Support element for circumcision and system comprising the same

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a support element ( 10,110 ) for use in effecting ischemic necrosis in a foreskin ( 186 ) of a penis, being a closed-loop member defining an opening ( 12 ) dimensioned to permit a penis glans to pass therethrough and having an inner surface ( 14 ) and an outer surface ( 16 ); the outer surface comprising a circumferential support ( 18, 118 ) for an elastic ring ( 150 ) to be mounted thereon, said circumferential support being formed within a groove ( 20,120 ) in at least part of the outer surface; at least one first segment ( 26, 28 ) of the outer surface having an outer curvature of a radius larger than that of its flanking second segments ( 30, 32 ). Also provided herein is a system ( 100 ) for effecting ischemic necrosis in a foreskin ( 186 ) of a penis, comprising the support element ( 110 ) and elastic ring ( 150 ), and optionally a deployment element ( 160 ) for mounting the elastic ring over the foreskin and support element.

1 . A support element for use in effecting ischemic necrosis in a foreskin of a penis, being a closed-loop member defining an opening dimensioned to permit a penis glans to pass therethrough and having an inner surface and an outer surface; the outer surface comprising a circumferential support for an elastic ring to be mounted thereon, said circumferential support being formed within a groove in at least part of the outer surface; at least one first segment of the outer surface having an outer curvature of a radius larger than that of its flanking second segments. 
     
     
         2 . The support element of  claim 1 , wherein the outer curvature is defined by a top of side walls along the groove. 
     
     
         3 . The support element of  claim 1 , wherein the outer curvature of the first segment is substantially zero. 
     
     
         4 . The support element of  claim 1 , wherein said groove extends along said first segment. 
     
     
         5 . The support element of  claim 1 , comprising at least two of the first segments. 
     
     
         6 . The support element of  claim 5 , comprising two of said first segments at opposite sides of the closed loop member. 
     
     
         7 . System for effecting ischemic necrosis in a foreskin of a penis, comprising:
 an elastic ring; and   a support element defining a closed loop defining an opening dimensioned to permit a penis to pass therethrough and having an inner surface and an outer surface; the outer surface comprising a circumferential support for the elastic ring to be mounted thereon, said support being formed within a groove in at least part of the outer surface; at least one segment of the outer surface having a curvature of a radius larger than that of its flanking segments.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the outer curvature is defined by a top of side walls along the groove. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the outer curvature of the first segment is substantially zero. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein said groove extends along said first segment. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7 , comprising at least two of the first segments. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , comprising two of said first segments at opposite sides of the closed loop member. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 7 , comprising,
 a deployment element having an arrangement of holders for holding the elastic ring in a stretched state thereof and for mounting the elastic ring within the circumferential support of said support element.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said arrangement comprises a circular array of spaced-apart holders. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said arrangement comprises four holders substantially equally spaced apart. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , comprising a frame member carrying said arrangement of holders, the frame being dimensioned to enclose at least a part of the penis shaft. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said frame is selected from the group consisting of a closed loop member and a ring like element. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein said holders project from the frame in a direction generally normal to a plane defined by the frame. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein a distal end of each of the holders has a recess for holding the elastic ring. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one of (i) a safety thread secured to said elastic ring and (ii) a penis measuring device comprising a plate with a plurality of circular openings of different diameter, each diameter defining a penis sulcus size. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled)