Apparatus for stimulating living tissue

Abstract

Electrodes for stimulating living tissue such as penile, scrotal, anal, vaginal and clitoral tissue are shown. The electrodes are formed from elastomeric material. Electrical stimulation to such areas is intended to control incontinence, to induce penile erection, or to induce excitation and orgasm. Three embodiments of a tube electrode formed from elastomeric material, have a nonconductive base, and a conductive tube weaving through holes in the base. Two have single adjustable loops and are for use around penile or scrotal tissue, and against anal tissue. The third comprises two loops, one to wrap each testicle against scrotal tissue.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a Continuation-In-Part of “Apparatus for Stimulating Living Tissue” invented by David Boutos, Ser. No. 08 / 568,875, filed Dec. 7, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,966 and “Apparatus for Stimulating Penile, Scrotal, Anal, Vaginal and Clitoral Tissue” invented by David Boutos, Ser. No. 08 / 369,172, filed Jan. 5, 1995, issued Nov. 5, 1996 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,118.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention relates to apparatus for applying electrical energy to living tissue.[0004]More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus for electrically stimulating penile, scrotal, and vaginal and clitoral tissue.[0005]In a further and more specific aspects, the invention relates to electrically stimulating penile, scrotal, vaginal and clitoral tissue for the purposes of treating incontinence in men and women, and for inducing penile erection, male and female orgasm.[0006]2. Prior Art[0007]It is widely kno...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0022]Briefly, to achieve the desired objects of the instant invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, provided is a first tube electrode to which a source of electricity may be attached. The tube electrode is mounted in a holding plate with two holes. A first end of the tube electrode is fixed to the holding plate in one hole, and held in position at the second hole of the holding plate by an O-ring, allowing the tube electrode to be sized about an object.

[0024]A second tube electrode like the first may be inserted anally instead thereby stimulating that tissue and the nearby prostate for assisting in controlling incontinence, or for excitation. This second tube electrode uses a wedge instead of a holding plate, thereby preventing the device from traveling too far into the anal cavity.

Problems solved by technology

Also known is that the application of electrical stimulation to penile tissue can cause erection where impotence may exist due to physiological or psychological conditions.

Urinary incontinence is a common problem that may require long term retraining of self-control, particularly after a stroke, or permanent use of an external control device.

The prior art does not teach of apparatus that is designed to be worn while the user, fully dressed, moves about his or her everyday course of events.

Rigid rings are particularly problematic where penile atrophy has occurred, and the desired goal is erection or orgasm.

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