US Patent 7445010 Use of magnetic implants to treat issue structures

Plural (at least two) magnetic devices are implanted in a patient so that magnetic interaction between those devices modifies the patient's body in one or more respects (e.g., by modifying the shape and/or performance of some part of the body) Prior to implantation, a location in the body may be marked for later reference during the implantation. The magnetism of one or more of the magnetic devices may be changed in vivo after implantation. One or more of the implanted devices may be subsequently removed from the patient if desired. Use of the magnetic devices inside tissue conduits (e.g., as a treatment for GERD) is especially considered by way of illustration.