Patent ID: 8419734

Claim:
A system for treating the skeletal system of a subject comprising: an implant having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion configured for mounting at a first location of the skeletal system and the second portion configured for mounting at a second location of the skeletal system and moveable with respect to the first portion, the implant further comprising an adjustment device comprising a rotationally mounted magnetic element configured to move the second portion relative to the first portion in response to rotation of the magnetic element; and an external adjustment device disposed external to the subject, the external adjustment device comprising a first rotating magnet having a north pole and a south pole and adapted to rotate about a first axis and a second rotating magnet having a north pole and a south pole and spaced apart from the first rotating magnet and adapted to rotate about a second, separate axis, wherein the first rotating magnet and the second rotating magnet are configured to rotate at the same angular velocity, and wherein the angular location of the north pole of the first rotating magnet is angularly offset from the angular location of the north pole of the second rotating magnet through a full rotation of the first and second rotating magnets and wherein the rotation of the first and second rotating magnets of the external adjustment device increase a distraction force between the first location and the second location.