A. Dermatos prosthetic devices are available in hundreds of cities throughout the nation as well as numerous locations worldwide. If you are interested in being evaluated for a Dermatos prosthesis or any service Alatheia provides, the first step is to contact us at our home office. You may contact us via phone, fax, e-mail, or post mail. Once we discuss your case with you, and qualify you as a candidate, we can than determine which treatment and location will be best for you.

A: Yes, Dermatos prosthetic devices are paid for by most insurance companies and workers compensations. If you would like for us to find out if Dermatos is covered under your plan, we will do this for you free of charge.

A: Do not worry! We handle everything for you! Just give us your doctor and insurance information and we will pursue a written approval from your insurance. We will not charge you anything - it is a FREE service. Once we receive the answer from your insurance, you can decide at that time whether you would like for us to start the process. There is no risk.

A: No. Any doctor that knows of your condition will be fine. Even a family doctor or family friend. Just as long as they are a medical doctor.

A: Dermatos® prosthetic devices are the longest lasting prostheses available! (this is fact, not an opinion!) Life expectancy greatly depends on what type of prosthesis it is and how the wearer uses it. We have had patients maintain them over eight years. However, life span greatly fluctuates from wearer to wearer. Regardless of the amount of time they last, one thing our clients can be confident in is that they cannot get a longer lasting silicone prosthesis any where else. To prove we are not "all talk" we back up our claim with the longest warranty in the business!

A: The Dermatos® warrantee has an amazing 3 YEAR free repair period!! Years more any other "similar" product. Plus we have a 5 time/5 year free refurbishing service. Due to new discoveries by our lab, we are able to refurbish older prosthetic devices- giving them a new buff look. Again this is another exclusive service you will not find anywhere else!

A: Prosthetic fingers, hands, partial hands, toes and feet are attached by suction and form fitting. Since all Dermatos® prosthetic devices are custom engineered, there is no worry that they will fall off accidentally. This is guaranteed.

Prosthetic arms and legs are often attached by suction as well, however there are other attachment options for these type of prosthetic devices. When the evaluation process begins, these options are explained and the pros and cons of each are demonstrated.

A: From what our clients tell us, our prosthetic devices change their lives in a dramatic way. Essentially they are "life changing" - something so many of our clients say. However function for one person is not always the same for another person. Each person is carefully evaluated to determine their individual needs. Then the prosthesis is engineered to perform these needed functions.

One example of how Dermatos® prosthetic fingers and hands are functional is explained this way: A semi-soft silicone is formed around the remaining portion of the finger/hand, filling the missing area. This formed silicone cradles the residual finger/hand allowing vibration from the tip of the prosthesis to transfer to the nerves at the end of the residual finger/hand. This vibration transfer allows wearers to feel like the prosthesis is an extension of them- rather than a foreign attachment. This feeling is called proprioception.

Proprioception enables partial finger amputees the ability to type on a keyboard, write with pen or pencil, or perform other tasks that were once very difficult, if not impossible.

The primary categories of prosthetic function in hand prosthetics are:

Active Prehension Function: Only a hook, myoelectric or body powered prosthesis will perform successfully. Dermatos® prosthetic devices can be merged with a myoelectric or body-powered prosthesis to also help fulfill the category of psychological and vocational function. Covering a myoelectric or body-powered prosthesis with Dermatos® also aids in prehension by allowing the hand to grasp objects better. This is accomplished through the inherent high friction qualities of the Dermatos® skin.

Proprioception Function: Dermatos® prosthetic devices provide proprioception function for prosthetic fingers and hands by allowing for the transfer of vibration to the residual limb. Since Dermatos® prosthetic devices are custom made to each patient, vibration from the fingers or distal end of the prosthetic devices are successfully transferred to the nerve endings in the wearer's residual limb. This type of function is especially helpful when someone loses part of a finger and needs to type on a computer.

Psychological/Emotional Function: The legitimacy of psychological damage in amputees stemming from their amputation (either traumatic or congenital) has been grossly underestimated. Many amputees avoid public places, hide their residual limb or even avoid employment opportunities due to their disfigurement. A prosthesis which looks extremely life-like, such Dermatos®, is the only type of prosthesis that will fulfill this need. The desire for a very lifelike prosthesis has been unfairly lumped in the same category as unnecessary cosmetic surgery and even cosmetics (make up). The true value of a highly realistic prosthesis is often not recognized until someone becomes a victim of disfigurement themselves. More information on this type of prosthetic function can be found in the company brochure and company philosophy section of our website. 

Passive-Active Function: As achieved by hand prostheses can be defined as allowing, or helping a user to perform tasks that do not require active prehension yet are active due to the wearer's movement of their hand/prosthesis. Dermatos® prostheses can provide passive-active function in many different ways. For example: adjusting the fingers of a hand prosthesis to hold a glass or pencil, or use the prosthesis to hold a shopping bag, move a steering wheel, hold groceries, move papers on a desk, hold down an object while using the sound hand, etc. In these cases a hand prostheses that actively grasps is not needed. Another benefit of Dermatos® for this need is its amazing "grabbing" capability (due to its high friction surface.)

Vocational Function: Many people come to Alatheia to get a Dermatos® prosthesis because they need it for their career. For example, many actors cannot get jobs if they have a disfigurement. Many medical doctors also find Dermatos® helpful in providing the necessary ease that their patients lack when they are aware of their prosthesis or disfigurement (visit the arm section to see such a case). The number of careers that Dermatos® prostheses benefit are countless, even fast food workers and bank tellers benefit due to the pubic job they have. However, even if an amputee does not have a job that involves serving the public, since Dermatos® fills the Psychological/Emotional Function it allows wears better career opportunities due to their feeling of security - as well as not being a distraction to others.

Other responses to this question:

Dermatos® prostheses are extremely functional because our patients continue to wear and use them. Many of our patients will not even think about leaving their house without their prosthesis! Our clients have become functional in their jobs and daily lives in ways they could not with a hook or other type of visually obvious prosthesis. The true to life qualities of our prostheses enable our clients to be secure in themselves. Instead be distracted by other peoples' reaction to their prosthesis or amputation their security and peace of mind enables our clients to live happy and productive lives.

A: Unless there is serious nerve damage or other tissue problems, Dermatos® can be worn throughout the waking hours. You can even swim and shower with Dermatos® (some restrictions may apply based on the type of prostheses being worn.)

A: Yes. You can treat Dermatos® fingernails like your own fingernails (except ours are much stronger.. so don't bite them because you may break a tooth!)

A: Our founder has invented a special hair implantation process where hairs are embedded into the epidermal layer of the prosthesis. This method enables the hairs to stay in permanently and give the realism that our clients desire.

A: Dermatos prostheses are virtually stain proof! No other prosthesis is more stain resistant. Dermatos® can even be in contact with flames without being stained or damaged. However, there are some concentrated permanent dyes that can stain Dermatos®, (however, unless you work around such pigments there really is no worry.) If, by chance, the prosthesis does come in contact with such pigments, send the prosthesis to us immediately. We are able to remove the stains with our unique silicone stain removers.