US 12,213,678 B2
Implantable sphincter assistance device with 3D printed magnetic elements
Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hillsboro, OH (US); and Kevin M. Fiebig, Cincinnati, OH (US)
Assigned to CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Dec. 16, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/552,469.
Prior Publication US 2023/0190281 A1, Jun. 22, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 17/12 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); B22F 10/50 (2021.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 40/00 (2020.01); B33Y 70/00 (2020.01); B33Y 80/00 (2015.01)
CPC A61B 17/1215 (2013.01) [A61B 17/12163 (2013.01); B22F 10/50 (2021.01); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 40/00 (2014.12); B33Y 70/00 (2014.12); B33Y 80/00 (2014.12); A61B 2017/00526 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00827 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00876 (2013.01); A61B 17/12013 (2013.01); B22F 2301/355 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
(a) a plurality of beads, wherein each bead in the plurality of beads defines a first opening and a second opening;
(b) a linking assembly extending through the first opening and the second opening of each bead in the plurality of beads, 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; and
(c) a 3D printed magnetic element comprising a primary magnetic body and a secondary magnetic body, wherein the primary magnetic body comprises an outer diameter surface, an inner diameter surface, a first annular side wall connected to both the outer diameter surface and the inner diameter surface at a first end, and a second annular side wall connected to both the outer diameter surface and the inner diameter surface at a second end, wherein the first annular side wall and the second annular side wall face away from each other, wherein the 3D printed magnetic element is housed within a first bead of the plurality of beads, wherein the 3D printed magnetic element comprises a composite of successive layers of magnetic granules melted together to from the primary magnetic body of the 3D printed magnetic element, wherein the successive layers of magnetic granules are combined together to generate a magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field generated by the 3D printed magnetic element is configured to contribute to the magnetic bias of the plurality of beads, wherein the secondary magnetic body is fixed to and extends away from the first annular side wall, wherein the primary magnetic body is wider than the secondary magnetic body in a transverse direction.