# US 10,945,738 B2 · Tunable magnetic sphincter augmentation device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,945,738 B2 - Document ID: US10945738B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/914,381 - Filed: 2018-03-07 - Published: 2019-09-12 - Granted: 2021-03-16 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-07 - Assignees: Torax Medical, Inc.; Ethicon, Inc. - Applicants: Torax Medical, Inc.; Ethicon LLC - Inventors: Michael D. Auld; Lauren E. Flakne; Kyle P. Taylor; Jerome K. Grudem, Jr.; Celeste L. Huster - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10945738B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/12013: {for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery} - A61B 17/12009: {Implements for ligaturing other than by clamps or clips, e.g. using a loop with a slip knot} - A61F 5/0079: {Pyloric or esophageal obstructions} - A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/00827: {Treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux} - A61B 2017/00876: {magnetic} - A61F 2002/044: {Oesophagi or esophagi or gullets} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract An apparatus includes a plurality of beads, a plurality of links, a clasp assembly, and an adjustment feature. Each bead includes a housing, a passageway extending through the housing, and at least one annular magnet. The at least one annular magnet is coaxially positioned about the passageway. The links join the beads together. Portions of the links are slidably disposed in corresponding passageways of the beads. The clasp assembly is configured to removably secure the beads and links in a loop formation. The adjustment feature is operable to adjust an effective circumference of the loop formation. The adjustment feature may be incorporated into one or both of the clasp assembly or at least one of the beads. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus, the apparatus comprising: (a) a plurality of beads, wherein each bead comprises: (i) a housing, (ii) a passageway extending through the housing, and (iii) at least one annular magnet, wherein the at least one annular magnet is coaxially positioned about the passageway; (b) a plurality of links joining the beads together, wherein portions of the links are slidably disposed in corresponding passageways of the beads; (c) a clasp assembly that includes a first clasp member and a second clasp member, wherein the first and second clasp members are configured to removably couple with each other to secure the beads and links in a loop formation; (d) a clasp link joining the clasp assembly with one of the beads; and (e) an adjustment feature located in the clasp assembly, wherein the adjustment feature is operable to selectively adjust an effective circumference of the apparatus in the loop formation, wherein the adjustment feature comprises a clamping feature operable to selectively clamp the clasp link and thereby grip the clasp link. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clasp assembly comprises a clasp assembly housing containing the clamping feature, wherein the clamping feature comprises: (i) a first clamp plate, (ii) a resilient member coupling the first clamp plate to the clasp assembly housing, and (iii) a second clamp plate fixedly secured relative to the clasp assembly housing, wherein the clasp link is positioned between the first and second clamp plates. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the resilient member is configured to resiliently urge the first clamp plate toward the clasp link and the second clamp plate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first and second clamp plates comprise opposing gripping features, wherein the gripping features are configured to grip the clasp link. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the gripping features comprise ridges. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first clamp plate comprises a loop, wherein the loop is configured to receive a tool to urge the first clamp plate away from the clasp link and the second clamp plate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the clasp assembly housing defines an opening, wherein the opening is configured to provide a path for a tool to pass through the clasp assembly housing and engage the loop of the first clamp plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the loop is configured to receive a needle to urge the first clamp plate away from the clasp link and the second clamp plate. ### Claim 9 An apparatus, the apparatus comprising: (a) a plurality of beads, wherein each bead comprises: (i) a housing, (ii) a passageway extending through the housing, and (iii) at least one annular magnet, wherein the at least one annular magnet is coaxially positioned about the passageway; (b) a plurality of links joining the beads together, wherein portions of the links are slidably disposed in corresponding passageways of the beads; (c) a clasp assembly that includes a clasp assembly housing, wherein the clasp assembly is configured to removably secure the beads and links in a loop formation; (d) a clasp link joining the clasp assembly with one of the beads; and (e) an adjustment feature operable to adjust an effective circumference of the loop formation, wherein the adjustment feature includes a clamping feature operable to selectively clamp the clasp link and thereby grip the clasp link, wherein the clamping feature comprises: (i) a first clamp plate, (ii) a resilient member coupling the first clamp plate to the clasp assembly housing, and (iii) a second clamp plate fixedly secured relative to the clasp assembly housing, wherein the clasp link is positioned between the first and second clamp plates. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the adjustment feature is located in the clasp assembly, wherein the clasp assembly housing contains the clamping feature. ### Claim 11 An apparatus, the apparatus comprising: (a) a plurality of beads, wherein each bead comprises: (i) a housing, (ii) a passageway extending through the housing, and (iii) at least one annular magnet, wherein the at least one annular magnet is coaxially positioned about the passageway; (b) a plurality of links joining the beads together, wherein portions of the links are slidably disposed in corresponding passageways of the beads; (c) an adjustment feature operable to adjust an effective circumference of a loop formation; and (d) a clasp assembly that includes a first clasp member and a second clasp member, wherein the first and second clasp members are configured to removably couple with each other to form the loop formation, wherein the first clasp member comprises: (i) a first housing, (ii) a first coupling feature, and (iii) a first threaded feature, wherein the first threaded feature provides a threaded coupling between the first housing and the first coupling feature. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first coupling feature is rotatable relative to the first housing to selectively vary a length defined by the combination of the first housing and the first coupling feature. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second clasp member comprises a second coupling feature, wherein the second coupling feature is configured to removably couple with the first coupling feature to thereby selectively secure the first and second clasp members together. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second clasp member further comprises: (i) a second housing, and (ii) a second threaded feature, wherein the second threaded feature provides a threaded coupling between the second housing and the second coupling feature, wherein the second coupling feature is rotatable relative to the second housing to selectively vary a length defined by the combination of the second housing and the second coupling feature. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second housing further defines at least one opening, wherein the at least one opening is configured to receive a needle to thereby permit the needle to drive rotation of the second housing relative to the second coupling feature. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one opening comprises an array of openings that are angularly spaced from one another along an outer peripheral surface of the second housing. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first housing further defines at least one opening, wherein the at least one opening is configured to receive a needle to thereby permit the needle to drive rotation of the first housing relative to the first coupling feature. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least one opening comprises an array of openings that are angularly spaced from one another along an outer peripheral surface of the first housing. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the adjustment feature is located in the clasp assembly. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the threaded coupling between the first housing and the first coupling feature is operable to adjust the effective circumference of the loop formation.