Self-assembling magnetic anastomosis device having an exoskeleton
The invention is an implantable magnetic anastomosis device having an exoskeleton that directs self-assembly. The design allows the device to be delivered in a linear configuration using a minimally-invasive technique, such as endoscopy or laparoscopy, whereupon the device self-assembles into, e.g., a polygon. A coupled set of polygons define a circumscribed tissue that can be perforated, or the tissue can be allowed to naturally necrose and perforate. The device can be used to create anastomoses in a variety of tissues, such as tissues found in the gastrointestinal, renal/urinary, and reproductive tracts. New procedures for using anastomoses, e.g., surgical bypass are also disclosed.
1. An implantable device comprising:
a plurality of magnetic segments; and
an exoskeleton that covers a portion of the exterior of each of the magnetic segments,
wherein the exoskeleton is adapted to direct the magnetic segments to self-assemble into a geometric shape.
2. The implantable device of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic segments are elongated and are coupled end-to-end to each other by the exoskeleton.
3. The implantable device of claim 2 , wherein the exoskeleton is deformable to allow the magnetic segments to be aligned linearly.
4. The implantable device of claim 1 , wherein the exoskeleton comprises a shape metal alloy.
5. The implantable device of claim 4 , wherein the shape memory metal comprises a nickel alloy, a copper alloy, a zinc alloy, a platinum alloy, or a cobalt alloy.
6. The implantable device of claim 4 , wherein the shape memory metal comprises a nickel-titanium alloy.
7. The implantable device of claim 1 , wherein the device self-assembles into a geometric shape that is angular, polygonal, or spiral.
8. The implantable device of claim 7 , wherein the device comprises four or more magnetic segments and the device self-assembles into a polygon.
9. The implantable device of claim 8 , wherein the polygon is a square, a hexagon, or an octagon.
10. The implantable device of claim 8 , wherein a magnetic pole of each segment is normal to the face of the polygon.
11. The implantable device of claim 8 , wherein the distance across the polygon, measured through the center of the polygon, is 5 mm or greater.
12. The implantable device of claim 8 , wherein the distance across the polygon, measured through the center of the polygon, is 5 cm or less.
13. The implantable device of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic segments comprise rare earth magnets.
14. The implantable device of claim 13 , wherein the magnetic segments comprise neodymium magnets.
15. The implantable device of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic segments comprise a trapezoidal face.
16. The implantable device of claim 1 , further comprising an attachment point.
17. The implantable device of claim 16 , wherein applying a force to the attachment point allows the magnetic segments to be re-oriented with respect to each other.
18. The implantable device of claim 16 , wherein the attachment point comprises suture.
19. The implantable device of claim 18 , wherein the suture is biodegradable.
20. The implantable device of claim 1 , wherein the exoskeleton directs the magnetic segments from a linear configuration to a polygon configuration when the device is delivered from a lumen.
21. The implantable device of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic segments have a rectangular or square cross section and the exoskeleton covers three of the four sides.
22. The implantable device of claim 1 , wherein the exoskeleton provides a substantially continuous smooth surface on the annular face of the geometric shape.
23. The implantable device of claim 1 , wherein the exoskeleton limits the magnetic segments to moving in a plane defined by the geometric shape.