Abstract:
A testicle immobilizing device and method therefor capable of substantially immobilizing a patient&#39;s testicles with respect to the patient&#39;s body for the purpose of facilitating examination, operation preparation, and/or operation.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to testicle examination or operation and, more specifically, to a testicle immobilizing device and method therefor capable of substantially immobilizing the testicles of a patient with respect to the patient&#39;s body, thereby allowing the individual examining or operating upon the patient to more easily examine or operate upon the testicles. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Many men will need to have their testicles examined or operated upon in their lifetime. Occasionally, the inherent nature of the male anatomy may cause difficulty in the examination of, or operation upon, the testicles, in that the testicles may have a tendency to shift or move with respect to the patient. Unfortunately, addressing this problem may require a complicated setup or may increase the steps necessary to prepare the testicles for the examination or medical procedure. 
         [0003]    This invention addresses this problem by providing a testicle immobilizing device capable of being coupled to a patient&#39;s testicles and enabling examination of, or operation upon, the testicles without substantial movement of the testicles with respect to the patient&#39;s body. This invention enables quick and efficient examination of the testicles while adding little cost to the procedure. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    An object of the present invention is to provide a testicle immobilizing device capable of being coupled to a patient&#39;s testicles so as to substantially immobilize the patient&#39;s testicles with respect to the patient&#39;s body. 
         [0005]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a comfortable way for substantially immobilizing the patient&#39;s testicles during examination, preparation, or operation while keeping the patient&#39;s penis conveniently separate from the testicle examination/operation area. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0006]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a testicle immobilizing device is disclosed, comprising, in combination, a substantially planar member having a first end and a second end and a first edge and a second edge and a top surface and a bottom surface, the first end defining an opening between the first edge and the second edge, the opening being dimensioned to permit a scrotal sac to pass therethrough with at least one testicle being one of in contact with the top surface of the substantially planar member and above the top surface of the substantially planar member. 
         [0007]    In accordance with another embodiment a testicle immobilizing device is disclosed, comprising, in combination, a substantially planar member being substantially U-shaped and comprised of a disposable composite material and having a first end approximately 11.5 inches from a second end and a first edge approximately 5.5 inches from a second edge and a top surface approximately 0.25 inches from a bottom surface, the first end defining an opening between the first edge and the second edge, the opening being substantially tapered and being wider at the first end and narrower proximate the second end and having, a major width proximate the first end, and a minor width proximate the second end and being between approximately 1 inch and 2 inches, the opening being dimensioned to permit a scrotal sac to pass therethrough with at least one testicle being one of in contact with the top surface of the substantially planar member and above the top surface of the substantially planar member, and the second end of the substantially planar member defining an aperture enabling placement of the substantially planar member about a hook. 
         [0008]    In accordance with yet another embodiment, a method for immobilizing at least one testicle is disclosed, comprising, in combination, the steps of, providing a substantially planar member having a first end and a second end and a first edge and a second edge and a top surface and a bottom surface, the first end defining an opening between the first edge and the second edge, and passing a scrotal sac through the opening so that at least one testicle of the scrotal sac being one of in contact with the top surface of the substantially planar member and above the substantially planar member. 
         [0009]    The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an elevated perspective view of one embodiment of the testicle immobilizing device of the present invention in use wherein the scrotal sac is within the opening of the substantially planar member proximate the second end and the testicles are above the top surface of the planar member; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an elevated perspective view of the embodiment of the testicle immobilizing device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the embodiment of the testicle immobilizing device of  FIG. 1 , and indicates the point of view of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a side, cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the testicle immobilizing device of  FIG. 3 , taken along line  4 - 4 . 
       
    
    
       [0014]    Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and detailed descriptions to indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0015]    The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals and symbols represent like elements. 
         [0016]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , a preferred embodiment of a testicle immobilizing device, referred to generically as a testicle immobilizing device  10 , is disclosed. The testicle immobilizing device  10  comprises a substantially planar member  12  having a first end  14 , a second end  16  (shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ), a first edge  18 , a second edge  20 , a top surface  22  (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4 ), and a bottom surface  24  (shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  4 ). The first end  14  defines an opening  15  between the first edge  18  and the second edge  20 , the opening  15  being dimensioned to permit a scrotal sac  13  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) to pass therethrough with at least one testicle  17  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) being in contact with or above a top surface  22  of the substantially planar member  12 . In the preferred embodiment, the substantially planar member  12  is substantially U-shaped and comprised of a composite material, such as plastic, and is also preferably disposable, though it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the substantially planar member  12  is of an alternative shape or comprised of an alternative material or is not disposable, so long as the substantially planar member  12  is dimensioned to permit a scrotal sac  13  to pass through an opening  15 . In the preferred embodiment, the opening  15  is tapered and wider at the first end  14  and narrowing to a minor width of between approximately 1-2 inches towards the second end  16 , though it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the opening  15  is not tapered or tapered to a minor width that deviates, even substantially from the preferred minor width in either direction. In the preferred embodiment, the distance between the first edge  18  and the second edge  20  is between approximately 5-6 inches, and the distance between the first end  14  and the second end  16  is between approximately 11-12 inches, and the distance between the top surface  22  and the bottom surface  24  is between approximately 0.25-0.5 inches, though it should be clear that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the dimensions of the substantially planar member  12  deviate, even substantially, from the preferred dimensions, in either direction. 
         [0017]    While in the preferred embodiment, the second end  16  of the substantially planar member  12  of the testicle immobilizing device  10  defines an aperture  26  (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ), which enables the device  10  to be placed about a hook, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which second end  16  does not define an aperture  26 . 
       Statement of Operation 
       [0018]    In accordance with one embodiment of the testicle immobilizing device  10 , a substantially planar member  12  is placed about a scrotal sac  13  of a patient causing the testicles  17  of the patient to come in contact with the top surface  22  of the substantially planar member  12 . The patient is preferably placed in a supine position. In one embodiment of the present invention, a medical cloth or sheet of material is then placed over the penis  19  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the patient while leaving the scrotal sac  13  exposed, although it should be understood that the method of the present invention may be performed without placing a medical cloth or sheet of material over the patient&#39;s penis  19  without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The substantially planar member  12  is then placed underneath the testicles  17  of the patient with the first end  14  being directed toward the abdomen  21  of the patient and the top surface  22  facing away from the patient. The scrotal sac  13  then passes through the opening  15  in the first end  14  and the substantially planar member  12  is moved toward the patient&#39;s abdomen  21 , with the testicles being proximate the top surface  22  and the patient&#39;s body being proximate the bottom surface  24 , until the scrotal sac  13  is proximate the second end  16 , causing the scrotal sac  13  to be within the opening  15 , between the first end  14  and second end  16 , between the first edge  18  and the second edge  20 , and between the top surface  22  and the bottom surface  24 . Accordingly, one or more of the testicles  17  will be resting on or near the top surface  22  while the bottom surface  24  will be proximate the patient. 
         [0019]    While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.