Researcher develops new device for diagnosing erectile dysfunction

Erection problems can have a significant impact on quality of life and health. However, current diagnostic methods are often painful, uncomfortable, and outdated. Evelien Trip, a Ph.D. candidate, has developed a new device that offers a more comfortable and painless way to measure erections.

Trip’s research was motivated by a patient who refused a diagnostic injection in his penis, hindering further treatment. This experience led Trip to explore a modern, patient-friendly approach to measuring erections.

Erectile dysfunction is a common condition that can have physical or psychological causes. One method for diagnosis involves measuring nocturnal erections during REM sleep in healthy men.

Traditionally, this involves using bands connected to a bulky device strapped to the leg, which many patients find uncomfortable. Trip’s new device directly attaches to the penis, measuring blood flow and temperature for improved diagnostics.

Preliminary tests showed promising results, with over 80% accuracy in measuring erections. While further testing is required for medical approval, Trip hopes the device can eventually be used for consumer self-assessment.

In addition to male erectile dysfunction, Trip sees potential in adapting the device to measure female erections, an area that lacks research. Early detection of erectile dysfunction in both men and women can be crucial for identifying underlying health issues.