15 September 2006 - UK Technology Innovator Anounces the Market Release of the World’s First Bionic Hand.

Edinburgh, UK: 15 September 2006 – Touch Bionics, the Edinburgh-based bionic technology company that specialises in Upper Limb Prosthetics (ULP), today disclosed the use of its bionic shoulder in the recently announced Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) ‘Bionic Woman’ project and the forthcoming release of its first commercial product – the world’s first bionic hand.

Next month Touch Bionics will release the i-LIMB Hand at its international introduction in Germany.

The i-LIMB Hand is a true next generation bionic device – it has 5 individually powered digits which provide the end-user with completely new grip options that enhance dexterity and activities of daily living. The i-LIMB Hand offers patients a device that actually looks and acts like a real human hand – a goal that has never been a reality, until now.

“The i-LIMB Hand is the result of many years of development by Touch Bionics – the company’s technology was in fact one of the first SHIL commercial spin outs associated with NHS Scotland.” said Stuart Mead, the CEO of Touch Bionics. “We are very excited to have the product out of the laboratory and ready to fit to early patients in the USA and Europe – be they a regular adult, an adolescent or an injured soldier.” added Mead.

The RIC neuro-controlled Bionic Arm allows Claudia Mitchell to move her prosthetic arm as if it is a real limb simply by thinking. This innovative RIC programme is run by Todd Kuiken, M.D., Ph.D., director of RIC’s Neural Engineering Center for Bionic Medicine. Dr Kuiken also sits on the Touch Bionics advisory panel.

“It is so rewarding for me as a physician and a scientist to work technology companies that have the potential to positively impact the lives of amputees.” said Dr Kuiken. “Touch Bionics’ i-LIMB Hand promises to deliver new levels of functionality and I’m looking forward to seeing it fitted onto patients this year.” he continued
The full commercial release of Touch Bionics’ product in Europe is scheduled for early 2007, after the company has finalised its wider clinical test programme. Earlier this year Touch Bionics finalised its test protocols under the guidance of its international advisory panel of opinion leaders in the fields of Prosthetics, Osseointegration, Psychology and Occupational Therapy.

“The publicity surrounding RIC’s announcement shows the level of public interest in bionics – we’re actually in the Guinness Book of Records as having the world’s first bionic arm way back in 1998! Our recent focus has been preparing our hand for the US commercial market, as it offers a more consistent financial structure – patient numbers were also easier to identify. However, we’re now ready to move into the European market as well, which is very exciting.” commented Touch Bionics’Phil Newman, who is responsible for sales and marketing.

The i-LIMB Hand embraces the very latest in mechanical engineering design. The device is manufactured using high-strength industrial plastics and injection moulding techniques. The result is a prosthetic device that is lightweight, robust and highly appealing to both patients and healthcare professionals. The i-LIMB Hand will be available in 3 sizes; Adult Male, Adult Female and Adolescent Male/Female.

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Further information and enquiries:

Phil Newman, Touch Bionics +44(0)7855 357884 phil.newman@touchbionics.com
Nicky Holt, Touch Bionics +44(0)131 656 0430 nicola.holt@touchbionics.com

Notes to editors:

A full selection of new high resolution management team and product images is available from the Company’s Online Press Office.

Touch Bionics is the UK-based award winning company focusing on the supply of electrically powered Upper Limb Prostheses (ULP). The company is based in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The Touch Bionics i-LIMBTM Hand offers users a step-change in functionality and performance, enabling patients to do more with their prosthetic hand. For example, the i-LIMB Hand has individually articulating fingers, a rotating thumb and a range of grip patterns. All these features are combined in a hand that is more anatomically correct than any other available product.

The i-LIMB Hand will be the first product available from the Touch Bionics i-LIMB System. The entire i-LIMB System, available in 2007/8, will be the world’s first complete endoskeletal modular arm system.