Winning Touch for prosthetics

A FIRM specialising in developing fake limbs in the Lothians has won a prestigious prize.

Touch Bionics, which has already earned worldwide acclaim for its work on prosthetic hands and fingers, was recognised at the Popular Science Awards.

Judges were impressed by the Livingston-based company's development of a bionic finger, which users said helped change their lives, from playing with their children to carrying out everyday household chores.

Stuart Mead, chief executive of the organisation, said: "We are honoured to be recognised with Best of What's New award from a world-leading publication like Popular Science.

"Pro-digits is truly life-changing technology, and 2010 has been a very successful first year for this system, with well over 100 people now fitted by Touch Bionics at our network of Touch Life centres in the UK and the US."

In a testimony to the judges, one man - Eric Jones - who is fitted with one of the fingers, spoke in glowing terms about the invention.

"I again have more independence," he said. "I can pick something up and walk out to the car with it rather than having to put it in a bag."