Self-assembling magnetic anastomosis device having an exoskeleton

• US 8,870,899 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2014
• Issued: 10/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: G.I. Windows, Inc.
• Original Assignee: G.I. Windows, Inc.
• Inventors: Beisel, Robert F., Lukin, Peter, McWeeney, John, Ryou, Marvin, Thompson, Christopher, Winkler, Josef K.
• Primary Examiner(s): ANDERSON, GREGORY A
• Application Number:
  US14/262,337
• Publication Number:
  US 20140236200A1
• Time in Patent Office: 186 Days
• Field of Search: 606/151, 606/153, 600/30, 600/37, 600/101, 600/104, 623/23.64
• US Class Current: 606/153
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/11 for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1114 of the digestive tract, e.g. bowels or oesophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/122 Clamps or clips , e.g. for the umbilical cord for the vas deferens A61F6/206
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00809 Lung operations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00818 Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system
• 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 2017/1132 End-to-end connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1139 Side-to-side connections, e.g. shunt or X-connections

Abstract

The invention is an implantable magnetic anastomosis device having an exoskeleton that directs self-assembly. The design allows the device to be delivered in a linear configuration using a minimally-invasive technique, such as endoscopy or laparoscopy, whereupon the device self-assembles into, e.g., a polygon. A coupled set of polygons define a circumscribed tissue that can be perforated, or the tissue can be allowed to naturally necrose and perforate. The device can be used to create anastomoses in a variety of tissues, such as tissues found in the gastrointestinal, renal/urinary, and reproductive tracts. New procedures for using anastomoses, e.g., surgical bypass are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An implantable device comprising:

a plurality of magnetic segments; and

an exoskeleton that covers a portion of the exterior of each of the magnetic segments,

wherein the exoskeleton is adapted to direct the magnetic segments to self-assemble into a geometric shape.

2. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic segments are elongated and are coupled end-to-end to each other by the exoskeleton.

3. The implantable device of claim 2, wherein the exoskeleton is deformable to allow the magnetic segments to be aligned linearly.

4. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the exoskeleton comprises a shape metal alloy.

5. The implantable device of claim 4, wherein the shape memory metal comprises a nickel alloy, a copper alloy, a zinc alloy, a platinum alloy, or a cobalt alloy.

6. The implantable device of claim 4, wherein the shape memory metal comprises a nickel-titanium alloy.

7. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the device self-assembles into a geometric shape that is angular, polygonal, or spiral.

8. The implantable device of claim 7, wherein the device comprises four or more magnetic segments and the device self-assembles into a polygon.

9. The implantable device of claim 8, wherein the polygon is a square, a hexagon, or an octagon.

10. The implantable device of claim 8, wherein a magnetic pole of each segment is normal to the face of the polygon.

11. The implantable device of claim 8, wherein the distance across the polygon, measured through the center of the polygon, is 5 mm or greater.

12. The implantable device of claim 8, wherein the distance across the polygon, measured through the center of the polygon, is 5 cm or less.

13. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic segments comprise rare earth magnets.

14. The implantable device of claim 13, wherein the magnetic segments comprise neodymium magnets.

15. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic segments comprise a trapezoidal face.

16. The implantable device of claim 1, further comprising an attachment point.

17. The implantable device of claim 16, wherein applying a force to the attachment point allows the magnetic segments to be re-oriented with respect to each other.

18. The implantable device of claim 16, wherein the attachment point comprises suture.

19. The implantable device of claim 18, wherein the suture is biodegradable.

20. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the exoskeleton directs the magnetic segments from a linear configuration to a polygon configuration when the device is delivered from a lumen.

21. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic segments have a rectangular or square cross section and the exoskeleton covers three of the four sides.

22. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the exoskeleton provides a substantially continuous smooth surface on the annular face of the geometric shape.

23. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the exoskeleton limits the magnetic segments to moving in a plane defined by the geometric shape.