Marketstrat, Inc.

Opportunities and Challenges in Advanced Wound Care

Moist Wound Dressings - Opportunities and Challenges in the Advanced Wound Care Market

Even as new opportunities open up in the moist wound dressings market, growth is being stifled by cost-cutting measures in regions with staggering economies.   Clinicians however are faced with the challenge of meeting a rapidly growing demand for advanced wound care products as rates of diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers and surgical wounds rise. 

The World Market for Moist Wound Dressings including foams, semi-permeable/ transparent films, alginates, hydrofibers, hydrogels, hydrocolloids and collagen, was over $4 billion in 2010 growing at a CAGR of 4.5 percent over the next few years. This neew report from Marketstrat predicts that growth rates are likely to increase as regional economies begin to recover.

Key Drivers

Rising incidence of chronic wounds (diabetic wounds, pressure ulcers) and acute wounds (surgical); trend toward preventive healthcare; innovative products, availability of reimbursement for most dressings; demand in emerging healthcare markets.

Key Restraints

High costs compared to traditional dressings, shortage of trained staff and facilities in some regions, reimbursement restrictions, competition with other moist dressings, price competition, and complex regulatory approval process for combination products.

Key Product Segments

Largest segment is foam dressings, largest market is the US; fastest growing market is China.

Key Technologies

Hydrofiber® (carboxymethylcellulose) has been the most significant recent innovation; antimicrobial agents such as Ag ions and PHMB are also important advances.  These products as well as composites target the biggest challenges in wound management, namely exudate management and infection management.

Opportunities

Dressings which are combination products, affordable, dressings with broad spectrum antimicrobial agents and agents which promote healing.   Regional segments with greatest opportunities are emerging markets.

Leaders

Smith and Nephew, Convatec, 3M, Systagenix and Molnlycke followed by Hartmann, Coloplast, Kendall (Covidien) and AMS.

Innovative Niche Players

Covalon Technologies Ltd., Dermasciences Inc., Exciton,  Innocoll Inc., Occulus Innovative Sciences, Inc. and Polyremedy.

According to this report, broad trends in the major product segments are as follows:

Key Market Trends

• Antimicrobial dressings that can prevent infection or reduce bacterial load in infected wounds are in great demand.   They are effective against MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) and other antibiotic-resistant pathogens.  The most common are silver dressings which actively release silver ions.  Newer antimicrobial dressings with agents like PHMB or activated charcoal are being launched, providing alternatives for patients who cannot tolerate silver.
• Composite dressings that combine physical and chemical properties of two or more types of moist dressings offer superior functionality, e.g. Versiva gelling foam dressing with Hydrofiber ® from ConvaTec  is a conformable, easy to apply foam dressing with enhanced absorption capacity provided by the Hydrofiber®.
• Foam dressings, popular for their versatility and affordability are the largest segment accounting for 40% to 50% of the world market in the upcoming years.
• Semi-permeable film dressings (also known as transparent film dressings) are a slow growing segment in established markets.  Applications as a primary moist dressing are relatively limited, although use as a secondary dressing or integration in a composite wound dressing is growing.
• Alginate dressings and their higher-end, high-tech counterparts which are the hydrofiber dressings are well known for their exudate-absorption capacity; these segments are expected to grow robustly over the forecast period with manufacturers launching new composites containing these materials.
• Hydrogel dressings and hydrocolloid dressings, preferred for wound with slough and low levels of exudate will grow at a slower rate.
• Collagen dressings are new advanced products offering not only a moist wound environment but also promoting active wound healing.  
• Brand to brand variation within the same dressing category appears to be minimal, creating intense competition for most types of advanced wound dressings.  The report provides market estimates and forecasts, competitive strategies, market share of leading companies in addition to discussing technology trends and utilization trends on a global level.

New technology is helping manufacturers stay ahead.  Dressings which actively release silver ions to combat pathogens, new polymers and composites to optimize exudate management. In most regional markets, Foam Dressings is the segment with the highest growth rates due to their versatility and cost-effectiveness.

About Marketstrat, Inc.

Marketstrat assists companies with market, technology, and best practice strategies & intelligence, through a unique combination of published reports, solutions, and services. Our strengths include: a deep understanding of the medical devices value chain, state-of-the-art data collection tools, and robust research methodology.

Marketstrat® is a registered trademark of Marketstrat, Inc.

 

Interventional Cardiology Market: Boom in Asia Presents New Opportunities and Challenges

The world market for interventional cardiology devices estimated at $9.7 billion presents one of the most dynamic medical device markets growing at a CAGR of 8.7 percent over the next few years.   The market in China is growing the fastest, at a CAGR of 20 to 30 percent in many product segments.  Marketstrat Inc. provides detailed market estimates and forecasts for cardiovascular stents (coronary and carotid), PTCA catheters, atherectomy devices, angiographic catheters and guiding catheters in major geographical markets around the world.

The Interventional Cardiology Devices Markets Worldwide report notes that technology innovations are re-energizing an industry struggling to gain wider acceptance by demonstrating long term safety and efficacy.    New innovations include carotid stents, bio-absorbable coronary DES and revascularization devices for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD).  Demand for percutaneous intervention (PCI) devices continues to soar with growing patient populations, particularly in emerging markets like China and India.  However, manufacturers have been plagued by intense competition and poor long-term success rates resulting from complications such as distal embolism and delayed stent thrombosis.  Decline in prices is driving down revenues and market shares of leaders; meanwhile small manufacturers have seized the opportunity to capture sizeable share of local and niche markets, e.g. innovators like Spectranetics, CSI and Pathway Medical have been particularly successful in filling in technology gaps with the latest atherectomy devices.  

Technological innovation and timely regulatory approval in are the most critical competitive strategies.   Other key factors are favorable comparative clinical studies, clinical training and support, and penetration of emerging healthcare markets which have the highest growth potential.

The leaders, Boston Scientific, Abbott Vascular and Medtronic are staying ahead of the curve with the latest generation DES and bio-absorbable stents.   Smaller companies wishing to enter or stay afloat in the stent business received a jolt in August, 2011, when Cordis (J&J) announced their intention to not only exit the DES business but also halt clinical trials for products not yet launched.   In contrast, the peripheral intervention market appears a safer bet.  Covidien entered this lucrative market through the acquisition of ev3 in 2010, a niche player providing peripheral vascular and neurovascular solutions.

According to this report, broad trends in the major product segments are as follows:

• Coronary DES Market:  Growth will be driven by demand in emerging markets.  Latest generation platinum/ chromium stents and bio-absorbable versions like ABSORB®
• (Abbott) and Synergy® (Boston Scientific) are critical to maintaining market share.  
• BMS Market:  Steady growth across the globe due to changing practice patterns allowing BMS to make a comeback.
• Carotid Stent Market: Abbott’s recent success with the CREST trial and FDA’s endorsement for expanded use of the Rx Acculink carotid stent system will stimulate growth in this segment.
• PTCA Balloon Market: Rx catheters continue to push OTW catheters out of the market. 

About Marketstrat, Inc.

Marketstrat assists companies with market, technology, and best practice strategies & intelligence, through a unique combination of published reports, solutions, and services. Our strengths include: a deep understanding of the medical devices value chain, state-of-the-art data collection tools, and robust research methodology.

Marketstrat® is a registered trademark of Marketstrat, Inc.

Technology Boom in Wound Closure Products Offers New Promise For Reducing Trauma While peeding Up Recovery

The wound closure device market is characterized by a wide range of competing technologies from traditional sutures to the latest tissue adhesives. While trauma wounds as well as surgical wounds require closure, technological advancement is aimed primarily at addressing surgical wound closure. The products aim to reduce infection rates, provide effective hemostasis, provide a microbial barrier and promote faster healing as well as being easier to administer. A general shift toward minimally invasive procedures presents new challenges for wound closure include vascular sealing and tissue closure.

According to Marketstrat Inc., the wound closure market is growing worldwide at a CAGR of almost 6 percent. This market, currently estimated to be just over $6.3 billon is generating new demand due to growing rates of surgical procedures. High growth product segments are hemostats and tissue adhesives/ sealants. Soaring rates of surgical procedures worldwide, in particular vascular procedures and endoscopic procedures are creating demand for easy to-use, biocompatible, fast-acting and more efficacious closure agents. According to the Marketstrat report entitled, ‘Wound Closure Products

Markets Worldwide’, China’s emerging healthcare infrastructure will soon lead to one of the fastest growing markets for wound closure products.

Innovative products have been developed in every wound closure product category. Some of the recently introduced products include:

Hemostats

a) OMNEX™ Surgical Sealant (Ethicon) - vascular reconstructions also has adjunctive hemostatic properties. Ethicon reports that clinical trials indicate a hemostatic rate that is three times faster than oxidized regenerated cellulose.

b) PerClot from CryoLife - is a synthetic absorbable modified polymer (AMP®) for use as a hemostat in surgical procedures or following traumatic injuries.

Sutures

a) The V-loc 90 and 180 knotless wound closure device from Covidien speed up suturing by eliminating the need for knot-tying.

Staples and Clips

a) Insorb staples (Incisive Surgical Inc.) are fully absorbable within a few months.
b) The EES intraluminal Stapler (Ethicon), uses3-D staple technology, to produce angled, parallel staple legs that overlap
c) NiTi Surgical Solutions - the BioDynamix™ Anastomosis is an alternative to staples.

Surgically resected tissue can be compressed using nitinol based elements.

Adhesives

a) DuraSeal™ spine sealant and VascuSeal(TM) for vascular reconstructions (Covidien)
b) LiquiBand tissue adhesive (Advanced Medical Solutions) is a fast setting cyanoacyrlate adhesive for surgical wounds
c) TissuePatchDural (TissueMed Ltd.) is an innovative neural adhesive film
d) ProGEL® from Neomend Inc. is a new hydrogel sealant designed to seal air leaks incurred during pulmonary surgery

Tapes/ Strips

a) Prineo Skin Closure System (Ethicon) consists of an applicator containing a self-adhesive mesh and a pen applicator containing 2-octyl cyanoacrylate to polymerize the mesh.

Ethicon and Covidien lead the wound closure market in most product segments. Other major players are Baxter, B Braun, 3M and Smith and Nephew. Niche players with innovative products include CryoLife, GluStitch, Medafor, Thermogenesis and Advanced Medical Solutions.

About Marketstrat, Inc.

Marketstrat assists companies with market, technology, and best practice strategies & intelligence, through a unique combination of published reports, solutions, and services. Our strengths include: a deep understanding of the medical devices value chain, state-of-the-art data collection tools, and robust research methodology.

BPH and Prostate Cancer in the Baby Boomer Generation: New Treatments Offering Reduced Risk of Incontinence and Impotence are Available

A wave of technologically advanced, minimally invasive devices introduced over the last decade or so, has transformed the landscape of the prostate surgery.  It is expected that the incidence of BPH and prostate cancer will increase in parallel to the rising population of men over 50 across the globe.  The worldwide market for minimally invasive prostate surgery and treatment devices is estimated to reach almost $1.38 billion by the end of 2011, according to a new report released by Marketstrat Inc. of Pleasanton, CA.

For details on the BPH Prostate report, click here

BPH treatment has begun to shift away from TURP towards a whole host of new options for ablation and removal of prostatic tissue, based on microwave energy (transurethral microwave therapy or TUMT), radio-frequency waves (transurethral needle  ablation or TUNA) and lasers (holmium and greenlight/KTP, i.e. potassium-titanyl-phosphate).  The main aim of these technologies has been to reduce the common side-effects of prostate surgery, namely incontinence and impotence, while ensuring more precise delivery of energy to the target tissue.  According to Marketstrat Inc., demand for all these options will continue due to the wide variation in symptoms of men presenting with BPH.  Demand for Greenlight laser photoselective vaporization, or PVP, will far exceed others, with a cumulative average growth rate (CAGR) of over 9 percent over the 2009 to 2017 period.  American Medical Systems is the sole provider of this technology in the US.  

Other leaders in the BPH space include Urologix, Olympus, Stryker, Boston Scientific and Medtronic.Prostate cancer, a disease predominantly seen in N. America and Europe, is becoming more prevalent in Asia and Latin America.  In addition to growing numbers of older men, Westernization of diet is thought to be largely to blame for this phenomenon.   Minimally invasive treatments that offer an alternative to radical prostatectomy and external beam radiation are in high demand.    Brachytherapy, involving the implantation of radioactive seeds, is more common than crytotherapy which destroys tumor cells by freezing them.  The latest technology is high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU); there are only two HIFU devices currently available, the Ablatherm (from EDAP) and the Sonoblate (from Misonix).  Both are undergoing phase III clinical trials in the US, although their use in Europe is well established.  FDA approval may be obtained in the next two years, at which point HIFU is expected to capture the largest share of the market.  Leaders in the prostate cancer market are CR Bard and Theragenics.

 

Modest Growth Expected For Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Management Devices Market

Notable trends in the market for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) management devices

Marketstrat's research suggests that the market for ED devices will grow at a modest rate, restrained by the more popular medical therapy; another major restraint is patients’ reluctance to seek help.

Primary growth drivers: Rising rates of diabetes and neurological disorders that cause ED; increasing number of men who fail to respond well to medical therapy; education and awareness of ED and treatment options; availability of reimbursement from governmental and private insurance; effective alternative to pills that is preferred by some men.

The market is dominated by 2 companies - AMS and Coloplast, makers of implantable devices. 

Greatest market opportunities: In Asia and Latin America for implantable devices.  Improved education, access to trained physicians and reimbursement for surgery will be required to tap into these markets

Most notable trends: Market for ED devices will grow at a modest rate, restrained by the more popular medical therapy; another major restraint is patients’ reluctance to seek help.

Primary growth drivers: Rising rates of diabetes and neurological disorders that cause ED; increasing number of men who fail to respond well to medical therapy; education and awareness of ED and treatment options; availability of reimbursement from governmental and private insurance; effective alternative to pills that is preferred by some men

 The market is dominated by 2 companies - AMS and Coloplast, makers of implantable devices.   

Click here for more details on this report

Greatest market opportunities: In Asia and Latin America for implantable devices.  Improved education, access to trained physicians and reimbursement for surgery will be required to tap into these markets

Demand for ED treatment devices will show a steady increase due to:

a) Rising ED rates in association with increasing rates of diabetes and neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease.  Aging populations will add to this trend.

b) Growth will be restrained due to competition from drugs; only patients who are not responsive to medical therapy are referred for devices.  

c) Inflatable implants will continue to be the most successful category.  Vacuum pumps are expected to gain popularity as supplemental devices.

d) The US and Europe will continue to be the largest geographic markets.  However, the market in Asia and Latin America is vastly underpenetrated.  Opportunities in these geographic segments are greatest for the malleable prostheses and vacuum pump.

e) Competition in the ED device market involves just two companies, AMS and Coloplast.  These companies will enjoy being the sole providers of implantable prostheses for the foreseeable future. 

f) There is a push towards the use of implants as the first line of intervention for ED, with the justification that close to half of the patient population, who suffer from ED due to diabetes or prostate surgery, are not responsive to medication.  An expert at Cornell University also argues that men who are initially treatable with oral medications and injections eventually lose their sensitivity, whereas implants offer a reliable, long term solution.  Contradicting this is evidence that points to effectiveness of medical therapy for 90 percent of men who undergo non-nerve sparing radical prostatectomy.   Penile injection therapy and penile suppositories are less popular; most patients drop out after one or two years.  Further clinical evidence will be required for a move away from medical therapy.

g) Medtronic Inc. is exploring a way to enter the ED market with a stent device that will offer a solution to men whose ED is due to circulatory problems.

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Competition

AMS and Coloplast dominate the market with their highly successful and well established implantable prostheses for ED.  Other companies offer vacuum pumps/ erection devices, some of which are approved by regulatory agencies such as the FDA.

 

World Ventilator Market Surges As Orders for Home Care Ventilators Hit an All Time High

Buy American or Asian? - Competition Intensifies in the Mechanical Ventilator Market

The World Mechanical Ventilator market is accelerating and transitioning simultaneously, hitting and racing past the $2 billion dollar mark by the end of this year.  Marketstrat's new report on this topic predicts a cumulative growth rate (CAGR) of almost 5 percent over the next few years.

For full detailed on this report, click this Marketstrat link

Even as demand for ventilators continues to surge, flailing economies in the West, the weakening dollar value and stiff competition from Chinese and Indian medical device manufacturers is pushing established Western manufacturers into a corner.  Leaders like Drager, CareFusion and Covidien still enjoy undisputed reputation however among healthcare providers in Asia and Latin America.  To maintain their market share, partnerships with local manufacturers, lower prices and technologies that are more suitable for use in facilities in developing countries are all critical.  Respiratory healthcare specialists such as Maquet, Hamilton, Respironics and Resmed are following close behind with compact, high-tech ventilators that can be used in a variety of care settings.  GE Healthcare recently joined the race with the acquisition of Breas and Versamed.

The predominant trends in the world ventilator market are as follows:
1) Intense price competition from local manufacturers in Asia and Latin America
2) Notable technological advances – adaptive servo ventilation (ASV), Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation (SIMV) and Proportional Assist Ventilation (PAV), Neural Control of Ventilatory Assist (NAVA), etc.
3) Conventional specialized design and definitions are changing – many ventilators are now high and mid-acuity systems; definitions of critical care, neonatal, etc. depend less on the technology and design and more on utilization patterns in a given facility.
4) Shifting patterns of care – more patients are going home;
5) Manufacturers are offering ventilator models that can be used for any patient in any location, multimodal, easy weaning features, non-invasive option, advanced monitors and graphics, and more importantly technology that senses and adapts to the patient’s needs without causing lung damage.
6) Demand continues to surge with rising patient population – growing rates of COPD and other respiratory illnesses and aging populations which in turn will spur need for expanding healthcare infrastructure.

For full detailed on this report, click this Marketstrat link

Notable trends in niche clinical markets are as follows:

1) Critical care ventilator market – robust growth worldwide.  End-users in developed countries want to replace older systems with the latest technologies and developing countries have an ever increasing demand due to medical facility building and expansion
2) Neonatal ventilator market – demand for the latest technology is high in N. America and in emerging healthcare markets;  the European market is impacted by low birth rates
3) Non-invasive ventilator market – this relatively new mode is expanding fast; already popular in Europe, demand for NIV will increase worldwide
4) Home care ventilator market – fastest expanding market across the world
5) Transport ventilator market – highest in Asia and Latin America

Well established leaders in the mechanical ventilator industry are Drager, CareFusion and Covidien followed by Hamilton, Respironics (Philips), Maquet, Resmed and Newport. 

Mechanical ventilators are primarily used in clinical settings - critical care (ICU, NICU), emergency wards, OR (patients on anesthesia), and general wards.  Anesthesia ventilators are similar to critical care, except that they have breathing circuits that deliver anesthesia gases.  Clinical use of ventilators is typically invasive, although non-invasive modes are becoming popular.  When a patient needs longer-term ventilator assistance in the home or alternate care location, non-invasive ventilators are usually used.

Marketstrat has considered the following as the key care settings for this study: Hospitals, Long-Term Care Facilities, Homecare, and Emergency/Transport. Hospitals include community, for-profit, VA, and government-run hospitals. Long-Term care facilities include skilled nursing facilities.  For the purpose of this report, the following mapping has been used. 

For full detailed on this report, click this Marketstrat link

Kidney Stone Disease Growing Fast in Asia: External Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) and Intracorporeal Devices Compete in the Urolithiasis (Urinary Stone) Management Market

Market Overview

Incidence of kidney stones, or urolithiasis, is on the rise worldwide, with highest growth projected in Asia and other geographical regions with hot, dry climates.  Adding to this trend is a global rise in the incidence of diseases linked to an elevated risk of urolithiasis such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes.   Growing disease rates will lead to growing demand for lithotripsy and stone removal devices, with an estimated market value of over $552 million by the end of this year, according to a new market report released by Marketstrat Inc.

We predict that ESWL will continue to be a popular method of treatment, although the latest extracorporeal lithotripters are not as efficacious as older generation devices or endoscopic devices.  Patient preference for non-invasive options will be an important growth driver in this market. The report entitled, ‘Urolithiasis (Urinary Stone) Management Devices Markets Worldwide’, also points out the other popular stone treatment in the US - the relatively more invasive Holmium Laser lithotripsy treatment, carried out through an endoscope.  The US market for holmium laser lithotripters is projected to grow at a cumulative average growth rate of close to 4 percent over the next few years. High capital costs preclude the growth of this device segment in developing countries.  Demand for other intracorporeal lithotripters such as ultrasonic, electrohydraulic and pneumatic is also expected to rise, particularly in Asia and Latin America.  Greater efficiency of intracorporeal lithotripsy is partly due to the use of stone removal devices, such as wire baskets, graspers and forceps, also designed for endoscopic surgery.   Another accessory in great demand is the ureteral stent.  Stenting is becoming a routine post-lithotripsy maintenance procedure in many countries. 

Manufacturers offering stone removal devices have the unique advantage of targeting their technology towards multiple clinical applications, e.g. shock wave therapy devices can also be designed for treatment of pain, cardiac and orthopedic problems; holmium lasers can also be used for treating BPH, ENT problems, etc., ultrasonic lithotripters and endoscopes are used for treating other types of obstruction, etc.  Also, stone removal baskets and stents are similar to those used in surgery of the GI tract and other organ systems.

Leading providers of kidney stone removal technology include niche players as well as large diversified companies.  While Dornier is a well recognized name in the lithotripsy device market, other leading companies have an established presence in the medical/ surgical arena through their urology and endoscopy product lines.  For instance, Cook Medical, Bard Medical and Boston Scientific are well known for urology devices and accessories designed for endoscopic procedures.  Storz, a leader in ESWL is part of the Karl Storz group, a leader and pioneer of endoscopic devices; Siemens Healthcare, another leader in extracorporeal lithotripsy, is a diversified medical device company that offers a wide range of products and IT solutions for healthcare.  Despite their well-established market presence, these top competitors are facing increasing competition in the emerging medical markets from numerous small medical device manufacturers in Asia offering everything from low-end ESWL systems to ureteral stents.  Resulting price wars are expected to continue into the near future.

Urological Problems in Men – The Promise of Photodynamic Diagnosis and Distal Tip Sensors for Improved Diagnosis and Management

Urology has long been at the forefront of minimally invasive technologies for diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract disorders. The global recession has impacted the urological endoscope market however, with slower growth than had previously been expected. The world market for urological endoscopes is projected to reach just over $530 million by the end of 2011. The economic slowdown in traditionally strong markets such as the US has led to a dip in sales. Recovery and growth in the longer term will be driven by demand for high-tech devices offering superior imaging and durability.

Click here for report details

A newly published report titled, Urological Endoscopes Markets Worldwide by Marketstrat Inc., highlights some of the most exciting technologies that are creating new growth in this field. These include:

1)   Flexible optics with a powerful light source built into light-weight, thin endoscopes improve comfort for the patient and procedural ease.

2)   The photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) system developed by Karl Storz that uses HexvixTM (Hexaminolevulinate) for blue light cystoscopy (developed by Photocure and marketed by GE Healthcare). The PDD system is pending FDA approval in the US, although Hexvix has been available in Europe for the last 5 years. A number of clinical studies indicate a significant improvement in detection of bladder cancer.

Click here for report details

3)   Distal tip sensors and HDTV provide high resolution digital images. The ‘chip-on-the-tip’ technology refers to two types of sensors: CCD (charge coupled device) or CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor). The CMOS chip is a miniature device provides digital, color images, while a CCD chip provides narrow band imaging (NBI) to better identify cancerous tissue. Further advances in this technology are expected to greatly improve sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis.

With endoscopy being a mainstay of many urological procedures, new technology is readily accepted and tested, setting a precedent for other surgical specialties. Demand for urological endoscopes will continue to grow worldwide to address the high rates of bladder cancer, kidney stones and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), some of the most common disorders in men. Emerging clinical evidence indicates that aging and obesity are tied to increased risk of both BPH and kidney stones. Risk of BPH can more than triple in men who are very obese, according to the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Risk of kidney stones has also recently been shown to be triple in men who are obese. (Brian R. Matlaga, MD, et al Journal of Urology, 2010). Bladder cancer, another common urological disorder in men, is the sixth most common cancer in the US with high rates in all industrialized countries. Although related mortality rates are declining, there is an overall increase in the number of newly diagnosed cases.

Click here for report details

Leading manufacturers of minimally invasive technologies are focusing on expanding applications and developing high-tech accessories such as PACS/RIS and integrated OR systems. Olympus, the undisputed leader in optical technology and integrated medical systems, expanded its reach into the medical endoscopy field with the acquisition of Gyrus ACMI. Karl Storz and Stryker are close rivals with competitive offerings. Marketstrat’s report discusses these and other significant players in the field of urological endoscopy.

World Infusion Pumps Market Growing at 6% Per Year

Our researchers at Marketstrat find that the world market for infusion pumps and administration sets is estimated to have been $2.9 billion in 2008.  Other research findings include: 

Key Takeaways

• The worldwide Infusion Pumps and Administration Sets market is estimated to have been $2.9 billion in 2008, with revenues growing at a CAGR of 6.2 percent during the 2008-2015 period.
• Current global economic slowdown will lead to more rentals, particularly in the US. Market opportunities are greatest for OEM manufacturers, maintenance and service companies, rental /leasing companies and those selling refurbished equipment
• Opportunities exist for new entrants who can offer Smart Pumps with user-friendly technology and improved safety features, particularly those aimed at homecare use.
• Europe and the emerging Asian markets offer good growth opportunities, particularly for refurbished pumps.

Additional details on this report

Key Market Drivers

• Technology aimed at reducing medication errors
• Patient comfort and desire to maintain active lifestyles
• Aging of the population and related increased incidence of: a) neurological conditions requiring pain medications for chronic pain, cancer pain; b) Chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes
• Price and quality; value proposition of making available more cost-effective, safer devices.
• Trend toward alternate site care delivery, especially homecare; push for reduced hospital stays and the resultant need for ambulatory infusion devices

The recent downturn in the US economy and the resulting global impact is not expected to significantly affect the drug infusion pump market. Increasing rates of aging-related chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes, neurological conditions, etc. will continue to create a strong demand for drug infusion pumps in the foreseeable future. Technological innovations aimed at developing wireless, user-friendly ‘smart pumps’ high-tech safety features such as dose-calculation/ error reduction software (DERS), computerized prescriber order entry (CPOE), alert systems that warn against pump malfunction, blood-glucose monitors for insulin pumps and so on are moving this industry forward.

The newly released report from Marketstrat titled “Infusion Pumps Worldwide,” projects that the worldwide market for Infusion Pumps will hit almost $3.3 billion by 2010 and $4.5 billion by 2015 at a CAGR of 6.2 percent over the 2008 to 2015 period.

Additional details on this report

Infusion pumps are used for administering continuous or long-term medication ranging from anesthesia to pain management and enteral feeding. Infusion therapy is a common drug delivery mechanism for conditions such as diabetes, cancer pain, spasticity, congestive heart failure, etc. It is also the conventional mode of administering anesthesia, blood infusions, etc. in acute care settings.

Leading companies in this space is Cardinal Health/ Alaris accounting for 30% of the market. Other leaders are Baxter, Hospira, Medtronic and B. Braun. A recent spate of recalls mostly for pumps from Cardinal Health, Medtronic and Baxter has re-emphasized safety issues and the need for improved design as well as actionable alerts. The largest geographical market is the US accounting for about 50 percent share of the market. However Europe and the emerging Asian markets offer good growth opportunities, particularly for refurbished pumps. Market opportunities in the US lie in the homecare segment, with an increasing demand for ambulatory and PCA pumps.

This Marketstrat report provides market size estimates and forecasts (US $, 2008 - 2015) for infusion pumps by use (Implantable pumps, Syringe pumps, Large Volume and Ambulatory Infusion Pumps. Data is segmented by country/region for: USA; Canada, Europe; Japan and the Rest of the World (ROW). Detailed forecasts (Unit Sales, ASP and Revenues) are provided for: Implantable pumps (Constant Flow and Programmable), Syringe pumps (Low-End, High-End), Large Volume (Acute Care, Alternate Care) and Ambulatory Infusion Pumps (Electronic, Non-Electronic, Disposable Pain Control). Also provided are forecasts for Disposables/ Administration Sets, Acute Care and Alternate Care pumps and Rental, Lease, and Purchase/ Sale segments.

Additional details on this report

Marketstrat specializes in Medical Market Research. We assist companies with market, technology, and best practice strategies & intelligence, through a unique combination of published reports, solutions, and services.Our strengths include: a deep understanding of the medical devices value chain, state-of-the-art data collection tools, and a robust research methodology.

Computed Tomography (CT) Fastest Growing Medical Imaging Technology?

Market Size and Trends

According to Marketstrat, the United States market for computed tomography (CT) scanning systems is estimated to touch $3.6 billion by the end of 2009. The US accounts for over 50.0 percent of the market. Cardiac imaging is a fast expanding CT application due to its utility in emergency medicine, perfusion studies and CT angiography.

While hospitals started out as the original care site where scanning was done, independent imaging centers and physician’s offices offering scanning have become widespread in the US over the last decade. With the advent of portable and mobile CT scans, access and availability of this imaging modality has increased significantly. Rural hospitals and those with smaller budgets are now able to offer CT and other medical imaging to patients who previously had to travel elsewhere for this service. Currently it is estimated that about 25% of scanning stations are in private practices and imaging centers that are not part of a hospital. Most hospitals have a range of scanners from low-slice to high-slice. The overall trend is towards acquiring high-slice scanners which can be similar in terms of capital costs but far superior in function.

More details on this report

Computed Tomography (CT) Systems will continue to be the fastest growing technology in the medical imaging arena around the world in the upcoming decade. The new Marketstrat ® report expected to be launched in early May 2009, provides revenues and forecasts for high-slice, mid-slice and low-slice CT scanners for the 2008-2016 period. Also presented in this report will be competitive strategies, purchase considerations, emerging business models, market shares, market drivers & restraints and benchmarks. The greatest momentum is expected in the high-slice segment, due to the high ROI, improved workflow and superior imaging capability (volumetric imaging, high spatial and temporal resolution and relative procedural ease). Despite the faltering economic climate in the US and abroad, imaging markets are expected to weather any short term impacts and stay resilient over the longer term.

The CT market is dominated by GE, Siemens, Toshiba and Philips. The computed tomography research report presents market shares of these leaders and discusses the role of niche players such as Neurologica Corp., Shimadzu and Neusoft Medical Systems Co. Ltd. Service providers and companies providing refurbished CT scanners are also discussed.

While demand for minimally invasive diagnostic techniques has skyrocketed over the last few decades,  Marketstrat sees increasing rates of cardiovascular disease and cancer in the face of a population explosion worldwide has created a need for screening and early diagnosis of these conditions. Cardiology and Radiology fields are the forefront of this technology, although the high-resolution, dynamic volume images are finding new applications in trauma and women’s health, etc. New applications of CT technology include Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) and Image-guided surgery. The latest technological innovations in CT systems are the 320-slice AquilionONE (Toshiba), 256-slice Brilliance iCT (Philips), Light Speed VCT Series (GE) and the CereTom Portable CT (Neurologica ).

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Regional variation for the various CT technologies exists; the high-slice scanners segment is growing at the highest rate in the US while the mid-slice and low-slice scanner segments are growing in the emerging medical markets of Asia and Latin America. Marketstrat Inc. provides market size estimates and forecasts (US $, 2008-2016) for CT scanner systems by product category (High-slice, Mid-slice and Low-slice). Data is segmented by country/region for: USA; Europe; Japan and the Rest of the World (ROW). Revenue forecasts are also presented by imaging location (hospitals versus imaging centers) and revenue category (CT scanner units, Parts & Accessories and Services).

Many European countries including the UK and France, are using mobile CT due to the high capital equipment costs. Emerging medical markets in developing nations such as India and China also provide good growth opportunities for CT, as economic growth, healthcare spending and population size drive demand for high technology. Refurbished CT scanners account for a large majority of sales in these countries. While demand is set to grow in these countries, unit shipments are likely to stay static in the coming years. Overall growth in medical imaging technologies will also fuel growth in picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) and radiology information systems (RIS).

Research by analysts at Marketstrat finds that utilization rates are highest in the US and Japan, with an estimated 80 scanners per million people in the US versus about 90 scanners/ million people in Japan. The US has over 20,000 installed CT scanners. It is estimated that almost 69 million CT scans were done in the US in 2007. One of the fastest growing applications is CT angiograms, currently at an annual rate of about half a million in the US. Pediatric usage is also growing. An estimated 6 million CT scans per year are done for pediatric cases. Of these, about 600,000 are done for head and abdominal examinations.

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Cardiology and Radiology fields are at the forefront of this technology, although the high-resolution, dynamic volume images are finding new applications in trauma and women’s health, etc.

Market Participants - CT Sytstems

3mensio Medical Imaging BV; Acceleware Corp; Accurate Medical Diagnostics; Analogic Corp; Beekley Corp; Capintec Inc; CardiArc; CNMC Co Inc; Composites Horizons Inc; Computerized Imaging Reference Systems Inc; Covidien Imaging Solutions; DeJarnette Research Systems Inc; Eckert & Ziegler Isotope Products; Eizo Nanao Corporation; Fluke Biomedical; Gammex, Inc.; GE Healthcare; HansO Mahn& Co; Health Physics Northwest Inc; Hitachi Medical Corp; Hitachi Medical Systems America; IBA Dosimetry GmbH; Imaging3 Inc JRT Association; King's Medical Group; Koning Corporation; Mavig GmbH; Medical Coaches Inc; Medrad Inc.; MEI Development Corp; Mercury Computer Systems Inc; NEC Display Solutions; NeuroLogica Corp; Neusoft Medical Systems Co Ltd; Orthometrix Inc; Philips Healthcare; QR s.r.l; Radcal Corp; Radiology Support Devices Inc; Sandstrom Trade & Technology Inc; Scanco Medical AG; Siemens Healthcare; Siemens-Asahi Medical Technologies Ltd; Siemens Medical; Shimadzu Corporation; Smit Mobile Equipment bv; Spacelabs Healthcare; Syntermed Inc; The Phantom Laboratory Inc.; Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation; Unfors Instruments AB; Xoran Technologies Inc;

Good Times for the Exam Glove Industry? The Mad Scramble for Exam Gloves Continues Despite High Prices

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The world market for disposable exam gloves received an unexpected boost due to the H1N1 pandemic in 2009, reaching close to $2 billion towards the end of the year.  In addition to infectious outbreaks over the recent years including SARS and avian flu which followed the HIV epidemic, the growing world population and increase in occupational and personal hygiene standards are creating increasing demand for exam gloves.

The world market for disposable exam gloves received an unexpected boost due to the H1N1 pandemic in 2009, reaching close to $2 billion towards the end of the year.  In addition to infectious outbreaks over the recent years including SARS and avian flu which followed the HIV epidemic, the growing world population and increase in occupational and personal hygiene standards are creating increasing demand for exam gloves.   

World Market for Disposable Medical Gloves (Surgical & Exam Gloves)

According to a recently released report on the Worldwide Disposable Medical Gloves Markets by Marketstrat Inc., the medical gloves market is going through a number of transitions.  Market and technology trends in both exam gloves and surgical gloves are discussed in this report.  Some of the significant trends are as follows:

• Powdered-latex gloves, both exam and surgical, are becoming a relic of the past.  Many European governments and health agencies have banned already them. The US FDA is likely to ban them in the future.
• The most popular medical gloves currently are low-protein, powder-free latex gloves, followed by vinyl and nitrile.
• Hospitals concerned with avoiding latex products are targeting the easiest and most obvious medical latex product, replacing them with vinyl or nitrile, an even better material which is now more affordable.
• The surgical glove market has been invaded by a variety of synthetic gloves.  In addition to nitrile, new generation polymers such as polychloroprene and polyisoprene with superior comfort and tactile sensitivity present a viable alternative to latex surgical gloves.
• Large manufacturers are responding to changing market demands by shifting manufacturing operations to synthetics.

Prices of all types of gloves rose over recent years as raw material prices and fuel prices skyrocketed.   Despite the economic slowdown in many countries, increasing demand has been driving this industry. High demand helped offset price increases due to production costs, with the most significant change happening in the nitrile glove segment.   Users started buying nitrile when production shortages and plagued the two popular materials, latex and vinyl.   As sales of nitrile started to climb, end-users began to notice that vinyl offered poor barrier protection, and the best hypoallergenic, affordable alternative to latex was nitrile.  Nitrile also offers better barrier protection against both chemicals and microbes. Nitrile is now the preferred material in many medical settings.  Unit sales of nitrile exam gloves are expected to grow at a cumulative average growth rate over 6 percent over the 2008 to 2016 period, about three times more than powder-free latex versions.    In the surgical glove segment however, nitrile has to compete with far superior synthetic materials made of copolymers.

Latex manufacturers are fighting hard to retain market share, offering new materials such as coated low-protein latex.  For the next few years, the global demand for gloves will help latex gloves weather the storm.  In the longer term, however, manufacturers will need to focus on technology aimed at reducing allergenicity even further, without compromising the natural comfort and fit of latex.

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