Real-time three-dimensional ultrasound visualization of erection and artificial coitus

International Journal of Andrology
Volume 29, Issue 2, pages 374–379, April 2006
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2005.00617.x

Jing Deng [1,2.*], Margaret A. Hall-Craggs [3], D. Pellerin [4], Alfred D. Linney [1], William R. Lees [3], Charles H. Rodeck [2] and Andrew Todd-Pokropek [1]

[1] Departments of Medical Physics and Bioengineering
[2] Obstetrics and Gynaecology
[3] Medical Imaging
[4] Heart Hospital, University College London, London, UK

*Dr Jing Deng, Department of Medical Physics, Malet Place Engineering Building, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK

Summary

To investigate the feasibility of imaging penile erection and coitus in real time and in three dimensions, a ‘Live’ three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound system was used to acquire the volume of interest at 25 Hz from five healthy men. Water baths and gel-made artificial vaginas were devised to facilitate the 3-D scans without the probe being in direct contact with the penis. For the first volunteer scanned with the water bath alone, the penis failed to erect within 30 min. For the other four volunteers, the ‘vagina’ successfully initiated and maintained the erection and allowed artificial intercourse. Results have shown that the ‘Live’ 3-D ultrasound and minimally compressive imaging techniques together can offer an objective means for visualizing erection and coitus in spatial totality and temporal reality. They can be further developed to reveal more reliable details about the dynamic morphology, improving scientific understanding of sexual activities and clinical management of related problems.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2605.2005.00617.x/abstract