US Patent 10405865 Method for assisting a sphincter

A surgical implant is configured to reinforce a sphincter to transition between an occluded state and an opened state. The surgical implant includes an openable occlusion mechanism and a plurality of magnets. The openable occlusion mechanism includes an absorbable component and a non-absorbable component. The plurality of magnets are configured to encourage the sphincter toward the occluded state. An apparatus is operable to deploy the implant. The implant is placed on the distal end of the apparatus. An endoscope along with the implant and the apparatus are inserted in a biological lumen.