Magnetic implants with improved anatomical compatibility

Abstract

A distraction system includes a first distraction device having a first adjustable portion and a first distraction rod configured to telescope within the first adjustable portion, the first adjustable portion having contained therein a first rotatable magnetic assembly mechanically coupled to a first screw configured to axially telescope the first distraction rod. A second distraction device is provided and includes a second adjustable portion and a second distraction rod configured to telescope within the second adjustable portion, the second adjustable portion having contained therein a second rotatable magnetic assembly mechanically coupled to a second screw configured to axially telescope the second distraction rod. An adjustable joint connects one end of the first adjustable portion to one end of the second adjustable portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A distraction system comprising:
 a first distraction device comprising a first adjustable portion and a first distraction rod configured to telescope within the first adjustable portion, the first adjustable portion having contained therein a first rotatable magnetic assembly mechanically coupled to a first screw configured to axially telescope the first distraction rod;   a second distraction device comprising a second adjustable portion and a second distraction rod configured to telescope within the second adjustable portion, the second adjustable portion having contained therein a second rotatable magnetic assembly mechanically coupled to a second screw configured to axially telescope the second distraction rod; and   an adjustable joint connecting one end of the first adjustable portion to one end of the second adjustable portion.   
     
     
         2 . The distraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable joint comprises a first interfacing surface coupled to the first adjustable portion and a second interfacing surface coupled to the second adjustable portion, and a locking member configured to secure the first interfacing surface to the second interfacing surface. 
     
     
         3 . The distraction system of  claim 2 , wherein the locking member comprises a screw. 
     
     
         4 . The distraction system of  claim 2 , wherein the first interfacing surface and the second interfacing surface comprise circumferentially arrayed teeth. 
     
     
         5 . The distraction system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable joint comprises a locking pivot joint. 
     
     
         6 . A distraction system comprising:
 a first distraction device comprising a first adjustable portion having contained therein a first rotatable magnetic assembly;   a second distraction device comprising a second adjustable portion having contained therein a second rotatable magnetic assembly; and   a common distraction rod having first and second opposing ends, wherein a first end of the common distraction rod is mechanically coupled to the first rotatable magnetic assembly and wherein a second end of the common distraction rod is mechanically coupled to the second rotatable magnetic assembly.   
     
     
         7 . The distraction system of  claim 6 , wherein the common distraction rod is bendable. 
     
     
         8 . The distraction system of  claim 6 , wherein the common distraction rod is straight. 
     
     
         9 . The distraction system of  claim 6 , wherein the common distraction rod is curved. 
     
     
         10 . A distraction system comprising:
 an adjustable portion having contained therein a rotatable magnetic assembly, the adjustable portion being at least one of curved or angled; and   a distraction rod mechanically coupled to the rotatable magnetic assembly via a screw and configured for telescopic movement relative to the adjustable portion.   
     
     
         11 . The distraction system of  claim 10 , wherein the curve or angle of the adjustable portion defines an angle within the range of about 3° and 35°. 
     
     
         12 . The distraction system of  claim 11 , wherein the adjustable portion comprises a bendable tube. 
     
     
         13 . The distraction system of  claim 10 , further comprising a universal joint coupling the screw to the rotatable magnetic assembly. 
     
     
         14 . A distraction system comprising:
 an adjustable portion having contained therein a rotatable magnetic assembly;   a screw operatively coupled to the rotatable magnetic assembly; and   a distraction rod having a recess formed therein, the recess containing a nut having internal threads, the nut comprising first and second collared ends disposed on either side of the internal threads, wherein the screw interfaces with the internal threads of the nut and wherein rotation of the rotatable magnetic assembly effectuates telescopic movement of the distraction rod relative to the adjustable portion.   
     
     
         15 . The distraction system of  claim 14 , wherein the nut is bonded directly to the distraction rod. 
     
     
         16 . The distraction system of  claim 14 , wherein the adjustable portion comprises a housing having a plurality of longitudinal grooves disposed along an inner surface thereof and wherein the nut comprises a plurality of protrusions configured to fit within the plurality of longitudinal grooves. 
     
     
         17 . The distraction system of  14 , wherein the distraction rod comprises a cavity disposed along the recess and the nut comprises a flange dimensioned to fit within the cavity. 
     
     
         18 . The distraction system of  claim 14 , further comprising a gap formed between an outer diameter of the nut and an inner diameter of the recess. 
     
     
         19 . A distraction system comprising:
 an adjustable portion having contained therein a rotatable magnetic assembly   a distraction rod mechanically coupled to the rotatable magnetic assembly via a screw and configured for telescopic movement relative to the adjustable portion; and   a distraction tester comprising a body having a cylindrical cavity passing through the body, wherein the distraction tester has a first circumferential portion of the body that has a higher mass of a magnetically permeable material as compared to a second circumferential portion of the body spaced apart from the first circumferential portion.   
     
     
         20 . The distraction device of  claim 19 , wherein the first circumferential portion of the body is substantially thicker than the second circumferential portion of the body. 
     
     
         21 . The distraction device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second rotatable magnetic assemblies comprise at least one of a magnet or circumferentially arrayed magnetically permeable elements. 
     
     
         22 . The distraction device of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second rotatable magnetic assemblies comprise at least one of a magnet or circumferentially arrayed magnetically permeable elements. 
     
     
         23 . The distraction device of  claim 10 , wherein the rotatable magnetic assembly comprises at least one of a magnet or circumferentially arrayed magnetically permeable elements. 
     
     
         24 . The distraction device of  claim 14 , wherein the rotatable magnetic assembly comprises at least one of a magnet or circumferentially arrayed magnetically permeable elements.