Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EREDETIO (Wearable Device for Erectile Dysfunction Diagnostics and Treatment Monitoring)

Teaser

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is characterized by incapability to build up or sustain a penile erection during sexual intercourse. The causes of erectile dysfunction involve side effects of drugs, Cavernosal disorders, Neurogenic disorders, Aging, Psychological causes, Multiple...

Summary

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is characterized by incapability to build up or sustain a penile erection during sexual intercourse. The causes of erectile dysfunction involve side effects of drugs, Cavernosal disorders, Neurogenic disorders, Aging, Psychological causes, Multiple sclerosis and Diabetes, and Lifestyle modifications. Epidemiological data have shown a high prevalence and incidence of ED worldwide. However, due to various stereotypes men are extremely shy and embarrassed when it comes to ED issues. In many cases they reject the problem until it creates serious issues with their health, relationship and life. Very often men try to “cure” their issues by using counterfeit drugs or widely advertised supplements that not only do not provide any solution but may actually cause harm. Therefore a convenient method of ED diagnostics and treatment that men can use on their own would be highly valuable to most men who experience ED.

The strategic goal of this project is to develop and introduce to the EU and US market a novel, comprehensive, convenient and easy ED diagnostic and treatment monitoring device that can be used at home, anytime, at affordable price – EREDETIO - that can make a great impact on patient’s health and well-being. Eredetio can be used during sex and/or sleep; it will provide reliable data about patient’s erection: its duration, change in circumference and rigidity. Data obtained will be stored and analysed in patient’s phone (by a dedicated app) and could be either shown or securely sent to the physician who would provide diagnosis and treatment. Such solution would be much more convenient for men and would result in more men getting help and treatment earlier, without the need to actually go to see a doctor themselves, which very often is a challenge impossible to overcome.

Work performed

During the course of the Phase 1 project, the market, financial and technical feasibility of Eredetio has been analysed.

The detailed user requirements needs analysis has been conducted (on B2B and B2C markets) in order to determine the optimal functionality of Eredetio and the appropriate business model. The user feedback has been collected via the online questionnaire and the interviews.

The IP strategy has been determined based on the FOT analysis.

The financial feasibility and risk analysis has been conducted.

As a result of the analysis, the decision has been taken to pursue the project idea within the Phase 2 of the SME Instrument. For this purpose the Project Plan for Phase 2 has been developed.

Final results

Currently the market’s state of the art is RigiScan which is a device used to evaluate the quality of nocturnal penile erections. It consists of a portable battery-powered unit which is strapped around the thigh and two loops that are connected to a direct-current torque motor. One loop goes around the base of the penis, and the other is placed below the corona, the area of the penis before the glans penis. Throughout the night, the machine repeatedly measures how much blood is in your penis (tumescence) and how well it can resist bending or buckling (rigidity). This test can be repeated several nights in a row. The results from each night are stored on the machine so that the doctor can download and analyze it. RigiScan is large (heavy suitcase with multiple objects), significantly less convenient and more expensive than Eredetio. Even though RigiScan is declared to be portable, the tests are mainly run during a 3-night stay in the clinic, as most clinics do not allow home use due to high price of the device and skill needed to get it running. RigiScan requires visits to the clinic even if the test itself is run at home: the patient needs to have consultations prior to the test to obtain the equipment and after the test to discuss the results. Thus, RigiScan does not solve the issue of psychological discomfort connected to ED testing which results in less man seeking diagnostics and treatment.

Eredetio’s unique approach consists in:

- Convenience: it is the only device in the world that could conveniently measure penile rigidity, duration of erection and change in circumference of penis in a natural, home setting; other solutions require medical examination with expensive, cumbersome equipment in the presence of a physician
- Price: Diagnostics with Eredetio will be significantly cheaper, as the device itself will only cost a fraction of RigiScan price and no overnights in the hospital will be required
- Connectivity: data coming from Eredetio would be automatically and securely sent and stored to the patient’s account and available for a physician running the given patient
- Usage during sex: one of our goals is to measure penile rigidity & tumescence during sex, which is currently impossible with any other device
- Self-help: because of the convenience, price, availability and connectivity of Eredetio men suffering from erectile dysfunction would be able to help themselves without going through the dangers of counterfeit drugs, supplements or other solutions advertised in the Internet

Website & more info

More info: https://ourlovely.com/.