
(Raymond Grumney/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

(Raymond Grumney/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
The Linx is a medical device that looks like a small bracelet with magnetic-core titanium beads. The Linx is placed surgically around a patient's lower esophagus. The magnetic ring is designed to open up to make way for food and burps, but stay closed at other times to prevent stomach acid from entering the esophagus.
Here's how to pick the right shovel, from the classic to the crack-jumper, back-saver or the plow.