THIS MONTH
IVD sales flourish
Sales of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) products in Europe reached €9217 million in 2006, according to estimates published by the European Diagnostic Manufacturers Association (EDMA). This figure is based on data combined from EU and European Free Trade Association countries. Average IVD sales in most European countries represented less than 2% of the total health care expenditure (THE), with traditional EU countries spending a lower percentage of THE on IVD products than the new Member States. In terms of spending per capita, however, the two newest EU member states, Bulgaria and Romania, were the lowest, spending €169 and €204, respectively. Switzerland and Norway were the highest spenders, showing €4525 and €4736, respectively. This compares with €5102 spent per capita in the United States. www.edma-ivd.be
Nonwovens innovation
Edana, the European Disposables and Nonwovens Association, invites abstracts for consideration for its 2008 conference programme. The main themes are to be cutting edge developments in sustainability and nanotechnology. The deadline for submissions is 3 January 2008. The conference will be held during the nonwovens exhibition, INDEX, which takes place on 15–18 April 2008 in Geneva, Switzerland. www.edana.org
Nano opportunities
Nanotechnology-enabled products are expected to grow over the next five years at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 48.4% through to 2010, according to a report from Research and Markets. The report highlights the major areas for growth. In health care these include drug delivery systems, regenerative medicine, bio-sensors and nanotextiles. www.researchandmarkets.com
Robot revolutionises keyhole surgery
MARS, a small lightweight robot, has been developed to automatically target the best spot for keyhole neurosurgery. A team, led by Professor Leo Joskowicz of Hebrew University, Israel, was tasked with applying MARS to keyhole surgery; it is already successfully employed as the Spine-Assist in orthopaedic surgery. The team devised the algorithms and programming that empowers the 230g robot. “Every millimetre counts, because you work close to nerve roots, ” said Joskowicz. The computerised robotic system connects an CT/MRI image and automatic registration to surgical action to enable surgeons to set coordinates for the MARS Cranio-Assist. The robot is fitted with a rigid arm weighing 150g that can guide a needle, probe or catheter to the exact spot the surgeon needs to target. It is hoped that the robot will be on the market within 18 months, after leading brain surgeons responded with enthusiasm to the prototype. www.israel21c.org
Finding calibration accuracy
An acoustic absorber has been developed that can be retro-fitted into current calibration equipment to increase its accuracy. Surveys of physiotherapy ultrasound equipment have suggested that up to 70% of the machines in clinical use could be outside specification, according to the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). The system developed by scientists at NPL is able to accommodate spreading
beams and provide reportedly greater calibration accuracy. It has been successfully trialled by medical physics staff in NHS Lothian, where tests on a recently repaired machine showed ultrasound power levels were 100% higher than those indicated and would have delivered double the intended dose. www.npl.co.uk
Strong sales in disposables
US demand for disposable medical supplies will increase by 4.9% annually to be valued at more than US$70 billion in 2011, according to a study by the Freedonia Group. Some of the best growth opportunities are anticipated to be in blood glucose test strips, prefilled syringes and polymer and biological tissue sealants for wound closure. Drug delivery, catheterisation and related products will remain the largest and fastest expanding group of disposable supplies, and dressings are expected to show the strongest growth of all wound management supplies. www.freedoniagroup.com
EDMA has a new affiliate
The European Diagnostic Manufacturers Association has welcomed Arkray (arkray.com) as a new corporate affiliate, bringing the Association’s membership up to 31 major IVD companies and 21 national associations. ARKRAY specialises in manufacturing diabetes testing and urinalysis products and is active in research, including genome research that focuses on genetic testing. www.edma-ivd.be
