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Concept
Indian
Medical Device and Diagnostics Industry
The medical
devices market is showing a double-digit growth. In India, the
growth of the market is estimated to be between 10-15 per cent. This is because of affordability by
patients, increased awareness on health care, improved hospital
infrastructure and the increased disease patterns.
Future Is
Bright
The use of
plastics in medical applications is expected to continue its
steady growth as new polymers edge out metals, ceramics, and
other traditional materials. Innovative materials are replacing
the conventional ones. Medical devices are becoming smaller and
lighter but have performance advantages over much larger and
more expensive equipment.
For the
foreseeable future, countries such as China and India will have
greatest growth potential due to their large populations and
developing healthcare system. Also, countries in Southeast Asia
represent high-growth opportunities as their economies and
healthcare systems continue to improve.
Over the past
three decades, the disposable medical market has undergone a
variety of changes including the types of devices produced,
substrates selected, and sterilization procedures employed. In
the early 1970s, device manufacturers were utilizing materials
such as glass, rubber and metal to assemble syringes, surgical
instruments, and other devices. Such materials were typically
assembled and fastened and /or machined or molded in the
appropriate configuration. In the 1980s, as medical technology
advanced towards intricate and high performance medical device
designs, the need for engineering plastics became apparent.
During this same period, a shift to single use devices (due to
advances in contagious disease) forced design engineers to
evaluate engineering plastics such as acrylic, polycarbonate,
and PVC.
There is a
bewildering array of medical plastics available for
manufacturers today, and the choices are still expanding as
materials developers find innovative ways to deliver greater
strength, flexibility, resistance to sterilization or bodily
materials, or just simple aesthetic appeal.
The
following facts indicate the recent trends in the field of
Plastics used for medical applications.
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Medical devices
are becoming lighter, more portable and more user-friendly, with
more functionality.
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A steady stream
of new and innovative medical devices has been made possible by
advanced polymer research.
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Advanced
medical polymers are now capable of biological processes and can
become a functional part of living organisms.
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BCC forecasts a
"Slight shift" from commodity thermoplastics to engineering
resins, styrencis, thermosets, and TPEs, noting that the fastest
growing market will be for TPEs. Major nondisposable markets
include testing / diagnostic equipment, surgical instrument and
related equipment, prostheses / implants, and dental /
ophthalmics. Disposable products include syringes, labware,
tubing, blood bags, utensils, gloves, trays, and catheters.
The
following are the primary issues affecting the growth of medical
plastics.
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Changing
sterilization technologies
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Effects of AIDS
and other infectious diseases
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Changing FDA
regulations
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The trend
toward "defensive medicine" resulting from increased liability
lawsuits
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Aging of
population
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New
technologies such as diagnostic imaging, laser surgery
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Polymers with
improved biocompatible properties
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The continued
drive toward industry cost containment
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Recent emphasis
on PVC alternatives
Global Scenario
US market to reach $5.6 billion in 2008
Medical plastic demand in the US is projected to rise 3.1
percent per annum to 4.3 billion pounds in 2008, valued at $5.6
billion. Advances will reflect an upswelling of medical product
and packaging requirements brought about by an aging population
and increasing number of medical conditions. The increased use
of disposable devices and supplies is also leading to more
intensive use of plastics over glass, metal and other materials.
Commodity
resins to remain dominant
Commodity
plastic demand in the manufacture of medical product components
and packaging is projected to grow 2.8 percent per year to 3.6
billion pounds in 2008, accounting for 83 percent of all medical
plastics. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) advances will be predicated
on the resin's competitive cost, versatility, and good
performance properties, as well as the introduction of improved
and environmentally safer grades. Most rapid advances among
commodity plastics are expected for polypropylene (PP),
reflecting the material's clarity, barrier strength and
radiation resistance benefits. The expanding use of drug blister
packs will keep demand for low density polyethylene advancing
steadily.
Engineered
resins to grow the fastest
Despite their
higher cost, engineered plastics will provide faster medical
associated growth than commodity plastics, with demand rising
4.3 percent per annum to 740 million pounds in 2008. Advances
will be based on needs for higher performing materials in
surgical, diagnostic testing, drug delivery, geriatric care,
self treatment and preventative medicine. Fastest growth is
expected in research and diagnostic products (e.g., equipment
housings) and surgical and medical instruments (e.g., syringes
and scalpels). Thermoplastic polyester will remain the dominant
engineered resin with polycarbonate and thermoplastic elastomers
exhibiting the best growth due to heightened needs for clarity,
impact resistance, and tactile and other properties. Accelerated
growth is also expected for niche thermoplastics such as
polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polysulfone in surgical and
medical instruments, as well as in x-ray and electromedical
equipment.
Medical
product component market to outpace medical packaging uses
Growth in
demand for medical plastics in product components will outpace
packaging applications. Areas of opportunity include prosthetic
devices and invasive surgical instruments. These uses are
dominated by other materials such as metal, and are open to
penetration by new, advanced thermoplastics. In packaging
applications, plastics dominate most medical container and
accessory uses and will be adversely affected by cost pressures,
saturated markets and pressures for less material-intensive
packages.
Outsourcing
: Growing Trend
Quite often,
medical device manufacturer does not have expertise in selecting
the right material, designing of critical components or
sub-assemblies. Taking help of the suppliers helps.
With the trend
in outsourcing growing very fast, many suppliers now have entire
divisions dedicated to providing these services to their
clients. Such services go beyond traditional customer service
functions.
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