Importance

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Abstract

A self-contained, implantable device for controlling passage of material through internal body conduits, and in particular to control the material passage through a closure point commonly referred to as a sphincter, such as flow through the urethra from the bladder, movement through the bowel, or flow of medications from an artificial conduit that is implanted. The magnetic occluding device comprises a fixed magnetic pressure plate assembly, positioned on one side of a conduit, and a permanent magnet on an opposite side of the conduit. The permanent magnet can be moved so that the magnetic force between the pressure plate and the magnet can be altered from a position wherein the attraction between the movable magnet and the pressure plate carries the conduit between the magnet and the pressure plate to collapse to close off flow through the conduit, to a position wherein the conduit can open. The position of the magnetic poles of the movable magnet is changed either by being rotated or displacing it laterally with the pressure plate so the magnets tend to at least slightly repel each other when the conduit is to be opened. Control of the magnetic force is achieved to insure that the flow of blood in the conduit is not cut off.

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First Claim