GB2275197A

GB2275197A - Applicator for fitting anti-impotence constriction ring

Info

Publication number: GB2275197A
Application number: GB9401696A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeremy Marshall
Original assignee: Owen Mumford Ltd
Current assignee: Owen Mumford Ltd
Priority date: 1993-02-23
Filing date: 1994-02-01
Publication date: 1994-08-24
Also published as: GB9303658D0; GB9401696D0

Abstract

The applicator comprises an annulus 1 which sleeves over an erect penis and which can be used independently or fitted to the forward end of a vacuum pump. Its outer surface has a central cylindrical portion 4 to receive the stretched ring 10 flanked at opposite axial ends by large diameter portions 3 and 6, the rib 3 of the forward portion being only of marginally greater diameter than the cylindrical portion. Beyond this rib 3, the outer surface 2 of the annulus cones inwardly and a separate cone may be used to assist in loading the ring onto the applicator (Fig. 1). <IMAGE>

Description

"Improvements relating to Anplicators for fitting Anti-Impotence Constriction Rings" This invention relates to applicators for fitting antiimpotence constriction rings. * Such rings are well known and are described, for example, in EP-B-0201637, US-3759253 and US-3455301. When fitted around the base of an erect penis, they operate to impede the outflow of blood, and thus maintain the erection.

There can be a problem in fitting them. To stretch the ring, it is generally provided with opposed tabs or loops, but when these are pulled the circular or approximately circular ring elongates in one direction and narrows in the transverse direction, making it no easier to put on. A further pair of loops has been proposed, enabling the ring, in theory, to be stretched into a square, but this is difficult in practice, as the material needs to have quite a high modulus of elasticity for the device to constrict properly.

A solution is first to stretch the ring over a substantially rigid annulus, which can then be slid over the penis down to the base, where the ring is eased off. The annulus is then removed. But since the annulus has to encompass the penis, the ring has to be stretched even further to encircle the annulus. There is a tendency, particularly if a lubricant is used, as is often the case, for the expanded ring to slip off the annulus prematurely; and since it is under considerable hoop tension it has substantial stored energy. If fitting has not yet been attempted, the ring can fly off almost anywhere, while if fitting is in progress it can constrict around the tip or middle of the penis giving pain or acute discomfort at the least. To counteract this, the annulus has hitherto been made fairly long so that the constriction ring can encircle it some way from the end.

The annulus may be used on its own, but it can be adapted to fit the end of a tubular vacuum pump and seal against the body while a partial vacuum is generated to promote erection of the penis inside the tubular body of the pump. A lengthy annulus is a particular disadvantage here, since the ring has to be shuffled along it some way before release, and meanwhile the tube has to be held firmly to maintain the vacuum seal. This is difficult to accomplish.

It will be understood that the invention applies to both types of annulus, (for independent and with-pump use) and that it is designed to guard against premature release of the ring.

According to the present invention there is provided an applicator for fitting an anti-impotence constriction ring, the applicator comprising an annulus having an outer surface with a cylindrical portion flanked at opposite axial ends by larger diameter portions, one such larger diameter portion being of only marginally greater radius than the cylindrical portion.

For use, a constriction ring is eased over this one portion to encircle the cylinder, which can be quite short.

The other larger diameter portion stops it being pushed too far, while said one portion will be sufficiently proud of the cylinder to stop the ring being accidentally pushed back off again.

To make fitting the ring easier, the outer surface of the annulus beyond said one portion may be coned,##reducing towards the end which is forwards towards the man when the applicator is sleeved over a penis.

With the applicator in place at the base of an erect penis, the ring, which will be sitting close to the slightly enlarged portion, is eased by thumb and/or fingers over that portion. This will generally be a smoothly contoured rib and the operation can be carried out simply, with one hand.

Once over this rib, the ring will contract and slide down and off the coned portion to lodge around the base of the penis. The coned portion allows a slow, controlled contraction of the ring, with obvious benefits. The applicator can then be removed.

For a better understanding of the invention, some embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a method of fitting and removing a constriction ring without a vacuum pump, and Figures 2 and 3 each show (a) a side view, (b) an end view and (c) an axial section of an applicator according to the invention.

Figure 1 is self-explanatory. The cone to help load the ring is a known device and is set aside once used.

The applicators of Figures 2 and 3 differ primarily in diameter at one end, to accommodate different size constriction rings. Each consists of an annular ring 1, of plastics material or stiff rubber for example. Externally, there is a coned nose 2, smoothly contoured at the tip, an annular rounded shoulder or rib 3 at the base of the# cone, a cylindrical portion 4 of slightly less diameter than the rib 3, and a more substantial shoulder 5 at the other, rear end of the portion 4 leading to an enlarged annular base 6.

Internally, each applicator is stepped at the rear end, sealingly to receive the end of a cylinder of a vacuum pump.

They are thus identical in size and configuration in this area. However, the applicator of Figure 2 is longer than that of Figure 3 and funnels towards the forward end in a first, short and sharply angled coned section 7 and then in a second, longer and only slightly angled coned section 8.

The cone angles may be respectively 300 and 50. This results in a smaller diameter forward end than that of the shorter annulus of Figure 3, which has a simple, unbroken internal coned surface 9, with an angle of 80 for example.

A constriction ring 10 is temporarily held on such an applicator as illustrated in broken lines in Figures 2(a) and 3(a). It is safe from being slipped off the rear end by virtue of the shoulder 5, while the rib 3 is sufficient to stop accidental release in the forward direction, although allowing the ring to be eased over it in a controlled manner.

Claims

1. An applicator for fitting an anti-impotence constriction ring, the applicator comprising an annulus having an outer surface with a cylindrical portion flanked at opposite axial ends by larger diameter portions, one such larger diameter portion being of only marginally greater radius than the cylindrical portion.

2. An applicator as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the annulus beyond said one portion from the cylindrical portion is coned, reducing towards the end.

3. An applicator as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the other, larger diameter portion is at the axial end of the annulus adapted to fit sealingly to a vacuum pump.

4. An applicator for fitting an anti-impotence constriction ring substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.