Abstract:
A penis erection demonstration model including a motor driving a gear assembly, a cam driven by a gear of the gear assembly, a plunger extending from the cam, and an elastic arm extending from a casing of the demonstration model and encasing the plunger. Rotation of the motor in a first direction causes the plunger to extend into the arm a first distance depicting a flaccid state and rotation of the motor in a second direction causes the plunger to extend into the arm a second distance depicting an erect state.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to a training model for medical and educational instructions and particularly, to a model demonstrating an erectile process of a penis. 
         [0003]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0004]    Simulators of various parts of the human body for the training and educating of medical personnel and patients are used in medical practice. Be it in an office, where physicians treat patients, or in research and medical laboratories, the role of simulators is important. Simulators may demonstrate how a human body works, assist scientists conducting medical experiments on manikins, and allow patients to communicate competently with physicians. 
         [0005]    The use of simulators is particularly popular in the orthopedic, pulmonary and cardiac medical fields. However, many other vital human organs and body parts can be reproduced as demonstration models as well. For example, problems generally related to the urology field and, particularly, to different medical aspects associated with the penis can be demonstrated by a specifically designed model. 
         [0006]    It is estimated that over 30 million men in the U.S. experience at least partial erectile dysfunction (ED), impotence and sexual dysfunction. Recently, newly developed medications including, among others, Viagra™ and Lavitra™, have addressed at least some of the existing problems. Having a practical, simple model reproducing the erectile process of the penis may be beneficial, among others, to medical personnel and patients as well as lecturers and students. Heretofore, to the best knowledge of Applicant(s), a standalone penis demonstration model for erectile dysfunction has not been developed in the art. 
         [0007]    Thus a need exists for a model demonstrating mechanical functions associated with the erectile process the penis. 
         [0008]    Still a further need exists for a portable demonstration model of penis characterized by a simple, easily maintained structure. 
         [0009]    Yet, another need exists for a demonstration model of penis having a cost-efficient structure. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus that satisfy these needs by demonstrating displacement of the penis between flaccid and erect states of an erectile process as well as the shape and dimensions of the penis&#39;s body typically associated with these states. Structurally, the inventive apparatus includes an cantilevered section, i.e., an arm made from flexible material and having the shape of the penis. The arm is operative to move and change its shape and dimensions allowing patients to observe and better understand the erectile process. 
         [0011]    Displacement of the flexible arm is realized by an actuator and a mechanism configured to transmit the motion of the actuator to the arm. Advantageously, the transmitting mechanism includes a gear train coupling the actuator to a cam means, which, in turn, is coupled to a toggle mechanism. The cam means is configured so that the toggle mechanism and the arm, which are operatively coupled to one another, pivot along an arcuate path and has downstream and upstream stretches that correspond to the flaccid and erect states, respectively. Depending on the direction of the actuator&#39;s rotation, the flexible arm moves either from the flaccid state towards the erect state or in the opposite direction from the erect state to the flaccid state. 
         [0012]    The cam means is configured with a cam, coupled to the gear train, and a cam follower, slidably mounted in a guide channel, which is provided in the toggle mechanism. The toggle mechanism is configured as a telescopic structure having a barrel and a plunger, which is operative to move within the barrel. The plunger is actuated by the cam follower, which enables the plunger to slide towards and press against the distal end of the arm&#39;s body in the erect state. As a result, the overall length and shape of the arm change during displacement of the arm from the flaccid state to the erect state. 
         [0013]    The plunger is spring loaded and, thus, is operative to move away from the body&#39;s distal end under an action of spring as the arm pivots from the erect state to the flaccid state. As a consequence, once the arm reaches the flaccid state, the length of the body is reduced, and the body&#39;s shape is changed. 
         [0014]    Thus, the inventive device provides a clear demonstration of the erectile process of the penis. Furthermore, since components of the inventive device are arranged in a space-efficient manner making the device portable, the user can easily transport the inventive device. 
         [0015]    These and other features and aspects of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following description and figures. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a sectional view of the inventive device having an arm resting in a flaccid state. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the inventive device. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the inventive device illustrating the arm in an erect state. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the inventive device; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates a gear train transmitting rotational motion of an actuator to the arm. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  are sectional views of the model of the present invention in different states in accordance with a further embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a wiring diagram for the model of  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b.    
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as top, bottom, left, right, up, down, over, above, below, beneath, rear, and front may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The words “connect,” “couple,” and similar terms with their inflectional morphemes do not necessarily denote direct and immediate connections, but also include connections through mediate elements or devices. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 1-4  depict a demonstration model  10 , operative to demonstrate displacement of an arm  50 , which is in the shape of a penis, during an erectile process characterized by a flaccid state ( FIG. 1 ) and an erect state ( FIG. 3 ). The demonstration model  10  includes a stand  12  and a casing  18 . The stand  12  and casing  18  enclose a motor  14  and a gear train  16  configured to displace arm  50  between positions corresponding to the flaccid and erect states of the penis. 
         [0025]    To initiate a demonstration of the model  10 , a user activates a switch  20 , operatively coupled to a power source, such as battery  38 , as shown in  FIG. 1  and the motor  14 . The motor  14 , may be selected from a group including, among others, high-speed motors, stepper motors and servomotors. Switch  20  may have a variety of shapes, including, for example, a pill-shaped body, and be selected, among others, from pushbuttons, rockers and slides. Though shown in  FIG. 1  as mounted with the stand  12  the battery  38  may be mounted within the casing  18 . Alternatively, device  10  may be configured to include a plug-in unit powered by an external source. 
         [0026]    Activation of switch  20  energizes the motor  14  and causes a threaded output shaft  15  to rotate. As shown in  FIG. 1  the threaded output shaft  15  acts as a worm gear upon a gear of gear train  16  to transmit rotational motion of shaft  15  to gear train  16  and displace arm  50 . Exact positioning of gear train  16  and motor  14  within the model  10  is subject to space and cost requirements of the skilled designer. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , some of the gears of gear train  16  and motor  14  are mounted in stand  12 , whereas the rest of the gears are located in casing  18 . Alternatively, casing  18  may house all of the gears, while the motor  14  may remain mounted within stand  12 . Gear ratio of gear train  16  can vary and is selected so that persons watching the demonstration can fully understand the nature of the erectile process. Furthermore, depending on whether motor  14  is mounted as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3  or in a different angular position, gears may be selected, among others, from worm and bevel gears. 
         [0027]    As is known, the size and shape of the penis changes during the erectile process. To demonstrate this phenomenon, arm  50  pivots between the flaccid state ( FIG. 1 ) and the erect state ( FIG. 3 ). To increase its overall length in the erect state arm  50  extends along an arcuate path by a combination of cam and toggle mechanisms. 
         [0028]    The cam mechanism includes a cam  34 , shown schematically in  FIG. 1 , and a cam follower  36 . Cam  34  is rotatably fixed to an upstream gear  25  ( FIG. 1 ) of gear train  16  and rotates therewith about a center A ( FIG. 1 ), which is spaced from a center of rotation O of gear  25 . Cam  34  is coupled to a proximal end  32  ( FIG. 1 ) of toggle mechanism  22 . Movement of the toggle mechanism  22  causes the arm  50  to move so that the model  10  can be displaced between the flaccid and erect states, as shown respectively in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
         [0029]    As mentioned before, the arm&#39;s length increases as it pivots towards the erect state illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Since arm  50  is made from polymeric elastic material, such as rubber or plastic, its length can be increased by applying a sufficient tensile force to the arm&#39;s distal end  52  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ), provided, of course, the arm&#39;s proximal end is fixed to the casing  18 . 
         [0030]    Application of the tensile force is realized by toggle mechanism  22  having a barrel  24  ( FIG. 3 ) and a plunger  28  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ), which is telescopically mounted in barrel  24  and surrounded by arm  50 . In the flaccid state of arm  50 , a compression spring  30 , which is braced by its opposite ends against barrel  24  and plunger  28 , forces the plunger away from distal end  52  of arm  50 . Thus, in the flaccid state, the distal end of plunger  28  is spaced from the inner surface of distal end  52  of arm  50 . As a consequence, arm  50  is not under tension and has a relatively small length. 
         [0031]    During rotation of cam  34 , its cam surface engages cam follower  36  forcing it to move linearly along a guide channel  26  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ), provided in barrel  24 , and push plunger  28  towards distal end  52  of arm  50 . Accordingly, plunger  28  extends from barrel  24  and urges against the inner surface of the arm&#39;s distal end  52  with a force sufficient to overcome resistance of the arm&#39;s material, which, thus begins to stretch. As a result, the overall length of arm  50  increases, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0032]    As the arm&#39;s length increases, a shape of arm  50  undergoes certain changes due to the elasticity of the arm&#39;s material. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , arm  50  has generally an upwardly curved or convex shape in the flaccid state. In the erect state, as the body of arm  50  stretches, it assumes a rather downwardly curved or concave shape, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0033]    Reversing rotation of motor  14  is associated with retracting cam follower  36  to a position of  FIG. 1 , which, in turn, allows spring  30  to displace plunger  28  from distal end  52  of arm  50 . As a consequence, arm  50  returns to its flaccid state. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b , and  7  illustrate a further embodiment of a demonstration model of the present invention. A model  80  includes a gear train  16 , a motor  14 , an user operated switch  20 , a stand  12 , a power source  38 , and casing  18  as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  5  to demonstrate an erectile process by displacement of a mechanical arm  50 . Arm  50  is suitably clad, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  5 , to be recognizable as a penis. 
         [0035]    Model  80  includes a notched gear  82  in rotational communication via an axle assembly  84  to a gear train such as the one in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  5 . A motor  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 1  and  5 , which is responsive to user activated switch  20  as well as switches  90   a ,  90   b , drives the gear train. Switches  90   a  and  90   b  are mounted to a backing  87  and supported by casing  18 . 
         [0036]    Gear  82  includes a periphery  83  wherein a notch  86  is suitably sized for leads  88   a ,  88   b  of respective switches  90   a ,  90   b . When the leads  88   a  and  88   b  pass into the notch  86 , the space provided by the notch  86  allows the leads  88   a  and  88   b  to become disengaged and interrupt electric flow through wires  89  of the switch. When flow is interrupted, the movement of the arm  50  is stopped and the model has achieved erection or its flaccid state. 
         [0037]    Leads  88   a ,  88   b  may in one embodiment be flexible metal strips that when engaged, i.e. touching each other, transmit electricity in a predetermined circuit, such as the one in  FIG. 7 , to power motor  14 . Typically, periphery  83  forces the leads together to maintain electric contact, as for example leads  88   b  illustrated in  FIG. 6   b , and wherein motor  14  continues in operation to progress in the erectile process or in a returning flaccid process. 
         [0038]    When notch  86  is proximal to one of the leads, those leads expand and electric flow is interrupted, as for example leads  88   a . At that time, motor  14  stops and the movement of the arm  50  is stopped and the model has achieved erection or its flaccid state. To demonstrate the reverse movement, a user engages switch  20 , which preferably is a three-position switch, and the arm reverses direction and accordingly the model progresses from a first state to a second state, such as from a tumescent to a flaccid state or vice versa. 
         [0039]    The three-position switch provides electricity to the motor  14  in a first position or start position, despite the fact that one of the switch  90   a  or  90   b  is open because the leads  88   a  or  88   b  are in a notch  86 . Provision of electricity to the motor  14  allows the notched gear  82  rotate. As the notched gear  82  rotates, the leads  88   a  and  88   b  are both forced out of the notches  86  and thus their respective contacts are closed. In this position, the switch  20  may be released and the model will continue to operate traversing from flaccid to erect or erect to flaccid positions. Upon release, the switch  20  is in a second position, “normal” position. The third position of the switch  20  operates is the same as the first, but provides for rotation of the motor  14  in the opposite direction as the first position. Thus the notched gear  82  can rotate in the opposite direction. 
         [0040]    As with the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  simulate the anatomical conditions of a penis moving from erect ( FIG. 6   a ) to flaccid ( FIG. 6   b ). The gear  82  rotates in the circuit shown by arrow arc A. 
         [0041]    Fixedly attached to gear  82  is a post  94  and acting as a cam follower in a cam  95  to move plunger  92  with respect to a second post  96 . The second post  96  is substantially rigidly mounted to the casing  18  or another suitable point, and remains stationary. 
         [0042]    When the gear  82  rotates, post  94  moves relative to an exterior surface of the casing  18  and the length of the plunger  92  changes along a length B. As a result, on model  80  the arm  50  of  FIG. 1  shortens and the penis appears to become tumescent or flaccid to an observer. 
         [0043]      FIG. 7  illustrates one embodiment of the wiring diagram  100  for an embodiment of model  80  of  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b . Therein, switches  90   a ,  90   b  are connected to a power source  38  by one connecting wire  89  and by another connecting wire to user switch  20 . Connecting wires from the power sources on the side connected to the switches are provided to the respective other side of the user switch to allow the motor, which is preferably connected to the switch at the center terminals, to be operated in reverse. 
         [0044]    This document describes the inventive demonstration model for illustration purposes only. Neither the specific embodiments of the invention as a whole, nor those of its features limit the general principles underlying the invention. In particular, the invention is not limited to a gear train or a two-link toggle mechanism. The gear train may be substituted by a hydraulic or pneumatic structure, whereas the toggle mechanism may have multiple telescopically operating links providing the arm with different sizes, if, of course a need exist. Thus, the specific features described herein may be used in some embodiments, but not in others, without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth. Many additional modifications are intended in the foregoing disclosure, and it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that in some instances some features of the invention will be employed in the absence of a corresponding use of other features. The illustrative examples therefore do not define the metes and bounds of the invention.