Morgantown is a hub for medical care in West Virginia, creating many opportunities for providers to spot healthcare needs that lack elegant solutions. Intermed Labs, located in the WVU Innovation Corp. building on Chestnut Ridge Road, is a medtech venture startup that specializes in transforming ideas for improving patient care into market-ready medical devices. This industry is crucial for local economies like Morgantown’s, as it creates high-quality jobs and draws talent and investment to the area.
Since Intermed Labs’ inception in 2020, it has partnered with entrepreneurs to produce several cutting-edge devices. The National Institutes of Health estimate that as many as 45,000 finger amputations are performed per year in the United States. Finger prosthetics can cost thousands of dollars, and getting the device properly fitted can sometimes require traveling long distances. In response to this problem, Dr. Tom McClellan, co-founder and CEO of Intermed Labs, created the Fingy 3D.
The Fingy is an affordable, custom prosthetic that helps wearers regain finger or thumb reach, grip strength, and dexterity. A unique feature of this device is the simple method of production. The patient uploads a photo of their hand to Fingy’s website, and an AI scanner generates a custom design to ensure a proper fit. The device is then 3D printed using a durable nylon material and shipped directly to the buyer’s door. Starting at $299, the Fingy is accessible to a wider range of household budgets. This invention earned Intermed the Top Innovator Award at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ 2022 Plastic Innovation Challenge. For a limited amount of time, certain West Virginia residents may qualify for a free prosthetic. More information about this offer can be found at fingy3d.com.
Through its partnership with Mon Health System and other healthcare institutions, Intermed Labs applies expertise and a spirit of innovation to improve patient outcomes and put Morgantown on the map.
Eva Murphy is a freelance business writer for The Dominion Post. She writes a column on businesses, churches and other entities in the city. To suggest a topic, email her at DPNews@DominionPost.com.
