Hanger Orthopedics Acquires SureFit, Distributes World’s First Bionic Hand

PRECISION TECHNOLOGY NEWS

In July, a subsidiary of Hanger Orthopedics Group Inc. (Bethesda, MD) acquired certain assets of SureFit LLC (Coral Springs, FL), a manufacturer and distributor of diabetic footwear. Hanger's subsidiary, Southern Prosthetics Supply Inc., is an orthotics and prosthetics distributor that has locations across the country.

“We believe that this acquisition helps to further Hanger as a leading provider of products and services for the diabetic community,” said Ivan Sabel, chairman and CEO of Hanger, in a press release.

Hanger anticipates that the acquisition will result in revenue growth beginning in 2008. SureFit's revenue for the 12-month period ending in May was $9.2 million. Last year Hanger Orthopedics experienced record sales that reached $599 million.

Most recently, the company has received attention for its involvement in the introduction of the world's first bionic hand, called i-Limb. Developed by Touch Bionics (Livingston, Scotland), the device provides more-natural movements that enable users to twist door knobs or pick up objects such as a plastic foam cup without crushing it. The hand's intuitive system has myoelectric controls that use an electrical signal produced by muscles in the limb to open and close the five individually powered fingers. The bionic hand is available in the United States through Hanger Orthopedics.

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