Bionic genital to help men with erectile dysfunction created

Scientists have developed an eight-inch remote-controlled metal male genital that may help men struggling with severe erectile dysfunction.

Developed by researchers from the University of Wisconsin in the US, the heat-activated device can be used at the press of a button in just two minutes.

The implant will help revive the sex lives of people who fail to respond to drugs like Viagra or other treatments, experts say.

The implant is made from nitinol - also known as "memory metal" - which is a mixture of nickel and titanium. It can change shape when heated or cooled 'The Sun' reported.

At body temperature of 37 degrees Celsius, the implant is just a couple of inches long. However, when heated to 42 degrees, it expands to eight inches.

"A shape memory alloy-based penile prosthesis represents a promising new technology in the treatment of erectile dysfunction," said lead researcher Dr Brian Le, from the University of Wisconsin.

Surgeons can make a tiny incision at the bottom of the men’s genital and insert the implant - made from stretchy latex covered with a coating of memory metal. Attached to one end is a tiny heating coil.

The one inch metal coil can be turned on by a remote held over the groin, generating a metal field which triggers a current.

The coil then warms the implant, making it expand and fully erect. A cool flannel makes the swelling go down. The prototype device has been tested on animals and could be available in the market within a few years, the report said.

"It definitely has potential to benefit some patients," said Asif Muneer from the British Association of Urological Surgeons, describing the new device as "promising". 

"There are fewer components than with existing inflatable implants and that reduces the chances of infection," he added.