Automated implantable bone distractor for incremental bone adjustment

An implantable bone distractor having a length extending generally along the direction of distraction, said distractor comprising:

• a first base member adapted to be attached to the bone to be distracted;
• a second base member adapted to be attached to the bone to be distracted at a position spaced across a separation in the bone from the attaching site of said first base member;
• a moving means movably coupling said first base member and said second base member for incremental movement of said second base member relative to said first base member;
• and
• an actuating means within said moving means, said actuating means including a shape-memory-effect alloy wire at least partially extending along said length of said distractor, wherein said moving means includes at least one sealed chamber of constant volume that contains said actuating means.

An implantable bone distractor having a length extending generally along the direction of distraction, said distractor comprising:

• a first base member adapted to be attached to the bone to be distracted;
• a second base member adapted to be attached to the bone to be distracted at a position spaced across a separation in the bone from the attaching site of said first base member;
• a moving means movably coupling said first base member and said second base member for incremental movement of said second base member relative to said first base member;
• and
• an actuating means within said moving means, said actuating means including a shape-memory-effect alloy wire at least partially extending along said length of said distractor, wherein said moving means includes at least one sealed chamber of constant volume having a hollow lumen extending generally along the direction of distraction, wherein said shape-memory-effect alloy wire extends at least partially within said hollow lumen.

An implantable bone distractor comprising:

• a first base member adapted to be attached to the bone to be distracted;
• a second base member adapted to be attached to the bone to be distracted at a position spaced across a separation in the bone from the attachment site of said first base member;
• a moving means movably coupling said first base member and said second base member for incremental movement of said second base member relative to said first base member;
• and
• an actuating means within said moving means, said actuating means including an electrically energized shape-memory-effect alloy wire and connectors attached to said shape-memory-effect alloy wire, wherein said connectors electrically connect said shape-memory-effect alloy wire to electrical leads and said connectors mechanically secure said shape-memory-effect alloy wire within said distractor.