Development of a Force-Driven Distractor for Distraction Osteogenesis

Distraction osteogenesis is a routine surgical procedure to lengthen a long bone. A fixed lengthening rate is typically used. We investigate measuring forces continuously and producing a variable distraction rate. A motorized distractor was instrumented with a load cell to measure the forces developed in a limb during distraction osteogenesis. The motor moves 2.6 μm at each step, with a variable frequency depending on the distraction rate. The forces were measured every 15 s and used to change the rate on the autodistractor. The autodistractor, load cell, data logger, controller, and battery pack were all mounted on a monolateral rail fixator, which was tested on a sheep that underwent tibial lengthening. Results show the feasibility of continually recording forces in vivo. The lengthening rate changed automatically, based around a threshold force of 300 N. Findings indicate that force readings are feasible and practical with a simple device. Force determination may provide an additional means to evaluate tissue integrity in real-time and away from the clinic. An automatic variable rate device could improve limb lengthening.