Objective   To design a new cyclic stretching system of tenocytes and evaluate its effects in vitro.    Methods   The microgrooved silicone dishes were made of 2 silicone components

polydimethylsiloxane prepolymers

and RTV ME 601A and 601B mixed in a ratio of 10∶1

and then degassed to produce microgrooved silicone dishes. The cyclic stretching system was controlled under different frequency

duration time and magnitude of stretching through a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and step motor. Stretch strength was adjusted through changing cams at different sizes. The stability of this system when it was working was observed. The biology of tenocytes under different frequency

duration time and magnitude of stretching was studied.     Results   The cyclic stretching system worked well and stable under the different of stretching frequency

duration time and magnitude. The direction of tenocytes on the microgrooved dishes was well controlled and parallel with the grooves

in a similar order as in vivo.    Conclusion   The new system is a good cyclic stretching model of tenocytes with stable

well controlled characteristics.