Bone transport and lengthening system

摘要

A surgically implantable cable apparatus has a means for securing (32) a first bone segment (12) and a second bone segment (13). A flexible cable (17) is attached at one end relative to one bone segment (25). A flexible non-compressible sheath (15) has a bore (16) for slidably receiving the cable (17). The non-compressible sheath (15) is secured to the securing means (32) at point (40) and transmits a counter-compression force to the bone segment (25). An implantable actuator (36) is connected to the second end (19) of the flexible cable (17) and to the second end of the sheath (15). The implantable actuator (36) is fully implantable subcutaneously. The implantable actuator (36) is responsive to a transcutaneous energy signal and pulls the flexible cable (17) through the sheath (15) in an axial direction. The cable movement is applied to the bone segment (25), either directly or transmitted through an internal fixation device and the bone segment (25) moves a predetermined distance. Art energy source (42) generates the transcutaneous energy signal which activates the implantable actuator (36) through an intact skin layer (44). The transcutaneous energy signal is a magnetic field or induced electrical current.