Implantable sphincter assistance device with interconnected encasement of magnetic elements

An apparatus comprising:

• (a) a plurality of beads, wherein at least one bead of the plurality of beads comprises:
• (i) a housing defining a magnet chamber, and
• (ii) a magnet assembly disposed within the magnet chamber, wherein the magnet assembly comprises:
• (A) a plurality of annular magnets stacked together to thereby define a central opening, and
• (B) an encasement covering the plurality of annular magnets, wherein the encasement is configured to inhibit movement of individual annular magnets of the plurality of annular magnets relative to each other, wherein the encasement includes a protrusion along a radial outer end to thereby affix to the housing;
• 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.

An apparatus comprising:

• (a) a plurality of beads, wherein at least one bead of the plurality of beads comprises:
• (i) a housing defining a magnet chamber, and
• (ii) a magnet assembly disposed within the magnet chamber, wherein the magnet assembly comprises:
• (A) a stack of magnets within the magnet chamber, and
• (B) an encasement molding covering the stack of magnets, wherein the encasement molding is configured to inhibit movement of individual magnets of the stack of magnets relative to each other, wherein the encasement molding is integral and thus surrounds the stack of magnets to thereby provide a seal between the stack of magnets and the housing;
• 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.