Magnetic Sphincter Beads for GERD Reflux Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for conditions like Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) that affect the functionality of biological lumens, such as the esophagus, often require invasive surgical procedures and do not effectively address the compromised ability of these passages to expand and contract.
Innovation Solution
A sphincter augmentation device comprising a series of beads and links, where each bead contains a magnetically sealed rare-earth permanent magnet, is implanted around the malfunctioning Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) to enhance its functional capabilities by providing magnetic attraction to maintain the sphincter in a closed state while allowing expansion for food passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional surgical procedures (fundoplication, suturing) are used to treat GERD, then the sphincter function is improved, but the treatment complexity and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical surgical procedures (fundoplication, suturing) with a magnetic field-based system. Permanent magnets generate magnetic forces that act on the sphincter tissue to maintain closure, substituting invasive mechanical reinforcement with non-contact magnetic actuation. This reduces surgical complexity while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the treatment approach by introducing magnetic field parameters (field strength, distribution, polarity) as controllable variables. By adjusting magnetic field parameters rather than performing complex surgical maneuvers, the system achieves sphincter augmentation with reduced procedural complexity.
2Reliability
If the LES is kept in a closed state to prevent reflux, then reflux prevention is improved, but food passage capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the magnetic field to allow the sphincter to transition between closed and open states. The magnetic actuation system can adjust field strength and timing to maintain closure during reflux prevention while allowing temporary opening for food passage, creating a dynamic valve function that resolves the static contradiction between closure and opening requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic magnetic actuation cycles that alternately maintain sphincter closure and allow opening. By applying magnetic forces in periodic bursts synchronized with swallowing cycles, the system prevents reflux during non-swallowing periods while permitting food passage during swallowing periods, thus resolving the contradiction through temporal separation of functions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively prevents reflux symptoms by maintaining the LES in a closed state and allows for normal food passage by expanding radially to accommodate food, thus addressing the compromised functionality of the esophagus in conditions like GERD.
Implementation Method 1
each bead contains a magnetically sealed rare-earth permanent magnet, is implanted around the malfunctioning Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) to enhance its functional capabilities by providing magnetic attraction to maintain the sphincter in a closed state
Implementation Method 2
each bead contains a magnetically sealed rare-earth permanent magnet
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a plurality of beads a linking assembly joining the beads together. The beads and the linking assembly are arranged in an annular arrangement and sized to form a loop around an anatomical structure in a patient. The loop may move between a contracted and expanded configuration. The loop is magnetically biased toward the contracted configuration by a magnetic bias of the beads. Each bead includes a housing having a first piece and a second piece that together define a magnetic chamber. A magnetic is within the magnetic chamber. A weld joins the first piece and the second piece while hermetically sealing the magnet chamber. The first piece of the housing includes a mounting feature integrated with a surface of the first piece. The mounting feature mates with a fixture to constrain the first piece of the housing as the weld is formed.