Stimulation of penis erection

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of treating a human being or an animal by implanting a penis erection stimulation system in a patient's body. The system is provided with at least one infusion needle disposed at least partly within at least one housing with a tip end of the at least one infusion needle arranged for penetrating the at least one housing's outer wall in two or more different penetration areas, the at least one housing being adapted for implantation inside the patient's body.

1 .- 174 . (canceled) 
     
     
         175 . A method of treating a human being or an animal by implanting a penis erection stimulation system in a patient's body, wherein the system comprises at least one infusion needle disposed at least partly within at least one housing with a tip end of the at least one infusion needle arranged for penetrating the at least one housing's outer wall in two or more different penetration areas, the at least one housing being adapted for implantation inside the patient's body, the method comprising the steps of:
 cutting the skin of the patient,   dissecting free an area near the left and right corpus cavernosum in the patient,   placing the at least one housing within said dissected area such that the tip end of the at least one infusion needle, when penetrating the housing's outer wall, can penetrate into the patient's tissue so as to allow for stimulation of penis erection by injecting a substance through said at least two different penetration areas via the at least one infusion needle, and   closing at least the skin after implantation of at least parts of the system.   
     
     
         176 . The method of  claim 176 , wherein the housing is placed such that the infusion needle penetrates, when penetrating the housing's outer wall, into the left and right corpus cavernosum and/or the two deep arteries of the right and left corpus cavernosum and/or into muscle tissue regulating blood flow through the patient's left and right corpus cavernosum and/or into another kind of tissue in close proximity to the patient's left and right corpus cavernosum. 
     
     
         177 . The method of  claim 176 , comprising the step of securing the corpus cavernosum to the housing by means of a holder connected to the housing. 
     
     
         178 . The method of  claim 176 , further comprising the step of placing at least one reservoir in the patient's body in fluid connection with the at least one infusion needle to supply to the infusion needle a substance to be injected into the patient's body 
     
     
         179 . The method of  claim 178 , comprising the further steps of dissecting free a second area remote from the first area and placing the at least one reservoir in the patient's body in the remote second area, with a conduit connecting the reservoir with the at least one infusion needle accommodated in the at least one housing. 
     
     
         180 . The method of  claim 178 , wherein the reservoir is placed adjacent the patient's symphyseal bone. 
     
     
         181 . The method according to  claim 178 , further comprising a step of placing at least one pump inside the patient's body, wherein the pump is configured to advance the substance from the reservoir to the at least one infusion needle. 
     
     
         182 . The method according to  claim 175 , further comprising a step of placing at least one drive unit inside the patient's body, the at least one drive unit being coupled to the at least one infusion needle and arranged at least for advancing and retracting the tip end of the at least one infusion needle so that the at least one infusion needle penetrates, upon advancement of the tip end or ends thereof, at least two of said different penetration areas so as to allow for stimulation of penis erection by injecting the substance through said at least two different penetration areas via the at least one infusion needle. 
     
     
         183 . The method according to  claim 175 , wherein the at least one housing comprises an outer wall in which a first window area and a second window area are provided. 
     
     
         184 . The method according to  claim 183 , wherein the first window area and the second window area being separated from each other. 
     
     
         185 . The method according to  claim 175 , wherein the system is adapted such that the at least one infusion needle penetrates said at least two different penetration areas upon a single command or single action from the patient. 
     
     
         186 . The method according to  claim 182 , wherein the at least one drive unit is adapted for advancing and retracting the tip end of the at least one infusion needle in such way that it penetrates, upon advancement of the tip end or ends thereof, said at least two different penetration areas either simultaneously or in immediate time succession. 
     
     
         187 . The method according to  claim 175 , wherein at least in the penetration areas the outer wall is made from a material which is self-sealing in respect of penetrations resulting from said at least one infusion needle. 
     
     
         188 . The method according to  claim 187 , wherein the self-sealing material comprises a penetration membrane integrated in the outer wall by being sealingly press-fitted into the outer wall. 
     
     
         189 . The method according to  claim 187 , wherein the self-sealing material comprises at least one polymer selected from the group of materials comprising silicon and polyurethane. 
     
     
         190 . The method according to  claim 187 , wherein the self-sealing material is made from a composite material. 
     
     
         191 . The method according to  claim 190 , wherein the composite material comprises at least one outer shape-giving layer and a self-sealing soft material contained within the outer layer. 
     
     
         192 . The method according to  claim 191 , wherein the self-sealing soft material is a gel. 
     
     
         193 . The method according to  claim 175 , wherein the outer wall comprises at least one door in the penetration areas, wherein a drive is connected to the at least one door for actively opening the door so as to allow for the at least one infusion needle to be advanced through the opened door 
     
     
         194 . The method according to  claim 193 , wherein the drive connected to the door forms part of the drive unit coupled to the infusion needle.