IMPROVED ERECTILE PROSTHESIS

Abstract: Apparatus and surgical procedure method, which comprise a medical prosthesis to mimic the erectile response of an adult human male. The erectile prosthesis comprises a base (401), a shaft (301) attached to the base at one end, and a head (303) affixed to the end of the shaft opposite the base. The shaft generally runs adjacent the penis when the base is in contact with the pubic region. The head engages a surgically produced pocket (30) about the penis so as to exert a tractive force on the penis.

Description: IMPROVED ERECTILE PROSTHESIS EELΔIEβ APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending prior application Serial No. 385,446, filed June 7, 1982. TECHNICAL £I_2I_n The present invention relates to surgical procedures and prostheses for the treatment of impotence of the a ' alt human male. BACKGROUND AEI Urologists have long been aware of the inability of the current state of the art in medicine to surgically manage the failure of erection in men. Scardino first recognized the needs of these patients and realistically endeavored to reestablish a functionally erect penis by using a centrally placed acrylic rod beneath Buck's fascia on the dorsum of the penis. The result was a flaccid, penis reenforced against buckling of the shaft, which provided for adequate vaginal penetration. Other pioneers, such as Goodwin and Scott, Lash, Zimmerman and Loeffler, and Pear an were among the early pioneers in the surgical correction of failure of erection with the use of semirigid rod prosthesis. * The early devices were not very satisfactory because they resulted in a semi¬ permanent erection. These centrally placed semirigid rod prostheses were soon replaced by paired semirigid rods implanted within the corpora cavernosa of the penis. Beheri, Small, Carrion and Gordon, and, more recently, Finney, have applied this surgical technique in an effort to provide a more nearly normal erectile state suitable -for vaginal penetration and satisfactory intercourse. In this regard, these prosthetic devices have been satisfactory. They suffer, however, from a shortcoming common to all prior art in this area, i.e., they result in a semipermanent .erection. Further, insertion of the rods is surgery, which has its own attendant risks. Finally, surgical implantation of these rods in the penis often removes the possibility of normal erection. The hydraulically inflatable penile prosthesis, developed by Scott, Bradley and Tim , was first introduced in 1973 for surgical correction of organic impotence. This device comprises four parts: An inflate-deflate pump, a storage reservoir and paired inflatable cylinders composed of medical-grade silicone elastomer. This prior art requires major surgery for implantation of the removable cylinders and removes the possibility of normal erection. Unlike rods, these hydraulically inflatable prostheses can malfunction mechanically. Nonetheless, they were a great improvement over the use of paired semirigid rods. Unfortunately, the prior art techniques are medically hazardous. Dr. William L. Furlow, in his article, "Inflatable Penile Prosthesis: Mayo Clinic Experience with 175 Patients"/ Urology, Volume XIII, Number 2, February, 1979, reported that, of 175 patients treated for impotence with an inflatable penile prosthesis, 37 had mechanical complications, such as buckling of the cylinder, rupture of the cylinder, loss of fluid, etc.; while 13 had pathological complications, such as infection or wound erosion. Kramer et al, in the article "Complications of Small-Carrion Penile Prosthesis", Urology. Volume XIII, Number 1, January, 1979, discusses the complications that occur from use of the Small- Carrion penile prosthesis, which is one of the most popular and widely used prosthesis known to the prior art. Seventy-six patients with impotence underwent insertion of the prosthesis. Twenty patients experienced postoperative complications. Seven of these twenty lost one or both parts of the prosthesis either by spontaneous extrusion or surgical removal. Two of the seven patients presented obstructive symptoms of the urinary tract and purulent urethral drainage. " In both patients, the prosthesis eroded through the corpus cavernosu into the urethra and was spontaneously extruded. Among the problems noted as most frequent by Dr. Kramer included wound infection, erosion of the corpus cavernosum, migration of the prosthesis into the urethra, and problems with concealment. A number of patents have issued relating to apparatus for the treatment of impotence. U. S. Patent 764,801 is an instrument for the treatment of a form of dysuria. Ths instrument is designed to hold the urethra in a slightly stretched or extended position, and consists of a pair of arms or struts connected together at one end by a yoke and connected at their opposite ends to a base adapted to bear against the body of the patient adjacent to the organ. The yoke is adapted to embrace the organ behind the corona glandis. This device, however, was never intended as a prosthesis. If one applies any appreciable force to the narrow area behind the corona glandis, the local pressure will exceed the blood pressure and blood will be driven from that area. This causes the tissue to collapse and the. head of the penis will extrude through the ring. This device would result in pain, numbness and at least bruising or possibly permanent damage to the tissue. U. S. Patent 3,446,206 is a splint having a support means for the generative organ of the human male. This device attempts to hold the penis by grasping behind the corona glandis. The entire holding force is maintained by a rubber band. As with the previously- mentioned device, this device serves to cut off circulation to the head of the penis. Also, this device involves the painful insertion of the internal member into the sensitive mucous membrane of the urethra. In an article by F. Coiffman, entitled "An External Prosthesis for the Treatment of Sexual impotence", in the Transactions of. Eiflϋi International Congress &£. Plastic ___n_i Reconstructive Surgery, 1970, a prosthetic device is disclosed consisting of a metallic tube with a rod inside that can be adjusted to a desired length. The interior aspect of the metallic rod has two small paddle-like projections that are introduced into already surgically-made buttonholes in the anterior ventral surface of the penis. With this device, the entire force applied to the penis is concentrated at two small points. ' The prong ' s which press at those points are necessarily sharp or narrow in order to be inserted into that area. Circulation is impaired at those points of pressure, and discomfort, and possible injury, may result. In addition, the Coiffman device attempts to "choke" the penis behind the glas deferen by applying pressure to two "buttonholes" about the side of the penis head. All the prior art known to the present inventor, either requires relatively nontrivial surgery that can result in complications or involves devices that are rather ineffective in restoring a normal erectile state suitable for vaginal penetration and satisfactory intercourse. The prostheses mentioned above are either mechanically complicated and subject to failure or result in a permanent or a semipermanent erection. In all cases, - medical authorities agree that psychological trauma associated with the use of the prosthesis is an important aspect of treatment of impotence. Surgical procedures to correct impotence are not normally used on subjects who can have any regular erection, due to the fact that the surgical procedure generally prevents the possibility of a normal erection. Finally, the prior art devices that attempt to simulate normal erections cause a cut-off of blood circulation within the penis. This is due to the fact that the apparatus pushes the penis rather than pulls the penis to establish- this erectile state. It is an object of the present invention to provide a surgical procedure and prosthesis for treatment of impotence of the adult human male. I -« It is another object of " the present invention to provide a surgical procedure and prosthesis that is suitable for occasionally impotent patients. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a prosthesis that is removable and adaptable to varying situations. It is another object of the present invention to provide an erectile prosthesis that results in longer penile length. These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached Specification and appended Claims. DISCLOSURE QZ T Z INVENTION The present invention is a prosthesis comprising an apparatus used to erect the adult male penis and an out-patient surgery procedure used to adapt the penis for functional engagement with the apparatus. The surgical procedure of the present invention involves the formation of a pocket in the foreskin or forward portion of the penis that is capable of receiving the engaging head of the prosthesis apparatus. The prosthesis apparatus is a relatively rigid shaft mounted on a base or pad that is contoured to compressively engage the layer of fatty tissue at the base of the penis, i.e., the p ' ubic region. The rigid shaft of the present invention has a removable bulbous head adapted to engage the skin pocket created by the surgery mentioned above. The surgical procedure for adapting the human penis of an uncircumcised patient to an erectile prosthesis comprises the steps of: stitching the foreskin of an uncircumcised patient closed forward of the head of the penis; and cutting this foreskin so as to form an opening large enough to allow the natural head of the penis to extend therethrough. This procedure further includes the step of cutting the foreskin to form a second opening generally about the opposite side of the penis from the first opening. This second opening should be large enough to receive the diameter of the shaft of the erectile prosthesis. The surgical procedure for adapting a circumcised human penis to an erectile prosthesis comprises the steps of: forming a nap of available loose skin generally about the upper side of the penis; slitting this nap longitudinally by cutting both layers of skin; moving the flaps of skin so as to produce slack skin about the bottom of the penis; pulling forward the slack skin generally beyond the head of the penis; and joining the edges of the slack " skin so as to generally form a pocket of slack skin. This pocket serves to receive the head of the erectile prosthesis. The present invention is an improvement over the prior art because the surgery used to create a skin pocket capable of receiving the prosthetic member in no way interferes with normal erection or ejaculation. Thus, the present invention can be used with occasionally impotent patients because it permits normal erection, orgasm and ejaculation. The erectile prosthesis of the present invention is removable and need only be used by the patient when the patient desires intercourse. In this regard, it is a significant improvement over rigid implants. Even for circumcised patients, the surgery required to adapt the penis to the apparatus of the present invention is an out-patient operation that can be performed under local anesthetic. Perhaps one of the most important advantages offered by the present invention is that it- does not preclude using prior art prostheses, should they later be desired. This minimizes the severe psychological trauma frequently associated with prior art prosthesis. The present invention, being external and requiring only minor surgery, ' does- not prevent a patient from later undergoing the radical surgery " required to install a hydraulic inflatable prosthesis, a semirigid rod prosthesis or the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION QΣ. THE DRAWINGS FIGURES 1A-F are a series of drawings illustrating the initial steps of the surgical procedure for preparing a circumcised penis for the erectile prosthesis. FIGURES 2A-H are a series of drawings showing the later steps of one embodiment of the surgical procedure for preparing a circumcised penis for the erectile prosthesis. FIGURE 3 illustrates a partially cut-away side view showing the surgically created pocket as engaging the head of the prosthesis. FIGURE 4A is a front view of the erectile prosthesis apparatus as taught by the present invention. FIGURE 4B is a side view of the erectile prosthesis apparatus as used about the human penis. FIGURE 5 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the erectile prosthesis apparatus as taught by the present invention. FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the alternative embodiment of the erectile prosthesis apparatus shown in combination with the human penis. FIGURE 7 is a top " view of the erectile prosthesis apparatus as used in combination with the human penis. FIGURE 8 is a side view of the human penis, without the prosthetic member, after the surgical procedures taught by the present invention. FIGURES 9A-E are a series of drawings illustrating the surgical procedure for uncircumcised males as taught by the present invention. FIGURES 10A-B are a series of drawings illustrating the later steps of an alternative embodiment of the surgical procedure for circumcised males as taught by the present invention. BΣ2 Z fc_OI__S £QB CARRYING OUT TEE INVENTION FIGURE 1A through 2H shows one embodiment of the surgical procedure of the present invention for circumcised males. For circumcised patients, FIGURE 1A shows that all available loose skin on the top of penis 10 is pulled forward into a nap 12, just behind the glans deferens. This nap is slit, along line 14 in FIGURE IB, cutting both layers of skin, and stitched as shown in FIGURE 1C, with stitches 16. This procedure results in the separation of two flaps of skin, 18 and 20, shown in FIGURE lC. Flaps 18 and 20 can be laid down, as shown in FIGURES ID and IE, to produce extra slack skin 22, on the bottom of penis 10. The top of penis 20 now looks as shown in FIGURE IF. Extra loose skin 24, on the bottom " of penis 10 can now be pulled forward as shown in FIGURE 2A. Skin 24 will generally extend somewhat beyond the head 26 of penis 10. At this point during the surgical procedure, the penis may be made adaptable to the erectile prothesis by either of two methods. One of these methods is shown in FIGURES 2B-2H. The other of these methods is shown in FIGURES 10A and 10B. According to the embodiment as shown in FIGURES 2B-2H, slack skin 24 is now stretched vertically, as shown in FIGURE 2B and slit along line 28, horizontally. Deepening this cut and stretching the skin, as the cut is made, as shown in FIGURES 2C-2E (and their respective end views 2F-2H) , results in the formation of a pocket of skin 30 capable of receiving the head of the prosthetic device taught by the present invention. FIGURES 10A and 10B illustrate an alternative surgical procedure for forming the pocket necessary for receiving the erectile prosthesis of the present invention. These figures illustrate the steps following the completion of. the previously-mentioned steps 1A-F and 2A. FIGURE 10A shows the slack skin 24 as pulled forward beyond the head of penis 26. Slack skin 24 is cut and stitched to form a lower window 32. This lower window 32 is stitched like a button-hole. This lower window 32 should come to within 1/4" of the head of penis 26. The slack skin 24 should be held forward so as to create the largest nap possible. FIGURE 10B shows the final stage of this procedure in which the edges 34 of slack skin 24 are curled upward and joined together. The two layers of skin must be stitched separately, as in the previously- mentioned operation. As a result, there will be a row of stitches 36 both on the outside and the inside of the pocket. The pocket formed by this operation serves to receive the head of the erectile prosthesis, as described hereinafter. FIGURE 3 shows an example (not necessarily exact for each person, in relation to the amount of protrusion from the head of the penis) of the cooperative engagement of the apparatus of the present invention with the surgical procedure, as described in FIGURES 1A-1F and FIGURES 2A-2H, of the present invention. In FIGURE 3, penis 10 having head 26 and forward skin pocket 30, created as described above, engagingly receives head 303 of the prosthesis, which may be removably attached to shaft 301. FIGURE 4A shows a f ont " view of the apparatus of the prosthesis taught by the present invention. A padded loop 401 is shaped so as to conform to the pubic region of the patient. Loop 401 has an extension 403, which is shaft 301, shown in FIGURE 3, and may be a permanent part of said loop or may be removable. Further, it may engage the loop either fixedly or rotatably. FIGURE 4B is a side partially cut-away view of the apparatus of the present invention, illustrating • padded loop 401 in conformation with pubic bone 405. Shaft 301 runs along the bottom side of penis 10 and terminates in head 303 which is engagingly received by pocket 30 near head 26 of penis 10. The surgical procedure for uncircumcised patients is described in FIGURES 9A-9E. As seen in FIGURE 9A, the foreskin 500 of the uncircumcised penis 502 is pulled foward as far as it will go.. After the foreskin has been placed in this position, two slits are made into the skin. The first slit is upper window 504. The other slit is a smaller, lower window 506. Bottom 506 should be large enough to accomodate the shaft of the erectile prosthesis. The upper window 504 must be large enough for the natural head 508 of penis 502 to slide comfortably through. By making the upper window of sufficient size to allow the natural head of the penis to slide through, the entire foreskin can fold back underneath the penis when the device is not in use. (An example of this situation is shown in FIGURE 8) . Next, the upper and lower windows 504 and 506 are stitched like buttonholes to join the two layers of skin at the periphery of each of the windows. Finally, the normal opening 510 of foreskin 500 is closed off to form the desired pocket, as seen in FIGURE 9B. In closing off the natural opening 510, it is necessary to properly join -the two layers of skin occurring about that point. This procedure is seen in FIGURES 9C-9E. FIGURE 9C shows a cross-sectional top view of the foreskin extending beyond the head 508 of penis 502. Foreskin 500 must be slit open around the edges 512 so as to enable them to be joined. This "slitting" is illustrated in FIGURE 9D. FIGURE 9E shows that each of the two layers must be separately stitched and joined together. Specifically, top layer 514 is joined by stitches 516, and inner layer 518 is joined by stitches 520. As a result, there are two rows of stitches, one on the outside of the pocket and one on the inside. Since the upper window .504 has already been made, the pocket can be turned inside out to complete the inner row of stitches 520. It is suggested that well-ventilated packing should be kept in the pocket during the initial healing so as to prevent septic conditions from developing. c:-?ι The surgical procedure " described herein, whether for circumcised or uncircumcised penises, is relatively minor surgery. This surgery can be performed with local anesthetic on an outpatient (i.e., doctor's office) basis; hospitalization is not required. These tissues heal rapidly with little chance of infection, due to the copius blood supply of the penis and the fact ' that all of the suturing is exposed where it can drain. None of the stitching is buried. All incisions are made where they do not interfere with any important blood vessels or nerve channels. As a result, the repositioned skin still has full circulation and full tactile sensation. Stitches can be removed in about ten days and the prosthetic device can be safely used after about three more weeks of healing. This operation is fully reversible. If the patient is dissatisfied, the skin can be restored to its original position. In all,- this surgical procedure is safe and has much less risk of complication than those surgical procedures for installing prior prosthetic devices. FIGURES 5-7 show an embodiment of the erectile prosthesis in combination with the penis as adapted by the surgical procedures hereinbefore described. FIGURE 5 is an end view of the erectile prosthesis in accordance with the present invention. Padded base 600 is generally c:-_?ι_ shaped so as to conform to the ' pubic region 601 of the patient. Padded base 600 includes a generally flexible interior material 602 surrounded by a elastomeric padding 604. Base 600 generally surrounds the penis 606 of the patient. The base 600 distributes the force of pelvic thrusting to a firm, comfortable area. Base 600 also serves to lock the device in place. FIGURE 6 is a side view showing the shaft 610 and head 612 as attached to the base ring 600 about penis 606. Shaft 610 is a semi-flexible rod of solid Teflon. The end 614 may be shaped and cast permanently into head 612 or may be arranged so as to be removably affixed to head 612. Head 612 is molded out of resilient silicon rubber. The forward end 616 of head 612 is blunt and fitted to the available skin 618 so as to be comfortable in use and not apply enough pressure at any point to interfere with blood circulation. As seen in FIGURE 6, the shaft 610 hugs the bottom 620 of penis 606. It is the only part of the device which contacts the female partner, and it contacts only the lower, less- sensitive part of the vagina, where it cannot be distinguished from the feeling of a normally erect penis. The shaft 610 extends through the lower window 622 and firmly presses the head 612 into the pocket of skin 618. FIGURE 7 is a top " view of the erectile prosthesis as installed into the surgically-adapted penis. The natural head 624 of penis 606 is visible through upper window 626. As can be seen, there is room for head 624 to bulge partially out through window 626, should it become erect. When penis 606 is soft, it is guided by the skin around it, following the head 612 of the device during penetration. The erectile prosthesis apparatus, according to the present invention, exerts a "pulling" or tractive force on penis 606 so as to create the erect state. As distinguished from the prior art, the present invention does not "push" the penis to cause the erected state. There is no constriction or other interference with blood .circulation throughout the penis. The erectile prosthesis is installed into the surgically-altered penis by the steps described hereinafter. First, base ring 606 and shaft 610 are threaded down through the upper window 626 and then through the lower window 622 from the top side of the penis. Secondly, the head 612 is dropped through the upper window 626 and positioned within the pocket of sking 618. The shaft 610 extends backward from head 612 through lower window 622. Finally, the base ring 600 is placed about the base of penis 606 generally abutting pubic area 601. _c-_rι__ FIGURE 8 shows the surgically-altered penis 700 when the erectile prosthesis device is not in use. The natural head 702 of penis 700 extends outward through the upper window created by the surgical procedure. This allows the entire skin pocket 704 to fold against the bottom of the penis. This keeps the slack skin hidden from view between the penis and the scrotum. As seen in FIGURE 8, the penis can be used normally, without the device, should normal erections occur. The embodiment of the present invention shown at FIGURES 5-7 may be used in combination. with either the surgically-altered uncircumcised penis or the surgi.cally- altered circumcised penis. Specifically, the prosthetic member can be positioned within the skin pocket as formed by the procedure as described in FIGURES 10A and 10B. The prosthetic member can be threaded through window 32 and the head positioned within the skin pocket formed by the folded layers of skin. The shaft of the prosthetic member would extend through opening 32 while the head of the prosthetic member would engage the pocket of skin. This arrangement would create an erection similar to that illustrated in conjunction with the surgically-altered uncircumcised penis. It should be noted that the hereinbefore described procedures are illustrations of the preferred method and apparatus of the present invention. There are alternative arrangements which would be considered within the present invention. One such arrangement would be to avoid creating an upper window in the uncircumcised penis. This variation would require the creation of the lower window having an opening large enough to accept the head of the prosthetic member. This approach would be a simpler operation than that described hereinbefore. It also might be considered by many to be more cosmetic since the penis does not display an unnatural orifice when viewed from above. However, there would be less sensation with the top of the glans deferens covered. Another variation on the present surgical procedure would be to create only an upper window. The upper window would have to be large enough to accept the prosthetic member. In this procedure, to install the erectile prosthesis, it would be necessary to flip the foreskin inside out by pulling the end through the window so that an opening is formed on the bottom. If the window was large enough to pass over the natural head of the penis, then it would have the ability to expose the natural head and to hide the pocket beneath the penis. Another design would be an erectile prosthetic member using two smaller shafts instead of the single shaft. These shafts would join the head at a slight angle while remaining parallel the rest of the way back to the padded base. The advantage in this sort of design is that it exposes a strip of skin along the bottom of the penis which is very sensitive. The present invention offers a number of advantages over prior erectile prosthesis and other erection producing devices. First, it is the only external device that does not interfere with the blood circulation of the penis. Prior art devices have all taught the "pushing" of the penis to simulate' an erection. This has inherently caused ' an interference with blood circulation. The present invention exerts tractive forces on the penis in a manner which does not interfere with the blood circulation. A second major advantage of the present invention is that it is the only penile prosthesis that makes the penis significantly longer than its normal erect length. Thirdly, the present invention provides a device to assist in sexual penetration. The present invention uses the rigidity of the prosthetic member to start the penetration and then guides the natural head of the penis behind it. Another advantage of the present invention is that the head can come in a variety of sizes, shapes and degrees of resiliency. Thus, the device is adaptable to the choice of the user or that of his partner. Several of the other advantages of the present invention have been previously mentioned hereinbefore. Although the inventor has attempted to show the best embodiments known to him of the procedure and apparatus of the present invention, the invention is not limited to these embodiments, but should be limited only by the appended Claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims: CLΔUHS " I Claim: 1. An erectile prosthesis comprising: a base; a shaft engaging said base at one end such that said shaft runs adjacent the patient's penis when the base is in contact with the pubic region of said patient; and a head affixed to said shaft at the end of said shaft opposite said base, the length of said shaft is such that said base is held in compression against said pubic region of the patient when said head engages a surgically produced pocket about said penis, said elastomeric head exerting a tractive force on said penis. 2. An apparatus as in Claim 1, said base capable of encircling the penis and conforming to the shape of the pubic region of a patient, and said head is made of a relatively flexible elastomer. 3. An apparatus as in Claim 2, wherein said base has elastomeric padding between the pubic region of the patient and- said base. 4. The apparatus of Claim 1, said head being removably affixed to said shaft for interchangeability with other tvpes of said head. 5. The apparatus of Claim 1, said shaft in combination with said head having a length longer than said penis. 6. The apparatus of Claiml, said base being equipped with a band for holding it adjacent to said pubic region. 7. The apparatus of Claim 1, said shaft running along the lower side of said penis when said base is in contact with said pubic region. 8. The apparatus of Claim 1, further comprising a second shaft affixed to said head at one end and to said base at the other end, said second shaft extending generally parallel said shaft along the length of said penis. 9. . The apparatus of Claim 8, said shaft and said second shaft arranged so as to expose the lower side of said penis. 10. A surgical procedure for adapting the human penis of an uncircumcised patient to an erectile prosthesis comprising the steps of: stitching the foreskin of an uncircumcised patient closed forward of the head of said penis; and cutting said foreskin to form a first opening large enough to allow the natural head of the penis to extend therethrough. OMFI - 11. The method of Claim 10, ' said first opening being large enough to receive the head of an erectile prosthesis. 12. The method of Claim 11, said first opening being about the upper side of said penis. 13. The method of Claim 11, said first opening being about the lower side of said penis. 14. The method of Claim 10, further comprising the step of: cutting said foreskin to form a second opening generally opposite said first opening, said second opening being large enough to receive the diameter of the shaft of said erectile prosthesis. 15. The method of Claim 14, said ' first opening being about the upper side of said penis, said second opening being generally about the bottom side of said penis. 16. A surgical procedure for adapting a circumcised human penis to an erectile prosthesis comprising the steps of: forming a nap of available loose skin generally about the upper side of said penis; slitting said nap longitudinally by cutting both layers of skin, said slitting forming two flaps of skin; moving said flaps of skin so as to produce slack skin about the bottom of said penis; pulling forward said slack skin generally beyond the head of said penis; cutting an opening in said slack skin; and joining the edges of said slack skin so as to generally form a pocket of said slack skin, said pocket for receiving the head of said erectile prosthesis; 17. The method of Claim 16, further including the step of: cutting an opening in said slack skin of a size at least large enough to receive the diameter of the shaft of said erectile prosthesis. OVPI 18. The method of Claim 16, further including the steps of: stitching said cut layers of skin so as to form said two flaps of skin; and stitching together said edges of said slack skin so as to generally form a pocket of said slack skin. 19. The method of Claim 16, said head of said erectile prosthesis being bent slightly upward in relation to said penis. 20. A surgical procedure for causing an increase in the length of the human penis comprising the steps of: forming a pocket of skin generally forward of the head of said penis, said pocket being generally formed from slack skin about said penis; and inserting a prosthetic member into said pocket of skin, said prosthetic member comprising a shaft having a base at one end and a head at the other end, said base generally abutting the pubic region about said penis, said head being received by said pocket, said prosthetic member having a length longer than said penis. 21. The method of Claim 20 further including the step of : cutting a first opening in said pocket of skin, said first opening of a size large enough to receive said head of said prosthetic member. 22. The method of Claim 21, further including the step of: cutting a second opening in said pocket of skin, said second opening of a size at least large enough to receive the diameter of said shaft of said prosthetic member. 23. The method of Claim 20, further including the step of: - slitting said pocket of skin so as to enable said shaft to pass therethrough. 24. The method of Claim 20, said prosthetic member enga ' ging said pocket so as to exert a tractive force on said penis. 25. The method of Claim 20, said prosthetic member being a device external to the main body of said penis.

Inventors: HAGEN GLENN E, HAGEN, GLENN, E.
Applicants: HAGEN GLENN E, HAGEN, GLENN, E.
Application year: 1984
Main classification: A61F5
IPC codes: A61F5