US 12,213,675 B2
Implantable sphincter assistance device with holding, aligning or clamping features integrated into housing
Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hillsboro, OH (US); Kevin M. Fiebig, Cincinnati, OH (US); and Glenn W. Ellison, Maineville, OH (US)
Assigned to CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Dec. 16, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/552,477.
Prior Publication US 2023/0190290 A1, Jun. 22, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 17/12 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61F 5/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/12099 (2013.01) [A61B 17/12013 (2013.01); A61B 17/1204 (2013.01); A61B 17/1215 (2013.01); A61B 17/12163 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00827 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00876 (2013.01); A61F 5/0063 (2013.01); A61F 5/0079 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
(a) a plurality of beads, each bead comprising:
(i) a housing comprising:
(A) a first piece extending between a first end and a second end, wherein the first end defines a link receiving opening, wherein the second end comprises an annular weld location, and
(B) a second piece, wherein the first piece and the second piece together define a magnet chamber,
(ii) at least one magnet disposed within the magnet chamber, and
(iii) a weld joining the first piece and the second piece together, the weld hermetically sealing the magnet chamber, the weld extending along a weld plane,
the first piece of the housing further including a mounting feature integrated with an external surface of the first piece, wherein the mounting feature faces in a direction away from the weld, wherein the mounting feature is located closer to the first end compared to the second end, wherein the mounting feature is configured to mate with a fixture to constrain the first piece of the housing as the weld is formed; and
(b) a linking assembly joining the beads together, wherein the beads and the linking assembly are configured to be arranged in an annular arrangement, wherein the annular arrangement is sized and configured to form a loop around an anatomical structure in a patient, wherein the loop is configured to move between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the loop in the contracted configuration is configured to prevent fluid flow through the anatomical structure, wherein the loop in the expanded configuration is configured to permit fluid flow through the anatomical structure, wherein the loop is magnetically biased toward the contracted configuration by a magnetic bias of the beads.