Touch Bionics releases new prosthetic fingers, flips the old ones the bird
Touch Bionics releases new prosthetic fingers, flips the old ones the bird
The only upgrades available for our puny human hands are gaming controller calluses, but if you're sporting an i-LIMB digits hand prosthesis, you can now grab a set of improved fingers. Touch Bionics' "smaller, lighter and more anatomically accurate" appendages are now available worldwide, as well as a new wrist-band unit which houses all the necessary computing power and juice for their function. Best of all, these developments allow more people to adopt the tech than the previous generation, including those with more petite hands or finger amputations closer to the knuckle. We don't know how much it 'll cost for a fresh set, but we'll let health agencies and insurance companies deal with that part. With these upgrades and RSL Steeper's latest offering, it won't be long before our flesh-based variants are meager in comparison.
Show full PR textTouch Bionics announces global availability of new bionic finger technologies
New i-limb digits developments increase dexterity, comfort, and ease of assembly
Mansfield, MA and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - September 28, 2012 - Touch Bionics, a provider of world-leading prosthetic technologies, today announced the worldwide launch of its latest prosthetic innovations for people with missing fingers. The company revealed new wrist-band and digit technologies for its i-limb digits solution that will help bring the benefits of the prostheses to a greater population.
In addition to its market-leading prosthetic hand products, Touch Bionics was also the first in the world to develop a pro sthetic finger solution with articulating digits in 2009, and over 500 people have since been fitted with its i-limb digits technology.
Today, Touch Bionics revealed new additions to the i-limb digits product line, including a shorter, lighter prosthetic finger and a wrist-band unit that incorporates all of the processing and power systems for the prosthesis.
"The new finger development enables i-limb digits prostheses to be made smaller, lighter and more anatomically accurate, and therefore suitable for a wider population, such as those with smaller hands, or whose amputations are closer to the base of the fingers," said Ian Stevens, CEO, Touch Bionics. "The wrist-band unit provides the ability to build an i-limb digits prosthesis that has full wrist mobility and with easily interchangeable and rechargeable batteries."
Partial hand amputations, where people lose one or more digits, are more common than whole hand amputations or loss. Histori cally, people with such injuries have not had a suitable prosthetic option, despite experiencing a high level of disability. The amputee population that can benefit from i-limb digits is estimated to be over 1.2 million worldwide.
"By using i-limb digits to increase their overall ability to complete daily tasks, we see that people experience an increase in self-confidence and independence, and can benefit by being able to return to work or to their favourite pastimes and hobbies," said Stevens. "Our goal as a company is to maximise the number of people that can experience these benefits, and the developments that we have announced today take us closer to that goal."
Touch Bionics is in Brazil this week as part of a UK Government Trade Mission.
UK Trade and Investment Minister Lord Green said:
"Brazil's fast growing economy offers many opportunities for UK companies. Trade between our two nations increased by a quarter in the last t wo years and London's successful summer of sport has helped to raise the profile of British companies even further.
"I congratulate Touch Bionics for securing new business in Brazil. Getting more companies exporting is a crucial part of the Government's plan for growth."
"As Touch Bionics' distributor in Brazil we are excited to be able to offer these new i-limb digits developments to the Brazilian market," said Jairo Blumenthal of Blumenthal Disitribuidora. "Before i-limb digits became available, all Brazilian patients had to use passive or mechanical prosthetic solutions, but now they can benefit from the electronic articulating fingers invented by Touch Bionics. Our workshops are ready to provide information and training to all Brazilian patients and practitioners interested in Touch Bionics' products."
Engadget