Male impotence prosthesis apparatus with wireless energy supply

Abstract

A male sexual impotence treatment prosthesis apparatus. The apparatus comprising an operable prosthesis implantable in the cavities of the corpora cavernosa of an impotent patient to provide erect penile condition, when the prosthesis is operated. The apparatus further comprises an energy transmission device for wireless transmission of energy from outside the patient's body to inside the patient's body for use in connection with the operation of the prosthesis, when the prosthesis is implanted.

1 . A male sexual impotence treatment prosthesis apparatus, comprising an operable prosthesis implantable in the cavities of the corpora cavernosa of an impotent patient to provide erect penile condition, when the prosthesis is operated, characterised by an energy transmission device for wireless transmission of energy from outside the patient's body to inside the patient's body for use in connection with the operation of the prosthesis, when the prosthesis is implanted. 
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the energy transmission device transmits energy of a first form and the penile prosthesis is operable in response to energy of a second form, and further comprising an energy transforming device implantable in the patient for transforming the energy of the first form wirelessly transmitted by the energy transmission device into the energy of the second form. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the energy of the second form is different than the energy of the first form. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  or  3 , wherein the energy transforming device comprises at least one element having a positive region and a negative region, the element is capable of creating an energy field between the positive and negative regions when exposed to the energy of the first form transmitted by the energy transmission device, and the energy field produces the energy of the second form. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the element comprises an electrical junction element, and the electrical junction element is capable of inducing an electric field between the positive and negative regions when exposed to the energy of the first form transmitted by the energy transmission device, whereby the energy of the second form comprises electric energy. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the penile prosthesis is electrically operated, and the positive and negative regions of the electrical junction element supply electric energy for the operation of the penile prosthesis. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 6 , further comprising electric conductors connected to the positive and negative regions of the electrical junction element, whereby the electrical junction element is capable of supplying an electric current via the conductors. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the electrical junction element is capable of supplying a direct current or pulsating direct current via the conductors. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the electrical junction element is capable of supplying an alternating current or a combination of a direct and alternating current via the conductors. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the electrical junction element is capable of supplying a frequency or amplitude modulated signal. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the electrical junction element is capable of supplying an analog or digital signal. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to any of  claims 2 - 11 , wherein the energy transforming device forms a flat and thin sheet, and has a volume of less than 2000 cm 3 . 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  or  3 , wherein the energy transforming device is adapted to transform the energy of the first form directly or indirectly into the energy of the second form. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 13 , further comprising an implantable motor or pump for operating the penile prosthesis, wherein the motor or pump is powered by the energy of the second form. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the energy transforming device is adapted to directly power the motor or pump by the transformed energy, as the energy of the second form is being transformed from the energy of the first form. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to any of  claims 13 - 15 , wherein the wireless energy of the first form comprises sound waves and the energy of the second form comprises electric energy. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to any of  claims 2 - 16 , wherein the energy transforming device comprises a capacitor and the energy of the second form comprises electric energy. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the capacitor is adapted to produce electric pulses from the transformed electric energy. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the capacitor is adapted to produce the pulses of the electric energy, as the energy transforming device transforms the energy of the first form transmitted by the energy transmission device into the electric energy of the second form. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising an implantable stabiliser for stabilising the energy of the second form. 
     
     
         21 - 146 . (canceled)