A manually operable mechanical penile implant for overcoming the effects of male erectile impotence is disclosed. The implant has an elongate housing containing an elongate coil and stop means located between the two ends of the housing. Many or most of the coil turns are normally located between the stop means and the near (or proximal) end of the housing. When the device is to be used, the coil turns are drawn past the stop means toward the far (or distal) end of the housing and are locked between that end and the stop means, thereby providing rigidity (and in preferred embodiments, additional length) to the housing and therefore to the corpus cavernosum in which the device is located. In contrast to known mechanical (i.e., non-fluidic) implants, in preferred embodiments the implant may be significantly increased in length for use and significantly decreased in length after use. In contrast to fluidic devices, there is no fluid to leak or any pump or valve to be replaced in case of malfunction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to the field of medical prostheses, particularly to 
the field of urological prostheses, and more particularly to the field of 
penile implants. 
There are numerous physiological causes of male impotence. For example, 
diseases such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis and trauma caused by 
injury or surgery can damage nerves or blood vessels that are necessary 
for tumescence. Drugs and advanced age may also cause impotence. 
Numerous external devices (e.g., vacuum systems) and internal devices have 
been proposed to overcome impotence so that an erection can be achieved 
and maintained. Various surgical techniques for implanting such internal 
devices have become wellknown. Internal and external devices for dealing 
with impotence, surgical techniques for implanting such internal devices, 
and other urological prostheses are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,063,914, 
5,050,592, 4,881,531, 4,875,472, 4,807,608, 4,791,917, 4,790,298, 
4,693,719, 4,669,456, 4,619,251, 4,611,584, 4,545,081, 4,541,420, 
4,522,198, 4,517,967, 4,411,261, 4,378,792, 4,342,308, 4,318,396, 
4,187,839, 4,151,841, 4,151,840, 4,005,699; and in R. T. Bergman et al., 
"Plastic Reconstruction of the Penis," J. Urol., vol. 59, pp. 1174-1182 
(1948); R. Hrebinko et al., "Early Experience with the Duraphase Penile 
Prosthesis," J. Urol., vol. 143, pp. 60-61 (1990); J. N. Kabalin et al., 
"Infectious Complications of Penile Prosthesis Surgery," J. Urol., vol. 
139, pp. 953-955 (1988); J. J. Kaufman et al., "Complications of Penile 
Prosthesis Surgery for Impotence," J. Urol., vol. 128, pp. 1192-1194 
(1982); R. Kessler, "Complications of Inflatable Penile Prostheses," 
Urology, vol. 18, pp. 470-472 (1981); J. N. Krieger et al., "Size 
Considerations for Custom Penile Prostheses," J. Urol., vol. 144, pp. 
1482-1483 (1990); K. Levinson et al., "Omniphase Penile Prosthesis: 
Delayed Bilateral Central Cable Breakage," J. Urol., vol. 141, pp. 618-619 
(1989); J. J. Mulcahy et al., "Duraphase Penile Prosthesis-- Results of 
Clinical Trials in 63 Patients," J. Urol., vol. 143, pp. 518-519 (1990); 
J. J. Mulcahy, "The Self-Contained Inflatable and Mechanical Penile 
Prosthesis," AUA Update Series, vol. 6, lesson 20 (1987); P. W. Nadig et 
al., "Noninvasive Device to Produce and Maintain an Erection-Like State," 
Urology, vol. 17, pp. 126-131 (1986); J. E. Oesterling, "A Simple 
Technique for Removal of Eroded Penile Prostheses," J. Urol., vol. 142, 
pp. 1538-1539 (1989); E. A. Tanagho et al. (eds.), Contemporary Management 
of Impotence and Infertility, pp. 191-200 (1988); P. C. Walsh et al. 
(eds.), Campbell's Urology, vol 1, pp. 700-735 (5th ed., 1986); S. K. 
Wilson et al., "Eleven Years of Experience with the Inflatable Penile 
Prosthesis," J. Urol., vol. 139, pp. 951-952 (1988); R. Witherington, 
"Vacuum Constriction Device for Management of Erectile Impotence," J. 
Urol., Vol. 141, pp. 320-322 (1989); Mentor Corporation brochure, "Vacuum 
Constriction Devices," 2 pages (June 1990); Mentor Corporation brochure, 
"ACU-FORM.TM. Penile Prosthesis," 2 pages (May 1991); Mentor Corporation 
brochure, "Malleable Penile Prosthesis," 2 pages (November 1990); Mentor 
Corporation brochure, "Mark II Inflatable Penile Prosthesis," 2 pages (May 
1990); Mentor Corporation brochure, "Mark II Inflatable Penile 
Prosthesis," 2 pages (January 1991); Mentor Corporation brochure, "ALPHA 
I.RTM. Inflatable Penile Prosthesis," 2 pages (May 1991); American Medical 
Systems brochure, "Dynaflex-- Fit for Performance: A Review of the Results 
and Mechanics of the Dynaflex.TM. Penile Prosthesis," 3 pages (1990); 
American Medical Systems brochure, "700 ULTREX.TM. Penile Prosthesis," 4 
pages (1990); American Medical Systems brochure, "A Brief Guide to Your 
Choices for Impotence Treatment," 4 pages (1989); Osborn Medical Systems 
brochure, "Impotence-- The Non-Surgical Solution," 2 pages (1989); Osborn 
Medical Systems brochure, "Impotence-- When you want a non-surgical 
solution, there's only one ... ," 4 pages (1990); American Medical Systems 
brochure, "AMS 700 CX.TM. Inflatable Penile Prosthesis," 2 pages (1988); 
Brochure for Third Edition of Urogynecology and Urodynamics: Theory and 
Practice by D. R. Ostergard et al., 2 pages (no date); Medical Engineering 
Corp. poster, "SURGITEK-- Innovators Not Imitators" (1988); and F. Hinman, 
Jr., Atlas of Urologic Surgery, pp. 103-116 (1989). 
The use of coils (usually in the form of springs) in penile implants is 
disclosed in some of those documents. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,063,914, 
4,881,531, 4,875,472, 4,807,608, 4,790,298, 4,693,719, 4,669,456, 
4,619,251, 4,545,081, 4,541,420, 4,522,198, 4,517,967, 4,342,308, 
4,187,839, and Mentor Corporation brochure, "Malleable Penile Prosthesis," 
2 pages (November 1990). The use of magnets in penile implants is 
disclosed in some of those documents. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,791,917, 
4,411,261, 4,378,792, 4,342,308, 4,318,396, and 4,005,699. U.S. Pat. No. 
4,342,308 uses both magnets and springs. Squeezing the outside of the 
device (after implantation) to activate and/or deactivate it is disclosed 
in some of those documents, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,472; E. A. Tanagho 
et al. (eds.), Contemporary Management of Impotence and Infertility, p. 
198 (1988); and American Medical Systems brochure, "Dynaflex-- Fit for 
Performance: A Review of the Results and Mechanics of the Dynaflex.TM. 
Penile Prosthesis," 3 pages (1990). Use of a constriction band is 
disclosed in some of those documents, e.g., R. Witherington, "Vacuum 
Constriction Device for Management of Erectile Impotence," J. Urol., vol. 
141, pp. 320-322 (1989). 
All of the documents identified in this application, including all of the 
foregoing, are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all 
purposes. 
The devices used internally are surgically implanted in the corpora 
cavernosa (one device or part of a two-housing device in each corpus 
cavernosum) and typically have biocompatible material on their outer 
surfaces. One class of device pressurizes fluid to expand and rigidify the 
device, which in turn rigidifies each of the corpora cavernosa and, 
therefore, the penis. These devices have the advantage of more closely 
simulating nature (by allowing movement between flaccid and erect states) 
than the older devices that contain a solid relatively inflexible elongate 
bar of material within each housing. Those devices not using fluid include 
the previously mentioned devices containing a solid relatively inflexible 
rod or bar, devices containing an elongate malleable rod or bar, and 
devices containing an articulated or segmented elongate member. Such 
devices are disclosed in the above-identified documents, and all of these 
devices have their disadvantages. 
The drawbacks of the pressurized fluid devices include possible fluid 
leakage and pump and valve failure, any of which typically necessitates 
corrective surgery. The drawbacks of the inflexible rod, flexible rod, and 
articulated devices are also well-known and usually include the inability 
to be reduced in length to any significant extent when not in use and the 
resulting poor concealability. 
Accordingly, there is a continuing need for penile implants that avoid the 
problems of the fluid devices and also avoid the problems of the known 
non-fluid devices. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A penile implant satisfying that need and avoiding those problems has now 
been developed. The implant is manually operable and may be used to 
overcome the effects of male erectile impotence. The implant has a 
flexible elongate housing containing an elongate coil and stop means 
located between the two ends of the housing. Many or most of the coil 
turns are normally located between the stop means and the near (or 
proximal) end of the housing. When the device is to be used, coil turns 
are drawn past the stop means toward the far (or distal) end of the 
housing and are locked between that end and the stop means, thereby 
providing rigidity, and in preferred embodiments additional length, to the 
housing and therefore to the corpus cavernosum in which the device is 
located. One such device is implanted in each of the two corpora 
cavernosa. 
In contrast to known mechanical (i.e., non-fluidic) implants, in preferred 
embodiments the implant may be significantly increased in length for use 
and significantly decreased in length after use, thereby more nearly 
mimicking natural biological functioning. In contrast to fluidic devices, 
there is no fluid to leak or any pump or valve to be replaced in case of 
malfunction. Furthermore, activation (rigidification and, in preferred 
embodiments, lengthening) of the device can form a more natural and less 
obtrusive part of foreplay than the activation schemes required by known 
devices. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent 
to those skilled in the art. 
Broadly, the device of this invention is an implantable penile prosthesis 
which is changeable from a less rigid configuration to a more rigid 
configuration, which is temporarily lockable in the more rigid 
configuration, and which when located in the corpus cavernosum and locked 
in the more rigid configuration helps to maintain the corpus cavernosum in 
a more rigid configuration; the corpus cavernosum having a proximal end, 
which is nearer the symphysis pubis, and a distal end, which is farther 
from the symphysis pubis; said prosthesis comprising: 
(a) a flexible elongate housing having a lateral wall, a longitudinal axis, 
a proximal end, and a distal end, the proximal end of the housing being 
adapted to be located closer to the proximal end of the corpus cavernosum 
and the distal end of the housing being adapted to be located closer to 
the distal end of the corpus cavernosum when the prosthesis is located in 
the corpus cavernosum, the prosthesis being in a less rigid configuration 
when the housing is in a less rigid configuration and being in a more 
rigid configuration when the housing is in a more rigid configuration; 
(b) an elongate coil inside the housing and comprising a plurality of 
turns, the coil having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of 
the coil being located toward the distal end of the housing and the 
proximal end of the coil being located toward the proximal end of the 
housing; 
(c) temporary locking means located between the distal and proximal ends of 
the housing, a plurality of coil turns normally being located between the 
proximal end of the housing and the temporary locking means when the 
housing is in a less rigid configuration, the temporary locking means 
being designed (i) to permit at least one of the coil turns located 
between the proximal end of the housing and the temporary locking means to 
be moved to a location between the temporary locking means and the distal 
end of the housing and (ii) to temporarily lock the coil turns located 
between the temporary locking means and the distal end of the housing so 
that they cannot be moved back to their normal location between the 
proximal end of the housing and the temporary locking means until the 
temporary locking means is unlocked; 
the coil, temporary locking means, and housing being designed so that when 
a sufficient number of coil turns have been moved from their normal 
location between the temporary locking means and the proximal end of the 
housing to a position between the temporary locking means and the distal 
end of the housing and temporarily locked there, the housing is 
temporarily locked in a more rigid configuration, thereby temporarily 
locking the prosthesis in a more rigid configuration and thereby locking 
the corpus cavernosum in a more rigid configuration. 
In another aspect, the device of the present invention is an implantable 
manually operable penile prosthesis which is elongatable from a less 
extended configuration to a more extended configuration, which is 
temporarily lockable in the more extended configuration, and which when 
located in the corpus cavernosum and locked in the more extended 
configuration helps to maintain the corpus cavernosum in a more extended 
configuration; the corpus cavernosum having a proximal end, which is 
nearer the symphysis pubis, and a distal end, which is farther from the 
symphysis pubis; said prosthesis comprising: 
(a) an elongatable housing having a lateral wall, a longitudinal axis, a 
proximal end, and a distal end, the proximal end of the housing being 
adapted to be located closer to the proximal end of the corpus cavernosum 
and the distal end of the housing being adapted to be located closer to 
the distal end of the corpus cavernosum when the prosthesis is located in 
the corpus cavernosum, the prosthesis being in a less extended 
configuration when the housing is in a less extended configuration and 
being in a more extended configuration when the housing is in a more 
extended configuration; 
(b) an elongate coil inside the housing and comprising a plurality of 
turns, the coil having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of 
the coil being located toward the distal end of the housing and the 
proximal end of the coil being located toward the proximal end of the 
housing; 
(c) manually operable temporary locking means located between the distal 
and proximal ends of the housing, a plurality of coil turns normally being 
located between the proximal end of the housing and the temporary locking 
means when the housing is in a less extended configuration, the temporary 
locking means being designed (i) to permit at least one of the coil turns 
located between the proximal end of the housing and the temporary locking 
means to be manually moved to a location between the temporary locking 
means and the distal end of the housing and (ii) to temporarily lock the 
coil turns located between the temporary locking means and the distal end 
of the housing so that they cannot be moved back to their normal location 
between the proximal end of the housing and the temporary locking means 
until the temporary locking means is manually unlocked; 
the coil, temporary locking means, and housing being designed so that when 
a sufficient number of coil turns have been moved from their normal 
location between the temporary locking means and the proximal end of the 
housing to a position between the temporary locking means and the distal 
end of the housing and temporarily locked there, the housing is 
temporarily locked in a more extended configuration, thereby temporarily 
locking the prosthesis in a more extended configuration and thereby 
locking the corpus cavernosum in a more extended configuration. 
Another aspect of the invention relates to an implantable manually operable 
penile prosthesis which is elongatable from a less extended configuration 
to a more extended configuration, which is temporarily lockable in the 
more extended configuration, and which when located in the corpus 
cavernosum and locked in the more extended configuration helps to maintain 
the corpus cavernosum in a more extended configuration; the corpus 
cavernosum having a proximal end, which is nearer the symphysis pubis, and 
a distal end, which is farther from the symphysis pubis; said prosthesis 
comprising: 
(a) an elongate elongatable housing having a lateral wall, a longitudinal 
axis, a proximal end, and a distal end, the proximal end of the housing 
being adapted to be located closer to the proximal end of the corpus 
cavernosum and the distal end of the housing being adapted to be located 
closer to the distal end of the corpus cavernosum when the prosthesis is 
located in the corpus cavernosum, the prosthesis being in a less extended 
configuration when the housing is in a less extended configuration and 
being in a more extended configuration when the housing is in a more 
extended configuration; 
(b) an elongate elongatable coil inside the housing and comprising a 
plurality of turns, the coil having a distal end and a proximal end, the 
distal end of the coil being located toward the distal end of the housing 
and the proximal end of the coil being located toward the proximal end of 
the housing, the turns of the coil also defining an elongate passageway 
centrally located in the coil and having a longitudinal axis, the 
longitudinal axis of the passageway roughly corresponding to the 
longitudinal axis of the housing; 
(c) manually operable temporary locking means located between the distal 
and proximal ends of the housing, a plurality of coil turns normally being 
located between the proximal end of the housing and the temporary locking 
means when the housing is in a less extended configuration, the temporary 
locking means being designed (i) to permit at least one of the coil turns 
located between the proximal end of the housing and the temporary locking 
means to be manually moved to a location between the temporary locking 
means and the distal end of the housing and (ii) to temporarily lock the 
coil turns located between the temporary locking means and the distal end 
of the housing so that they cannot be moved back to their normal location 
between the proximal end of the housing and the temporary locking means 
until the temporary locking means is manually unlocked; 
the coil, temporary locking means, and housing being designed so that when 
a sufficient number of coil turns have been moved from their normal 
location between the temporary locking means and the proximal end of the 
housing to a position between the temporary locking means and the distal 
end of the housing and temporarily locked there, the housing is 
temporarily locked in a more extended configuration, thereby temporarily 
locking the prosthesis in a more extended configuration and thereby 
locking the corpus cavernosum in a more extended configuration. 
One preferred embodiment of the present invention is an implantable 
manually operable penile prosthesis which is elongatable from a less 
extended configuration to a more extended configuration, which is 
temporarily lockable in the more extended configuration, and which when 
located in the corpus cavernosum and locked in the more extended 
configuration helps to maintain the corpus cavernosum in a more extended 
configuration; the corpus cavernosum having a proximal end, which is 
nearer the symphysis pubis, and a distal end, which is farther from the 
symphysis pubis; said prosthesis comprising: 
(a) an elongate elongatable housing having a lateral wall, a longitudinal 
axis, a proximal end, and a distal end, the proximal end of the housing 
being adapted to be located closer to the proximal end of the corpus 
cavernosum and the distal end of the housing being adapted to be located 
closer to the distal end of the corpus cavernosum when the prosthesis is 
located in the corpus cavernosum, the prosthesis being in a less extended 
configuration when the housing is in a less extended configuration and 
being in a more extended configuration when the housing is in a more 
extended configuration; 
(b) an elongate elongatable coil inside the housing and comprising a 
plurality of turns, the coil having a distal end and a proximal end, the 
distal end of the coil being located toward the distal end of the housing 
and the proximal end of the coil being located toward the proximal end of 
the housing, the turns of the coil also defining an elongate passageway 
centrally located in the coil and having a longitudinal axis, the 
longitudinal axis of the passageway roughly corresponding to the 
longitudinal axis of the housing; 
(c) a plurality of members in the housing, each member having a proximal 
end and a distal end, the members being located at least partially within 
the elongate passageway of the coil and being shorter than the elongate 
passageway, the proximal ends of the members being closer to the proximal 
end of the housing and the distal ends of the members being farther from 
the proximal end of the housing, the distal ends of the members being 
laterally movable towards and away from each other, a plurality of coil 
turns normally being located between the proximal end of the housing and 
the distal ends of the members when the housing is in a less extended 
configuration; 
(d) stop means connected to the members near the distal ends of the members 
so that the stop means are movable laterally towards and away from each 
other, the stop means being normally biased away from each other towards 
the lateral wall of the housing but being sufficiently manually movable 
towards each other, when so stressed, to permit at least one of the 
plurality of coil turns located between the proximal end of the housing 
and the distal ends of the members to be manually moved to a location 
between the distal ends of the members and the distal ends of the housing, 
and when not so stressed, the normal bias moving the stop means far enough 
apart towards the lateral wall of the housing to temporarily lock the coil 
turns located between the distal ends of the members and the distal end of 
the housing so that they cannot be moved back to their normal location 
between the proximal end of the housing and the distal ends of the members 
until the stop means are manually moved towards each other; 
the coil, members, stop means, and housing being designed so that when a 
sufficient number of coil turns have been moved from their normal location 
between the distal ends of the members and the proximal end of the housing 
to a position between the distal ends of the members and the distal end of 
the housing and temporarily locked there, the housing is temporarily 
locked in a more extended configuration, thereby temporarily locking the 
prosthesis in a more extended configuration and thereby locking the corpus 
cavernosum in a more extended configuration. 
In preferred embodiments, the stop means are normally biased away from each 
other by magnetic repulsive force, which force is apparent when the ends 
of two or more bar magnets having the same polarity are brought 
sufficiently near one another. Thus, it is also preferred that the members 
connected at one end to the proximal end of the housing and at the other 
end to the stop means be bar magnets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
In FIG. 1, two devices 32 of this invention are shown implanted in flaccid 
penis 30 above scrotum 44. Proximal end 42 of each prosthesis is located 
near symphysis pubis 34. Distal end 40 of each prosthesis points towards 
distal end 38 of penis 30 and is located within glans 36. 
FIG. 2 shows penis 30 in an erect or rigid state due to activation of the 
two prostheses 32. 
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of penis 30, showing each elongate device 
32 implanted within corpus cavernosum 50. Also shown are urethra 46, 
dorsal arteries 48, corpus spongiosum 52, and tunica albuginea 53. 
With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, each prosthesis 32 comprises housing 60 
having lateral wall 96, distal end 40, and proximal end 42. Device 32 is 
implanted within corpus cavernosum 50 so that longitudinal axis 76 of the 
device corresponds to longitudinal axis 58 of its respective corpus 
cavernosum. 
In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 4, two elongate members 66, which in 
this case are bar magnets, have their proximal ends fixedly mounted within 
proximal end 42 of the device. The ends of the bar magnets pointing away 
from proximal end 42 and towards distal end 40 carry stop means or 
temporary locking means 64. Because the bar magnets 66 are not totally 
rigid and because stop means 64 are not fixedly attached to each other or 
to lateral wall 96 of the housing, stop means 64 are free to move towards 
and away from longitudinal axis 76 and towards and away from lateral wall 
96. Because the two bar magnets 66 have been placed in the housing so that 
their corresponding magnetic poles (indicated by "S" for south and "N" for 
north) are immediately adjacent one another, the normal magnetic repulsive 
force pushes or biases the two north ends of magnets 66 away from each 
other. That, in turn, biases stop means 64a and 64b, which are attached to 
the north magnetic ends of the bar magnets, away from each other and away 
from longitudinal axis 66 and towards lateral wall 96 of housing 60. As 
will be further discussed below, a lateral compressive force applied 
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device in the vicinity of 
stop means 64a and b is sufficient to cause the stop means to move towards 
one another, thereby moving them towards longitudinal axis 76. That 
lateral compressive force may be applied at any point along the length of 
members 66 but is more effective if applied closer to the free (distal) 
ends of those members. 
Coil 54 has numerous coil turns 62. The most distal coil turn 68 lies 
immediately adjacent distal end 40 of the device and the most proximal 
coil turn 74 lies immediately adjacent proximal end 42 of the device. Coil 
turn 72 lies immediately proximal to stop means 64a,b and coil turn 70 
lies immediately distal to and abuts the distal faces of stop means 64a,b. 
As shown in FIG. 3, cross-section 63 of each coil is roughly circular, 
although, as explained below, any cross-section that allows the coil to 
perform its required functions may be used. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, 
helical coil 54 has internal longitudinal passageway 56. Because in FIG. 4 
the coil turns lying between stop means 64a,b and distal end 40 do not lie 
immediately adjacent one another, that portion of the device is relatively 
more flexible and less rigid. 
In FIG. 5, device 32 of FIG. 4 is shown implanted in one of the corpora 
cavernosa of penis 30. Distal end 40 points towards and is located 
adjacent distal end 51 of corpus cavernosum 50, and proximal end 42 of the 
prosthesis points towards and is located adjacent proximal end 49 of the 
corpus cavernosum. Because in FIG. 5 there are not as yet a sufficient 
number of coil turns between the stop means and the distal end of the 
device to rigidify that portion of the device, penis 30 is flaccid. 
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5 showing 
two prostheses of this invention lying adjacent one another in the two 
corpora cavernosa. The two prostheses are identical except that stop means 
64a,b of the right-hand device in FIG. 6 are north magnetic poles and stop 
means 64c,d of the left-hand device are south magnetic poles. The magnetic 
attraction between the opposite poles of stop means 64b and 64c draws them 
towards one another, thereby helping to prevent coil turns from passing 
between those two stop means and the lateral walls of their respective 
housings 60. At the same time, the repulsive magnetic force between stop 
means 64a and 64b and the repulsive magnetic force between stop means 64c 
and 64d also biases the two stop means within each housing away from each 
other and towards the respective adjacent lateral walls of the housing. 
Thus, in each device, the two stop means are biased away from the 
longitudinal center line 76 of that device and towards the respective 
lateral housing wall, thereby making it more difficult for any coil turns 
to pass between the stop means and the inner surface of the lateral 
housing wall. 
FIGS. 7 and 8 show fingertips 78 of left hand 86 laterally compressing 
penis 30, thereby laterally compressing the two corpora cavernosa 50 and 
thereby laterally compressing the two prostheses implanted therein. As a 
result of this compression (indicated by arrows 80), coil turns 62 lying 
between proximal ends 42 of the prostheses and the stop means are 
partially freed to move past the stop means towards the distal ends of the 
prostheses. Accordingly, while fingertips 78 of left hand 86 apply the 
lateral compressive force, right hand 84 is more easily able to move coil 
turns 62 lying between the stop means and the proximal ends of the devices 
past the stop means to a position between the stop means and the distal 
ends of the devices. If the lateral compressive force were not applied, it 
would be more difficult although not impossible to move those coils 
towards the distal ends and beyond the stop means. 
Arrows 82 in FIG. 8 indicate the direction in which right hand 84 is moved 
to urge the proximal coil turns past the stop means. As explained below, 
when a sufficient number of coil turns have been moved distally beyond the 
stop means, the portion of the prosthesis between the stop means and the 
distal end is rigidified (and in preferred embodiments lengthened), 
thereby rigidifying (and in preferred embodiments lengthening) the corpus 
cavernosum in which the device is located and thereby rigidifying (and in 
preferred embodiments lengthening) the penis (as shown in phantom line in 
FIG. 8). 
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal view showing the two devices being activated in 
accordance with FIGS. 7 and 8. Fingertips 78 apply a lateral compressive 
force while fingertips 79 move in the direction shown by arrows 82 to urge 
the coil turns past the two stop means 64 in each housing, which have been 
moved closer to each other, and towards distal ends 40 of the two 
prostheses. 
FIG. 10 shows a sufficient number of coil turns having been moved distally 
past stop means 64 to lie between stop means 64 and distal ends 40. In 
FIG. 9, the adjacent coil turns between stop means 64 and distal ends 40 
are spaced apart, thereby allowing the two devices, at least in the region 
between stop means 64 and distal ends 40, to bend easily, resulting in 
flaccidity. However, when a sufficient number of coil turns have been 
moved to a position between the stop means and the distal ends of the two 
devices, coil turns 62 lie immediately adjacent one another, thereby 
providing increased rigidity to each of the housings and therefore to each 
of the prostheses and therefore to each of the corpora cavernosa. 
That also significantly increases the longitudinal compressive strength of 
each of the prostheses, thereby further facilitating intercourse. Any 
longitudinal force applied to the glans and directed generally towards the 
symphysis pubis (see FIG. 2) will be opposed by each of the prostheses as 
shown in FIG. 10. Because coil turns 62 lie immediately adjacent one 
another in FIG. 10, longitudinally directed force applied to distal end 42 
is transmitted to most distal coil turn 68 and then to all of the 
immediately adjacent coil turns 62, including coil turn 70 which lies 
immediately adjacent the distal surfaces of stop means 64. Because members 
(bar magnets) 66 are longitudinally incompressible, because their distal 
ends carry the stop means, and because their proximal ends are fixedly 
attached to proximal end 42 of each prosthesis, the longitudinal force 
will then be transmitted through elongate bar magnets 66 to proximal end 
42. Thus, each prosthesis will be relatively longitudinally incompressible 
from distal end 40 to proximal end 42. The circular shape of the coil 
turns will also make each device laterally rigid, particularly when the 
coil turns lie immediately adjacent one another (are packed tightly) as in 
FIG. 10. 
FIGS. 11 and 12 show an alternative embodiment of the stop or temporary 
locking means. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, three 
equilaterally spaced bar magnets 64a, 64b, and 64c are used in each 
device. If two magnets are used (as in the embodiment of FIGS. 4-10) and 
if axial rotation of either device in its corpus cavernosum should occur, 
the lateral compressive force (see arrows 80 in FIGS. 7-9) may not result 
in sufficient movement of the two stop means in a housing towards one 
another. Use of three evenly spaced stop means as in FIGS. 11 and 12 
obviates this potential problem even if such axial rotation of one or both 
of the devices in their respective corpora cavernosa should occur. 
Obviously any number of stop means may be used so long as the device can 
perform its intended function. 
FIG. 11 also shows a preferred configuration for each stop means (which 
configuration is also used in FIGS. 4-10). Specifically, stop means or 
locking means 64a has distal face 98 facing the distal end of the device. 
That surface is in abutting relationship with coil turn 70 which, as 
explained above, transmits any longitudinal compressive force directed 
towards the glans through its respective member 66. That surface 98 also 
pushes coil turn 70 against the other coil turns in the distal part of the 
device when the coil turns are tightly packed as in FIGS. 10 and 11. 
Stop means 64a also has a proximally facing surface 100, which is slanted 
away from the longitudinal axis of the device. Slanting the proximally 
directed surfaces facilitates movement of the coil turns lying between the 
stop means and the proximal end of the device past the stop means. As will 
be understood by one skilled in the art, as a coil turn lying between the 
stop means and the proximal end is urged distally (as by hand 84 in FIG. 
8), when that coil turn first hits inclined surface 100, further distal 
movement of that coil turn will urge the respective stop member away from 
lateral wall 96 of housing 60 and towards the longitudinal axis of the 
device. Because desirably all of the stop means in a device have such 
inclined proximally facing surfaces, such distal movement of that coil 
turn will force all of the stop means inwardly towards the longitudinal 
axis of the device, thereby allowing that coil turn to move past the stop 
means into a position between the stop means and the distal end of the 
device. After that coil turn has moved into such a position, the preferred 
outward bias of the stop means (as caused by magnetic repulsive force) 
will urge all of the stop members away from one another and from the 
longitudinal axis and back towards the lateral wall of the housing. That 
desirably will bring all of the stop means back into abutting relationship 
with the lateral wall of the housing and bring distally facing surfaces 98 
into a position (as in FIG. 11) where coil turn 70 is temporarily locked 
between the stop means and the distal end of the device and is unable to 
be moved towards the proximal end of the device and into a position 
between the stop means and the proximal end of the device. 
FIG. 13 shows an alternative embodiment in which the outward bias (that is, 
bias away from the longitudinal axis of the housing and towards the 
lateral wall of the housing) of members 66 and thus of stop means 64 is 
provided by the inherent resilience of member 66. The two longitudinal 
arms of member 66 are connected to one another by U-shaped portion 67, 
which is embedded in proximal end 42 of the device. The material of 
construction and design of member 66 is such that there is an inherent 
outward "spring" to the two arms of the member. Alternatively, a spring or 
other resilient member (e.g., an elastomeric ball) could be mounted 
between the two arms of member 66 to bias them outwardly. 
In FIG. 14, a single unitary member 66 has its proximal end 88 embedded in 
proximal end 42 of the housing. Distal end 90 of member 66 has connected 
to it two sloping stop means 64. Coil turns located between the stop means 
and the proximal end of the device may be slid past the stop means to a 
position between the stop means and the distal end of the device as in the 
other embodiments. The slope of the distal faces of stop means 64 helps to 
prevent coil turns located between the stop means and the distal end from 
being forced by a longitudinal compressive force past the stop means to a 
position between the stop means and the proximal end. Specifically, when a 
longitudinal compressive force directed proximally is applied to the 
distal end of the device, it is transmitted through the coil turns lying 
adjacent one another (as in FIG. 10) to coil turn 70. However, because of 
the slope of the distal faces of stop means 64 in FIG. 14, further 
compressive force tends to force coil turn 70 to laterally compress, that 
is, become smaller in diameter, as it is forced downward towards the 
"valley" where the distal faces of stop members 64 on the same member 66 
meet one another. That tends to reduce the possibility that such 
longitudinal compressive force on the device will be able to cause coil 
turn 70 resting on the distal faces of the stop means to slide between the 
lateral edges of the stop means and lateral wall 96 of the housing. 
In the other embodiments shown herein, the distal surfaces of the stop 
members are roughly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing. 
Thus, for example, in FIG. 13, lateral compressive force applied to the 
sides of the penis and therefore to the sides of the housing forces the 
stop members together in a direction generally perpendicular to the 
longitudinal axis and allows the coil turns to be moved proximally or 
distally between the stop means and the lateral wall of the housing. 
However, in the embodiment of FIG. 14, lateral compressive force tends to 
cause the ends of the two stop means in each housing to move distally. 
That provides the required clearance between the ends of the stop means 
and the lateral wall of the housing to allow the coil turns to be moved 
distally or proximally. 
FIGS. 15, 16, and 17 show alternative stop means 64a,b,c, and d for the two 
devices. Stop means 64a and 64b are cantilevered tabs attached to 
cylindrical liner or sleeve 102, which is located in the proximal portion 
of the housing. In the embodiment of, for example, FIG. 7, lateral 
compressive force (arrows 80) moves stop means 64a towards stop means 64b 
and stop means 64d towards stop means 64c. In contrast, lateral 
compression of the devices of FIGS. 15-17 (arrows 80 in FIG. 17) does not 
move the two stop means in each housing together. Instead, as seen in the 
left-hand device of FIG. 17, lateral compression applied by fingertips 78 
causes gap 104 to form between coil turn 72 and sleeve 102. A similar gap 
(not indicated by reference numeral) forms in the right-hand device of 
FIG. 17. Those gaps and manipulation of the two devices enables coil turns 
to be moved from a location between the stop means and the distal portions 
of the devices, past the stop means, to a location between the stop means 
and the proximal ends of the devices so that the devices can be changed 
from their activated configuration of FIGS. 15 and 16 to a deactivated 
configuration. 
As with the other embodiments, when the lateral force is no longer applied, 
the stop means move back to their normal positions to temporarily lock all 
of the coil turns between the stop means and the distal end of the device 
in that position. If a sufficient number of coil turns have been moved to 
the distal portion of the device (that is, to a position between the stop 
means and the distal end of the device), sufficient rigidity will be 
imparted to the device, which will then impart sufficient rigidity to the 
corpus cavernosum in which that device is located. In FIG. 17, when the 
lateral compressive force represented by arrows 80 is no longer applied, 
gap 104 between coil turn 72 and sleeve 102 will disappear. As is evident 
from comparing FIGS. 16 and 17, each gap results from the housing wall 
being relatively more flexible and plastic laterally than the coil, 
thereby allowing the housing wall to deform laterally more than the 
adjacent coil turn. FIGS. 16 and 17 show that the housing walls (and to a 
smaller extent, the adjacent coil turns) are deformed from essentially 
circular cross-sections to elliptical cross-sections by the lateral 
compressive force applied by fingertips 78. 
FIG. 18 shows a device of this invention being implanted during surgery 
using the penoscrotal approach. The incision has been made and the 
flexibility of the present device allows proximal end 42 and distal end 40 
to be placed into the corpus cavernosum. The device will be further 
inserted into the corpus and the incision will be closed in the known 
manner. A second similar device will be placed in the other corpus 
cavernosum (not shown). 
FIG. 19 shows two devices of this invention being placed in the corpora 
cavernosa during surgery in accordance with the subcoronal approach. 
Proximal ends 42 will be pushed in the directions shown by arrows 92 to 
occupy the rest of the corpora cavernosa. Distal ends 40 of the two 
devices have already been placed in the corpora so that the distal ends of 
the devices lie adjacent the distal ends of the corpora. 
FIG. 20 shows two devices of this invention being implanted during surgery 
in accordance with the pubic approach. The proximal ends 42 of the two 
devices lie adjacent the proximal ends of the two corpora cavernosa. The 
two devices will be further pushed into the corpora so that their distal 
ends 40 move distally in the directions shown by arrows 94 towards glans 
36. In embodiments of this invention in which the proximal region of the 
device (between the stop means and the distal end) is relatively less 
flexible, the subcoronal (FIG.19) and pubic (FIG. 20) approaches may be 
more desirable than the penoscrotal (FIG. 18) approach. 
As will be understood by one skilled in the art, the design of, materials 
of construction of, and implantation techniques for the devices of this 
invention are not critical so long as the devices can perform their 
intended function in accordance with the teachings herein. Any materials 
of construction may be used so long as they allow the devices to have a 
satisfactorily long and useful life after implantation and allow the 
devices to perform their intended function. Generally, physiologically 
inert (non-reactive, non-toxic, etc.) materials will be used. For example, 
the housing may be made of polytetrafluoroethylene coated with silicone 
rubber or polysulfone. Use of a physiologically inert material prevents 
fixation of the device by the "biofilm" that typically develops with 
implanted devices not having such an outer covering. 
The coil should be made of a material having sufficient toughness, 
durability, strength, and memory so that the coil remains helically 
shaped, can not be permanently laterally or longitudinally deformed to any 
significant extent, and can be moved without difficulty past the stop 
means when coil turns are being moved distally or proximally during 
activation or deactivation. The coil may be made of metallic or of 
non-metallic material, for example, it may be a silicon memory coil. The 
cross-section of the coil (when viewed longitudinally) is most preferably 
circular (because of the anatomy of the corpora cavernosa), although other 
curved shapes may be used. The cross-section of the coil turn 
(perpendicular to the helical path of the coil) may be of any size or 
shape that allows the coil to perform its intended function. In FIG. 3, 
for example, coil turn cross-section 63 is roughly circular. Other shapes 
may be used. For example, the cross-section may be rectangular so that the 
coil turn is relatively flat. Such a shape allows for better stacking of 
the coil turns and tends to prevent adjacent turns from sliding laterally 
on one another when the coil turns are tightly stacked in the activated 
configuration (as in FIG. 10). That imparts increased lateral rigidity to 
the device. 
The devices should be sufficiently anchored and stable within the corpora 
so that longitudinal proximately directed compressive forces (as, for 
example, during thrusting) are transmitted through the essentially 
longitudinally incompressible device (after activation) to the body of the 
user. Although the distal and proximal ends of the embodiments of the 
drawings are shown having essentially the same size and shape, as will be 
understood by one skilled in the art, the distal end of the device may be 
bullet-, cone-, or parabolically shaped. The root or proximal end of the 
device of this invention need not have that shape and may have any 
anatomically satisfactory shape that allows it to be implanted and 
sufficiently anchored in the proximal end of its corpus cavernosum. 
As explained above, a sufficient number of coil turns must be moved 
distally beyond the stop means so that the distal portion of the device 
(between the stop means and the distal end of the device) has been 
sufficiently rigidified to make the entire device sufficiently rigid to 
allow intercourse. The device, including the stop means and coil turns, 
must be designed to allow easy and simple deactivation of the device (for 
returning to the flaccid state), that is, to allow coil turns to be moved 
proximally from a position between the stop means and the distal end of 
the device to a position between the stop means and the proximal end of 
the device. 
By moving a sufficient number of coil turns distally to a location between 
the stop means and the distal end of the device, sufficient lateral 
rigidity and longitudinal incompressibility of the device can be achieved. 
Generally, at least one coil turn, usually at least two coil turns, 
desirably at least three coil turns, preferably at least five coil turns, 
more preferably at least seven coil turns, and most preferably at least 
ten coil turns will be moved distally for activation. Higher numbers of 
coil turns will be moved in preferred embodiments where the device not 
only is rigidified during activation but is also significantly lengthened. 
In preferred embodiments, the housing itself is elongatable, such 
elongation occurring as more coil turns are moved to the distal portion of 
the device. Such lengthening of the device (and, therefore, of the corpus 
cavernosum) may be accomplished in several ways. First, the lateral wall 
of the housing may be elastic and resilient to allow the lateral wall to 
be longitudinally stretched as more and more coil turns are moved to a 
location between the stop means and the distal end of the device. 
Obviously in this case the material of construction of the housing wall 
must allow the wall to longitudinally stretch during activation but also 
have sufficient resilience and memory so that the wall shortens 
longitudinally during deactivation (movement of coil turns from the distal 
portion of the device to a location between the stop means and the 
proximal end of the device). Such lengthening and shortening of the 
housing wall is indicated by segment lines 61a and 61b in FIG. 4. 
Alternatively, the housing wall may normally be folded in on itself if the 
housing wall material is not sufficiently elongatable. That allows the 
housing to increase in length without the need for significant stretching 
of the housing wall material to occur. With such a configuration, the 
housing wall of a device would be longer than is needed when the penis is 
flaccid. The additional length of housing material would merely reside in 
the respective corpus cavernosum until activation and elongation of the 
device occurred. Means may also be incorporated into the device to retract 
any additional length of housing wall not needed when the device is in a 
deactivated (non-elongated) state. The housing wall may be reinforced, for 
example, by cylindrical bands, to increase its hoop strength. 
Surgery to implant the devices of this invention may proceed according to 
any standard technique now known or later developed. Perioperative 
antibiotics are used for prophylaxis. Any incision may be used (for 
example, infrapubic, penile, scrotal, and perineal). Corporotomies may be 
made in the usual manner. The prosthesis of this invention is placed in 
its respective corpus after dilation and sizing using any known or 
later-developed technique. The incision layers may be closed in standard 
fashion. 
Because at least the distal portion of the device when in the deactivated 
state is highly flexible, it is maneuverable through acute angles and, 
accordingly, smaller corporotomies for implantation may be sufficient. 
That in turn reduces the opportunity for erosion secondary to corporal 
dehiscence. Furthermore, less time is needed to close such smaller 
corporotomies. 
The proximal portion of the device should be long enough so that the stop 
means or temporary locking means are located just beyond the penoscrotal 
junction to allow easy accessibility for manual compression and release of 
the temporary locking or stop means for activation and deactivation. 
Typically, the proximal portion of the device will be approximately 6-8 
centimeters long. The distal portion of the device will typically be 9-11 
centimeters long, and the outer diameter of the housing will typically be 
10-15 millimeters. 
In contrast to known devices (except for the oldest devices, which were 
rigid, non-bendable rods or bars), the prosthesis of this invention is 
simpler and has no intricate moving parts or supporting cables or pumps or 
valves, any of which may fail during use. There is also no fluid to leak. 
In preferred embodiments in which repulsive magnetic force is used to bias 
the stop means to temporarily lock coil turns in the distal portion of the 
device, it is less likely that those parts (for example, bar magnets 66) 
will suffer material fatigue and resulting failure. If for some reason 
such magnets no longer have sufficient magnetic repulsive force, they may 
be re-magnetized using external means. However, the magnets used are 
permanent magnets and would be expected to retain their magnetic 
properties throughout the patient's lifetime. Such external 
re-magnetization (by induction) obviates the need for open surgical 
correction. 
In the unlikely event that sufficient rigidity can not be obtained with 
this device by moving coil turns distally beyond the stop means, a 
constriction ring may be used in the known manner by placing it at the 
base of the penis. 
Sizing is also facilitated and simplified by the present invention. The 
activated length is determined by the number of coil turns located between 
the stop means and the distal end of the device. Accordingly, a wide range 
of activated sizes can be accommodated by a single standard size device 
because only as many coil turns as are needed for the maximum allowable 
elongation in any particular case need be moved distally beyond the stop 
means to a position between the stop means and the distal end. The coil 
turns that need not be moved to the distal portion of the device will 
remain in the proximal portion (i.e., between the stop means and the 
proximal end). Hence, in the operating room, prosthesis selection is 
simpler, fewer different size devices need be stocked or manufactured, and 
production costs are thereby reduced. 
Variations and modification will be apparent to those skilled in the art 
and the claims are intended to cover all variations and modifications 
falling within the true spirit and scope of the invention.