US Patent 8043299 Internal bone transport

An internal bone transport device and method for lengthen bone that, once surgically implanted will allow for a segment of bone to be transported along the length of the rod without changing the overall length of the rod. The segment from one bone end is transported to the other in a controlled fashion allowing for complete control of the rate of bone transport and adjusting this rate to the quality of the bone formation. The segment is moved either by the application of an externally applied magnetic force or by a fluid actuator in combination with a compression spring. It applies to patients in whom a segment of bone has been removed. This fully internal bone transport allows the bone transport to occur without any external fixation, thus eliminating the problems associated with pin tract infections and pain from the pins cutting through the soft tissue.