Claims
- 1. A non-invasive, quantitative somatosensory method for evaluating erectile dysfunction which comprises the steps of:
(a) applying incrementally different temperatures to the glans penis of a male patient, starting at acclimation temperatures until the patient can correctly identify which temperature was different from the previous temperatures for at least two consecutive times and noting such temperature as the thermal threshold temperature.
- 2. The method of claim 1 wherein heat is applied incrementally.
- 3. The method of claim 1 wherein heat is applied starting at about 32° C.
- 4. The method of claim 2 wherein heat is applied in increasing increments of about 1° C.
- 5. The method of claim 2 wherein heat is applied to the dorsal midline of the glans penis.
- 6. The method of claim 2 wherein heat is applied with a hand-held thermal probe.
- 7. The method of claim 2 wherein the hand-held probe is a Physitemp NTE-2A Thermal Sensitivity tester.
- 8. The method of claim 2 wherein the temperature was increased in increments of about 1° C. until the patient was correctly able to identify which temperature was warmer at least six consecutive times.
- 9. The method of claim 1 wherein cold is applied incrementally.
- 10. The method of claim 9 wherein cold is applied starting at about 32° C.
- 11. The method of claim 9 wherein cold is applied in decreasing increments of about 1° C.
- 12. The method of claim 9 wherein cold is applied to the dorsal midline of the glans penis.
- 13. The method of claim 9 wherein cold is applied with a hand-held probe.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based on Provisional Application Serial No. 60/33 8,002 filed on Jun. 12, 2002 entitled “The Neuropathy of Erectile Dysfunction.”
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60338002 |
Nov 2001 |
US |