Patent ID: 9554818
Date: 2017-01-31
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. A method for supporting an internal tissue structure using an external magnet, said method comprising: introducing a shaft through a percutaneous passage into a body cavity of a patient, wherein a distal end of the shaft carries a tissue grasper and a magnetic coupling element secured to the tissue grasper by a tether; releasing the magnetic coupling element from the shaft within the cavity; securing the tissue grasper over the tissue structure while the tissue grasper remains on the shaft; releasing the tissue grasper from the shaft after the grasper has been secured over the tissue structure; positioning the external magnet over a patient's skin to create a magnetic field to attract and hold the magnetic coupling element; cinching the tether to position the tissue structure; and adjusting a strength of the magnetic field between the external magnet and the magnetic coupling element.