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Abstract

A penile prosthesis employing an improved pump and valve system. The main body of the prosthesis has at least one inflatable polymer cylinder suitable for implantation within the corpus cavernosum of the male patient. The penis of the patient is rendered erect by pumping a sterile fluid into the inflatable polymer cylinder(s) under adequate pressure. The sterile fluid is supplied from a reservoir and pump implanted within the scrotum of the patient which are linked to the inflatable polymer cylinder(s) by flexible tubing. The reservoir is a relatively low pressure flexible polymer bag of relatively large volume. Coupled to the reservoir by a valved diaphragm is a pump having only much less flexible walls and a relatively small volume. Manual squeezing of the reservoir forces sterile fluid through the valved diaphragm into the pump chamber. Because the walls of the pump are more rigid, the sterile fluid is conveyed under pressure through the tubing to the inflatable polymer cylinder(s) producing the erectile state. A check valve is located within the inflatable polymer cylinder(s) to prevent premature release of the pressurized sterile fluid, and thus, sustain the erectile state until manual manipulation of the check valve. The released sterile fluid is returned via the flexible tubing to the pump chamber in the scrotum. However, because of its relative rigidity, the sterile fluid exits the pump via the valved diaphragm and returns to the reservoir.

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First Claim