DEVICE FOR TREATMENT ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for treatment of erectile dysfunction using a combination of heat and negative pressure.

Claims

1. A method for treating erectile dysfunction comprising: applying negative pressure to penile tissue while heating said penile tissue with thermal energy, wherein a combination of said negative pressure and said thermal energy improves blood flow in said penile tissue to treat erectile dysfunction of said penile tissue, wherein said negative pressure is below ambient pressure and said penile tissue is heated to a heated temperature above body temperature.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said thermal energy is applied from a source of optical energy.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said source of optical energy is a laser.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said source of optical energy is a light emitting diode.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein said source of optical energy is a filament lamp.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein said source of optical energy is a gas-filled lamp.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the negative pressure comprises pulses of negative pressure.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the negative pressure comprises continuous application of negative pressure.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said heated temperature does not exceed a coagulation temperature of said penile tissue.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said heated temperature does not exceed 45° C.

11. A method for treating erectile dysfunction comprising: applying alternating negative and positive pressure to a penile tissue while heating said penile tissue with thermal energy, wherein a combination of said alternating negative and positive pressure and said thermal energy improves blood flow in said penile tissue to treat erectile dysfunction of said penile tissue, wherein said negative pressure is below ambient pressure and said positive pressure is above ambient pressure and said penile tissue is heated to a temperature above normal body temperature.

12. A method for treating erectile dysfunction comprising: stretching penile tissue while heating said penile tissue with thermal energy, wherein a combination of said stretching and said thermal energy improves blood flow in said penile tissue to treat erectile dysfunction of said penile tissue, wherein said stretching opens compressed blood vessels and said penile tissue is heated to a heated temperature above normal body temperature.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said stretching is created by applying negative pressure to said penile tissue.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] In the accompanying drawings:

[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a device, in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, attached to the patient.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an applicator in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the invention.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a vacuum system in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the invention.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a disposable vacuum chamber in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the invention.

[0039] FIG. 5 is an illustration of light penetration depth in a preferred (but non-limiting) spectrum.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, a device 2 includes an applicator 4, which is applied to a penis of a patient 1. Device 2 includes a controller 10, one or more power supplies 11, a vacuum pump 12, and a display 3 (with a user interface, such as a touch panel or keyboard and the like). The applicator 4 is coupled to device 2 with an articulated arm 8, which is used to position applicator 4 on patient 1. Applicator 4 may be connected to the controller 10, power supply 11, and vacuum pump 12 of device 2 via a harness 5 and a connector 6.

[0041] The patient 1 lies or sits on a bed 7 during the treatment. The treatment attendant can apply applicator 4 to the penis, set treatment parameters and activate the treatment. The articulated arm 8 maintains the position of applicator 4 during the treatment, which can last from 15-90 minutes.

[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates structure of applicator 4, which includes a vacuum chamber 22 with an opening 25. The penis is inserted into chamber 22 through opening 25 and is attached to the patient with a firm pressure to seal vacuum chamber 22. Vacuum chamber 22 may be made from plastic transparent for visible and near infrared light. One or more light sources 24 irradiate the penile tissue radially to heat the penile tissue. Vacuum suction, i.e., the negative pressure created by the vacuum pump 12 (FIG. 1), may be communicated to chamber 22 through a tube 21 and air filter 23.

[0043] Another version of a disposable vacuum applicator is shown in FIG. 4. This vacuum applicator includes a cylinder 47 made from transparent plastic with an opening 44 for inserting the penis into vacuum chamber 41. Vacuum suction is performed through the inlet 45 connected to the applicator and sealed with a silicone O-ring 43. The air passes through a filter 42 separated from the vacuum chamber 41 with a grid 46. A rubber ring may be applied at opening 44 of the vacuum chamber 41 for better sealing between vacuum chamber 41 and attached tissue.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one version of the vacuum pump for use in the device. The vacuum pump 31 is connected to a reservoir 32 having a much larger volume than a vacuum chamber 35 in the applicator. Vacuum pump 31 is used to create the required vacuum in reservoir 32. A vacuum sensor 33 may be used to monitor the vacuum level in the reservoir 32, and may be used to maintain the vacuum at a predetermined level. Controller 36 monitors input from vacuum sensor 33 and activates vacuum pump 31 accordingly to maintain the vacuum level. In order to apply vacuum pulses to the tissue, controller 36 may open valve 34 that connects reservoir 32 and vacuum chamber 35. To release vacuum in the treatment chamber 35, the vacuum valve 34 is closed and pressure valve 37 is opened allowing air with atmospheric pressure to fill the treatment chamber 35.

[0045] Non-limiting parameters for the device of the invention are as follows:

[0046] 1. Vacuum level applied to the tissue is in the range of −100 to −400 mbar.

[0047] 2. Vacuum may be applied with pulses having duration from 1 to 30 sec.

[0048] 3. The optical energy for heating the tissue may be in the wavelength range of 600 to 1300 nm.

[0049] 4. The optical energy source may be an LED or diode laser.

[0050] 5. The power density of optical energy on the tissue surface may be 0.1 to 5 W

[0051] 6. Tissue heating 38-45° C. The heated temperature does not exceed a coagulation temperature of the penile tissue.

[0052] In contrast to the above described invention, different combinations of thermal and mechanical energies may be used, for example, combinations of heat and mechanical forces generated by shock wave energy, ultrasonic energy and/or vibration energy may be used.