COVVI Limited, a Leeds-based prosthetic hand company, has increased operations at its headquarters at Quayside Business Park. This follows a 400% increase in its global distributors and approval by the NHS for bionic hands to be worn by eligible patients in England who have had their hand(s) amputated or who were born with congenital upper limb deficiencies.
Its team, led by group CEO Simon Pollard, has used premium materials, digital motors, and design to be able to deliver a medical device that aims to establish a new level of quality and performance. The COVVI Hand connects to the COVVI Go App via Bluetooth and allows users to manage various settings for their hand, such as changing input sensitivity, moving between grip tables and assigning grip switch triggers. This innovation has disrupted the prosthetic industry due to its ease of use, creative design and life-changing impact is has for all users.
In September 2022, NHS England published their ‘Clinical Commissioning Policy’ on multi-grip prosthetic hands. Following an independent evidence review, NHS England has acknowledged that supporting evidence demonstrates the many benefits that myo-electric control multi-grip prosthetic hands can provide and has concluded that these prosthetics can now be made available through the NHS in England. COVVI is keen to assist users through the entire process by providing information and support wherever possible throughout the journey.
With over 25 global distributors and the recent NHS policy update, COVVI has been on a recruitment drive and has added ten new members to the team over the last six months. This has been done by fulfilling key positions across the business and whilst attracting several first-class graduates with a passion for prosthetic and robotics.
Simon Pollard, Group CEO at COVVI said: “Last month, the NHS approved the UK’s policy for multi-articulated hands which are now available to UK patients, as a result COVVI is now accessible to users throughout England. Until this new ruling was made, there was not an accessible advanced solution for patients with upper limb difference via the NHS. The NHS is now able to prescribe a COVVI hand in line with their clinical commissioning policy.
“This is a gamer changer – not only for the users who will now be able to wear a bionic hand every day, but also for the industry. The use of robotics has transformed the prosthetics industry. Leeds has a great pool of talent in robotics and technology – and it’s an exciting time to see that talent recognised both across the UK and globally."
For over five years, COVVI’s team has put the end-user at the centre of its innovation. Recent accolades include the Bronze IDEA award from IDSA (Industrial Designers Society of America) in the category of ‘Medical & Health’ as well as being selected as a finalist for the ‘Most Innovative Solution’ award in the category of Digital Health and Social Care, which is presented by the E&T Innovation Awards.
