INDUSTRY REPORT
The majority of medical device companies are undergoing a significant technological shift that will ultimately transform them , said the analyst , into ‘ MedTech ’ entities . Manufacturers are using data to incorporate intelligence into their products in an effort to be closer to the end user , and it is swiftly evolving into a crucial component of the new device value proposition .
“ Organisations are also participating in unconventional alliances . Future advances in artificial intelligence will simplify the management of chronic diseases from the perspective of the patient . Technology will also have a significant impact on the prevention of treatment , cutting down on the amount of time spent in hospitals . For instance , industrial firms are increasingly concentrating on robotic surgery ,” added the analyst .
Industry sectors and manufacturing processes
Orthopaedics : This includes reconstructive devices ; spinal implants ; arthroscopy ; orthobiologicals ; hip implants and knee replacements . This sector utilises manufacturing processes such as machining , casting , grinding , polishing , metal injection moulding and rapid manufacturing .
Surgical instruments and technologies : One of the largest segments , this includes dilators ; sutures and surgical robotics . Key technologies include micromachining , surface treatments and materials .
Diagnostic apparatus : Endoscopic devices ; ultrasound and magnetic resonance instruments are examples of this sector . Key technologies include imaging , IT and micromanufacturing .
Cardiovascular devices : This highly competitive sector includes pacemakers ; defibrillators and drug stents . Key technologies include power sources , micromoulding and assembly .
Diabetes devices : Continuous glucose monitoring ( CGM ) is a leading example of this sector . Key technologies include nanotechnology , sensors and assembly .
Dental instruments and technologies : Imaging equipment ; implants ; drills and instruments . Key technologies include machining , additive manufacturing and 3D imaging .
Other segments : Spinal devices ; catheters ; syringes and hypodermic needles ; blood transfusion and IV equipment ; internal fixation devices ; neuromodulation devices and urology devices .
Stent for angioplasty procedure ( image : Shutterstock . com ).
Medical waste bins made of sheet metal ( image : Keltech ).
European medical technology market
MedTech Europe is the European trade association for the medical technology industry including diagnostics , medical devices and digital health .
In October last year , it confirmed that the European medical technology market is estimated to be worth roughly € 160 billion in 2021 . The top five biggest markets , it said , were Germany , France , the United Kingdom , Italy and Spain . Worldwide , it considered in vitro diagnostics ( IVD ) as the largest sector , followed by cardiology and diagnostic imaging .
“ Based upon manufacturer prices , the European medical device market is estimated to make up 26.4 % of the world market . It is the second-largest medical device market after the U . S . ( 46.6 %). The European medical device market has been growing on average by 5.7 % per year over the past ten years . Demand fell in 2009 due to the economic crisis , resulting in a growth rate of only 1 % ( the lowest in 14 years ). The market regained its momentum in 2010 and , since then , the annual growth rate has varied between 2.4 % ( 2017 ) and 9.3 % ( 2015 ), reaching 11.4 % in 2022 despite serious disruptions caused by the pandemic ,” it said .
Materials for medical applications
Advanced metallurgical materials can be engineered , for example , in a range of high-performance alloys that deliver excellent strengthto-weight ratios , biocompatibility and corrosion-resistance for medical applications . These include , for example : -
■ Small-diameter precision tubes for heart valves ; cardiac rhythm management ; vascular stents ; trauma and orthopaedic implants ; surgical instruments and spinal cages .
■ Precision strip for implantable devices such as pacemaker and neurostimulator enclosures ; cranial mesh and spinal cages ; coronary and vascular stents and spring clips for header assemblies .
■ Ultra-thin foil for strain gauges ; resistance heaters ; capacitor cathodes ; stents and spring connectors for medical diagnostics ; pressure sensing diaphragms and PCB substrates .
■ Shaped wire for orthodontic brackets , toothbrush staples and MRI channel wire .
■ Sintered porous filter powders for specialty filtration components in ventilator units .
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