摘要 |
<p>PENILE IMPLANT A penile prosthesis (20, 200) comprising at least one cylinder (22) for implantation in the penis and including a front tip section (24), an intermediate section (28), and a rear tail section (26). The intermediate section (28) includes at least one tubular member (46, 204) which is inflatable, and arranged to assume an elongated rigid and hard state from a flexible, flaccid state upon the application of an operating liquid (42) under pressure thereto. An expandable bellows (36) having an actuating fluid (38) therein is located in the tip section. The actuating fluid (38) expands from a first state to a second higher volume state upon the application of energy (e.g., heat) thereto. The expansion action causes an operating liquid (42) located in at least one reservoir (40, 222) to be provided under pressure to the inflatable tubular member (46, 204) in the intermediate section to cause it to become erect. Upon the dissipation of said energy from the actuating fluid the bellows (36) contracts, whereupon the intermediate section (28) of the cylinder becomes flaccid again.</p> |