Touch Bionics Debuts Bionic Finger

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Saturday 27th of March 2010

Touch Bionics Debuts Bionic Finger

Following its earlier announcement unveiling the development of the worlds first bionic finger, Scotland-based Touch Bionics has commercially released the worlds first bionic finger.

With the ProDigits-powered fingers, Touch Bionics expands its upper-body prosthetics product line. The most notable member of that line, the i-LIMB Hand, is the first commercialized, fully articulated prosthetic device that looks and acts like a real human hand with five individually powered digits.

When it was introduced, the i-LIMB Hand won numerous awards and was heralded for ushering in a new generation in bionics and patient care. Upper-body amputees received the i-LIMB announcement enthusiastically and were excited by the high level of functionally the product provided. Prosthetists, who are trained to custom design, fabricate, and fit the i-LIMB to suit an individuals specific needs, were also excited about the revolutionary technology. In addition, they understood that the advanced functionality incorporated in the product would translate into higher profit margins for their practices. The ProDigits product line, in which individual fingers cost north of $50,000, is expected to do the same.

Touch Bionics sells to prosthetists through its direct sales force and via channel partners. The company has rapidly built up its partner program since releasing the i-LIMB in 2007, signing distribution deals and founding local offices in North America, China, India, and elsewhere. As a result, ProDigits sales should be strong, as have been sales of the i-LIMB (more than 3,000 to date).

While there are many companies developing prosthetic devices, most are focused on the 97 percent of amputees who are lower-body amputees. Touch Bionics has targeted the 3 percent who are upper-body amputees. This focus, along with superior technology, has given the company a substantial lead in the powered, upper-body prosthetics market. Most of the companys direct competitors are still in the prototyping phase.

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