U.S. patent number 3,636,948 [Application Number 05/035,404] was granted by the patent office on 1972-01-25 for therapeutic device.
Invention is credited to Otto Atchley.
United States Patent |
3,636,948 |
Atchley |
January 25, 1972 |
THERAPEUTIC DEVICE
Abstract
A male genital device for effecting or enhancing erection of the
penis comprising a resilient band suitable for being tightly
wrapped around the penis near the pubic bone. The band thus assumes
a circular orientation in use, and has a plurality of radially
extending projections on the inner surface thereof, said
projections being effective to restrict the flow of blood from the
penis to thereby achieve the intended result.
Inventors: |
Atchley; Otto (Texarkana,
TX) |
Family
ID: |
21882472 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/035,404 |
Filed: |
May 7, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/41 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F
5/41 (20130101); A61F 2005/414 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61F
5/41 (20060101); A61f 005/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/79,327 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Trapp; L. W.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A male genital device comprising
a resilient strip adapted to fit around the penis near the base
thereof, said strip defining an outer surface and an inner surface
adjacent the penis in its position of use wherein said strip
assumes a circular shape, said device including in said position of
use:
a major protrusion on said inner surface at the top thereof, said
protrusion being radially inwardly directed to depress the
subcutaneous dorsal vein and the deep dorsal vein of the penis;
minor protrusions disposed arcuately less than 90.degree. on each
side of said major protrusion, said minor protrusions being
radially inwardly directed to depress the subcutaneous lateral
veins of the penis;
said major and minor protrusions thus effecting a restriction in
the flow of blood from the penis to thereby produce an erection of
the organ.
2. A male genital device according to claim 1, wherein said device
further includes along the inner surface thereof another protrusion
disposed approximately 180.degree. from said major protrusion, said
other protrusion being effective to depress the urethra.
3. A male genital device according to claim 1, wherein said minor
protrusions are substantially equal in size and are smaller than
said major protrusion.
4. A male genital device according to claim 1, wherein said strip
has therein in the area of said protrusions, a plurality of
circumferentially extending serrations or slots to create a series
of major and minor protrusions transversely across said strip,
thereby to act a weir effect on the blood flowing through the
depressed veins.
5. A male genital device according to claim 1, wherein said strip
has at each end thereof fastening means which permit adjustable
fastening of the strip around the base of the penis in a manner
such that said protrusions are effective to depress the respective
veins, and provide for an article capable for fitting penises for
varying diameters.
6. A male genital device comprising
a resilient strip to fit around the penis near the base thereof,
said strip defining an outer surface and an inner surface adjacent
the penis in its position of use wherein said strip assumes a
circular shape, said device including in said position of use:
a major protrusion on said inner surface at the top thereof, said
protrusion being radially inwardly directed to depress the
subcutaneous dorsal vein and the deep dorsal vein of the penis;
a plurality of circumferentially extending serrations or slots in
said strip in the area of said protrusion, thus forming a series of
major protrusions transversely across said strip, thereby to act
with a weir effect on the blood flowing through the depressed
veins;
the flow of blood through said veins being thus restricted by said
protrusions to thereby produce an erection of the penis.
7. A male genital device according to claim 6, wherein said device
additionally includes on the inner surface thereof, a couple of
minor protrusions disposed arcuately less than 90.degree. on each
side of said major protrusion, said minor protrusions being
radially inwardly directed to depress the subcutaneous lateral
veins of the penis thereby to further enhance the erection.
8. A male genital device according to claim 6, wherein said device
additionally includes along the inner surface thereof another
protrusion disposed approximately 180.degree. from said series of
major protrusions, said other protrusions being effective to
depress the urethra.
9. A male genital device comprising
a resilient strip adapted to fit around the penis near the base
thereof, said strip defining an outer surface and an inner surface
adjacent the penis in its position of use wherein said strip
assumes a circular shape, said device including in said position of
use:
a major protrusion on said inner surface at the top thereof, said
protrusion being radially inwardly directed to depress the
subcutaneous dorsal vein and the deep dorsal vein of the penis;
and,
another protrusion on said inner surface at the bottom thereof,
said protrusion being approximately 180.degree. disposed from said
major protrusion and being effective to depress the urethra.
10. A male genital device comprising
a resilient strip adapted to fit around the penis, near the base
thereof, said strip defining an outer surface and an inner surface
adjacent the penis in its position of use wherein said strip
assumes a circular shape, said device including in said position of
use: a series of major protrusions on said inner surface at the top
thereof, said protrusions being aligned with each other
transversely across said strip, and radially inwardly directed to
sequentially depress the subcutaneous dorsal vein and the deep
dorsal vein of the penis;
a series of minor protrusions disposed arcuately less than
90.degree. on each side of said major protrusions, said minor
protrusions on each side being aligned transversely across said
strip, and being radially inwardly directed to sequentially depress
the subcutaneous lateral veins of the penis;
said major and minor protrusions thus effecting a restriction in
the flow of blood from the penis to thereby produce an erection of
the organ.
11. A male genital device according to claim 10, wherein said
device further includes along the inner surface thereof another
protrusion disposed approximately 180.degree. from said major
protrusions, said other protrusion being effective to depress the
urethra.
12. A male genital device according to claim 10, wherein said strip
has at each end thereof fastening means which permit adjustable
fastening of the strip around the base of the penis in a manner
such that said protrusions are effective to depress the respective
veins, and provide for an article capable for fitting penises of
varying diameters.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The ability to produce and maintain a complete erection has long
been a problem in men of advancing age. An erection of the penis is
produced when certain tissue in the central portion of the penis
becomes widely dilated and engorged with blood. In young men the
muscles of the penis react naturally to constrict the veins
returning blood from the penis to the body in the normal blood
circulation process, thereby causing these tissues to be engorged
with blood, thus causing erection of the penis. In older men, these
muscles apparently lose their ability to sufficiently constrict the
veins, leaving the penis in a flaccid or semiflaccid state.
Heretofore, many devices have been proposed for aiding a male in
maintaining or producing an erection. Representative of such
devices are those disclosed in the patents to Henderson (U.S. Pat.
No. 1,133,958), Clark (U.S. Pat. No. 3,445,301) and Miller (U.S.
Pat. No. 2,818,855). These and other patents mentioned below
clearly show that medical science has been attempting since at
least the latter part of the 19th century to solve this perplexing
problem and provide a solution to the longfelt need.
But the solutions proposed by the above patentees and others have
fallen far short of providing a solution to the problem which still
persists. The solutions proposed have been encumbered with such
great disadvantages or discomforts that for all practical purposes
they have been of no effect in solving the problems of satisfying
the longfelt want. To applicant's knowledge, none of these prior
art solutions has achieved any commercial success at all and that
is understandable when the devices are examined. The Henderson
device is quite unlike anything applicant has proposed, and it is
questionable whether the Henderson device is operable to achieve
the intended results. Clark discloses a sleeve-type device which is
not adjustable and has no provision for selectively restricting
flow of blood from the organ. The Miller device is ineffective to
depress the important deep dorsal vein through which blood may
rapidly leave the organ, and is therefore not believed to be
satisfactorily operable to achieve the intended results. Each of
the above-mentioned devices suffers from numerous other
disadvantages, and it is believed that each of them is sufficiently
uncomfortable to the wearer and to the female during intercourse
that they would not achieve usefulness in the great majority of
instances in which a device of this type is needed. At any rate,
the present invention is a distinct and greatly superior advance in
the art in comparison with these other efforts to solve the age-old
problem.
Other devices worthy of passing interest known to applicant are
those shown in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 594,815, 938,808,
1,073,524, 1,073,525, 1,095,899, 1,221,518, 1,298,434, 2,264,934,
2,333,237, 3,155,096, and 3,461,863.
None of the above patents is, in applicant's opinion, operable to
solve the above-mentioned problem, and each of them suffers from
distinct disadvantages which prevent their use in the same context
as the device provided by this invention.
The present invention provides a simple and efficient device which
is operable to solve the longstanding problem in an efficient and
convenient manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a male genital device which comprises a thin
band or strip of resilient material adapted to be wrapped around
the penis near the pubic bone. Means are desirably included for
permitting the ends of the strip to be adjustably joined together
to tightly fit around the shaft of the penis and in this manner a
device fitting penises of varying diameters may be provided. The
strip has a first radially inwardly directed projection formed on
the inner surface thereof which is adapted to be positioned on the
top of the penis to restrict the flow of blood in both the
subcutaneous dorsal vein and the deep dorsal vein. Also formed on
the inner surface of the strip and arcuately disposed on either
side of the first projection when the device is in position on the
penis, are second and third projections, each of which is desirably
smaller than the first projection. These second and third
projections are formed to apply pressure to the subcutaneous
lateral veins of the penis.
Means are desirably included to provide a succession of pressure
points on the above-mentioned veins to enchance the restricting
effect of the first, second and third projections.
If desired yet a fourth projection may be included on the inner
surface of the strip at a position approximately 180.degree.
disposed from the first projection, said fourth projection serving
to depress the urethra, to produce in the wearer a sensation of his
having a full bladder. The full bladder sensation is believed
helpful in producing or aiding in the producing of an erection, as
is evidenced by the common early morning full bladder erection
experienced by men of all ages, and particularly older ones. The
fourth projection may also conveniently serve to anchor the device
in place during intercourse, since it is locked into the urethra
canal (which is nearer the lower surface of the penis at the base
thereof, than is indicated in FIG. 4) thereby retaining the first,
second and third projections in place. In this connection, the
fourth projection might, if desired, be constructed so that it is
somewhat wider than shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, it will
be explained with particular reference to the embodiments
illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part of this
specification and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a device constructed in
accordance with one embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device shown with the ends
connected as it is to be worn;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a penis taken at a position
near the base thereof; and,
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the device in proper position
on the penis.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring in more detail to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a thin flat
strip 10 which is desirably constructed of a suitable resilient
material such as rubber. The strip 10 may be described with
reference to the opposite sides 19 and 20, the side 19 being
designated as the inner surface of the strip since it is worn next
to the penis, and the side 20 being designated as the outer
surface, and the oppositely disposed ends 11 and 12 thereof. The
strip 10 is of sufficient length to fit around the entire
circumference of the penis near the base thereof, and the length is
desirably slightly greater than said circumference so that a
certain amount of overlap of the ends 11 and 12 is provided. In
this manner, suitable adhesive material may be applied to the ends
11 and 12, on opposite sides of the strip such as shown at 13 and
14 in FIG. 1, to releasably join the ends 11 and 12 after the strip
has been wrapped around the penis. Application of adhesive material
over a relatively large distance at each end of the strip 10 allows
for adjustment of the circumference of the strip when it is placed
around the penis so that it may tightly fit organs of various
diameters.
Although the adhesive coatings 13 and 14 are particularly desirable
for ease and simplicity of operation, size flexibility, and
adjustment, it will be understood that other suitable fastening
means may be employed to join the ends 11 and 12 of the strip in
place. Alternatively, even though it does not provide for the size
adjustment flexibility of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, the
strip 10 may if desired be constructed as an endless band.
Projecting inwardly from the inner surface 19 of the strip 10 are a
number of protrusions which, when the device is in use, restrict
the flow of blood from the penis. These include a first major
protrusion or enlarged portion 16. Also along the inner surface 19,
and located on either side of the major protrusion 16, are minor
protrusions 17 and 18. The protrusions 17 and 18 are spaced on the
strip 10 so that they are arcuately disposed approximately
45.degree. on either side of the protrusion 16 when the ends of the
strip have been joined to form the device in its position of use
illustrated in FIG. 3. With the device in this use position, the
protrusions 16, 17 and 18 are radially inwardly projecting, the
major protrusion 16 projecting a greater distance inwardly than the
minor protrusions 17 and 18. Desirably, each protrusion is smoothly
rounded so that rough edges will not be painful to the wearer, and
desirably each protrusion occupies from one end (e.g., 16x) to the
other (e.g., 16y) thereof, an arcuate distance of at least about
35.degree.. By use of this smoothly rounded curvature for the
protrusions 16, 17, and 18, a single device may be effective for
organs of somewhat varying diameter.
Conveniently, the projections 16, 17, and 18 may actually be formed
as a series of projections, thereby to more effectively restrict
the flow of blood from the organ when in use. For example, the
first projection 16 may actually be formed as projections 16a, 16b,
16c. This may be achieved by providing longitudinally or
circumferentially extending serrations such as slots or apertures
21, 22 which desirably but do not necessarily extend completely
through the thickness of the strip 10. Any suitable number of such
serrations, and such protrusions, may be provided.
Means are desirably included in the device for depressing the
urethra when the device is in use. Such means desirably comprises a
fourth protrusion 16. Here again, the exact orientation will depend
on the diameter of the organ, but the smoothly rounded protrusion
27 arcuately extends throughout an angular distance sufficient to
enable effective operation for organs of various sizes.
The protrusions 16, 17, 18 and 27 may be integrally formed with the
strip 10 or may be separately formed and securely bonded to the
strip. They may be of relatively soft rubber or other suitable
material but should be sufficiently firm to effectively press into
the organ to restrict blood passage through the subject veins.
Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a cross-sectional view of a
penis 30 about which the device is adapted to be positioned. Blood
from the body enters the penis 30 through the profunda arteries 31
and 32 and the dorsal arteries 37 and 38. Blood is circulated
through the penis and leaves the organ through the subcutaneous
dorsal vein 33, the deep dorsal vein 34, and the subcutaneous
lateral veins 35 and 36. Surrounding the profunda arteries 31 and
32 is the tissue material of the corpus cavernosa 41 and 42.
Urine passes through the penis 30 by means of the urethra 43.
Surrounding the urethra 43 is the tissue material of the corpus
spongiosum 44.
The tissue material of each the corpora cavernosa 41 and 42, and
the corpus spongiosum 44, is composed of large venous sinuses,
which contain only little blood when the penis is flaccid. These
sinuses, however, become widely dilated when blood is trapped
therein. Thus, the engorgement and dilation of this tissue material
with blood causes the desired erection of the organ. The corpus
cavernosa 41 and 42 receive blood through the profunda arteries 31
and 32. The corpus spongiosum 44 is separated vascularly from the
corpora cavernosa 41 and 42, and is supplied with blood by the
dorsal arteries 37 and 38.
The device is shown in its proper use position on the organ in FIG.
5. Here it will be seen that the strip 10 is wrapped
circumferentially around the penis 30 as tightly as is comfortable
to the wearer. Desirably, the device is placed at the base of the
penis as close to the pubic bone as possible.
The device is oriented on the penis such that the major protrusion
16 is radially inwardly directed at the top (12 o'clock position)
of the penis. The minor protrusions 17 and 18 are then arcuately
disposed approximately 45.degree. from the protrusion 16, and are
radially inwardly directed on either side of the protrusion 16. In
this manner, the major protrusion 16 is effective for restricting
the flow of blood through each the subcutaneous dorsal vein 33 and
the deep dorsal vein 34. And the minor protrusions 17 and 18
restrict the flow of blood through the subcutaneous lateral veins
35 and 36. Flow of blood into the organ through the profunda
arteries 31 and 32 is not affected, and flow through the dorsal
arteries 37 and 38 is not significantly affected. Thus, blood is
free to flow into the penis in the normal circulatory process, but
is restricted in leaving the organ, thereby artificially trapping
blood in the organ engorging the tissue material of the corpus
cavernosum 41 and 42, and the corpus spongiosum 44, resulting in
erection of the organ.
When the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3 is
employed, blood flow through the veins is further restricted by the
series of protrusions such as 16a, 16b, and 16c. The series of
protrusions 16a, 16b, 16c, for example, acts as to the veins 33 and
34 as a series of weirs or dams, sequentially impeding the flow of
blood therethrough. Thus it is believed that this embodiment is
particularly effective in achieving the desired results from the
device.
The fourth protrusion 27, if employed, will assume a position in
use 180.degree. disposed from the major protrusion 16. This
protrusion acts to depress the urethra 43, thereby serving multiple
purposes. First of all, it causes a sensation in the wearer that he
has a full bladder, which is believed to be of significant benefit
in many instances, in aiding an erection. Further, the protrusion
27 prevents enuresis through the urethra 43. Although the
protrusion 27 is not believed necessary to the proper functioning
of this invention, it is distinctly desirable in most contexts for
the reasons explained above, and for the additional reason that it
allows the protrusions 16, 17 and 18 on the upper side of the
device to function more efficiently since it puts tension on the
upper side of the device thereby pulling it downwardly more tightly
onto the upper surface of the penis 30, and consequently forcing
the protrusions 16, 17 and 18 more firmly into the penis to more
effectively restrict the passage of blood through the veins 33, 34,
35 and 36. Finally, it serves to anchor the device in place.
Following use, the device may be removed and reworn a number of
times.
The device provided by the invention is thus seen to be simple and
convenient to manufacture, and is readily operable to produce or
promote a complete erection of the penis. The device provided is
very simple to properly apply. Since it may be made of a soft
rubber material or the like, the device is relatively comfortable
to the wearer. Additionally, since the device is positioned near
the base of the penis, it does not interfere with normal
intercourse and should not be felt by the female during
intercourse.
Another advantage of the device is that it is believed to cause a
slight anesthetization of the glans-penis, not shown, thus
increasing the ability of the wearer to have prolonged intercourse
before ejaculation.
Further, the present device is adjustable, may be reworn, and is
operable to fit varying size range of organs.
It is believed that the device of this invention is effective to
reduce the flow of blood from the penis to the body through the
veins 33, 34, 35, 36 by at least approximately 75 percent when
compared with the normal blood flow.
While the device has been described herein as a strip having ends
which can be fastened together, it is also possible to make the
device in the form of an elastic ring which can be stretched to fit
over the penis.
It is to be further understood that the embodiments described and
illustrated herein are merely illustrative of an application of the
principles of this invention and that numerous other arrangements
and modifications may be made in the structure illustrated without
departing from the scope of this invention.
* * * * *