Tactile Orthopaedics

What Tactile Orthopaedics does

Tactile Orthopaedics Inc. is a Calgary, Alberta-based private company (founded 2015, 11–50 employees) that designs and manufactures anatomically accurate physical training models of the knee and shoulder for orthopedic surgical education. Its core technology is a set of patented proprietary materials engineered to replicate the tactile feel of human bone, cortico-cancellous transitions, and soft tissues, enabling realistic hands-on practice of arthroscopy, arthroplasty, and sports medicine procedures without cadaveric specimens or dedicated lab facilities. The product line spans Advanced, Arthroscopy/Sports Med, and Arthroplasty/Arthritic variants for both joints, complemented by tabletop positioners, the Demo 30 Arthroscope, replaceable skin sleeves, and synthetic tendons (Achilles, Hamstring, Quadriceps).

The company sells directly to three customer segments — practicing orthopedic surgeons, medical device manufacturers and sales teams, and orthopedic residency programs — through a consultative, quote-based motion originating from its website, with worldwide shipping. Revenue is generated primarily from one-time hardware sales of models and positioners, with a secondary recurring stream from consumables (skins and synthetic tendons) that are replaced as training programs repeat procedures. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; customers must request a quote. The company originated in Dr. Carolyn Anglin's lab at the University of Calgary and is led by CEO Robert (Bob) Spence, with co-founder Dr. Rick Hu as Board Chair and a board that combines surgeon, academic, operating, and investment experience (Brent King, Dr. Carolyn Anglin, Mike Read, Dr. Ryan Martin). Capital sources to date include a February 2021 round led by Thin Air Labs with Innovate Calgary and UCeed, supplemented by Canadian federal, Alberta provincial, and University of Calgary grants.

Name

Tactile Orthopaedics

Legal name

Tactile Orthopaedics Inc.

Website

https://tactile-ortho.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tactile Orthopaedics designs and manufactures patented, anatomically accurate knee and shoulder training models with realistic bone and soft-tissue feel, selling direct to orthopedic surgeons, residency programs, and medical device companies worldwide as a cadaver-free alternative for surgical skills training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Orthopaedic Surgical Simulation Devices

NAICS

Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing (339113), Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing (339112), Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing (3391)

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Hip & Knee Reconstruction (Arthroplasty) (HLAKALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports Medicine & Soft Tissue Repair Implants (Anchors/Grafts/Meniscal Repair) (HLAHAEAF), Sports & Active Rehabilitation Devices (Adaptive Sports Mobility, Performance Prosthetics) (HLAHAMAJ), Rehabilitation Therapy Equipment (PT/OT Modalities, Exercise & Balance Devices) (HLAHAMAG)

Keywords

• Orthopaedic training models
• Surgical simulation
• Cadaver alternatives
• Medical training devices
• Knee shoulder models

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Training Model Sales: Sale of anatomically accurate knee and shoulder training models for surgical education. Models include Arthritic, Sports Med, and Advanced variants for both knee and shoulder applications. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales of physical models, positioners, and accessories.
2. Accessories and Consumables: Sale of replacement parts and accessories including knee and shoulder skins, synthetic tendons (Achilles, Hamstring, Quadriceps), and positioners. These provide recurring revenue opportunities as training programs use and replace consumable components.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Tactile Orthopaedics designs and manufactures anatomically accurate knee and shoulder training models built from patented materials that replicate the tactile feel of human bone and soft tissues. The product line includes Advanced, Arthroscopy (Sports Med), and Arthroplasty (Arthritic) variants for both knee and shoulder, sold with positioners, the Demo 30 arthroscope, replacement skins, and synthetic tendons as a portable, reusable alternative to cadaveric training.

Product overview

Tactile Orthopaedics is a Calgary-based company specializing in anatomically accurate orthopaedic training models for surgical education. Their product portfolio centers on knee and shoulder models designed as alternatives to cadaveric training. The knee offerings include the Advanced Knee Model (versatile multi-pathology model), Arthroscopy Knee Model (Sports Med), and Arthroplasty Knee Model (Arthritic Valgus/Varus variants). Shoulder products comprise the Arthroplasty Shoulder Model (Arthritic) and Arthroscopy Shoulder Model (Sports Med), with multiple orientation options. Supporting accessories include positioners (Long/Short Knee, Arthroplasty/Sports Med Shoulder), a Demo 30 Arthroscope for video training, and replaceable skin sleeves. Consumable grafts include Synthetic Achilles, Hamstring, and Quadriceps Tendons. All models feature patented materials replicating the tactile feel of human bone and soft tissues, with compatibility for standard surgical instruments and implants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Advanced Knee Model Versatile knee training model with cortical and cancellous bone, built-in pathologies (ACL/PCL deficiency, meniscal tears, trochlear dysplasia), and harvestable quad tendon; supports ACL/PCL reconstruction, OATS, Mega OATS, HTO, TTO, MPFL, and PMC/PLC procedures.
• Arthroscopy (Sports Med) Knee Model Sports medicine knee model for diagnostic scoping, meniscal repair, ACL/PCL reconstruction, cartilage lesion treatment, meniscal transplant, MPFL reconstruction, and lateral extra-articular tenodesis; features realistic kinematic movement and medial/lateral gapping.
• Arthroplasty (Arthritic Valgus/Varus) Knee Model Knee model in valgus or varus deformity with thinner cartilage and osteoporosis-feel bone for total knee arthroplasty training; compatible with robotic or conventional TKA and includes hip centre, malleoli, and knee landmarks for sawing, drilling, tapping, and plating practice.
• Arthroplasty (Arthritic) Shoulder Model Shoulder model replicating an arthritic shoulder with stiff mechanics and soft arthritic bone capable of withstanding reaming; includes glenoid defect, cortical and cancellous bone, and lifelike soft tissues for capsular release, shoulder chondroplasty, and TSA procedures.
• Arthroscopy (Sports Med) Shoulder Model Sports medicine shoulder model with multiple pathologies (detached labrum, rotator cuff tear, Hill-Sachs lesion) for labral repair, rotator cuff repair, remplissage, Latarjet, and RCR procedures; suitable for beach chair or lateral orientation with portal placement.
• Long Knee Positioner Positioner for the Arthritic Knee model featuring hip joint range of motion for robotic TKA, quadriceps for patellar tracking and eversion, flexion/extension track, malleoli for tibial EM instrumentation, and a detachable foot for post-case implant assessment.
• Short Knee Positioner Positioner for Sports Med and Advanced Knee models with valgus stress, figure-4 position option, adjustable flexion and extension with lockable positioning, and removable foot for additional positioning options.
• Arthroplasty Shoulder Positioner Positioner for the Arthritic Shoulder model that clamps to a standard tabletop, provides locking rotation, and stable support for reaming or hammering during arthroplasty procedures.
• Sports Med Shoulder Positioner Positioner for the Sports Med Shoulder model offering Beach Chair and Lateral Decubitus positions, adjustable distraction, lateral bump, and lockable rotation with seven position options.
• Demo 30 Arthroscope Portable training arthroscope with a 30-degree angle, 1080p HD video at 60FPS, no software requirement, cross-platform compatibility, and a portable light source with rechargeable batteries for minimally invasive procedure practice.
• Knee Skin Right (replacement sleeve) Replaceable skin sleeve for the Advanced Knee and Sports Med Knee models enabling cost-effective repeated practice of portal placement for arthroscopic procedures.
• Shoulder Skin Right (replacement sleeve) Replaceable skin sleeve for the Sports Med Shoulder model enabling cost-effective repeated practice of portal placement for arthroscopic procedures.
• Synthetic Achilles Tendon Synthetic Achilles tendon consumable for superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) and lower trapezius transfer procedures using the Sports Med Shoulder model.
• Synthetic Hamstring Tendon Synthetic hamstring tendon for ACL reconstruction training; mimics the feel and function of real hamstring tendon for practising graft harvesting and preparation.
• Synthetic Quadriceps Tendon Synthetic quadriceps tendon for practising ACL reconstruction graft harvesting with realistic feel for hands-on training.

Quantifiable outcome

• Experts complete diagnostic tasks in 90s vs novices in 292s (68% faster)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sawbones (Pacific Research Laboratories): Sawbones is the dominant manufacturer of synthetic orthopedic test bones and training models used by surgeons, residencies, and medical device companies. It is the most direct competitor to Tactile Orthopaedics in synthetic orthopedic training models, with a much broader catalog spanning fracture fixation, joint, and spine models.
• Synbone: Synbone produces synthetic bone and joint models for orthopedic surgical training and pre-operative planning. Like Tactile, it sells anatomically realistic knee and shoulder models to residency programs and medical device companies, making it a direct competitor in synthetic orthopedic simulation.
• Simulab: Simulab produces realistic soft-tissue task trainers and procedural simulators for surgical education, including trauma and ultrasound models. Its product philosophy of realistic, portable trainers parallels Tactile's, making it a direct peer in physical surgical simulation even though its catalog spans more specialties.

Emerging players

• VirtaMed: VirtaMed develops high-fidelity arthroscopy and orthopedic virtual reality simulators used in residency training. It competes with Tactile for the same residency program budgets, but in digital/virtual format rather than physical models, representing the principal alternative modality in this market.
• FundamentalVR: FundamentalVR provides a VR haptic surgical simulation platform for orthopedic and other procedures. It targets the same medical device industry and residency training customers as Tactile but delivers experiences digitally, positioning it as an emerging alternative rather than a like-for-like competitor.
• Osso VR: Osso VR offers virtual reality surgical training focused on orthopedic procedures including arthroplasty and sports medicine. It serves device companies and residencies, overlapping with Tactile's customer base but as a digital-only alternative.

Broad incumbents

• Smith & Nephew: Smith & Nephew is a global orthopedic device company that invests heavily in surgeon training, cadaveric labs, and digital simulation for its own product portfolio. A Tactile board member is a former Smith & Nephew executive, and Smith & Nephew is both a potential customer and a benchmark for what an incumbent training ecosystem looks like.
• Stryker: Stryker is a major orthopedic medical device company that runs extensive surgeon education programs for its Mako robotic and joint reconstruction portfolios. As a potential customer for Tactile models (and a competitor in training infrastructure), Stryker represents the broad incumbent benchmark in this space.
• Johnson & Johnson (DePuy Synthes): Johnson & Johnson's DePuy Synthes franchise is one of the largest orthopedic and trauma franchises globally and operates significant surgeon training programs. It represents the largest potential medical-device-industry customer for Tactile's models and the broadest incumbent in the orthopedic training ecosystem.
• Surgical Science: Surgical Science is a leading provider of virtual reality simulators for medical training across multiple specialties including orthopedics. While Tactile focuses on physical models and Surgical Science on digital simulation, both target the same training budgets at residency programs and device companies, making it an incumbent cross-modality peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCjN091iVAnhKlqlm0SVyr_Q
• LinkedInca.linkedin.com/company/tactile-ortho
• Instagraminstagram.com/tactile.ortho

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tactile Orthopaedics