Apparatus and method for magnetic alteration of anatomical features

• US 8,142,454 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2008
• Issued: 03/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: University of California San Francisco (University of California)
• Inventors: Moran, Arthur, Christensen, Darrell, Harrison, Michael R., Fechter, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Severson, Ryan
• Assistant Examiner(s): EASTWOOD, DAVID C
• Application Number:
  US12/189,330
• Publication Number:
  US 20090048618A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,324 Days
• Field of Search: 606/112, 606/151, 606/153, 606/155, 606/156, 606/167, 606/171, 606/180, 335/285, 335302-306, 600/36, 600/12, 604/22, 403/DIG.1, 30/74, 243/08
• US Class Current: 606/153
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0482 Needle or suture guides guides for drills, pins or wire A61B17/17; for puncturing needles A61B17/3403
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0483 Hand-held instruments for holding sutures A61B17/0469 takes precedence; other holders for needles or sutures A61B17/06061; surgical forceps A61B17/28; surgical pincettes A61B17/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1114 of the digestive tract, e.g. bowels or oesophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1789 for the sternum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32053 Punch like cutting instruments, e.g. using a cylindrical or oval knife A61B17/326 takes precedence; trepans A61B17/1695; for use on the cornea A61F9/007
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/66 Alignment, compression or distraction mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/70 Spinal positioners or stabilisers ; Bone stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7055 connected to sacrum, pelvis or skull
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8076 for the ribs or the sternum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00411 actuated by application of energy from an energy source outside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00535 pneumatically or hydraulically operated A61B2017/22051, A61B2090/401 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00876 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1117 adapted for discharge after necrotisation, e.g. by evacuation, expulsion or excretion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1139 Side-to-side connections, e.g. shunt or X-connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 for measuring contact or contact pressure

Abstract

A system for auto-anastomosing a region of the body using magnetic members that may be individually delivered to different locations in the body. The magnetic members have a polar alignment that generates an attractive force to compress tissue in the region between them. The tissue in the region necroses as a result of the compressive force such that tissue surrounding the necrosed tissue heals together to form an anastomosis. A cutting member may be coupled to either the first or second magnetic member to create a temporary opening in the tissue.

Claims

1. A system for auto-anastomosing a region of the body, comprising:

a. a first implant comprising;

a body, a first magnet with a first magnetic polarity, a first through-hole, and a terminal annulus defining a convex mating surface, and wherein said convex mating surface has a first radius and

b. a second implant comprising;

a body, a second magnet with a second magnetic polarity opposite from said first magnetic polarity, a second through-hole, and a terminal annulus defining a concave mating surface, wherein said concave mating surface extends within the body of said second implant, and wherein said concave mating surface has a second radius, wherein said second radius is greater than said first radius, wherein while said convex mating surface faces said concave mating surface, a magnetic mating of said surfaces causes the terminal annulus of the first implant to extend within the body of the second implant and apply a non-uniform compressive force across two adjacent structures disposed in between said two mating surfaces, wherein said non-uniform compressive force is capable of forming an anastomosis between said two adjacent structures.

2. The system for auto-anastomosing a region of the body of claim 1, wherein said non-uniform compressive force across said two adjacent structures increases radially inward toward said first and second through-holes.

3. The system for auto-anastomosing a region of the body of claim 1, wherein said non-uniform compressive force is strong enough to generate a necrosis tissue region of said two adjacent structures.

4. The system for auto-anastomosing a region of the body of claim 3, wherein said necrosis tissue region departs from said two adjacent structures to form a flow passage.

5. The system for auto-anastomosing a region of the body of claim 4, wherein said flow passage forms a fistula, wherein said fistula passes said implants there through.

6. The system for auto-anastomosing a region of the body of claim 1, wherein said non-uniform compressive force comprises a force at the perimeter of said implants that is strong enough to fuse said two adjacent structures while still promoting tissue growth within said two fused structures.

7. The system for auto-anastomosing a region of the body of claim 1, wherein said convex mating surface is a single convex mating surface.

8. The system for auto-anastomosing a region of the body of claim 1, wherein said concave mating surface is a single concave mating surface.