Abstract
Purpose: The least investigated physical determinant of penile rigidity has been penile tissue material properties. The goals in this study (Part I) were to define two penile mechanical parameters, cavernosal expandability X and tunical distensibility VE/VF, determine their magnitudes in humans and develop an analytical expression for penile volume as a function of these two tissue characteristics and intracavernosal pressure.
Methods: Dynamic infusion pharmacocavernosometry was performed in 21 impotent patients (age 43±19 y) to provide human geometric, hemodynamic and structural data. A mathematically derived model of hemodynamic and structural-dynamic characteristics of penile erection was developed (Parts I, II, III) incorporating penile tissue mechanical qualities.
Results: Cavernosal expandability X provided a measure of the ability to approach maximum volume at relatively low intracavernosal pressures. Tunical distensibility VE/VF denoted the maximal erect to flaccid penile volume ratio. The magnitudes of X and VE/VF in the study population were 0.04–0.17 mmHg−1 and 1.7–5.0 respectively.
Conclusions: Enabling penile volume to be derived as a function of tissue mechanical characteristics and pressure, allows for penile rigidity to be expressed (in Part II) as a function of pressure, geometry and tissue qualities.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 8 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $32.38 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Udelson, D., Nehra, A., Hatzichristou, D. et al. Engineering analysis of penile hemodynamic and structural-dynamic relationships: Part I—Clinical implications of penile tissue mechanical properties. Int J Impot Res 10, 15–24 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900310
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900310
Keywords
This article is cited by
-
Applications of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis and prediction of erectile dysfunction: a narrative review
International Journal of Impotence Research (2023)
-
On the validity of metrics for defining penile distensibility phenotypes
International Journal of Impotence Research (2018)
-
Penile intracavernosal pillars: lessons from anatomy and potential implications for penile prosthesis placement
International Journal of Impotence Research (2016)
-
The engineering analysis of bioheat equation and penile hemodynamic relationships in the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction: part I—theoretical study and mathematical modeling
International Journal of Impotence Research (2008)
-
Initial validation of a novel rat model of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction with generalized atherosclerosis
International Journal of Impotence Research (2005)