Research teams and inventors often have great ideas that could potentially transform the lives of individuals with upper-limb deficiency.  Chris Lake takes the best of this emerging technology and applies it in a meaningful manner to patients’ real-life situations and needs.

Below is a list of manufacturers who work hard every day to improve yours:

ARTech Laboratory - www.artechlab-prosthetics.com  - specializes in the manufacture of aesthetic passive prosthesis.   All ARTech prostheses are custom fabricated from a special blend of silicone polymers which offers flexibility, patient comfort, durability, and stain resistance. A special mixture of pigments is intrinsically blended to give all ARTech prosthetic restorations a translucent skin like appearance which is colorfast.

Through a high density casting, a silicone positive model is produced which has all three dimensional details such as lines, wrinkles and veins as well as the interior socket. Final detailing such as hair, freckles, age spots, etc. is achieved by painting with 100% silicone paints.

The Hosmer Dorrance Corporation – www.hosmer.com - is a leader in upper extremity body-powered prosthetic components. Founded in 1912, D.W. Dorrance manufactured the first split hook design because he was dissatisfied with the terminal devices available. He traveled the country showing his innovation to physicians, prosthetists, and amputees alike. His clever and efficient innovation caught on to become a standard in functional terminal devices for amputees.

Today Hosmer helps people improve their quality of life by providing cost-effective, durable products. Hosmer continues to focus on strength, quality, and the independence of the wearer by updating its proven product line.  One such improvement is the addition of the titanium split hook.

Liberating Technologies, Inc. (LTI) - www.liberatingtech.com - is a leading supplier of upper-limb prosthetic devices for adults and children. The company designs and manufactures prosthetic devices such as the Boston Digital™ Arm System and the VariGrip™ prosthetic controller for below-elbow amputees. These new state-of-the-art microprocessor-based prosthetic controllers can be customized to accommodate the individual user's needs rather than requiring the user to adapt to the controller.

Liberating Technologies, Inc. also distributes products for three of the leading international suppliers of powered prostheses; RSLSteeper of England, VASI of Canada and Centri of Sweden. This enables LTI to provide an excellent array of upper-limb components to satisfy each client. The company also supplies powered prosthetic accessories such as: batteries, chargers, hands, wrists, elbows and shoulder joints, electrodes and other input devices as well as silicone and PVC cosmetic gloves and custom high-definition cosmetic covers.

Motion Control - www.utaharm.com - is one of the most comprehensive and advanced Prosthetic Development and Manufacturing companies in the world. Motion Control was originally established in 1974 by a group of faculty members and researchers at the University of Utah, led by Dr. Stephen Jacobsen, to commercialize the medical technology developed at the University’s Center for Engineering Design. As a result of this University/Industry partnership, the world’s most advanced prosthetic elbow/hand combination was developed, the Utah Artificial Arm.

Motion Control is considered to be the leading US manufacturer of myoelectric arms for all levels of upper extremity limb deficiencies, especially hard-to-fit cases. Products include the Utah Arm 3, the ProControl 2, the Motion Control Hand, and the ETD (Electronic Terminal Device).

Otto Bock HealthCare - www.ottobockus.com - is considered the pioneer in upper extremity prosthetics. Otto Bock leads the field with decades of experience and proven function.  For nearly a century, Otto Bock has been working to restore the functional lives for people all over the world. They pride themselves on seeing the world through the eyes of the people who use their products. 

Otto Bock’s deep clinical knowledge and research and development capabilities drive many of the best solutions possible.  Otto Bock’s contributions to the upper limb are numerous and include the Dynamic Arm, Sensor Hand Speed, and precision electronics.   The introduction of the Michelangelo Hand represents a paradigm shift in terminal device design and control.

PhysioNetics - www.physionetics.org - creates technologies that are conceptually radical in comparison to conventional prostheses.  PhysioNetics uses their core competencies in prosthetics, biomechanics, mechanism design, rehabilitation and assistive devices, computing and materials, to develop concepts that are simple, highly-functional and robust. 

All designs are focused on matching and enhancing the capabilities of the prosthesis users.  Their team’s multi-disciplinary skills enable effective design for practical solutions. PhysioNetics implements technologies that are easily understood by the users, and promote on-site innovation.

RSL Steeper’s - www.rslsteeper.com - principles of high quality and innovation provide our clients with a range of prosthetic products developed with the benefit of over 80 years of experience - offering significant improvements in quality of life for individuals with upper limb difference.  RSL Steeper offers a wide range of upper limb components with the most significant being the bebionic hand.

The bebionic hand is a new generation of fully articulating myo-electric hands. The hand provides precise control via the bebalance software control package.  The hand also allows the addition of the bebionic wrist.  This wrist is the world’s first commercially available wrist unit providing powered rotation and flexion/extension in one universal unit.  The system is offered with the bebionic skin, a naturally cosmetic, high definition cover designed to mimic the anatomy of the natural hand.

Texas Assistive Devices - www.n-abler.org - originally developed the Hayden-Preston System (HPS). It was the only interchangeable prosthetic tool system in the world at the time that featured a terminal device with a pitch adjustment of 60° including 360° rotation. The universal push-button quick insert-release terminal device was capable of utilizing a wide selection of custom designed and crafted interchangeable tools and implements. Because of the HPS's unique design, it allowed the user to perform jobs, chores and duties that he or she would be unable to do otherwise without an assistant.

Texas Assistive Devices has a reputation of listening very carefully to patient needs, and to practitioner and therapist suggestions. Their feedback led to the development of the N-Abler line of products designed to assist persons with upper extremity amputation and hand dysfunction.

TRS Inc.  - www.oandp.com/products/trs - was formed in 1979, by upper limb amputee Bob Radocy, who was frustrated by the limited performance of commercially available prosthetic devices.  In 1977, while in graduate school, he applied his engineering and biological sciences education and design experience to create a high performance, prehensor which allowed him to be competitive with two handed peers in any activity he chose. Thus in 1980, the GRIP prehensile hand was first manufactured.

Since then, TRS has grown to become the leading innovator of body-powered prosthetic devices in the world. TRS remains specialized in the design and manufacture of high quality technology for persons with upper limb difference. They design and manufacture high performance upper limb prosthetic components including body-powered, voluntary closing prehensors, and a unique line of specialized recreational/sports adaptors.

Touch Bionics’ - www.touchbionics.com  - history goes back to a program of work conducted at the Princess Margaret Rose Hospital in Edinburgh from 1963, starting with comprehensive research into developing prosthetic solutions for children affected by Thalidomide.  The company has developed into a dynamic company that offered the world the first commercially available multi-articulating bionic hand. It has five independently powered digits that open and close around objects. 

Touch Bionics has progressed further to offer ProDigits and LIVINGSKIN.  The company is on its second generation of a multi-articulated hand incorporating experiences over that last three years. Touch Bionics strives to “transform the everyday lives of extraordinary people.”