Use of magnetic implants to treat body tissue structrues

Abstract

Plural (at least two) magnetic devices are implanted in a patient so that magnetic interaction between those devices modifies the patient's body in one or more respects (e.g., by modifying the shape and/or performance of some part of the body). Prior to implantation, a location in the body may be marked for later reference during the implantation. The magnetism of one or more of the magnetic devices may be changed in vivo after implantation. One or more of the implanted devices may be subsequently removed from the patient if desired. Use of the magnetic devices inside tissue conduits (e.g., as a treatment for GERD) is especially considered by way of illustration.

1 . A method of treating a tissue passage in a patient comprising:
 implanting at least two magnetic devices in the passage so that the devices are positioned for magnetic interaction with one another.   
     
     
         2 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein the magnetic devices transfer force due to the magnetic interaction to the passage wall. 
     
     
         3 . The method defined in  claim 2  wherein each magnetic device transfers force due to the magnetic interaction to a respective portion of the passage wall. 
     
     
         4 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein the magnetic interaction is predominantly magnetic attraction. 
     
     
         5 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein the magnetic devices are implanted so that the magnetic interaction between them is predominantly transverse to a longitudinal axis of the passage. 
     
     
         6 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein the magnetic devices are implanted so that the magnetic interaction between them is across a lumen of the passage. 
     
     
         7 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein the implanting is performed intraluminally with respect to the passage. 
     
     
         8 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein the implanting comprises: passing at least one of the magnetic devices along a lumen of the passage; and
 securing the at least one magnetic device to the passage wall after the passing has conveyed that device to a desired location in the passage.   
     
     
         9 . The method defined in  claim 8  wherein the securing comprises:
 penetrating the passage wall with a retaining structure for the at least one magnetic device.   
     
     
         10 . The method defined in  claim 1  further comprising:
 changing the magnetism of at least one of the magnetic devices in vivo after the implanting.   
     
     
         11 . The method defined in  claim 10  wherein the changing is performed intraluminally with respect to the passage. 
     
     
         12 . The method defined in  claim 10  wherein the changing is performed by means that are passed along the inside of the passage adjacent to the at least one of the magnetic devices. 
     
     
         13 . The method defined in  claim 1  further comprising:
 marking a location in the passage that is to receive at least one of the magnetic devices prior to the implanting.   
     
     
         14 . The method defined in  claim 13  wherein the marking is performed intraluminally with respect to the passage. 
     
     
         15 . The method defined in  claim 1  further comprising:
 removing at least one of the magnetic devices subsequent to the implanting.   
     
     
         16 . The method defined in  claim 15  wherein the removing is performed intraluminally with respect to the passage. 
     
     
         17 . Apparatus for treating a tissue passage in a patient comprising:
 means for implanting at least two magnetic devices in the passage so that the devices are positioned for magnetic interaction with one another.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus defined in  claim 17  wherein the means for implanting comprises:
 means for securing at least one of the magnetic devices to the passage wall.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus defined in  claim 18  wherein the means for securing comprises:
 means for causing a portion of the at least one magnetic device to penetrate the passage wall.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus defined in  claim 17  wherein the means for implanting is configured for intraluminal operation with respect to the passage to at least some extent. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus defined in  claim 17  wherein the means for implanting is configured to deliver at least one of the magnetic devices into the passage intraluminally. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus defined in  claim 21  wherein the means for implanting is further configured to secure the at least one of the magnetic devices to the passage wall intraluminally. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus defined in  claim 17  wherein the means for implanting is configured to implant the magnetic devices at respective locations on the passage wall that are spaced from one another around the passage. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus defined in  claim 23  wherein the respective locations are on respective opposite sides of a lumen of the passage. 
     
     
         25 . A system for treating a tissue passage in a patient comprising:
 apparatus as defined in  claim 17 ; and   means for marking a location in the passage for use as a reference in subsequent use of the apparatus.   
     
     
         26 . The apparatus defined in  claim 17  further comprising:
 means for changing the magnetism of at least one of the magnetic devices in vivo.   
     
     
         27 . The apparatus defined in  claim 26  wherein the means for changing is configured for operation intraluminally with respect to the passage. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus defined in  claim 17  further comprising:
 means for removing at least one of the magnetic devices from the passage.   
     
     
         29 . The apparatus defined in  claim 28  wherein the means for removing is configured for operation intraluminally with respect to the passage. 
     
     
         30 . A method of treating a tissue passage in a patient comprising:
 implanting at least two magnetic devices adjacent the passage so that the devices are positioned for magnetic interaction with one another.   
     
     
         31 . The method defined in  claim 30  wherein at least one of the magnetic devices is embedded in tissue beneath a surface of the passage wall. 
     
     
         32 . The method defined in  claim 31  wherein the at least two magnetic devices comprise a set, and wherein the method further comprises:
 implanting a third magnetic device adjacent the passage at a location that is spaced from the set but so that the third magnetic device is positioned for magnetic interaction with at least one of the magnetic devices in the set.   
     
     
         33 . Apparatus for treating a tissue passage in a patient comprising:
 means for implanting at least two magnetic devices adjacent the passage so that the devices are positioned for magnetic interaction with one another.   
     
     
         34 . The apparatus defined in  claim 33  wherein the means for implanting is configured to embed at least one of the magnetic devices in tissue beneath a surface of the passage wall. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus defined in  claim 34  wherein the at least two magnetic devices comprise a set, and wherein the apparatus further comprises:
 further means for implanting a third magnetic device adjacent the passage at a location that is spaced from the set but so that the third magnetic device is positioned for magnetic interaction with at least one of the magnetic devices in the set.