Patent ID: 7175660

Claim:
A system for positioning an implantable device for an anatomic orifice or lumen, comprising: an implantable device with an adjustable member configured to adjust the dimensions of the implantable device, the implantable device having a surface that comes in direct contact with the anatomic orifice or lumen, said surface substantially defining a plane, the adjustable member being configured to be coupled to an adjustment tool that provides adjustment before, during or after the anatomic orifice or lumen resumes near-normal to normal physiologic function, the adjustment tool being positioned during adjustment in a non-planar orientation relative to the plane defined by said surface of the implantable device; and an apparatus including: a first shaft having proximal and distal ends; a second shaft having proximal and distal ends and being slidably received within said first shaft; a plurality of arms, each of said arms having a distal end deflectably mounted to said distal end of said second shaft; at least one deflection device configured to deflect a proximal end of each of said plurality of arms away from said second shaft when relative movement between said first and second shafts is effected; and a device configured to hold the implantable device to the proximal ends of the arms.