Implantable sphincter assistance device with holding, aligning or clamping features integrated into housing

An apparatus comprising:

• (a) a plurality of beads, each bead comprising:
• (i) a housing comprising:
• (A) a first piece comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end defines a link receiving opening, wherein the second end comprises a first annular rim, and
• (B) a second piece comprising a second annular rim configured to engage the first annular rim, wherein the first piece and the second piece together define a magnet chamber,
• (ii) at least one magnet disposed within the magnet chamber, and
• (iii) a circumferential weld joining the first piece and the second piece together, the circumferential weld hermetically sealing the magnet chamber, the weld extending along a weld plane,
• (b) a linking assembly joining the beads together, 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 mounting plate interface assembly integrally formed with an external surface of the first piece of the housing facing away from the circumferential weld, wherein the mounting plate interface assembly is located closer to the first end compared to the second end, wherein the mounting plate interface assembly is configured to configured to mate with a mounting plate to constrain the first piece of the housing as the weld is formed, the mounting plate interface being parallel with the weld plane.

An apparatus comprising:

• (a) a plurality of beads, each bead comprising:
• (i) a housing comprising:
• (A) a first piece extending between a first end and a second end, the first end defining a link receiving opening, the second end comprising an annular weld location, and
• (B) a second piece, wherein the first piece and the second piece together define a magnet chamber,
• (ii) at least one magnet disposed within the magnet chamber, and
• (iii) a weld joining the first piece and the second piece together, the weld hermetically sealing the magnet chamber, the weld extending along a weld plane,
• the first piece of the housing further including a mounting feature integrated with a surface of the first piece, wherein the mounting feature is located closer to the first end compared to the second end, wherein the mounting feature is configured to mate with a fixture to constrain the first piece of the housing as the weld is formed;
• and
• (b) a linking assembly joining the beads together, 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.