Patent Application
20240099802
The present invention relates to devices to increase foreskin coverage and, more particularly, to a modular, silicone device for increasing foreskin coverage of the glans, in particular, for circumcised males.
Many circumcised males are unsatisfied with the appearance or function of their penis, and current devices have several common problem areas that can be improved upon. For example, existing devices are cone-shaped, which increases stress on the skin at the bottom of the cone as it hugs a tight corner. Most other devices are made of plastic, which is harder and less comfortable. Other devices only offer one or two methods of restoration per device, forcing customers to purchase multiple devices for a well-rounded experience. Further, uncomfortable restoration sessions will be shorter and prone to possible abrasion of the skin. Many individuals cannot afford to purchase hundreds or thousands of dollars of equipment, with some opting for unsafe homemade solutions.
As can be seen, there is a need for a modular device for increasing foreskin coverage, as described herein.
In one aspect of the present invention, a restoration device for foreskin is disclosed that includes: a base defining a glans cone configured to receive a user glans, in use; an outer sleeve comprising an inner portion that matingly couples with the base and a sleeve outer ring configured to press on a user foreskin, in use; and a compression sleeve configured to wrap around an outer surface of the sleeve outer ring, in use.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.
The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the present disclosure and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications, alterations, combinations, and equivalents in form and function, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
The subject disclosure is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure such that one skilled in the art will be enabled to make and use the present invention. It may be evident, however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without some of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the present invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured.
Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a device that holds the remnant foreskin in place and stretches it to encourage growth and increased coverage of the glans. The present invention includes a modular design and has attachments that provide various methods of tensioning skin.
The present invention utilizes a pliable material, such as skin-safe silicone, and has a unibody design that prevents twisting and is soft. Customers have the option of using various tension methods (tugging/air/weight/packing) all with one device due to its modular design. It may be formed with a cylinder-shaped design and beveled edges that relieve stress on the skin. In use, the wearer's skin is held in place by compression of soft silicone. Further, the present invention enables the wearer to urinate without removing the device, which is a functionality not currently found in this field. The present invention introduces a more comfortable experience and is more cost-effective than the prior art. This may decrease the time required for satisfactory results, decrease the risk of injury, and appeal to budget-conscious consumers.
Referring now to
As depicted in the cross-sectional view of
As shown in the cross-sectional view of
As shown in
A method of using the present invention is generally depicted in the sequence from
As shown in
As those with skill in the art will appreciated, multiple bases 10 may be stackable, meaning that multiple bases 10 can be used simultaneously with the outer sleeve 16 to push the glans 28 back and pull the foreskin 30 forward.
The desired result is typically to regenerate enough foreskin 30 to cover the glans 28 of the penis. Users may do this by wearing the restoration device, e.g., multiple times per day, one to three hours at a time, several days per week. Users must apply tension for the device to work properly—including air, weight, outer sleeve, or tugging. More specifically: Air: A one-way valve may be inserted into the hole 22 and air is pumped in via hand pump (like from a blood pressure cuff). Weight: a weight may be attached to the outer sleeve 16 (the tip of the device) and hung freely. Outer sleeve 16: They extend inner portion 16A to make it longer, accommodating those with more foreskin 30 and allowing for a better stretch. Tugging: A silicone/bungee cord accessory may be attached to the outer sleeve 16 (the tip of the device). The user may pull on the bungee cord or attach it to a leg strap/brace to create tension. Repeating the process over an extended period of time, e.g., several years, should encourage coverage.
In exemplary embodiments, the present invention may be formed in the following manner. Molds may be three-dimensional printed in polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) filament. Multiple pieces may be necessary for molds as the shapes are more complex. Molds may be sanded smooth with a rotary tool and hot-glued together. They may also be coated in epoxy resin for a smoother, non-stick finish. Silicone may be mixed, vacuum degassed, and poured into the molds' reservoir on a vibration plate to release air and fill in every crack. The molds may then be taken apart by scraping off the hot glue, removing the top reservoir and using a wedge, chisel, or putty knife to open the mold. Remnant flashing material may be trimmed from the demolded product with scissors or craft knives. The product may then be sanded smooth where necessary with a rotary tool using a sandpaper wheel.
While one or more preferred embodiments are disclosed, many other implementations will occur to one of ordinary skill in the art and are all within the scope of the invention. Each of the various embodiments described above may be combined with other described embodiments in order to provide multiple features. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments of the apparatus and method of the present invention, what has been described herein is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Other arrangements, methods, modifications, and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are therefore also considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the claims that follow.
While apparatuses and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, the apparatuses and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range is specifically disclosed. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the elements that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted. Moreover, the use of directional terms such as above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, and the like are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward or upper direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward or lower direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure.
