Dynamic adjustment tool for programming an implantable valve

A tool for changing a current setting of a magnetically readable and settable valve implanted in a living being, the valve having an external cross-section and an internal rotor rotatable about a rotor axis having a locked and an unlocked state, the tool comprising:

• a locator comprising:
• a center aligned with the rotor axis when disposed over the valve;
• a first dimension approximately perpendicular with the rotor axis;
• a wall having a second dimension approximately perpendicular to the first dimension and forming a volume;
• and
• a re-centering element disposed in the volume;
• and
• an adjustor disposed in the volume, comprising:
• an outer wall at least partially disposed within the volume;
• and
• a magnet unlocking the internal rotor, having a magnetic axis, and disposed approximately in a center of the adjustor;
• wherein the outer wall has an adjustor dimension less than the first dimension of the locator, permitting the adjustor to move at least two of lateral, rotational, and orbital in the volume of the locator;
• wherein the re-centering element is configured to center the adjustor in the locator, which is the magnetic axis aligned with the center of the locator, permitting the adjustor to rotate about the center of the locator;
• wherein the magnetic axis can be misaligned with the center of the locator when the adjustor is disposed in the volume;
• wherein the rotor is in the unlocked state when the magnetic axis aligns with the rotor axis;
• and
• wherein the rotation of the adjustor sets the valve when the rotor is in the unlocked state.

A method for adjusting a magnetically adjustable valve from a current setting to a target setting, the valve being implanted beneath a patient's skin and the valve having an internal rotor rotatable about a rotor axis having a locked state and unlocked state, the method comprising:

• placing a locator over the valve;
• disposing an adjustor having a magnet with a magnetic axis at least partially within the locator;
• permitting the adjustor to move at least two of lateral, rotational, and orbital in the locator;
• aligning the magnetic axis with the rotor axis and displacing the rotor into the unlocked state;
• maintaining the unlocked state when the magnetic axis and the rotor axis are misaligned;
• and
• adjusting the valve to the target setting.