Sawbones
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1975
- HeadquartersVashon, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
Sawbones firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sawbones
- Legal name
- Pacific Research Laboratories, Inc.
- Website
- https://sawbones.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1975
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sawbones industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Medical Simulation Models
- 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
- Orthopedic Trauma & Extremities Fixation (Plates/Screws/Nails/External Fixation) (HLAHAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Surgical Navigation, Robotics & Patient-Matched Instrumentation (Ortho/Spine) (HLAHAEAL)
Keywords
Where Sawbones is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vashon
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Sawbones business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Medical Training Models Sales: Direct sales of anatomical models including bone models, soft tissue models, medical imaging models, and training accessories. Products range from individual anatomical bones to complex multi-component training systems.
- Custom Model Fabrication: Custom anatomical workshop models, clear bone models, and specialized configurations created to customer specifications for unique training or demonstration requirements.
- Biomechanical Testing Services: Finite element analysis services and biomechanical testing using company models for medical device testing and orthopedic research.
- Replacement Parts and Accessories: Replacement skin sleeves, needle assemblies, feedback emitters, and other consumable/accessory items for ongoing training operations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard anatomical bones and foam blocks |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Injection training models with audio feedback |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Replacement parts and accessories |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom made-to-order products |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Sawbones product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sawbones manufactures and sells realistic anatomical training models—including artificial bones, soft tissue, medical imaging, injection, and ultrasound trainers—for surgical education, medical device demonstration, and biomechanical testing. The company also provides custom model fabrication, finite element analysis services, and biomechanical testing materials (including proprietary Absolute™ osteoporotic bone and Resonance™ ultrasound-compatible tissue) to medical schools, orthopedic residency programs, and medical device companies worldwide.
Product overview
Sawbones, operated by Pacific Research Laboratories, is a manufacturer of anatomical medical training models founded in 1975. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio organized into core product lines including Biomechanical Testing Products (featuring the absolute™ brand), Orthopaedic Bone Models, Soft Tissue Models, Medical Imaging Models, Injection Training Models with audio feedback capabilities, Ultrasound Training Models using Resonance™ technology, Veterinary Models, and Specialty Training Models organized by surgical discipline. The product portfolio spans individual anatomical bones (foam cortical and solid foam), articulated joint models, full injection trainer systems with conductive feedback technology, and custom manufacturing services. The offering is characterized by a platform-plus-components architecture where core anatomical models serve as the foundation, supported by a full range of accessories, replacement parts, and custom fabrication services for specialized applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Sawbones: Primary brand name for anatomical medical training models and artificial bones for surgical training
Products and services
- Orthopaedic Bone Models Anatomically accurate artificial bone models for surgical training and medical education, covering Head and Neck, Hip and Pelvis, Lower Extremities, Spine, Torso, and Upper Extremities. Designed for medical schools, residency programs, and surgical training centers.
- Soft Tissue Models Medical training models featuring realistic soft tissue and skin covering for procedural simulation, available across all body regions including Head and Neck, Hip and Pelvis, Lower Extremities, Spine, Torso, and Upper Extremities.
- Medical Imaging Models Training models specifically designed for medical imaging education and practice, anatomically accurate for X-ray, CT, and MRI training across all body regions.
- Injection Training Models Conductive injection trainer models with audio feedback for joint injection procedures, including Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, Hip, Knee, Foot and Ankle, and Facet/SI Joint Trunk models. Includes replaceable feedback emitters and conductive needle systems.
- Ultrasound Training Models Training models made with Resonance™ ultrasound tissue for realistic ultrasound-guided procedure training, including vein access trainers.
- Biomechanical Testing Products Composite foam bone and testing material products including Absolute™ Bones, Absolute™ Cylinders, Absolute™ Sheets, Blocks/Cylinders/Sheets, FE Models, and Laminated Blocks for biomechanical testing, finite element models, and product demonstration.
- Absolute™ Osteo Models Engineered models representing osteoporotic bone characteristics for more relevant testing, training, and procedural evaluation.
- Solid Foam Blocks and Sheets Rigid polyurethane foam testing materials available in various densities (5-50 PCF) for biomechanical testing and product demonstration, measuring 130mm x 180mm x 40mm.
- Veterinary Models Anatomical training models for veterinary education including Canine, Equine, and Feline models for veterinary schools and surgical training programs.
- Converge™ Medical training product line under the Training category.
- RediStik® Trademarked medical training product line under the Training category.
- Custom Manufacturing Services Custom services including Anatomical Workshop Models, Clear Bone Models, Finite Element Analysis, Machined Blocks, Laminated Blocks, and Sales and Marketing Demos fabricated to specific customer requirements for unique training or demonstration needs.
Quantifiable outcome
- 40+ years in medical simulation model industry
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Sawbones
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Sawbones technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Sawbones partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Dr. Frederick LippertfoundationalDr. Frederick Lippert, Chief of Orthopaedics at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Seattle and Associate Professor of Orthopaedics at the University of Washington School of Medicine, was the visionary partner who conceived the need for plastic artificial bones for surgical training. His guidance and enthusiasm were essential in developing the right combination of materials that led to the creation of Sawbones.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Sawbones competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SynDaver Labs: Synthetic human-tissue and organ simulation models for medical training, surgical planning, and device testing. Most direct competitor to Sawbones in synthetic anatomy, with comparable biomechanical realism claims.
- Limbs & Things: UK-based manufacturer of medical training models and task trainers used in clinical skills and surgical education. Closest international peer to Sawbones in product breadth, customer segments, and surgical training focus.
- Simulab Corporation: US-based producer of soft-tissue surgical trainers and task trainers for medical education, with overlapping orthopedic and procedural training offerings to Sawbones.
Broad incumbents
- 3D Systems (Healthcare): Diversified 3D printing and digital manufacturing company with a healthcare segment producing patient-specific anatomical models, surgical planning, and training solutions. Overlaps with Sawbones' custom model and biomechanical testing offerings from a much larger platform.
- Stratasys (Medical): Industrial and medical 3D printing leader producing patient-specific anatomical models and medical training aids. Competes indirectly with Sawbones in custom anatomical models and 3D-printed surgical planning.
- CAE Healthcare: Division of CAE Inc. producing patient simulators, ultrasound trainers, and surgical simulation solutions for healthcare education. Larger portfolio incumbent competing for medical training and education budgets.
Emerging players
- Surgical Science: Developer of virtual reality surgical simulation and training software for minimally invasive and endovascular procedures. Adjacent emerging competitor targeting some of the same orthopedic and procedural training budgets as Sawbones via digital simulation.
- FundamentalVR: Haptic VR surgical training platform for orthopedic and ophthalmic procedures. Emerging digital simulation competitor that addresses some of the same surgeon-training use cases that Sawbones serves with physical models.
- VirtaMed: Swiss developer of high-fidelity surgical simulators for arthroscopy, gynecology, and urology. Competitor for arthroscopy and orthopedic procedural training budgets that currently flow to Sawbones' physical trainers.
- Anatomage: Provider of digital anatomy visualization (Anatomage Table) and 3D-printed anatomical models for medical education. Hybrid digital/physical competitor intersecting with Sawbones' medical training and medical imaging model lines.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sawbones social profiles
Digital presenceSawbones financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sawbones leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Sawbones funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sawbones M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sawbones
What does Sawbones do?
Sawbones manufactures and sells realistic anatomical training models—including artificial bones, soft tissue, medical imaging, injection, and ultrasound trainers—for surgical education, medical device demonstration, and biomechanical testing. The company also provides custom model fabrication, finite element analysis services, and biomechanical testing materials (including proprietary Absolute™ osteoporotic bone and Resonance™ ultrasound-compatible tissue) to medical schools, orthopedic residency programs, and medical device companies worldwide.
Is Sawbones a public or private company?
Sawbones is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Sawbones founded?
Sawbones was founded in 1975. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Sawbones based?
Sawbones is headquartered in Vashon, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sawbones make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Medical Training Models Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom Model Fabrication, biomechanical Testing Services and replacement Parts and Accessories.
Who are Sawbones's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SynDaver Labs, Limbs & Things and Simulab Corporation. Broad incumbents are 3D Systems (Healthcare), Stratasys (Medical) and CAE Healthcare. Emerging players are Surgical Science, FundamentalVR, VirtaMed and Anatomage.
Does Sawbones have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sawbones.
What industry is Sawbones in?
Sawbones's product category is Medical Simulation Models. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAHAEAB, Orthopedic Trauma & Extremities Fixation (Plates/Screws/Nails/External Fixation), with a secondary code of HLAHAEAL, Surgical Navigation, Robotics & Patient-Matched Instrumentation (Ortho/Spine). Its NAICS code is 339113 and its SIC code is 3842.