Implanted magnets retrieval system and method

Abstract

A method of retrieving a pair of previously implanted magnets from a patient's body includes maneuvering a guide catheter, which includes a guide magnet affixed to its distal end, toward the implantation site of the implanted magnets. The guide magnet is magnetically coupled to one of the implanted magnets in an orientation in which a through hole of the guide magnet is in register with through holes of the first and second implant magnets. An elongate capture member is slid through the lumen of the guide catheter until one of a proximal segment and a distal segment extends through the through holes of the guide magnet and the implanted magnets. An abutment segment of the elongate capture member, which separates the proximal segment and the distal segment is maneuvered into contact with the magnets. Then, the abutment segment, the guide magnet and the implanted magnets are moved as a group away from the implantation site.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of retrieving previously implanted magnets from an implantation site, the implanted magnets include a first implant magnet magnetically coupled to a second implant magnet, and a through hole defined by the first implant magnet being in register with a through hole defined by the second implant magnet, the method comprising the steps of:
 maneuvering a guide catheter toward the implantation site, and the guide catheter defines a lumen and includes a guide magnet affixed to a distal end, and the guide magnet defining a through hole in communication with the lumen;   magnetically coupling the guide magnet to one of the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet in an orientation in which the through hole of the guide magnet is in register with the through holes of the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet;   sliding an elongate capture member through the lumen until one of a proximal segment and a distal segment extends through the through holes of the guide magnet, the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet, and wherein the elongate capture member includes an abutment segment that separates the proximal segment from the distal segment; and   moving the abutment segment, the guide magnet, the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet as a group from the implantation site while the abutment segment contacts one of the guide magnet, the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the distal segment of the elongate capture member extends through the through holes of the guide magnet, the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet;
 coupling a grasping element of a pull to the distal segment of the elongate capture member; and 
 the step of moving the abutment segment includes moving the pull away from the implantation site. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the moving step includes detaching the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet from tissue at the implantation site by positioning an outer catheter in contact with the tissue in opposition to a force of the abutment segment onto the one of the guide magnet, the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the abutment segment includes an expandable cross section that has a first configuration in which the expandable cross section is smaller than the through holes of the guide magnet, the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet, and a second configuration in which the expandable cross section is larger than the through holes of the guide magnet, the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet;
 the sliding step includes moving the proximal segment through the through holes of the guide magnet, the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet, then sliding the abutment segment through the through holes of the guide magnet, the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet while the expandable cross section is in the first configuration; 
 changing the expandable cross section from the first configuration to the second configuration; and 
 moving the abutment segment into contact with one of the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the guide catheter is a first guide catheter, and the guide magnet is a first guide magnet;
 maneuvering a second guide catheter toward the implantation site, and the second guide catheter defines a lumen and includes a second guide magnet affixed to a distal end, and the second guide magnet defining a through hole in register with the lumen; 
 magnetically coupling the second guide magnet to an other one of the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet in an orientation in which the through hole of the second guide magnet is in register with the through holes of the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet; and 
 the step of moving the abutment segment includes moving the abutment segment, the first guide magnet, the first implant magnet, the second implant magnet and the second guide magnet as a group away from the implantation site. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the moving step includes detaching the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet from tissue at the implantation site by positioning an outer catheter in contact with the tissue in opposition to a force of the abutment segment onto the one of the guide magnet, the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet;
 wherein the abutment segment includes an expandable cross section that has a first configuration in which the expandable cross section is smaller than the through holes of the guide magnet, the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet, and a second configuration in which the expandable cross section is larger than the through holes of the guide magnet, the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet; 
 the sliding step includes moving the proximal segment through the through holes of the guide magnet, the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet, then sliding the abutment segment through the through holes of the guide magnet, the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet while the expandable cross section is in the first configuration; 
 changing the expandable cross section from the first configuration to the second configuration; and 
 moving the abutment segment into contact with one of the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the guide catheter is a first guide catheter, and the guide magnet is a first guide magnet;
 maneuvering a second guide catheter toward the implantation site, and the second guide catheter defines a lumen and includes a second guide magnet affixed to a distal end, and the second guide magnet defining a through hole in communication with the lumen; 
 magnetically coupling the second guide magnet to an other one of the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet in an orientation in which the through hole of the second guide magnet is in register with the through holes of the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet; 
 the step of moving the abutment segment includes moving the abutment segment, the first guide magnet, the first implant magnet, the second implant magnet and the second guide magnet as a group away from the implantation; 
 wherein the distal segment of the elongate capture member extends through the through holes of the guide magnet, the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet; 
 coupling a grasping element of a pull to the distal segment of the elongate capture member; and 
 the step of moving the abutment segment includes moving the pull away from the implantation site. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the moving step includes detaching the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet from tissue at the implantation site by positioning an outer catheter in contact with the tissue in opposition to a force of the abutment segment onto the one of the guide magnet, the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the elongate capture member is moved in a same direction during the sliding step and the step of moving the abutment segment. 
     
     
         10 . A method of retrieving previously implanted magnets from an implantation site, the implanted magnets include a first implant magnet magnetically coupled to a second implant magnet, and a through hole defined by the first implant magnet being in register with a through hole defined by the second implant magnet, the method comprising the steps of:
 sliding an elongate capture member through the through holes of the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet, and wherein the elongate capture member includes an abutment segment that separates a proximal segment from a distal segment; and   moving the abutment segment, the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet as a group from the implantation site.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the moving step is performed while the abutment segment contacts one of the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the elongate capture member is guided during the sliding step by a guide magnet that defines a through hole; and
 magnetically coupling the guide magnet to one of the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet in an orientation in which the through hole of the guide magnet is in register with the through holes of the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  including a step of maneuvering a guide catheter toward the implantation site, and the guide catheter defines a lumen and includes the guide magnet affixed to a distal end, and the through hole of the guide being in communication with the lumen. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the sliding step includes moving the elongate capture member through the lumen until one of the proximal segment and the distal segment extends through the through holes of the guide magnet, the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of moving the abutment segment is performed while the abutment segment is in contact with the guide magnet. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the moving step includes detaching the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet from tissue at the implantation site by positioning an outer catheter in contact with the tissue in opposition to a force of the abutment segment onto the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the elongate capture member is moved in a same direction during the sliding step and the step of moving the abutment segment. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the elongate capture member is moved in opposite directions during the sliding step and the step of moving the abutment segment. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the abutment segment is changeable from a first configuration that is smaller than the through holes of the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet, and a second configuration in which the abutment segment is larger than the through holes of the first implant magnet and the second implant magnet;
 wherein the sliding step is performed when the abutment segment is in the first configuration; and 
 wherein the moving step is performed when the abutment segment is in the second configuration.