Metacarpal: The first bionic hand solely powered and controlled through body motion.

Challenge

While foot and leg prosthetics have been incredibly successful at restoring the functional and psychological needs of amputees, the same cannot be said for hand devices. The NHS estimates 26-45% of upper-limb amputees wear no prosthetic at all. Current devices and development have focused on complex robotic solutions, which is only working for a small group of people.

Metacarpal has come up with an entirely new type of device, which will be the first bionic hand that’s solely powered and controlled through body motion; much simpler and more practical. The team required funding and expertise to develop their prototype and therefore applied to the Higgs Centre Business Incubation Centre (Higgs BIC) to help achieve this.

Solution

By having this new technology applied into prosthetics, Metacarpal are at the forefront of innovative strategies that will advance the wider medical community.

During their incubation period, Metacarpal had access to industry-level expertise and worked closely with technicians to develop the product and create the necessary components required. Furthermore, the business expertise available at the Higgs Centre through business support workshops and coaching assisted the team with relevant marketing plans and financials, including how to effectively approach and communicate with investors.

Benefits

Following a successful application to the Higgs BIC, Metacarpal joined the Higgs Centre in May 2022 as a team of one. Metacarpal graduated the programme as a team of five, a real demonstration of the business’ growth over the incubation period.

Metacarpal are hoping to expand the team further and has since launched the product on the US market, with UK sales beginning shortly also. Metacarpal are confident that even as a Higgs BIC Alumni, the Higgs Centre will be there to support the growth of the team, along with the commercial aspects and the wider marketing strategies.

The Metacarpal GEM Hand was awarded Best in Show in this year’s New Product Showcase at AOPA.