merrix wrote:What I (think I) know is:
Titan is harder. For several reasons.
Harder material (Bioflex vs Silicon).
Larger diameter which just makes it sturdier and gives it more stability.
Thicker fixed, uninflatable part, which means its base in the crus has a tighter fit.
On average shorter RTEs used since the AMS comes in 3 cm increments and the Titan in 2 cm, plus the fact that most docs will use more RTEs with AMS to avoid the high pump issue with the AMS. And RTEs does, all else equal, make the erection wobblier and less sturdy over time.
Agreed on most points. Larger diameter, thicker (diameter also) rear tip in the crus. RTEs do move the inflatable part further out, and give less "purchase" on the device for the patient's supporting tissues.
But the silicone vs Bioflex, I disagree. Here's my thinking on the matter:
The silicone provides very little rigidity (inflated or uninflated). The silicone is only to coat the woven dacron-lycra, keeping it from leaking saline and the patient's tissues from adhering. Rigidity is provided by the woven dacron-lycra material (but only when inflated). Dacron has almost no stretch (they use if for sails for that reason, so when filled with blowing air, they retain their shape and aerodynamic efficiency). No stretch means when fully inflated, the implant cylinders can be VERY stiff.
Another difference in the inflated rigidity (betwen AMS and Coloplast) is that the Coloplast is larger diameter as well as stiffer material. Larger diameter means an increased moment of inertia and beam strength (look up the terms as Civil Engineers use them).
Coloplast's Titan material is semi-stiff by its nature, so the uninflated penis has a little bit of rigidity all the time. The AMS devices are made of a cloth which has very little rigidity, so when uninflated is more flexible.
I do not know how the modulus of elasticity compares between AMS' woven Dacron and Coloplast's Bioflex. IT would be interesting to know.
From
http://garber-online.com/pdf/PenileImpl ... ew2005.pdfThe inner silicone cylinder is reinforced and its expansion controlled by the middle woven layer. The middle woven layer is either an unidirectional dacron–lycra weave which only allows girth expansion (CX and CXR cylinders), or a bidirectional weave which allows expansion in both length and girth (Ultrex cylinders).
Note: The Ultrex has been discontinued, but the LGX has similar weave and does a better job for the patient.
This article by Dr. Garber also, takes a methodical and pretty complete comparison of the two makers' 5 models currently available.
http://www.garber-online.com/pdf/Garber ... w_2008.pdfThanks for reading