Introduction: For a given rate of distraction a greater frequency of distraction improves bone formation. However, the current distractors used in clinic are activated manually and produces intermittent advancement.
Method: The authors developed an automatic driver that is capable of producing quasi-continuous distraction at a set of rates of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 mm/d. Using a customized in vitro experimental system, the function and stability of the autodriven system were tested during loading.
Results: The angular displacement of the automatic driver was quite regular while driving a constant torque of 4.268 × 10-(3) kg m. The driving achieved the target speed with the constant torque.
Conclusions: The automatic driven system provides a useful tool to assess the tissue healing at variable distraction rates with quasi-continuous traction. It demonstrates a potential for clinical application to shorten the treatment course of distraction osteogenesis.