System and method for treating and/or preventing erection problems

• US 20100041943A1
• Filed: 05/14/2009
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alagin Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Alagin Research LLC
• Inventors: Goldstein, Irwin, Kim, Noel N., Olson, Curtis Eugene, Hovland, Claire Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 8,500,626 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/38
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2005/412 by vacuum means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/41 Devices for promoting penis erection penis implants A61F2/26; massage of the genitals A61H19/00

Abstract

A system for causing penile erection and/or subjecting the penis to stretching. The system utilizes a vacuum source and/or supply device, a housing configured to at least partially receive therein a penis, and a garment or support configured to retain and/or support the housing. Also disclosed is a method of using the system on a user'"'"'s penis as discussed in the instant application.

Claims

1. A system for causing at least one penile erection event, the system comprising:

a vacuum source and/or supply device;

a housing configured to at least partially receive therein a penis; and

at least one of;

a garment or support configured to retain and/or support the housing; and

a controller which activates a pre-determined sequence of erection cycles or events.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is structured and arranged to be usable during sleep.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises at least the controller.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the controller executes the pre-determined sequence of erection cycles or events based on a doctor'"'"'s prescription.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the controller is at least one of:

portable;

securable to the garment; and

removably arranged on the garment.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the controller and the vacuum source and/or supply device are arranged on a single device.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein the controller and the vacuum source and/or supply device are arranged on a portable device.

8. The system of claim 3, wherein the controller and the vacuum source and/or supply device are arranged on a device which has a power supply.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the device having the controller, the vacuum source and/or supply device, and the power supply is connected to the housing via at least one of:

a conduit;

a hose; and

a flexible tube.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is structured and arranged to cause penile erections in a manner which addresses, treats, or attempts to treat, one or more conditions caused by aging, disease or medical/surgical interventions.

11. A method of treating dysfunction, diminished, or loss of nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT), erectile dysfunction (ED), and/or preventing penile shortening (maintaining penile length) using the system of claim 1.

12. The method of claim 11, comprising:

positioning the garment or support on a user, whereby the garment or support is configured to retain and/or support the housing which at least partially receives therein the user'"'"'s penis.

13. A method of causing penile erection, the method comprising:

placing a housing at least partially over or covering a user'"'"'s penis; and

supporting the housing on the user in a hands-free manner; and

causing a vacuum in the housing for at least one predetermined time period while the user is at least one of;

sleeping;

positioned in a generally horizontal position;

being treated for a condition which results in the user having lost, at least partially, the ability to achieve an erection at least during sleep;

wears a garment adapted for use with the housing; and

in REM sleep.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the medical condition is a condition which results in a user having lost, at least partially, the ability to achieve an erection at least during sleep.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the medical condition results from radical retropubic prostatectomy.

16. A system for treating at least one symptom of at least one medical condition affecting the penis, the system comprising:

a vacuum source and/or supply;

a housing configured to at least partially receive therein a penis;

a garment or support configured to retain and/or support the housing; and

a controller which activates a pre-determined sequence of erection cycles or events.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the pre-determined sequence of erection cycles or events occurs during at least one of:

night-time sleep; and

rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

18. A method of treating a loss of or diminishment of NPT events resulting from erectile dysfunction (ED) using the system of claim 17.

19. A method of restoring and/or providing normal and healthy blood flow (and/or oxygenation) to the penis and/or which can restore or maintain penile length using the system of claim 18, the method comprising:

following a surgical procedure, using the system on the penis of a user.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the surgical procedure comprises radical retropubic prostatectomy.