A new device developed by Helsinki University of Technology with the Orton Invalid Foundation in Finland may become a new tool to repair skeletal malformations using a new magnetically aided approach. Unlike traditional lengthening methods, like an externally mounted Ilizarov apparatus, the new system is based on a nail embedded in the bone and an external magnetic system that slowly pulls apart the two fragments of the nail to create a crevice that gets naturally filled in by bony tissue.
The device is based on bone marrow nailing, which is usually used in orthopaedics. A bone marrow nail is placed in the long bone of an artificially fractured limb and slowly extended. Through the bone’s normal healing mechanisms, new bone grows in the fracture cleft and thus the bone lengthens.
“The nail does not contain electronics; rather its operation is based on achieving lengthening by the innovative use of a smart material that reacts to a magnetic field. The benefits of the technology are a high degree of reliability, controllability, cost-efficiency and patient friendliness”, says researcher Antti Ritvanen [Helsinki University of Technology] in describing the technology developed by the group.
“Four times per day, the patient places his foot on an automatic home care device that produces a magnetic field, at which time a daily stretching of about one millimetre is divided into smaller steps. Lengthening can be carried out painlessly at home, even while lounging on the sofa, and only takes a few minutes of the day”, continues researcher Juha Haaja.
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