Implantable sphincter assistance device with single use emergency release decoupling interconnection link

An apparatus comprising:

• (a) a plurality of beads, wherein each bead of the plurality of beads comprises:
• (i) at least one housing, and
• (ii) at least one magnet positioned within the at least one housing;
• and
• (b) a plurality of interconnection elements, wherein each interconnection element of the plurality of interconnection elements movably joins together a corresponding pair of beads of the plurality of beads, wherein the plurality of beads and the plurality of interconnection elements are sized and configured to form an expandable loop around an anatomical structure in a patient, wherein at least one interconnection element of the plurality of interconnection elements includes a frangible breakaway wire extending between a first bead of the plurality of beads and a second bead of the plurality of beads, such that the frangible breakaway wire joins the first bead with the second bead, wherein the breakaway wire includes a weakened region defined by a release notch such that the breakaway wire is configured to break at the release notch in response to application of a threshold force.

An apparatus configured to be implanted within a biological structure, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a plurality of beads, wherein each bead of the plurality of beads comprises:
• (i) at least one housing, and
• (ii) at least one magnet positioned within the at least one housing;
• (b) a plurality of interconnection elements, wherein each interconnection element of the plurality of interconnection elements movably joins together a corresponding pair of beads of the plurality of beads;
• (c) a first pair of clasp structures, each clasp structure of the first pair of clasp structures being positioned at a respective end of the apparatus, the clasp structures of the first pair of clasp structures being configured to selectively couple with each other;
• and
• (d) a second pair of clasp structures, each clasp structure of the second pair of clasp structures respectively including a releasably engaging connection element, the releasably engaging connection elements of the second pair of clasp structures being configured to join in an interlocking connection,
• wherein the second pair of clasp structures are configured to be separated from each other in response to application of a threshold force in a circumferential direction along a loop formed by the plurality of beads, the plurality of interconnection elements, the first pair of clasp structures, and the second pair of clasp structures, the threshold force being applied to a portion of at least one of the second pair of clasp structures.