Patent ID: 7993397

Claim:
A method of treating a patient, comprising the steps of: identifying a patient having an implant residing within the patient, wherein the implant comprises an associated connector, and an elongate flexible tubular sleeve connecting the connector to the implant, wherein the elongate flexible tubular sleeve has at least one control line therein, the at least one control line extending from the connector to the implant; after identifying the patient, the method further comprising: removing a cover over the connector; accessing the connector; connecting an adjustment tool to the connector, the adjustment tool located at least partially outside the patient's body; and actuating the adjustment tool to adjust an amount of force, exerted by at least a portion of the implant against adjacent tissue, from a first force to a second force; wherein actuating the adjustment tool comprises rotating the adjustment tool in a first direction within the connector and changing the direction of rotation, within the connector, to drive the at least one control line in a second direction of rotation, different than the first direction, wherein, after the actuating of the adjustment tool, and after the adjustment tool is entirely outside the patient's body, the connector remains connected to the implant by the tubular sleeve, the at least one control line remains extending from the connector to the implant, and the at least a portion of the implant continues to exert substantially the second force against the adjacent tissue.