Erectile dysfunction band

A device for alleviating erectile dysfunction includes a unitary tube having a flat top portion, a first leg, and a second leg. The first leg and the second leg extend from opposing ends of the flat top portion. The flat top portion is configured to lay across a base of a penis. The first leg and the second extend inwardly to a constriction region to form a receiving cavity. The receiving cavity is configured to receive the penis. The first leg and the second leg extend outwardly from the constriction region to form handle portions. An elastic loop portion extends from a distal end of the second leg. The elastic loop portion is configured to constrict the two leg portions at the constriction region.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to relieving erectile dysfunction. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device that applies pressure to the dorsal veins of a penis to relieve erectile dysfunction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a medical condition for which millions of American men seek treatment every year. According to the National Institutes of Health, between 15 million and 30 million men suffer from ED, which is loosely defined as the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. The wide range for the estimate of the numbering of individuals suffering from ED stems from the rather vague definition, as ED can be a total inability to achieve erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections. Under normal conditions, an erection is achieved when blood flows into the penis and fills the corpora cavernosa, large cylindrical tissue structures which run the length of the penis and, when filled with blood, cause the penis to become rigid and erect. The corpora cavernosa are surrounded by the tunicae, elastic sheaths which expand with the corpora cavernosa and apply pressure to the veins which would normally drain the blood from the corpora cavernosa. In some cases, the cause of ED is linked to an inability to provide sufficient blood flow to the penis to fill the corpora cavernosa and achieve an erection. In other situations, the tunicae are not able to press against the blood-draining veins with sufficient force to maintain the erection.

While many of those afflicted with ED are older, with approximately half of the sufferers believed to be over the age of 65, ED is a condition which can affect men at any age, as the causes of ED are extremely varied. Damage to nerves, arteries, smooth muscles, and fibrous tissues from disease is the most common cause of ED. These diseases, such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, and vascular disease, account for about 70 percent of ED cases. In addition, many common medicines including blood pressure drugs, antihistamines, and antidepressants can cause ED. Certain risky lifestyle choices, such as smoking, being overweight, and avoiding exercise, may also contribute to ED. It is also believed that psychological factors, such as stress, anxiety, depression, and fear of sexual failure, cause approximately 10 to 20 percent of ED cases.

Mechanical devices are available for producing and/or maintaining erections. These devices include large, cumbersome vacuum pumps for drawing blood into the penis and restrictors which hold blood in the penis by applying pressure to the subcutaneous veins which drain the penis of blood. Especially for those who suffer from the more mild forms of ED, restrictors are a very popular option. Such restrictors include continuous rigid rings, adjustable straps, or the like. Restrictors are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,548 (rubber tubing looped around the base of the penis), U.S. Patent Pub. US 2003/0009082 (an adjustable gold ring through which the penis is inserted), U.S. Patent Pub. US 2004/0242957 (an adjustable rigid band encircling a portion of the base of the penis), and U.S. Patent Pub. US 2005/0277907 (joined elastic rings worn around the scrotum and the base of the penis).

These prior art devices have several known drawbacks. Each of these devices addresses the need for restricting blood flow from the penis. The current invention goes beyond the present art to provide a unitary tube having a flat top portion, a first leg, and a second leg that provides a constriction region that can be adjusted according to the preference of a user. The unitary tube is covered in a soft surgical tissue material for comfort, yet has a rigid interior to provide adequate pressure to the base of the penis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of mechanical devices for increasing blood flow to a penis now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a device that applies to pressure to the base of the penis wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when having erectile dysfunction.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved device for relieving erectile dysfunction that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another an object of the present invention to provide a device for alleviating erectile dysfunction. The device includes a unitary tube comprising a flat top portion, a first leg, and a second leg. The first leg and the second leg extend from opposing ends of the flat top portion. The flat top portion is configured to lay across a base of a penis. The flat top portion potion applies pressure to the dorsal veins of the penis.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a receiving cavity configured to receive the penis. The first leg and the second leg of unitary tube extend inwardly to a constriction region to form the receiving cavity.

Another aspect of the present invention is provide at least two handle portions. The first leg and the second leg extend outwardly from the constriction region to form the at least two handle portions.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide an elastic loop portion extending from a distal end of the second leg. The elastic loop portion is configured to constrict the two leg portions at the constriction region. The elastic loop portion can be twisted to provide various levels of constriction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the device for alleviating erectile dysfunction. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for an individual suffering from erectile dysfunction. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

The invention provides a tube band apparatus that can help men who suffer from erectile dysfunction with attaining and maintaining an erection. The invention provides a tube band apparatus that works in conjunction with Kegel exercises. The device provides an inner core area that can be made from ribbed plastic or another suitable material and includes a rigid top area all of which can be covered with a soft surgical tubing material. The band can be placed over the base area of the penis near the scrotum. The device provides a flat top portion that keeps pressure on the dorsal veins of the penis when in use, while the two legs of the device can flex in an open or closed position in order to allow inflow of arterial blood. The structure of the device comprises soft tubing that prevents bruising and thus facilitates comfort for the user. The device allows the user to customize the degree of constriction to the penis thereto.

Referring now toFIG. 1, there is shown the device for constricting blood flow from the penis according to one embodiment of the present invention. The device100for alleviating erectile dysfunction includes a unitary tube102having a flat top portion104, a first leg106, and a second leg108. The unitary tube102comprises a flexible tubing material having a rigid body. The unitary tube102includes a soft outer shell material.

The first leg106and the second leg108extend from opposing ends of the flat top portion104. The flat top portion104is configured to lay across a base of a penis110. The edges of the flat top portion104are rounded to complement the contour of the base of a penis. The flat top portion104applies pressure to dorsal veins122of the penis110when the elastic loop portion116constricts the first leg106and the second leg108. The first leg106and the second leg108extend outwardly from the constriction region114to form handle portions118.

The body of the unitary tube includes a receiving cavity112. The first leg106and the second leg108extend inwardly to a constriction region114to form the receiving cavity112. The receiving cavity112is configured to receive the penis110. The unitary tube102further comprises an inner core120having a ribbed interior. The ribbed interior of the inner core provides additional resistance for constriction. The first leg106and the second leg108extend inwardly to the constriction region114and then outwardly from the constriction region114, defining an hourglass-like shape.

An elastic loop portion116extends from a distal end of the second leg108. The elastic loop portion116is configured to constrict the first leg106and the second leg108at the constriction region114. The elastic loop portion116can be twisted to provide various levels of constriction. The elastic loop portion116may be located on the lower interior area of the first leg106or the second leg108and is used to secure and tighten the device100over the penis110.

A user can control the amount of constriction via adjusting the degree of tightness of the unitary tube102. The user can twist the elastic loop portion116a number of times in order to reach an appropriate and desired penis constriction level. The user can then engage in Kegel exercises wherein the device100can be repeatedly loosened and tightened via the pulsation that occurs as a result of performing Kegel exercises. The repeated Kegel contractions and releases allow for the influx of arterial blood, while the dorsal veins remain compressed by the flat top portion104of the device100, thus aiding with attaining an erection.

Referring now toFIG. 2, there is shown the device for constricting blood flow from a penis according to one embodiment of the present invention. The device100comprises an inner core120of ribbed plastic and a rigid flat top portion104that is covered with soft surgical tubing. The unitary tube102is placed over the penis at the base near the scrotum, thereafter an elastic loop portion116is wrapped around the proximal and distal ends of the unitary tube102. The amount of constriction caused by the unitary tube102is determined by the amount that the elastic loop portion116is wrapped around the first leg106and the second leg108of the unitary tube102. A user may perform Kegel exercises to loosen and retighten the unitary tube102while the flat top portion104compresses the dorsal veins. Repeated Kegel contracts allow for the influx of arterial blood, while the dorsal veins remain compressed by the rigid top portion104, thus aiding and strengthening erections.

Referring now toFIG. 3, there is shown the device for constricting blood flow from a penis according to one embodiment of the present invention. There is shown a view of the unitary tube102band of the present invention with the elastic loop portion116in a closed position. The device100provides a unitary tube102that can be placed around the base portion of the penis in order to aid the user in attaining an erection, thereby helping to prevent, treat, and correct erectile dysfunction. When the user places the device over top of the penis, the user can then engage in physical and/or psychological stimuli. The device100comprises a ribbed internal plastic core120that is covered with soft surgical tubing. The attached elastic loop portion116located on one leg of the device can be placed around the other leg of the device and the user can adjust the degree of constriction of the device via pulling the legs closer to one another or by releasing the legs to a further distance from one another.