A BIONIC willy that could restore erectile function has been developed by scientists.

Experiments on pigs found a plastic patch can be used to strengthen tissue that contracts to keep the penis hard when it is erect.

The artificial tunica albuginea (ATA) could help men keep it up, it it also works on humans.

It could repair injuries caused by sex, car and machine accidents, gunshot wounds or burns.

Co-author Dr Xuetao Shi, of the South China University of Technology in Guangzhou, said: "We were still surprised by the results in the animal experiments, where the penis regained normal erection immediately after the use of ATA.

"The greatest advantage is that it achieves tissue-like functions by mimicking the microstructure of natural tissues."

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About half of men between the ages of 40 and 70 experience some form of erectile dysfunction.

About one-in-twenty suffer from Peyronie's disease, a connective tissue disorder that can occur as a result of sex.

Scar tissue forms in the tunica albuginea, causing pain and a range of other effects, explained Dr Shi.

He said: "We noticed that this is an area that has received little attention, yet the related need is huge."

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Experts have previously focused on fixing the urethra, a tube that empties the bladder. Patches can treat damaged tunica albuginea tissue.

What causes erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction can be devastating for a man, with one in five guys saying they have experienced problems at one time or another.

Depression and anxiety can both cause erectile dysfunction as a sufferer's libido is hampered by feelings of sadness or worry.

Relationship issues, lack of sexual knowledge, and past sexual abuse can also be responsible.

Sometimes entering a new relationship is the problem and feelings of guilt are also a known cause.

It's been revealed that men addicted to porn are at risk of erectile dysfunction because their "sexual tolerance is higher".

But this sometimes leads to rejection by the immune system or other complications. The microstructures are different so they are not perfect replacements.

Lab tests showed the device described in the journal Matter is not toxic to other tissues and blood – so can remain in the body for a long time.

In Chinese miniature pigs with injured penises, patches made from the material restored erectile function so well it was similar to that of normal penile tissue.

Results suggest it successfully replaced the natural tissue's function. After a month, ATA developed fibrosis comparable to that in normal tissue.

They achieved a normal erection after the penis was injected with saline. The animals share anatomical and physiological similarities with humans.

Dr Shi said: "The results one month after the procedure showed the ATA group achieved good, though not perfect, repair results."

In penile injuries the tunica albuginea is usually damaged along with surrounding nerves and the corpus cavernosum.

This is the spongy tissue that runs through the penis' shaft – making repairs even more difficult.

Dr Shi said: "Our work at this stage focuses on the repair of a single tissue in the penis.

"The next stage will be to consider the repair of the overall penile defect or the construction of an artificial penis from a holistic perspective."

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The researchers also plan to investigate techniques to repair other tissues – including the heart and bladder.

Dr Shi said: "This design approach is not limited to the biomimetic design of tunica albuginea tissues but can be extended to many other load-bearing tissues."

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