Evaluation of the SMALL nail: Drive technology and behavior in situ.

•An intramedullary lengthening nail with a shape memory alloy (SMA) element as drive was constructed.•Transcutaneous induced electromagnetical energy with a phase frequency of 25kHz (13V/12W) is required to drive the nail.•Three prototypes were tested in cadaver lab in antegrade and retrograde femoral and tibial configuration.•Additionally an acoustic feedback signal (“click”) was used as a check-up success.•SMA as drive for active bone implants for limb lengthening opens up the prospect of a distraction method highly promising.