Penile tumescence measuring device
The present invention is directed to a device for measurement of the rigidity and/or tumescence of a penis during a penile tumescent event. In particular, the device of the present invention comprises axial and/or radial monitoring means for monitoring the axial and/or radial tumescence and/or rigidity of a penis during a penile tumescent event. The present invention further also provides methods for monitoring the axial and/or radial tumescence and rigidity of a penis.
1 . A device for measuring one or more physiological parameters of a penis, the device comprising an axial monitoring means for passively monitoring an axial rigidity of the penis, wherein the axial monitoring means comprises a first passive elastic sensor having a first elasticity and a second passive elastic sensor having a second elasticity, wherein the first elasticity and the second elasticity are different from each other, and wherein the first and second passive elastic sensors do not exert external force while measuring axial rigidity of an erection of the penis.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first passive elastic sensor and the second passive elastic sensor each comprise one or more semi-conductive or conductive means.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the axial monitoring means are configured to be applied in an axial direction on the penis.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first passive elastic sensor and the second passive elastic sensor of the axial monitoring means are separated from one another across the width of the penis.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the axial monitoring means further comprises a substrate with an elasticity that does not exert any resistance to an erection of the penis.
6 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a radial monitoring means for passively monitoring a radial rigidity of the penis, wherein the radial monitoring means comprises a first sensor having a first elasticity and a second sensor having a second elasticity, wherein the first elasticity and the second elasticity are different from each other, and wherein the first and second sensors of the radial monitoring means do not exert external force while measuring radial rigidity of the erection of the penis.
7 . The device of claim 6 , wherein the radial monitoring means are configured to be applied in a radial direction around the penis.
8 . The device of claim 6 , wherein the first sensor and the second sensor of the radial monitoring means extend over the length of the penis.
9 . The device of claim 6 , wherein the first sensor and the second sensor of the radial monitoring means are separated from one another across the length of the penis.
10 . The device of claim 6 , wherein the first sensor and the second sensor of the radial monitoring means comprise at least one sensor at the base of the penis and at least one sensor at the tip of the penis.
11 . The device of claim 6 , wherein the axial monitoring means and/or the radial monitoring means further comprise a substrate with an elasticity that does not exert any resistance to the erection of the penis.
12 . The device of claim 11 , wherein the first sensor and the second sensor of the axial and/or radial monitoring means are attached to the substrate.
13 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising one or more transducers, wherein the one or more transducers convert changes in hardness and diameter of the penis into electrical signals.
14 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a recorder that records electrical signals from a transducer.
15 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a controller, wherein the controller is electrically connected to a transducer and controls the transducer.
16 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more physiological parameters are selected from the group consisting of rigidity of the penis, tumescence of the penis, hardness of the penis, diameter of the penis, growth of the penis during an erection, duration of an erection of the penis, or swelling time of the penis during an erection.
17 . A method for monitoring one or more physiological parameters of a penis during a penile tumescent event with the device according to claim 1 , the method comprising:
positioning the axial monitoring means on the penis;
optionally positioning a radial monitoring means around the penis;
measuring resistance of the first sensor and the second sensor of the axial monitoring means and optionally the radial monitoring means during a period of time; and
monitoring the one or more physiological parameters by measuring changes in resistance of the first sensor and the second sensor of the axial monitoring means and optionally the radial monitoring means over said period of time.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the one or more physiological parameters are selected from the group consisting of rigidity of the penis, tumescence of the penis, hardness of the penis, diameter of the penis, growth of the penis during an erection, duration of an erection of the penis, or swelling time of the penis during an erection.
19 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein the first elasticity is selected to detect tumescence of the penis and the second elasticity is selected to detect rigidity of the penis.