This is the summary of the notes I took when I spoke to their rep last year:
1. Should be released in 2017, depending on certain production and regulatory issues.
2. Not yet approved for use in the U.S. thanks to various regulatory agency issues. (doesn't mean it couldn't be used in the U.S. though)
3. Painless is defined as A: Being less painful than external fixators, especially of the femur. B: The actual lengthening process itself is painless. (they talked alot about keeping kids out of externals)
4. The Synoste is being developed to compete with externals. The Synoste is smaller, lighter, more rigid, and has better weight bearing than other internals, allowing it to be used in place of externals when other internal devices would not work.
5. Uses an electromagnetic mechanism to drive a mechanical gearset that expands the rod up to 7cm. (the rep later said more than 7cm is possible, but refused to give me an explanation)
6. Up to .5mm expansion per day.
7. Has a user controlled device for lengthening that is "fool proof" compared to other devices. (was it programdude that had problems with the magnet not activating through his muscular legs?)
8. Allows users to lengthen at home, thanks to user friendly fool proof design. They reiterated several times that it was at doctor's discretion on at home LL.
9. Would not disclose price, said it was "wholesale to doctors only"
10. Cosmetic use if the doctor so chooses.
My personal opinion:
Cutting open your legs, shoving a rod into the bone marrow channel of your bone, cutting your bone in half, then using that telescopic rod to stretch the bone, nerves, ligaments, tendons, and muscles...will NEVER be painless.
This Synoste is the exact same principal as the Precice or any other internal. Apparently it is just made "better" than others. Time will tell I suppose.
Probably less painful and far more convenient than externals, especially on children, but certainly not painless. (I have young kids, I can't imagine externals on them...heartbreaking)
Edit: Y'all take this information for what it is worth. Stuff changes during production ya know. I struggled with his accent and poor English as well. (although mad props to him, he said he spoke several languages. Most American's can barely speak one)