Scientists Built a Bionic Penis That Could Cure Erectile Dysfunction
Scientists built a synthetic material that achieves tissue-like functions to restore erectile function in pigs.
The tissue-like material mimics the microstructure of natural tissues for load-bearing strength.
While the study offered promising results, scientists aren’t ready to move to human subjects.
Good news for pigs—and potentially humans—experiencing erectile dysfunction: In a new research study in China, scientists created a synthetic material that successfully repaired injuries and restored normal erectile function in pigs.
Using artificial tunica albuginea (ATA), researchers mimicked the fibrous sheath of tissue necessary to maintain an erection—and it worked even better than the researchers expected, according to a study published in Matter.
Xuetao Shi, study coauthor and researcher at the South China University of Technology in Guangzhou, says in a statement, via HealthDay:
“We largely foresaw the problems and results of the ATA construction process, but we were still surprised by the results in the animal experiments, where the penis regained normal erection immediately after the use of ATA.”
The scientists used polyvinyl alcohol to create a curled fiber tissue structure like natural tissue, and then determined the synthetic material wouldn’t harm other tissues. The load-bearing properties of the synthetic material restored erectile function in Bama miniature pigs, not by repairing the natural tissue, but by acting like how normal tissue should act.
“The results one month after the procedure showed that the ATA group achieved good, though not perfect, repair results,” Shi said.
Before an erection, the fibers of the tunica albuginea, the fibrous envelope around the penis, remain crimped, allowing the penis to bend and twist flexibly. When a penis is erect, the fibers straighten, providing the ability to resist deformation. In the most common types of erectile dysfunction, which typically impact men over the age of 40, the tissue does not retain rigidity.
The scientists say that almost all current tunica albuginea repairs use natural tissue. “This ATA represents a novel approach to improving outcomes and decreasing acute and long-term complications associated with the repair of TA injuries,” the researchers wrote.
While pigs were first up, humans may be next. “Our study,” Shi said, “demonstrates that ATA has great promise for penile injury repair.”
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