British company MysteryVibe has developed a sex toy that can be slipped over the penis to help the wearer achieve and maintain an erection while also stimulating their partner during intercourse.
Tenuto 2 resembles a penis ring with four motors providing localised vibrational therapy to improve circulation in the area, while two flexible "wings" sit tightly at the base to prevent the blood from draining away.
The device was designed as a more affordable, accessible alternative to erectile dysfunction (ED) medications like sildenafil, also known under the brand name Viagra, which require prescriptions in most countries and can cause unwanted side effects such as headaches and nausea.
At the same time, the device also functions as a wearable vibrator, with the integrated motors targetting multiple erogenous zones including the perineum of the wearer and the clitoris of the partner.
"The device's ergonomic and simplistic design seamlessly incorporates medical technology with pleasure to appeal to everyone, whether solving ED or improving their sex life," MysteryVibe's CEO and co-founder Soumyadip Rakshit told Dezeen.
"The problem or pain point becomes secondary next to the primary function of pleasure."
While traditional penis constriction rings can also help with erectile dysfunction, Rakshit says these sex aids are often rigid, non-adjustable and can hinder ejaculation.
To address these issues, MysteryVibe has created an adaptable design with a central opening, which it claims can stretch to fit 90 per cent of penis sizes alongside the testicles, while the flexible wings in the middle help to separate the two.
This is possible with the help of malleable electronics, developed to bend with the product without tearing but also retain their structure with repeated use.
The integrated motors were placed strategically to provide muscle vibrations to the perineum – located between the anus and the scrotum – and the suprapubic area above the pubic bone, which can simultaneously stimulate the clitoris and vulva during intercourse.
An accompanying mobile app and buttons at the bottom of the device allow users to pick between eight different vibration patterns and 16 intensities.
Tenuto 2 was also designed to work for those struggling with erectile dysfunction as a result of cardiovascular issues or nerve damage sustained as a result of back injuries and surgeries to treat prostate, colon or rectal cancer, according to MysteryVibe.
These claims are backed by a recent medical case study, in which a 59-year-old man struggling with erectile dysfunction following colorectal cancer surgery trialled the device over the course of five weeks.
By the end of the test period, the patient saw an improvement of eight points in the erectile function section of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), going from a "severe" erectile dysfunction score of seven to a "moderate" 15.
However further testing with a larger sample size as part of a peer-reviewed process is necessary to confirm Tenuto 2's efficacy across different demographics.
Other innovative sex toys for men and people with penises include a fleshlight-cum-furniture piece by Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Bastiaan Buijs, a "ball-dildo" that allows the testicles to be used for penetrative sex and a masturbation sleeve designed for pre-op transgender men.