Penile prosthesis implantation apparatus and related methods

Abstract

A penile prosthesis implantation apparatus and related methods are described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A penile prosthesis implantation device comprising:
 a rod having a protrusion disposed on a first side of the rod at a distance proximal to a distal end of the rod;   a channel inside the rod accessed by a fluted entry at a proximal end of the rod, the channel extending diagonally though the rod and exiting at a channel opening at the distal end of the rod;   a slot formed at the distal end of the rod and opening into the channel opening at a distal end of the slot, wherein a bottom of the slot opens into the channel;   an offset handle extending from the proximal end of the rod on a second side of the rod; and   a needle pusher having a flat syringe-style plunger at a proximate end.   
     
     
         2 . The penile prosthesis implantation device of  claim 1 , wherein the slot is configured to accept loading of one or more of a Keith needle or a prosthesis suture. 
     
     
         3 . The penile prosthesis implantation device of  claim 1 , wherein the channel extends diagonally through the rod from the first side of the rod proximally to the second side of the rod opposite the first side distally. 
     
     
         4 . The penile prosthesis implantation device of  claim 1 , wherein the needle pusher is operable to push a Keith needle out of the distal end of the rod. 
     
     
         5 . The penile prosthesis implantation device of  claim 1 , wherein the flat syringe-style plunger is operable to push a Keith needle through the channel. 
     
     
         6 . The penile prosthesis implantation device of  claim 1 , wherein the penile prosthesis implantation device is operable to dilate corpora cavernosum. 
     
     
         7 . The penile prosthesis implantation device of  claim 1 , wherein the penile prosthesis implantation device is operable to measure a proximal length of a corpora cavernosum. 
     
     
         8 . The penile prosthesis implantation device of  claim 1 , wherein the penile prosthesis implantation device is operable to distally measure a corpora cavernosum. 
     
     
         9 . A method for implanting a penile prosthesis, the method comprising:
 opening corpora cavernosum via corporotomy;   selecting the penile prosthesis;   threading sutures of the penile prosthesis through a Keith needle;   loading the Keith needle into a distal tip of a penile prosthesis implantation device;   bringing out the sutures through a distal slot of the penile prosthesis implantation device;   holding the sutures in place against an offset handle of the penile prosthesis implantation device;   preventing the Keith needle from protruding from the distal tip of the penile prosthesis implantation device;   advancing the penile prosthesis implantation device distally through a corpora cavernosum with the offset handle directed laterally away from a penis; and   advancing a needle pusher through a fluted entrance of the penile prosthesis implantation device, once the penile prosthesis implantation device is in place, causing the Keith needle to pierce and exit from the glans penis.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the Keith needle exits the glans penis at an angle which situates the exit of the Keith needle away from the urethra. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the distal tip has a slit to facilitate loading of the Keith needle. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the distal tip has a slit to facilitate loading of a prosthesis suture. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the sutures are passed through a channel of the penile prosthesis implantation device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the channel extends diagonally through the penile prosthesis implantation device from a first side of the penile prosthesis implantation device proximally to a second side of the penile prosthesis implantation device opposite the first side distally. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the needle pusher pushes the Keith needle out of the distal tip of the penile prosthesis implantation device, and wherein the handle is directed laterally. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the handle extends from a proximal end of the penile prosthesis implantation device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a flat syringe-style plunger is placed on one end of the needle pusher to push the Keith needle through the penile prosthesis implantation device. 
     
     
         18 . A method for measuring length of corpora cavernosum, the method comprising:
 opening the corpora cavernosum via corporotomy;   advancing a penile prosthesis implantation device distally through the corpora cavernosum to measure a distal corporal length, wherein an offset handle of the penile prosthesis implantation device is directed laterally away from a penis;   withdrawing the penile prosthesis implantation device from the corpora cavernosum; and   advancing the penile prosthesis implantation device proximally through the corpora cavernosum to measure a proximal corporal length of the corpora cavernosum.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the offset handle extends from a proximal end of the penile prosthesis implantation device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the penile prosthesis implantation device is used to dilate the corpora cavernosum.