News Archive
i-LIMB hand is out of the laboratory
EDINBURGH-based bionic technology company Touch Bionics has disclosed further information about its much anticipated i-LIMB system - demonstrating both replacement hand and replacement finger bionic technology.
The company, which specialises in Upper Limb Prosthetics (ULP), has demonstrated the much anticipated i-LIMBTM Hand which has been described as a ‘true next generation bionic product’.
The i-LIMB Hand has five individually powered digits which provide the end-user with completely new grip options that enhance dexterity and activities of daily living.
Stuart Mead, CEO of Touch Bionics, said: “The i-LIMB Hand is the result of many years of development by Touch Bionics – the company’s technology was in fact the UK National Health Service’s first commercial spin out.
“We are very excited to have the product out of the laboratory and ready to fit to early patients in Europe and the US.”
The full commercial release of Touch Bionics’ product in Europe and the US is scheduled for later this year, after the company has finalised its current marketing preference study with clinics in the US and the UK.
Touch Bionics’ Phil Newman, who is responsible for sales and marketing, added: “We plan to stay out of the wider public domain for a little while longer as we identify and engage with the right commercial partners to support our US market entry and growth – this is one of our main reasons for being at AAOP – our early focus is on the US commercial market as it offers a more consistent reimbursement structure – patient numbers are also easier to identify fund than in Europe.”
EDINBURGH-based bionic technology company Touch Bionics has disclosed further information about its much anticipated i-LIMB system - demonstrating both replacement hand and replacement finger bionic technology.
The company, which specialises in Upper Limb Prosthetics (ULP), has demonstrated the much anticipated i-LIMBTM Hand which has been described as a ‘true next generation bionic product’.
The i-LIMB Hand has five individually powered digits which provide the end-user with completely new grip options that enhance dexterity and activities of daily living.
Stuart Mead, CEO of Touch Bionics, said: “The i-LIMB Hand is the result of many years of development by Touch Bionics – the company’s technology was in fact the UK National Health Service’s first commercial spin out.
“We are very excited to have the product out of the laboratory and ready to fit to early patients in Europe and the US.”
The full commercial release of Touch Bionics’ product in Europe and the US is scheduled for later this year, after the company has finalised its current marketing preference study with clinics in the US and the UK.
Touch Bionics’ Phil Newman, who is responsible for sales and marketing, added: “We plan to stay out of the wider public domain for a little while longer as we identify and engage with the right commercial partners to support our US market entry and growth – this is one of our main reasons for being at AAOP – our early focus is on the US commercial market as it offers a more consistent reimbursement structure – patient numbers are also easier to identify fund than in Europe.”
Former athlete opens sports clinic
A FORMER Stafford athlete has returned to her home town to open a new sports injury and physiotherapy clinic.
Alison Glover and her husband Brett Nagata have taken over the former lingerie shop in Mill Bank and turned it into Achilles Heal.
And the couple have a prolific pedigree with both being physiotherapists to national sports teams and in fact met at the Sydney Paralympics.
They have ventured down from the west end of Glasgow, where they also ran a clinic, to launch their business in Stafford.
Alison, aged 38, has represented Staffordshire in athletics and hockey and said being closer to her family was one of the reasons for her return to the town.
She also believes there is a need for physiotherapists in the town and its central location will make their national and international travel easier.
Alison is a former pupil of Sir Graham Balfour High School and went on to train as a physiotherapist at Manchester University.
She has spent two years working in Australia and has just accepted a post with UK Athletics, working with British teams towards the Beijing games in 2008.
Brett works with the Canadian wheelchair basketball team, double Paralympic gold medallists and looking for their third in Beijing.
Before moving to Stafford they were both employed by the Scottish Institute of Sport, where Brett was lead physiotherapist for Scottish Judo and Alison was lead physiotherapist for Scottish badminton at events including World and Commonwealth championships.
More recently Alison was physiotherapist to Britain’s silver medal-winning wheelchair curling team at the Turin winter Paralympics.
Between them the pair have 25-years experience in treating musculoskeletal injuries and Brett said Achilles Heal will aim to treat all musculoskeletal conditions: “Whether you injure yourself playing sport or pottering in the garden.
“We pride ourselves on taking time to assess the injury fully and explaining our findings to the client before progressing with treatment,” he added.
The new clinic, which opens on Monday, will offer treatments ranging from manual therapy, massage and acupuncture to biochemical assessment for foot orthotics.
A FORMER Stafford athlete has returned to her home town to open a new sports injury and physiotherapy clinic.
Alison Glover and her husband Brett Nagata have taken over the former lingerie shop in Mill Bank and turned it into Achilles Heal.
And the couple have a prolific pedigree with both being physiotherapists to national sports teams and in fact met at the Sydney Paralympics.
They have ventured down from the west end of Glasgow, where they also ran a clinic, to launch their business in Stafford.
Alison, aged 38, has represented Staffordshire in athletics and hockey and said being closer to her family was one of the reasons for her return to the town.
She also believes there is a need for physiotherapists in the town and its central location will make their national and international travel easier.
Alison is a former pupil of Sir Graham Balfour High School and went on to train as a physiotherapist at Manchester University.
She has spent two years working in Australia and has just accepted a post with UK Athletics, working with British teams towards the Beijing games in 2008.
Brett works with the Canadian wheelchair basketball team, double Paralympic gold medallists and looking for their third in Beijing.
Before moving to Stafford they were both employed by the Scottish Institute of Sport, where Brett was lead physiotherapist for Scottish Judo and Alison was lead physiotherapist for Scottish badminton at events including World and Commonwealth championships.
More recently Alison was physiotherapist to Britain’s silver medal-winning wheelchair curling team at the Turin winter Paralympics.
Between them the pair have 25-years experience in treating musculoskeletal injuries and Brett said Achilles Heal will aim to treat all musculoskeletal conditions: “Whether you injure yourself playing sport or pottering in the garden.
“We pride ourselves on taking time to assess the injury fully and explaining our findings to the client before progressing with treatment,” he added.
The new clinic, which opens on Monday, will offer treatments ranging from manual therapy, massage and acupuncture to biochemical assessment for foot orthotics.
Government gives changes the green light
THE Government has given the go-ahead to reforms influenced by the BHTA which could lead to England’s loan stores being replaced with a prescription-based service involving the retail sector. They believe the move that could transform the provision of healthcare products for consumers in England in the same way as the spectacles market was transformed 30 years ago, Minister for health, Ivan Lewis, has agreed to the recommendations of a report by the Transforming Community Equipment Services (TCES) team at the Department of Health, which could result in the largest single upheaval in the healthcare market for the last three decades. Initially this relates only to England and applies to community and homecare equipment, not yet applicable to wheelchairs, orthotics, prosthetics, stairlifts, audiology and visual impairment. The pilot scheme is planned to start this Autumn in the North East, with the likely roll out nationwide in April 2008. BHTA Director General, Ray Hodgkinson, said: “This is very exciting for the industry and has huge, and potentially very good, implications for our members. The supply chain will change, and products will become more desirable and available, resulting in a potential four-fold increase in demand over the next decade. He added: “The success of the Hillingdon model, set up in 1992 by Duncan Wilson and detailed in the BHTA commissioned paper ‘Value for Money’ began the process, and after a nine month review with wide consultation, the Government has given the green light, demonstrating its willingness to embrace innovation and change. “Consumers will be able choose and browse the market, buy the most suitable style at a price they are prepared to pay. But there will be a requirement for trained advisors, so those companies with clinical professionals on site will have an advantage. “Our Registration Scheme, which gives official recognition for the job competency of people working in the sector, coupled with the BHTA Code of Practice (which has gone through Stage One of the Office of Fair Trading Consumer Codes of Practice approval process) shows that our members have the knowledge and expertise to dominate this new market. However, our dealer members need to work fast to grab this opportunity by investing in stock and staff training to demonstrate they are up to the challenge – as many existing multiple retailers and third sector organisations will also be keen to jump on the bandwagon.”
THE Government has given the go-ahead to reforms influenced by the BHTA which could lead to England’s loan stores being replaced with a prescription-based service involving the retail sector. They believe the move that could transform the provision of healthcare products for consumers in England in the same way as the spectacles market was transformed 30 years ago, Minister for health, Ivan Lewis, has agreed to the recommendations of a report by the Transforming Community Equipment Services (TCES) team at the Department of Health, which could result in the largest single upheaval in the healthcare market for the last three decades. Initially this relates only to England and applies to community and homecare equipment, not yet applicable to wheelchairs, orthotics, prosthetics, stairlifts, audiology and visual impairment. The pilot scheme is planned to start this Autumn in the North East, with the likely roll out nationwide in April 2008. BHTA Director General, Ray Hodgkinson, said: “This is very exciting for the industry and has huge, and potentially very good, implications for our members. The supply chain will change, and products will become more desirable and available, resulting in a potential four-fold increase in demand over the next decade. He added: “The success of the Hillingdon model, set up in 1992 by Duncan Wilson and detailed in the BHTA commissioned paper ‘Value for Money’ began the process, and after a nine month review with wide consultation, the Government has given the green light, demonstrating its willingness to embrace innovation and change. “Consumers will be able choose and browse the market, buy the most suitable style at a price they are prepared to pay. But there will be a requirement for trained advisors, so those companies with clinical professionals on site will have an advantage. “Our Registration Scheme, which gives official recognition for the job competency of people working in the sector, coupled with the BHTA Code of Practice (which has gone through Stage One of the Office of Fair Trading Consumer Codes of Practice approval process) shows that our members have the knowledge and expertise to dominate this new market. However, our dealer members need to work fast to grab this opportunity by investing in stock and staff training to demonstrate they are up to the challenge – as many existing multiple retailers and third sector organisations will also be keen to jump on the bandwagon.”
David's medical centre opens
The David Beckham Academy Medical Centre has opened its doors and sports rehabilitation services to the general public. A private clinic now operates alongside the medical support that the Centre provides to the Academy programmes. The Academy’s fully trained professionals can now offer expert physiotherapy assessment and treatments ranging from
musculoskeletal conditions, muscle and ligament injuries and shoulder problems.
The David Beckham Academy Medical Centre has opened its doors and sports rehabilitation services to the general public. A private clinic now operates alongside the medical support that the Centre provides to the Academy programmes. The Academy’s fully trained professionals can now offer expert physiotherapy assessment and treatments ranging from
musculoskeletal conditions, muscle and ligament injuries and shoulder problems.
