Magnetic closure system for natural or artificial anus - has magnetic cover held in place by ring of joined individual magnets embedded in tissue of patient

摘要

The closure system uses a magnetic circuit (10) implanted in the stomach or anus of the patient in the vicinity of the bowel outlet and a magnetic cover or stopper held in place by the implanted magnetic circuit (10). The latter comprises a ring of individual magnetic elements (11) with flexible couplings between them and each element (11) is covered by an outer sheath (14) of a material compatible with the surrounding body tissue. Pref. the individual elements (11) comprise magnetic bars or rods arranged anti-parallel to one another either individually or in groups. Each pref. has a bore (12) so that the elements (11) can be joined together by a continuous elastic band (13). The closure system can be used for a natural anus to overcome incontinence or for an artificial bowel outlet.