Advancements in Speciality Catheter Based Technologies Set to Drive Catheters Global Market
The catheters are narrow tubular medical devices that are inserted into the body (body cavity, duct or blood vessels) through a narrow opening for the purpose of therapeutic or diagnostic applications such as for performing surgeries or to treat diseases, especially for draining and administering fluids. The process of insertion of a catheter is called catheterization. With significant development in medical sciences, the number of deaths due to communicable diseases has drastically reduced increasing longevity of population leading to a staggering increase in lifestyle related disorders. According to WHO, the global population of over 60 years is estimated to increase from 12% of overall population in 2015 to about 22% by 2050 increasing the number of people with some form of cardiovascular, neurovascular, urological diseases, which also includes various other kinds of nephrology, gastroenterology and gyneacology related diseases requiring specialized care. This projected increase in old aged patient population provides an opportunity for catheters companies specialized in treatment of various diseases to come up with effective treatments requiring use of catheters.
Catheter based technology offers advantage such as reduced trauma, less hospital stay, enhanced patient safety and quick post operative recovery period aiding adoption. Catheter products are classified based on the applicational areas like cardiovascular catheters, neurovascular catheters, urinary catheters, intravenous catheters and speciality catheters. There are many companies offering catheters for treatment of diseases where specialized care is required. Specialty catheters are used in the particular applications where special care is required and It is the fastest growing segment in catheters market. Some of the specialty catheters available are Teleflex – Chronic hemodialysis catheter, Arrow cannon catheter, Vygon – Umbilical catheters, Premicath neonatal catheters.
The catheters are manufactured using various types of polymers such as silicone rubber, nitinol, nylon, polyurethane, polyethylene terephthalate, latex and thermoplastic elastomers. Among these, silicone is the most commonly used material due to its inertness as it does not react with body fluids and other medical fluids. Catheters come in different lengths and sizes for men, women and children. The demand for effective therapy that delivers satisfactory results yet costing less, combined with advancements in technology such as customizable catheters, catheter based imaging are driving the growth of catheter global market.
According to various studies, prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in all age group people has made the cardiovascular segment the largest market segment. In the early days cardiovascular diseases were treated using different types of major surgeries like open heart surgeries, but advancements in new type of materials and adoption of minimally invasive surgeries have reduced hospital stays, less number of stitches and reduced pain. Increased use of catheters based treatment in various types of diseases is the main factor that has led to demand in technologically advanced products leading to more number of research activities, approvals and product launches. For instance, BrosMed (China) announced CE mark and launch of its Minerva percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) dilatation catheter for the treatment of patients with peripheral arterial disease. The Minerva catheter was designed to provide outstanding crossability with a comprehensive selection of balloon sizes on its 0.018 inch over the wire platform.
Technological advancements such as introduction of robotic catheters by Hansen Medical (U.S.), imaging catheters by Volcano Corporation (U.S.), Boston Scientific Corporation (U.S.), neonatal catheters by Vygon (U.S.) and 3D-printed by Materialize (Belgium) and custom catheters by Dentsleeve (Canada) and Teleflex (U.S.), Argon (U.S.) are set to change the diagnostic and therapeutic approach in the medical segment.
The major players operating in the catheters market are Abbott Laboratories (U.S.), Boston Scientific Corporation (U.S.), Johnson & Johnson (U.S.), Teleflex Incorporated (U.S.), B.Braun Melsungen AG (Germany), Becton Dickinson and Company (U.S.), C.R. Bard (U.S.), Coloplast (Denmark), AngioDynamics, Inc. (U.S.), St.Jude Medical (U.S.) and Philips (Netherlands).
Some of the emerging players include: Nipro (Japan), Vygon (U.K.), Vascular Solutions, Inc. (U.S.), BioTronik (Germany), Volcano Corporation (U.S.), Bactigaurd AB (Sweden), Tangent Medical Technologies (U.S.), Cook Medical (U.S.), Smith’s Medical (U.K.).
Written by:
Ms. Nishita.C
Senior Research Associate, Healthcare Team,
IQ4I Research & Consultancy Pvt Ltd
No.11, Industrial Suburb, 1st Stage, West of Chord Road,
RajajiNagar, Bangalore- 560010
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