Electrically assisted transdermal method and apparatus for the treatment of erectile dysfunction

Abstract

The present invention is based on the development of a non-invasive method and apparatus for delivery of drugs into the penile erectile tissue to induce or enhance penile erection, which affords an alternative treatment for patients afflicted with erectile dysfunction (ED). Sufficient electric pulses temporarily create new pathways in the penile skin thereby driving a composition, such as a vasoactive or androgenic medication, into the corporal cavernosum.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for enhancing erectile function in a subject, said method comprising applying an electric pulse to the penis and substantially contemporaneously applying a vasoactive or androgenic composition thereto, said electric pulse having sufficient strength and duration for transdermally introducing an effective amount of the composition into the penis, thereby enhancing erectile function in the subject.