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Abstract

A method and apparatus for surgically implanting a penile prosthesis for the treatment of erectile impotence. This is accomplished by surgically implanting two separate penile implants each comprising an elongated receptacle containing an electro-rheological fluid; electrodes positioned along the elongated receptacle, so that the electro-rheological fluid is interposed between the electrodes; and, e.g., a power source for applying a potential difference across the electrodes wherein the change in viscosity of the electro-rheological fluid contained in the elongated receptacle is directly proportional to the change in potential difference across the electrodes. As the potential difference across the electrodes increases, the viscosity of the electro-rheological fluid increases and the elongated receptacle becomes more rigid, thus a penile erection is accomplished. The elongated receptacle may also be attached to a flexible reservoir to regulate the supply of electro-rheological fluid contained in the elongated receptacle.

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First Claim