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A Mathematical Model of Penile Vascular Dysfunction and Its Application to a New Diagnostic Technique
Author(s) -
BARNEA OFER,
HAYUN SHIMON,
GILLON GABRIEL
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1196/annals.1389.006
Subject(s) - penis , medicine , erectile dysfunction , hemodynamics , surgery , biomedical engineering , cardiology
A noninvasive diagnostic device was developed to assess the vascular origin and severity of penile dysfunction. It was designed and studied using both a mathematical model of penile hemodynamics and preliminary experiments on healthy young volunteers. The device is based on the application of an external pressure (or vacuum) perturbation to the penis following the induction of erection. The rate of volume change while the penis returns to its natural condition is measured using a noninvasive system that includes a volume measurement mechanism that has very low friction, thereby not affecting the measured system. The rate of volume change (net flow) is obtained and analyzed. Simulations using a mathematical model show that the device is capable of differentiating between arterial insufficiency and venous leak and indicate the severity of each. In preliminary measurements on young healthy volunteers, the feasibility of the measurement has been demonstrated. More studies are required to confirm the diagnostic value of the measurements.