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You're a bit too late for thumb buttons on a mouse. Even my eight year old Logitech wireless mouse has two thumb buttons, GNOME maps them to the Back and Forward for web browsing, I prefer copy/paste. I map them to weapon selection in games, and use the mouse wheel and its middle click for inventory selection and use. Also I have a keypad / joystick combo. Hell, I even have a "key-board" where each key can be removed and placed anywhere on the surface.

You know what all the really radically "innovative" (read: different) input systems lack? They're not great for general purpose computing. Gradual improvements to the devices are where I see things going: The keyboard may change slightly, but not drastically all at once, same for the mouse. Tiny iterations to design are needed, not drastic ones, like: placing lights in my keyboard so I can see it better in low light, using a Wacom tablet as a mouse pad (Intuos4 comes with a wireless mouse you never have to charge -- it's like a low res stylus). I can see occasionally using "gesture in the air" for some higher level tasks, like "lock screen" or "switch application"; I can switch my KVM by turning my head, and use a Jedi mind control hand wave to switch desktops using OpenCV and my webcam...

Input controls have been the subject of much innovation already; for Valve to say that basic input hasn't changed is just some Marketing morons tooting their own horns with the same smoke they blow up your ass if you let them.

The mouse, a Razor Lachesis turned out to be only slightly more useful as a mouse than a very expensive brick. Damn I wish I could find my receipt for that plastic lump of garbage.

I've never used a lachesis, so can't comment on it specifically, but I had a razor copperhead, which I absolutely loved. When it died after a couple years I ordered another one, but one of its buttons was.. 'wonky' (it was possible to press the button without triggering it if you did so near the edge -- my original never had that issue. I returned it as defective. But couldn't get it exchanged as they didn't have another. And it appears to be discontinued now(?)

I see they've got an ergo left deathadder though, so I might give that a try... or one of their other ambi-dextrous models. I was happy enough with my original copperhead to give them the benefit of the doubt when the 2nd one was wonky. But I won't tolerate junk... so if it doesn't work well I'd return it. And I plan to order locally, even if it costs a bit more to make a possible return more convenient.

I have searched a few times and never seen a left handed gaming keyboard, though some gimmicks claim to be left handed friendly by allowing detachment of the gaming controls, although the layout of the buttons means you would need surgery to remove your thumb and reattach it on the other side of your hand.

I use an ideazon fang, but its evidently been recently discontinued. Its a stand alone pad, but its symmetrical for left/right use -- it doesn't matter where your thumb is :)

Both the "thermaltake flareboard" and "cyber snipa game pad v2" look like possible alternatives.
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1158&ID=1684
http://www.cybersnipa.com/us/gaming-keyboards/gamepad.php

The ergodex dx1 is pretty neat looking too, but I haven't tried one.
http://www.ergodex.com/mainpage.htm

My personal fav weird keyboard is the ErgoDex DX1 Keyboard. Completely moveable keys, macros, etc. Recognfigure it however you like. Runs about $150.

the ergodex dx1 input system. http://www.ergodex.com/content.php?id=12

You can put the keys EXACTLY where you want, rather than rely on someone else's layout design. So you also don't need to buy different keysets for different games.

The DX1
You can personalize the arrangement of whatever keys you want to use, when playing a game using this keyboard.
I thought I had first learned about it here on Slashdot a while back, but a simple search didn't turn it up, so, here you go!

If you combine this with the Ergodex DX1 I think you'd have the perfect input system.

As others have pointed out, the return on investment may not be what you expect when switching to another keyboard layout - you are still stuck with rows of keys that force your hands into an unnatural position. So why not do something more radical and take a look at the Ergodex DX1? Although Toms Hardware Guide and others refer to it as the ultimate gaming controller, it should be possible to build your own ergonomical keyboard layout for coding. The tray can hold up to 50 keys, and with a clever setup this should beat both QWERTY and Dvorak. It seems they are using high quality keys and have good software. I will buy one next month, although this is not exactly a cheap toy.

Actually, it looks like they do offer a 30-day money back guarantee. From the Ergodex web site :https://store.ergodex.com/customer/help.php?secti on=conditions