70. An apparatus according to claim 66 and 69, wherein the energy transfer means comprises an implantable energizer unit (126), which is adapted to transform energy from the control signal, as it is transmitted to the signal receiver (134,138), into electric energy.

71. An apparatus according to claim 69, wherein the operation device (6;

8;

10;

12;

10,14;

76-86) comprises a motor (44), and the wireless energy transfer means is adapted to directly power the motor with transferred energy.

72. An apparatus according to claim 70 or 71, wherein the energy transferred by the wireless energy transfer means comprises a signal.

73. An apparatus according to claim 72, wherein the signal comprises a wave signal.

74. An apparatus according to claim 70 or 71, wherein the energy transferred by the wireless energy transfer means comprises an electric field or a magnetic field or a combination thereof.

75. An apparatus according to claim 72, wherein the signal is analog or digital or a combination thereof.

76. An apparatus according to claim 64 or 65, wherein the signal transmitter (132,136) and signal receiver (134,138) are adapted to transmit and receive an analog or digital signal or a combination thereof.

77. An apparatus according to claim 75 or 76, wherein the signal comprises analog or digital pulses.

78. An apparatus according to any of claims 75-77, wherein the analog or digital signal comprises a magnetic field or an electric field or a combination thereof.

79. An apparatus according to claim 64 or 65, wherein the signal transmitter (132,136) and signal receiver (134,138) are adapted to transmit and receive a wave signal.

80. An apparatus according to claim 72 or 79, wherein the wave signal comprises an electromagnetic wave signal, a sound wave signal or a carrier wave signal for a remote control signal or a combination thereof.

81. An apparatus according to claim 80, wherein the carrier signal is frequency, amplitude or frequency and amplitude modulated.

82. An apparatus according to claim 72 or 75 wherein the energy transfer means transfers the energy from the signal into a direct, pulsating direct or alternating current or a combination thereof.

83. An apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the remote control (44,126,132-144) is capable of obtaining information related to important parameters of the apparatus from iside the patient'"'"'s body and of commanding the adjustment device (5) to adjust the restriction device (2) in response to obtained information.

84. An apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the remote control is capable of obtaining information related to the contraction of the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof and of commanding the adjustment device to adjust the restriction device in response to obtained information.

85. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or 19 or 40 or 3 or 55, further comprising an implantable source of energy for powering the operation device and/or for energizing other energy consuming components of the apparatus, wherein the energy from the source of energy is releasable from outside the patient'"'"'s body.

86. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or 19 or 40 or 3 or 55, further comprising an energy transmission device for wireless transmission of energy.

87. An apparatus according to claim 85 and 86, wherein the energy transmission device transmits energy of a first form, and further comprising an energy transforming device implantable in the patient for transforming the energy of the first form into energy of a second form, to be supplied to the source of energy and/or other implantable energy consuming parts of the apparatus.

88. An apparatus according to claim 87, wherein the energy of the second form is different than the energy of the first form.

89. An apparatus according to claim 87, wherein the energy transmission device functions different from the energy transforming device.

90. An apparatus according to claim 86, further comprising an implantable motor or pump for operating the adjustment device, wherein the energy transmission device is adapted to transmit wireless energy in the form of an magnetic field or electromagnetic waves or field for direct power of the motor or pump, as the wireless energy is being transmitted.

91. An apparatus according to claim 65 and 86, wherein the energy transmission device transmits energy by at least one signal separate from the control signal.

92. An apparatus according to claim 87, further comprising an implantable stabiliser for stabilising the energy of the first or second form.

93. An apparatus according to claim 92, wherein the energy of the second form comprises electric current and the stabiliser comprises at least one capacitor.

94. An apparatus according to any of claims 85,87-89, wherein the source of energy comprises a battery, accumulator, capacitor or a combination thereof.

95. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or 19 or 40 or 3 or 55, further comprising a control device adapted to produce wireless energy for directly powering the operation device and/or for energizing other energy consuming components of the apparatus.

96. An apparatus according to claim 1 or or 2 or 19 or 40 or 3 or 55, further comprising an implantable energy transforming device for transforming wireless energy directly or indirectly into energy different than the wireless energy for operation of the restriction device.

97. An apparatus according to claim 95 or 96, wherein the wireless energy comprises a wave signal including a sound wave signal, an ultrasound wave signal, an electromagnetic wave signal, an infrared light signal, a visible light signal, an ultra violet light signal, a laser light signal, a micro wave signal, a radio wave signal, an x-ray radiation signal or a gamma radiation signal.

98. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or 19 or 95, further comprising an energy transfer means (22,326,332-344) for wireless transfer of energy from outside the patient'"'"'s body to the operation device or adjustment device and/or other energy consuming implantable components of the apparatus.

99. An apparatus apparatus according to claim 95, wherein the control device is adapted to produce wireless energy in the form of a train of energy pulses.

100. An apparatus according to claim 69 or 98, wherein the energy transfer means is adapted to intermittently transfer the energy in the form of a train of energy pulses for direct use in connection with the energising of the energy consuming components of the apparatus.

101. An apparatus according to claim 95 and 87 wherein the control device is adapted to control the energy transforming device to produce the energy of the second form in a train of energy pulses for direct use in connection with the operation of the adjustment device.

102. An apparatus according to claim 100 or 101, wherein the energy transfer device is adapted to transfer electric energy, and further comprising an implantable capacitor for producing the train of energy pulses.

103. An apparatus according to claim 102 or 93,94, wherein the capacitor has a capacity less than 0,1 μ

F.

104. An apparatus according to claim 98, further comprising an implantable motor (22) or pump for operating the adjustment device (12;

52;

66;

90,92;

104;

110), wherein the energy transfer means is adapted to directly power the motor or pump with transferred energy.

105. An apparatus according to claim 90 or 104, wherein the pump is not a plunger type of pump.

106. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or 19 or 40 or 3 or 55, wherein the adjustment device is adapted to adjust the restriction device in a non-manual, non-thermal or non-magnetic manner.

107. An apparatus according to any of claims 63-106, further comprising a wireless remote control (44,126,132-144) for non-invasively controlling the operation device (6,8;

10;

12;

10,14;

76-86).

108. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the operation device is electrically powered.

109. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or 19 or 90, wherein the operation device is unpowerable by static permanent magnetic energy.

110. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or 19 or 40 or 3 or 55, wherein the operation device is adapted to non-invasively operate the adjustment device.

111. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or 19 or 40 or 3 or 55, wherein the adjustment device is operable to adjust the restriction device to steplessly change the contraction of the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongation thereof.

112. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or 19 or 40 or 3, wherein the operation device comprises a hydraulic operation device which uses hydraulic fluid, the viscosity of which changes when the hydraulic fluid is exposed to energy different than thermal energy.

113. An apparatus according to claim 108, wherein the viscosity of the hydraulic fluid changes when the fluid is exposed to electric energy.

114. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or 19, further comprising an adjustment device for adjusting the restriction device to change the restriction of the faecal passageway, wherein the adjustment device is adapted to mechanically adjust the restriction device, or adapted to hydraulically adjust the restriction device by using hydraulic means which is devoid of hydraulic fluid of the kind having a viscosity that substantially increases when exposed to heat or a magnetic field.

115. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or 19, further comprising a control device for controlling the restriction device.

116. An apparatus according to claim 115, wherein the control device comprises an internal control unit implantable in the patient for controlling the restriction device.

117. An apparatus according to claim 116, wherein the internal control unit is programmable.

118. An apparatus according to claim 117, wherein the control device comprises an external control unit outside the patient'"'"'s body, the implantable internal control unit being programmable by the external control unit.

119. An apparatus according to claim 115, wherein the control device comprises an external control unit outside the patient'"'"'s body for wirelessly controlling the restriction device.

120. An apparatus according to claim 119, wherein the external control unit is programmable.

121. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one implantable sensor for sensing at least one physical parameter of the patient.

122. An apparatus according to claim 121, wherein the sensor is adapted to directly or indirectly sense as the physical parameter the horisontal position of the patient.

123. An apparatus according to claim 121, wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor for directly or indirectly sensing as the physical parameter the pressure against the restriction device or part of the human body.

124. An apparatus according to claim 123, wherein the restriction device is adapted to enlarge the blood flow passageway in the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof in response to the pressure sensor sensing a predetermined pressure.

125. An apparatus according to any one of claims 121-124, further comprising a control device for controlling the restriction device in response to signals from the sensor.

126. An apparatus according to claim 125, wherein the control device comprises an internal control unit implantable in the patient and directly controlling the restriction device in response to signals from the sensor.

127. An apparatus according to claim 126, wherein the control device comprises an external control unit outside the patient'"'"'s body for controlling the restriction device in response to signals from the sensor.

128. An apparatus according to claim 126, wherein the control device comprises an external control unit outside the patient'"'"'s body for manually controlling the restriction device in response to information from the sensor.

129. An apparatus according to claim 115, further comprising an implantable source of energy, wherein the control device is operable from outside the patient'"'"'s body for controlling the source of energy to release energy for use in connection with the operation of the prosthesis, when the prosthesis is implanted.

130. An apparatus according to claim 129, wherein the source of energy is intended to be external to the patient'"'"'s body, and the control device is adapted to control the external source of energy to release wireless energy for use in connection with the operation of the prosthesis.

131. An apparatus according to claim 129, wherein the control device controls the source of energy to release magnetic energy, non-magnetic energy, electromagnetic energy, non-electromagnetic energy, kinetic energy, non-kinetic energy, sonic energy, non-sonic energy, thermal energy or non-thermal energy.

132. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or 19 or 40 or 3 or 55, wherein the operation device is powered by magnetic energy, non-magnetic energy, electromagnetic energy, non-electromagnetic energy, kinetic energy, non-kinetic energy, sonic energy, non-sonic energy, thermal energy or non-thermal energy.

133. An apparatus according to claim 129, wherein the control device controls the source of energy to release energy for a determined time period.

134. An apparatus according to claim 129 or 129 and 99, wherein the control device controls the source of energy to release energy in a determined number of energy pulses.

135. An apparatus according to claim 129, wherein the control device is adapted to control the source of energy to release energy in a non-invasive manner.

136. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or 19 or 40 or 3 or 55, further comprising implantable electrical components including at least one voltage level guard.

137. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or 19 or 40 or 3 or 55, further comprising implantable electrical components including a single voltage level guard.

138. An apparatus according to claim 136 or 137, wherein the electrical components are devoid of any current detector and/or charge level detector.

139. An apparatus according to any of claims 85, 102, 87, 93 or 94 and 136-138, further comprising an implantable capacitor or accumulator, wherein the charge or discharge of the capacitor or accumulator is controlled by use of the voltage level guard.

140. An apparatus according to claim 65, 70 or 91, wherein the control signal comprises a wave signal including a sound wave signal, an ultrasound wave signal, an electromagnetic wave signal, an infrared light signal, a visible light signal, an ultra violet light signal, a laser light signal, a micro wave signal, a radio wave signal, an x-ray radiation signal or a gamma radiation signal.

141. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a switch implantable in the patient for directly or indirectly switching the operation of the restriction device.

142. An apparatus according to claim 141 and 86, further comprising a source of energy implantable in the patient for supplying energy for the operation of the restriction device, wherein the switch is operated by the energy supplied by the energy transmission device to switch from an off mode, in which the source of energy is not in use, to an on mode, in which the source of energy supplies energy for the operation of the restriction device.

143. An apparatus according to claim 141 and 86, further comprising a source of energy implantable in the patient for supplying energy for the operation of the restriction device, and a remote control for controlling the supply of energy of the implantable source of energy, wherein the switch is operated by the energy supplied by the energy transmission device to switch from an off mode, in which the remote control is prevented from controlling the source of energy and the source of energy is not in use, to a standby mode, in which the remote control is permitted to control the source of energy to supply energy for the operation of the restriction device.

144. An apparatus according to claim 141 and 87, further comprising a source of energy implantable in the patient for supplying energy for the operation of the restriction device, wherein the switch is operated by the energy supplied by the energy transforming device to switch from an off mode, in which the source of energy is not in use, to an on mode, in which the source of energy supplies energy for the operation of the restriction device.

145. An apparatus according to claim 141 and 87, further comprising a source of energy implantable in the patient for supplying energy for the operation of the restriction device, and a remote control for controlling the supply of energy of the implantable source of energy, wherein the switch is operated by the energy supplied by the energy transforming device to switch from an off mode, in which the remote control is prevented from controlling the source of energy and the source of energy is not in use, to a standby mode, in which the remote control is permitted to control the source of energy to supply energy for the operation of the restriction device.

146. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or 19 or 40 or 3 or 55, wherein the prosthesis is operable to perform a reversible function.

147. An apparatus according to claim 67 or 146, further comprising a reversing device implantable in the patient for reversing the function performed by the prosthesis.

148. An apparatus according to claim 147, wherein the control device controls the reversing device to reverse the function performed by the prosthesis.

149. An apparatus according to claim 147, wherein the reversing device comprises hydraulic means including a valve for shifting the flow direction of a flowing fluid in the hydraulic means.

150. An apparatus according to claim 147, wherein the reversing device comprises a mechanical reversing device.

151. An apparatus according to claim 147, wherein the reversing device comprises a switch.

152. An apparatus according to claim 151, wherein the switch of the reversing device is operable by the released energy.

153. An apparatus according to claim 152, wherein the control device controls the operation of the switch of the reversing device by shifting polarity of the released energy supplied to the switch.

154. An apparatus according to claim 147, wherein the operation device comprises a motor, and the reversing device reverses the motor.

155. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the restriction device is embedded in a soft or gel-like material.

156. An apparatus according to claim 155, wherein the restriction device is embedded in a silicone material having hardness less than 20 Shore.

157. An apparatus according to claim 87, wherein the energy transforming means or device is designed to be implanted subcutaneously or in the abdomen, thorax or cephalic region of the patient.

158. An apparatus according to claim 125, wherein the restriction device is adapted to release the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof in response to the sensor sensing ejaculation.

159. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the restriction device is adapted to restrict the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof as a single unit.

160. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the restriction device further comprises two restriction members adapted to restrict the respective corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof.

161. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the restriction device further is adapted to restrict at least one of the penile exit veins.

162. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the adjustment device is adapted to adjust the restriction device such that the restriction device provides a predetermined contraction of the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof that is satisfactory for the patient.

163. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 19, wherein the adjustment device is adapted to adjust the restriction device in a non-flux magnetic or non-thermal manner or non-viscosity changing manner.

2. A male sexual impotence treatment apparatus, comprising an adjustable restriction device (2) implantable in a male patient, who suffers from sexual impotence, for engaging the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof of the patient'"'"'s penile tissue, an implantable adjustment device (5) for adjusting the restriction device to temporarily contract the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof to restrict the blood flow leaving the penis, and an implantable operation device (6,8;

10;

12;

10,14;

76-86) for operating the adjustment device, characterised in that the restriction device is adapted to restrict the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof as a single unit.

19. A male sexual impotence treatment apparatus, comprising an adjustable restriction device (2) implantable in a male patient, who suffers from sexual impotence, for engaging the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof of the patient'"'"'s penile tissue, an implantable adjustment device (5) for adjusting the restriction device to temporarily contract the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof to restrict the blood flow leaving the penis, and an implantable operation device (6,8;

10;

12;

10,14;

76-86) for operating the adjustment device, characterised in that the operation device comprises a servo means.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the operation device is powered.

21. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the operation device is manually operated.

22. An apparatus according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the servo means comprises a motor, preferably an electric motor.

23. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the motor is reversible.

24. An apparatus according to claim 22 or 23, further comprising a gearing connected between the motor and the adjustment device.

25. An apparatus according to any of claims 19-21, further comprising an implantable reservoir (4;

10;

16) defining a chamber for hydraulic fluid, wherein the operation device is adapted to operate the adjustment device (5) by using the hydraulic fluid of the reservoir.

26. An apparatus according to claim 25, Wherein the reservoir (4;

10;

16) contains a predetermined amount of hydraulic fluid.

27. An apparatus according to any of claims 19-21 or 25-26 wherein the servo means comprises a reverse servo.

28. An apparatus according to claims 25 and 27, wherein the the reservoir (204) comprises first and second wall portions and the reverse servo is adapted to provide relative displacement between the first and second wall portions of the reservoir, in order to change the volume of the reservoir.

29. An apparatus according to claim 28 and, wherein the reverse servo device is adapted to provide said relative displacement in response to the pressure in the reservoir.

30. An apparatus according to any of claims 19-29, wherein the servo means comprises a pressure controlled servo means.

31. An apparatus according to claim 30, further comprising an alarm adapted to generate an alarm signal in response to the lapse of a predetermined time period during which the pressure controlling the servo means exceeds a predetermined high value.

32. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the reverse servo comprises magnetic means, electric means or manual manipulation means or a combination thereof.

33. An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the reverse servo comprises hydraulic means (10,14, 76-86).

34. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the reverse servo further comprises a servo reservoir defining a chamber containing servo fluid, and the operation device comprise first and second wall portions of the servo reservoir, which are displaceable relative to each other to change the volume of the chamber of the servo reservoir.

35. An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the first and second wall portions of the servo reservoir are displaceable relative to each other by magnetic means, hydraulic means, or electric control means.

36. An apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the reverse servo comprises a servo reservoir (14) and a fluid supply reservoir (10) connected in a closed system and containing a further predetermined amount of fluid.

37. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the fluid supply reservoir (10) defines a chamber for the further predetermined amount of fluid and the hydraulic operation device is adapted to change the volume of the chamber and thereby control the amount of fluid in the servo reservoir (14).

38. An apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the fluid supply reservoir (10) comprises first and second wall portions, which are displaceable relative to each other to change the volume of the chamber of the fluid supply reservoir.

39. An apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the fluid supply reservoir (10) increases the amount of fluid in the servo reservoir (14) in response to a predetermined first displacement of the first wall portion of the fluid supply reservoir relative to the second wall portion of the fluid supply reservoir and decreases the amount of fluid in the servo reservoir in response to a predetermined second displacement of the first wall portion of the fluid supply reservoir relative to the second wall portion of the fluid supply reservoir.

45. An apparatus according to claim 6 or 25, further comprising an injection port subcutaneously implantable in the patient and in fluid communication with the chamber.

46. An apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the injection port is integrated in the reservoir.

52. An apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the adjustment device mechanically adjusts the restriction member.

54. An apparatus according to claim 52 or 53, wherein the elongated restriction member (204) is flexible, and the adjustment device (210) is adapted to pull a first portion (204A) of the flexible restriction member from a second portion (204B) of the flexible restriction member opposite the first portion in the loop to squeeze the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof between two opposite lengths of the elongated flexible restriction member to restrict the blood flow leaving the penis, and to release the corpora cavernosa or crura or the prolongations thereof from the flexible restriction member to restore the blood flow.