New Procedures to Boost Demand for Minimally Invasive Surgical Instruments and Laparoscopes.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 2003

Medical device companies in the U.S. surgical industry are relying on new procedures to sustain growth in the minimally invasive surgical instruments and laparoscopes market, which is affected by product maturity and price erosion.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.medicaldevices.frost.com), U.S. Minimally Invasive Surgical Instruments and Laparoscopes Market, reveals that this market generated revenues worth $497.9 million in 2002 and is likely to reach $709.8 million by 2009.

"Many market participants have already launched appropriate instruments, keeping pace with the advancements in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) procedures," says Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Dhiraj Ajmani. "Currently, companies are focusing on providing long laparoscopes and hand instruments that are essential for new/emerging procedures such as bariatric surgeries."

The proliferation of other procedures including urological laparoscopy, pediatric minimally invasive surgeries, and image-guided and robotic surgeries, despite their complexity of techniques and need for training, is also restoring MIS instrument manufacturers' confidence.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS), with its ability to provide tactile feedback and maneuverability equivalent to that of open procedures, is another area that has attracted the attention of instrument manufacturers.

Smaller companies are turning up the heat on the already struggling large companies by launching specialty instruments such as sheathed insulated instruments with active electrode monitoring (AEM) that are capable of preventing stray electric burns.

"Threatened by the launch of specialty products, larger companies are admonishing healthcare providers for the lack of clinical studies to substantiate claims of product superiority by smaller medical device companies," says Ajmani.

Amid growing competition, market participants are focusing on modifications of existing designs by improving ergonomics. This is likely to enable easy assembly and advancements in sterilization process of instruments apart from enhancing overall quality and cost savings.

"The pressure to sustain growth in a sluggish market is compelling medical-device companies to come up with innovative marketing models such as payment on 'per use' basis," adds Ajmani. "Under this facility, they own and maintain the MIS instruments required by a surgical center and lend them on 'per use' basis."

The trend toward reusables is also working in favor of participants. Many surgeons are slowly beginning to prefer reusables because of their functionality and performance, and not because of the pressure from administrators to reduce healthcare costs and make drastic cuts in reimbursement.

The U.S. Minimally Invasive Surgical Instruments and Laparoscopes Market is part of the Surgical Products and Infection Control Subscription. This research analyzes new and emerging procedures, instruments, and marketing strategies in addition to providing forecasts on future revenues, product pricing, and unit sales for laparoscopes and minimally invasive surgery instruments (sub-segmented as handheld instruments and laparoscopic instruments). Interviews are available to the press.

If you are interested in an analysis overview of the latest U.S. Minimally Invasive Surgical Instruments and Laparoscopes Market - then send an email to Danielle White - Media Relations Executive at [e-mail] with the following information: Full name, Company Name, Title, Contact Tel Number, Contact Fax Number, Email. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be emailed to you.

Frost & Sullivan, an international growth consultancy, has been supporting clients' expansion for more than four decades. Our market expertise covers a broad spectrum of industries, while our portfolio of advisory competencies includes custom strategic consulting, market intelligence and management training. Our mission is to forge partnerships with our clients' management teams to deliver market insights and to create value and drive growth through innovative approaches. Frost & Sullivan's network of consultants, industry experts, corporate trainers, and support staff spans the globe with offices in every major country around the world.

 U.S. Minimally Invasive Surgical Instruments and Laparoscopes Market
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