The UK’s first clinic offering innovative hi-tech prosthetic arms for amputees has been opened by Bristol healthtech firm Open Bionics.
The firm harnesses technology such as 3D scanning, 3D modelling, automation, and 3D printing to make its arms. 
In 2018 Open Bionics launched the multi-grip Hero Arm, the world’s first 3D-printed multi-grip bionic arm and two years ago founders Joel Gibbard and Samantha Payne raised £4.6m to serve multiple international markets and deliver bionic hands to amputees and people with limb differences in US.
The Hero Arm, which is available to adults and children aged eight and above, can grab, pinch, high-five, fist bump and give a thumbs-up. It is now also available in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
The new clinic allows the firm, which has a mission to make 3D prosthetics beautiful, functional and more accessible, to serve patients directly rather than through private clinics and also allows them to explain the tech behind the arms.
The Hero Arm is not yet available on the NHS.
Joel said: “While Covid-19 forced our business and community into uncharted territory, we’ve always listened to the needs of our customers.
“The idea to serve customers directly came from our community, who wanted technical information about the product included as part of their clinical experience.”
One of the first patients to receive medical care at the clinic, Caroline Coster, said: “My Open Bionics clinical experience has been really amazing. The first time I picked up a ball with my Hero Arm and I held it and dropped it, it felt like having a superpower.
“Having the technical and clinical expertise as part of the prosthesis fitting process was really incredible as I was able to see how the Hero Arm could be customised to meet my personal needs.”
The clinic received a grant under Innovate UK’s Sustainable Innovation Fund aimed at building resilience in the UK.
Innovate UK deputy executive chair and chief business officer Simon Edmonds said: “During the pandemic innovation in Britain did not stop.
“At Innovate UK we have been helping businesses and people through the pandemic. “Nowhere demonstrates this more than at Open Bionics. The work they do every day brings hope and help to those who need prosthetic arms.
“Not only are Open Bionics transforming lives, they are also creating new jobs and driving economic growth.”
Open Bionics has won more than 20 awards for business innovation, engineering excellence, and design.
Samantha has worked with a number of charities and launched her own in 2018, receiving official charity status for The Open Bionics Foundation in 2019.
Last year Joel and Samantha were honoured in the year’s Queen’s Birthday Honour’s List for services to international trade and engineering technology.
