CA1226776A - Condom with opening means for easy mounting - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A condom comprises an elongated generally tubular member of thin, flexible material and having an elongated opening provided along at least a substantial portion of the length of the elongated tubular member so as to faciliate placing the elongated tubular member over a flaccid penis. The elongated tubular member may contain a plurality of compartments, each of which contains rheopexic material so that the condom stiffens in use. A slide fastener (such as a zipper) closure is provided for closing the elongated opening after placing the condom on a flaccid penis. Further disclosed is an elongated generally tubular member containing rheopexic material for use as an implanted penile prosthesis which stiffens upon agitation.

Description

I

TITLE:
"CONDOM WITH OPENING MEANS FOR EASY MOUNTING"

This invention relates to stiffening devices or a penis, and more particularly to a condom which may be easily affixed even to a flaccid 10 penis, and also to implant-type stiffening devices.
At present, two types of condoms are known: the roll on type which foils over the penis; and the pull over type which is pulled over the penis. Thea of these known condoms are suitable for use only when the penis is erect. If the penis is flaccid, for example as would be the case with an impotent male, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible to place the condom on the penis. .

More particularly, when condoms using rheopexic fluid as a sit phoning agent, as disclosed and claimed in my U S. Patent No. 4,432~357 , which condoms are particularly suitable for us with impotent males, it is difficult to place the condom over the M awaked penis.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a condom which may be easily placed over the penis of the user, even flaccid penis of an impotent male.
Penile implants are presently well known. Typical penile implants are discussed in an article entitled, "Complications of Penile Prosthesis Surgery for Impotence'! by Joseph J. Kaufman, Ante Landowner and Shalom Razz The journal of Urology, volume 128, December 1982, pages 1192 and 1193, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.- Penile prosthetic devices are also discussed on the article entitled, "Penile Prosthetic Surgery Under Local Anesthesia" by Joseph J..Kau~man, The Journal Of Urology, Volume 128, December 1982, pages 1190 and 1191, the entire contents of which are also incorporated herein by reference. The known penile prosthesis us generally a semirigid rod or an inflatable device. The semi-rigid rod has the disadvantage of always being semirigid The inflatable .

. .

.
I` , yo-yo device has -the disadvantage of requiring aclrl:itlorlal structures to inflate and cleflat-~ the pros-thesis. These prior art devices are thus unsatisfactory.
Thoroughfare, a further object of the present invention is -to provide a penile prosthesis which may he easily implanted in the penis and which is simpler in desicJn and operation than the prior art devices.
Yet another object of -the invention is to provide a condom which may be easily placed over the penis of the user, even a flaccid penis of an impotent male, which condom need not include the stiffening repack material disclosed herein end disclosed in my US. Patent 4,432,357 issued February 21, 1984. Such a condom is particularly useful with impotent males using other penis stiffening- means, and who require the use of a condom for birth and/or disease control.

~L2~67~

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a condom comprises an elongated generally tubular member of thin, flexible material an elongated opening provided along at least a substantial portion of the length of the elongated tubular member so as to facilitate placing the elongated tubular member over a flaccid penis; and means for closing the elongated opening after placing of the condom on a flaccid penis. Preferably, the tubular member has chambers thereon for receiving rheopexic material to serve as a stiffening agent.
A penile prosthesis according to the present invention comprises an elongated generally tubular member having closed ends and defining at least one chamber therein; and a rheopexic material in the at least one chamber and retained sealingly within the at least one chamber; the elongated tubular member being adapted to be implanted in a penis.

: , . . .

if I

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a condom, on its erected state, according to the present invention, Fig. ? us a cross-sectional view of the condom of Fig. 1, drawn to an enlarged scale;
Fig. 3 is a partial perspective, partial cross-sectional view of a modified condom of Fig. 1, but provided with a protective flap, drawn to an enlarged scale;
Fig. 4 is a further example of the invention wherein the protective flap of Fig. 3 us replaced with a protective sleeve;
Fig. 5 illustrates a modification of the embodiment of Fig. 4 wherein the sleeve comprises a roll-down sleeve integrally formed with the front portion of the condom;
Fig. 6 illustrates the embodiment of Fig. 5 with the roll-down sleeve partially rolled down;
Fig. 7 illustrates a condom with a zip-type closure having a slide fastener device thereon;
_ _ , Fig. 8 is a detail perspective cross-section of one type of conventional slide fastener device as used in Figs. 7, 9 and 10;
Fig. 9 illustrates a modified embodiment of Fig. 1 wherein the slide fastener device extends at a right angle to the longitudinal direction of the condom at the base or bottom portion thereof;
Fig. 10 illustrates a modification of the embodiment of Fig. 9;
Fig. 11 i illustrates the invention as applied to a penile prosthesis;
Fig. 12 illustrates a penile prosthesis of Fig. 11 in greater detail; and Fig. 13 illustrates a modified embodiment of the prosthesis of Figs. 11 and 12.

,., ~2~6i~7~

D _ IDLED DESCRIPTION
The condoms of -the present invention preferably are generally of -the type illustrated irk my ITS Pa-tent No.
AYE. The condom it provided with a plurality of chambers or compartments lo illustrated in Fig. 2, which compartments are filled with repack fluid of the type disclo6ecl in said US. Patent No. 4,432,357. The rheopexic fluid is not discussed in detail herein. also, the various compartments containing the rheopexic fluids may be of -the type shown in said ITS patent No. 4,432,357, a detailed description not being given herein. The compartments are shown schematically in Fits. 2 and 3, but are no-t shown in the other drawings of the present application.
While the present invention it particularly useful with condoms using repack fluid therein as a stiffening agent, the concepts ox the present invention can be used with other types of condoms having other stiffening devices and wherein the penis may be provided with an internal implant type stiffening device. The concepts of the present invention are also applicable to condom havincJ no stiffening means per so or to condoms having stiffening means other than those specifically disclosed herein. The main object of the present invention is to provide a condom which can be placed on a flaccid penis, for example by impotent males.

.

~22~7~

Referring to Fig. 1, the condom 20 comprlses,'for example, a condom as shown in US. Patent No. 4,432,357 with inner and outer layers, waving rheopexic fluid therein. The condom is further provided with an elongated opening member 21 which may be generally no the type design noted as a "zip-lock" closure. The closure is shown in more detail in Fig. 2. The closure 21 comprises lnterengaging members I 23, the member 23 having a projection 24 thereon which engages in a recess 25 of member 22.
Preferably, the projection 24 has a protrusion 25 which engages on a concave portion 27 of the recess 25 to provide a firm interlocking engagement of the projection 24 in the recess 25. The closure in Figs. 1 and 2 is closed by pressing the members 22~ 23 together along the direction of the arrows A
shown on Fig. 2. This will provide a firm, liquid-tight seal along the length ox the condom, and since the condom is supplied with the locking members 22, 23 opened, the condom may be easily placed over the pens, the closure members then being pressed together in the direction of the arrows A in Fig. 2, to firmly close the condom over the penis, ready for use. Preferably, the locking members 22, 23 are fabricated of maternal why oh is former than that of the material forming the circular part of the condom. Also, the condom preferably has about one inch at the top thereof -' - - F`

Lo I

which is solid or closed (not provided with the zip-type opening) for accumulation of ejaculated spermatozoa. By providing the solid or closed upper or head portion of the condom, the safety aspect of preventing possible leakage of spermatozoa after ejaculation is improved.
As shown in Fig. 3, a flap, of latex so having compartments containing rheopexic fluid, can be provided to go over the zip-type closure of Figs. 1 and 2 to prevent irritation from occurring to the sex partner. Preferably, the flap 30 illustrated infix 3 extends upwardly above the upper portion of closure members 22, 23 and is adhered or sealed to the condom at 31. This I insures that the flap will remain covering the closure members 22, 23 during use, and provides a smoother outer surface of the condom to further prevent irrupt-lion from occurring to the sex partner.
As shown on Fig. 3 an inner flap 35 may be provided to protect the male organ from irritation due to the closure 22, 23. The inner flap 35 is prefer-ably generally coextensive with outer flap 30.
., .

'; .

I`

Lo I

Fig. 4 illustrates a modified protective arrangement wherein a sleeve 40 is slid over the condom after the condom is placed over the penis. For example, after the condom is placed over the penis and the ~ip-closure members 22, 23 are pressed together to close same, the sleeve 40 is then slipped over the closed condom to serve as a protective layer to prevent irritation to the sex partner.
Fig. 5 illustrates an improved arrangement of providing a circular sleeve over the condom for protective purposes. In Fig. 5, the sleeve 50 is integrally ford at the upper portion 51 of the condom with the outer surface of the condom so as to provide a smooth junction which will not irritate the sex partner. The sleeve 50 is rolled up, as shown in Fig. 5. After closure of the zip closure members 22, 23, the sleeve 50 is then rolled downwardly to completely cover the zip closure member in a secure and positive fashion. Fig. 6 illustrates the roll-down sleeve 50 at an intermediate position, it being clear that sufficient material is provided in the roll-down sleeve 50 to permit-it to be rolled all the way down to the base of the condom.

, ~i6i7~

In the above embodiments, it should be clear that the zip-closur~
members 22, 23 are tapered at the upper ends or at the head portion of the condom, as shown in Fig. 1, to further prevent irritation to the sex partner. This is shown by means of inclined surfaces 28 in Fig. 1.
Fig. 7 illustrates a modified embodiment wherein the closure comprises a plastic zipper (a slide fastener device 60 utilizing a conventional zipper slide 61 for closing the plastic zipper. The plastic slide fastener or zipper members 62, 63 are integrally formed with edges 64, 65 of the condom, as are the closure members 22, 23 with the edges of the condom 20 shown in Fig. 1.
The zipper 60 is of conventional construction and is shown in detail in Fig. 8.
To use top condom of Fig. 7, the condom in its open state, is placed over the flaccid penis, and the slide 61 is pulled downwardly toward the base of the penis to firmly close the plastic zipper 60. The slide 61 can be removed completely from the condom at the base portion of the condom, or a stop member 66 can be formed at the bottom of the condom to prevent the slide 61 from comingoff the base of the condom. This arrangement will permit the zipper 60 to be reused, thereby permitting the condom to be reused, as desired. If the stop members 66 are provided to prevent the slide 61 from coming off the end of the zipper members 62, 63, it is desirable that some type of protective device be provided at the base of the condom to prevent the retained slide 61 from irritating the sex partner. A suitable device is a sleeve such as shown on Fig. 4, but the sleeve not being as long as the sleeve of Fig. 4 since it is only necessary to cover the lower end portion of the zipper 60. Also, in this embodiment, it is preferable to use a flap such as flap 30 to protect the sex partner from irritation by the zipper 60. Sleeve 40 of Fig. 4 could also be used for protective purposes. The roll-down sleeve 50 of Figs.
5 and 6 could also be used, this arrangement being very advantageous since it will also "roll" relatively easily over the slide 61 at the base portion of the condom to serve as a protector shield therefore As seen in Fig. 7, a flap 80 can be integrally formed with the lower portion of the condom 67, the flap By having an adhesive portion 81 covered by a release material (such as a release paper) 82. In use, when the slide 61 is moved down to the bottom of the condom, the release paper 82 is removed and the flap 80 is placed across the bottom portion of the condom, over the slide 61, and adhered to the opposite side of the condom, thereby covering the slide 61 and also securely locking the condom in its closed position to prevent inadvertent opening thereon.

2~7~

Such a flap 80 can also be provided in the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 6 to insure that the bottom portion of the condom will remain closed. The flap 30 in the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 6 is not illustrated in the drawings, but it can be implemented in substantially the same way as shown in Fig. 7. The inner and outer flaps 35, 30, respectively, shown in Fig. 3 may have adhesive portions along their longitudinal vertically extending free edges, the adhesive material being covered by a release paper or the like. During use, the free ends of the flaps 30 andlor 35 can be adhered to the remaining portion of the condom, if desired. It is generally not necessary to provide an adhesive for the inner flap 35 since it will be retained in place by the pressure of the condom on the penis.
If adhesive securing of the free edge of a flap is desired it is generally preferable to use it in connection with outer flap 30.

I` ' Fig. l:llustra-tec. a further ~nodi~iecl embod:imerlt whe-rfl:ir -the 3ipperl or slide fasteller 60 is turned at royalty ankles at the base portion of the kindly so that after the slide 61 is pulled down, the slide its retained in a horizontal rather than vertical position relative -to the penis. PA protective sleeve lo is provided at -the base portion of the condom -to serve as protection from irritation of -the partner by the slide 61. The sleeve 70 is shown outwardly spaced from condom I in Fig. 9 for ease of illustration, but preferably it is of elastic material and is tightly formed against the main body of the condom 68. In the embodiment of Fig. 9, the roll-down sleeve 50 of Figs. 5 and 6, is used. Alternatively, the slip-on sleeve 40 of Fig. 4 or the flap 30 of Fig. 3 can be provided either with or without the upwardly directed lower sleeve 70, for protective purposes. Still further, as seen in Fig. 10, the sleeve I can be provided in a roll-up manner, such as the roll-down sleeve 50 of Figs. 5 and 6. In Fig. 9, after the slide 61 is slid down -to -the base of the condom 68, the roll-up sleeve 71 is rolled upwardly, as shown in chain lines, -to cover the slide 61. The sleeve I is of elastic material and preferably tightly encircles the base of the condom so as to securely cover the slide 61.

In the embodiments of Fits. 9 and 10, since a fixate mulberry it located at the base of the condom, it is more difficult to insert the condom onto a flaccid penis than the embodiments discussed previously. However, if the zipper or slide fastener device for the elongated opening of the condom is in the open state during insertion of the penis, i-t is still possible to relatively easily insert the condom over the penis since -the user can extend his fingers through -the elongated open closure and pull the flaccid penis through the lo lower members 70 or 71 figs. 9 and lo respectively). After the penis is pulled through the lower portion JO, 71, then the condom can be closed in -the longitudinal direction, as discussed hereinabove.
Once the condom of the present invention is placed on -the penis, a "pseudo erection" can take place by means of the rheopex.ic material such as disclosed in US. Patent No.
4,432,357, or by other means which may be provided either within the condom or within the penis of -the user.
Any of -the condoms of Figs. lo may have rheopexic fluid roving chambers was seen in Fig. 2), or such chambers may be eliminated. When the chambers are eliminated, the condom may be a single layer condom having the same opening and closing constructions as shown in Figs. l and Lowe -to aid in placing the condom over a flaccid or semi-flaccid penis.
Such a condom may have stiffening means other -than repacks fluid or may have no stiffening means at all. Penile implants, such as those already known or those shown in Figs.
if 13 may be used with the condoms which have rheopexic fluid receiving chambers as shown in Fig. 2 or with those openable condoms not using rheopexic fluid.

.
While a particular slide fastener 60 is shown, other equivalent elongated fasteners can be used.
. .
Fig. 11 shows a penile prosthesis which is implanted in a penis.
Fig. I shows two penile prostheses 100, 101, which prostheses are generally elongated tubular members having rheopexic material therein.
Fig. lo shows a broken view of a typical prosthesis 100 with rheopexic fluid 102 therein. The advantage of the penile prosthesis of Figs. 11 and 12 is that in the normal state, the tubular prosthesis 100 is generally flaccid. In an agitated state, the rheopexic material within the prosthesis 100, 101 will stiffen the prosthesis 100, 101 due to the characteristics of rheopexic materials, thereby providing a "pseudo`
erection". Upon cessation of stimulation, the rheopexic maternal will revert back to its normal, non-agitated state and the penis will then again become flaccid. These are precisely the characteristics required of a penile prosthesis.
The details of implanting a penile prosthesis of the present invention into a penis is not given herein since such details are known, as is evident from the two articles entitled, "Complications of Penile Prosthesis Surgery for Impotence" and pinwheel Prosthetic Surgery Under Local Anesthesia which were mentioned hereinabove. The tubular members lug, 101 can be made I' ' of inert, flexible biologically safe materials, such as polypropylene or similar materials so as to contain the rheopexic material in a leak-proof or liquid-tight state. Similar materials asarQ used for inflatable penile prostheses can be used for the elongated tubular members 100, 101 of the present invention.
The elongated prosthesis shown in Figs. 11 and 12 can be provided with compartments or chambers therein, such as shown in high 13. For example, a longitudinally extending divider 103 can be provided internally of the prosthesis lo to divide same into upper and lower compartments 104, 105, each of which is sealed off from each other and each ox which is filled with repacks material 102. The prosthesis of Fig. 13 can also be divided unto adjacent longitudinally extending compartments by providing internal dividers 106 which extend vertically on Fig. 13. The longitudinal divider 103 and/or the vertically extending dividers 106 can be provided, as desired, depending upon the characteristics required and the type of rheopexic material used .
. ' . . , ' ' .

I

The rheopexic fluid used in the invention is preferably an aqueous solution of a dialkyl sulfosuccinate salt o the formula C~2C~O~OR
M-03-S-~-C(O)OR

wherein R it an alkyd group containing 6 to 12 carbon Amy and preferably to 12 carbon atoms with the octal ego., 2-e~hylhexYl) group being particularly preferred. M it a Group IA ion and parboil sodium, putts or loath, with sodium being pyrrhic-laxly preferred. The 1,4-bis(2-ethylhexyl) sodium sulfo~urcina~e I the most preferred co~pound7 ye aqueous solution is preferably a Normal saline solution l0-9 gram of sodium chloride in 100 milliliters of waxer) or a Ringer 3 solution (0.86 gram sodium chloride 0.03 gram potassium chloride and 0.33 gram calcium chloride in 100 milliliters of water. These solutions are xefarred to as physiological locator-lyre solutions or commonly physiological solution.
Thy solutions can contain from about 0.7 to 1.3 Grimm of the Walt per 100 milliliters of water and preferably button about 0. 8 and 0.10 grams. true range of button about û . 85 and 0 . 95 I per 100 milliliter is particularly preread.
The dialkyl (erg,. p the 1,q-bis(2-e~hylhexyl~ sulfos~ccinate call it dissolved in the physiological solution in art amount between abut 15 and 200 gram per loo milliliters ox solution and preferably in an amount between about 19 and 100 grams. The range of between about 19 and 65 grams is particularly preferred.
The rheopexic solution should have a pi of at 1 at about 4 to exhibit the desired rheopexic characteristics. It preferably ha a pi of at least about 5, with the range between about 5 and Boeing preferred; The effect of pi on rheopexic dispersions of ductile sodium sulfosuccinate in Normal saline are disclosed in an article by Levinson, Allen and Diagle in the Journal of Killed and Interface Science, Vol. 72, No. 1, October 15~ 1979, pages 159-160.
Other characteristics of rheopexic dispersion of ductile ffodium ~ulfosuccinate are disclosed in the L~vinson, Ellen and igloo article in the Journal of Killed and Interface science, Sol. 56, No. 2, August 1976, page 388-390, and in the Levi non Allen Vishnu pad and Ecanow article it the Journal of Pharmacy-tickle sciences, Vol. I No. 8, August 1976, pagefi 1265-1266.
the rheopexic solution can ye prepared by dissolving thy d~alkyl ~ulfosuccinate salt it the physiological Solon Thy i lo may be in the form of a solid or in the form of a Diaspora lotion in water or a waxer mixture, such as a waxer alcohol Jo White glycol mixture.
The prefixed source of sodium ductile sulfosuccinate are .1 I, .~' toe AEROSOL OX ~urfactants marketed by American Cyanamid. The I' preread product it AEROSOL OX 100 which it a waxy solid sodium doughtily ~ulfosueeinat~. The I 75 which contains about 75% of the solid salt and 25% of a mixture ox we or and alcohol and the OX 70 Pi high contains about 70% of the solid salt with the I` I

remainder a mixture of water and propylene glycol Allah have provided useful rheopexic fluids when dissolved in the foe logical solution.

The rheopexic effect is obtained over a wide temperature S range between freezing and boiling with the range ox 1.5C to 100C being preferred and the range of 1.5C 29C bring portico-lily preferred.

the gel viscosity attained and the time during which the gel will remain it gel form after the applied stress is removed varies with the particular sulfosuccinate salt form used to prepare the rheopexic solution. A rheopexic solution prepared from OUGHT Lowe solid salt) (l) attains a hither viscosity than a rh~opexic solution prepared from OUGHT an (Z) retains its gel viscosity for a longer time after the applied stress is removed.

The rh~opexic fluid used in the embodiments exemplified herein was prepared by dissolving 19 parts by weight of solid powdery sodium 1,4-bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (EASILY Outyell) it loo ml. of Normal saline solution.

I

. '' The rheopexic fluid described above is used in accordance with the present invention in condoms wherein the thickening effect of the rheopexic fluid under application of shear stress causes stiffening of the condom during use, thereby aiding the user in maintaining an erection.

,............. . I` .

Claims (19)

CLAIMS:

1. A condom comprising:
an elongated generally tubular member (20) of thin, flexible material;
an elongated opening (21; 60) provided along at least a substantial portion of the length of said elongated tubular member (20) so as to facilitate placing said elongated tubular member over a flaccid penis;
said elongated tubular member (20) having an open base end and a closed, continuous, substantially smooth head end portion at the end thereof opposite said open end, said closed head end portion being adapted to cover a head portion of a penis and to contain ejaculated spermatozoa; and means (22, 23; 61, 62, 63) for closing said elongated opening (21; 60) after placing of said condom on a flaccid penis.

2. The condom of claim 1, wherein said elongated opening extends along substantially the complete length of said elongated tubular member, except for said closed head end portion of said elongated tubular member.

3. The condom of claim 1, wherein said closing means comprises a slide fastener.

4. The condom of claim 19 wherein said elongated opening has opposed edges, and wherein said closing means comprises a first elongated member on one of said edges of said elongated opening and defining an elongated groove-like receptacle which is substantially coextensive with said elongated opening, and a second elongated member extending along the other of said edges of said elongated opening and having an elongated projection thereon which is substantially coextensive with said elongated groove-like receptacle and which is lockingly and sealingly engageable in said groove-like receptacle to close said elongated opening along the complete length of the condom portion which extends along the penis after said condom is placed over a penis to provide a liquid tight closing of said elongated opening, said closing means presenting substantially smooth inner and outer surfaces along its length when in its liquid tight closed position.

5. The condom of claim 4, wherein said elongated tubular member includes protective means (30; 50; 71; 80) extending over at least a portion of said closing means.

6. The condom of claim 5, wherein said protective means comprises a flap member (30) extending from one end of said elongated opening, over said closing means, to the other end of said elongated opening.

7. The condom of claim 6, wherein said flap means (30) integrally extends from said closed head end of said elongated tubular member.

8. The condom of claim 5, wherein said protective means comprises an elongated sleeve (50) arranged over said elongated tubular member at least over the length of said condom along which said closing means extends.

9. The condom of claim 5, wherein said protective means comprises a roll-down sleeve (50) which extends around the complete periphery of said elongated tubular member and which is initially rolled up so as to be rollable down along the length of said condom to extend said sleeve (50) over substantially the complete length of said closing means.

10. The condom of claim 6, wherein said flap member (30) extends externally of said elongated tubular member.

11. The condom of claim 6, wherein said protective means comprises said flap member extending interior of said elongated tubular member.

12. The condom of claim 11, wherein said protective means further comprises a flap member extending externally of said elongated tubular member from one end of said elongated opening, over substantially the complete length of said closing means, to the other end of said elongated opening.

13. The condom of claim 1, wherein said elongated opening has opposed edges, and wherein said closing means comprises a slide fastener having a slide which is slideable along said opposed edges to close said slide fastening means.

14. The condom of claim 13, wherein said slide is removable from the ends of said closing means after said slide closes said closing means.

15. The condom of claim 13, wherein said closing means comprises stop means to prevent said slide from sliding off of said closing means after closure of said closing means, and wherein said elongated tubular member further comprises a roll-up sleeve means encircling the base end of said condom and which is unrollable upwardly for covering said slide after said slide is slid along the length of said condom to close said closing means.

16. The condom of any one of claims 1, 5 or 9, wherein said elongated generally tubular member includes a plurality of separated chambers distributed around at least one of the periphery and length thereof;
and rheopexic material sealed within said plurality of chambers.

17. A penile prosthesis comprising:
an elongated member defining at least one closed chamber therein, said at least one chamber having at least a flexible portion; and a rheopexic material in said at least one chamber and retained sealingly within said at least one chamber;
said elongated member being adapted to be implanted in a penis.

18. The penile prosthesis of claim 17, wherein said elongated member is made of flexible material and comprises at least one divider internally thereof so as to divide the interior space of said elongated member into at least two chambers which are sealed from each other, each of said at least two chambers containing said rheopexic material.

19. The penile prosthesis of claim 17, comprising a pair of said elongated members, each containing rheopexic material therein, said two elongated members being adapted to being implanted into a common penis.