Medical Device Link.

Originally Published MX January/February 2002

COVER STORY

A Wide Breadth

American Medical Systems (AMS; Minneapolis) focuses on supplying medical devices to physicians specializing in the treatment of urological disorders. It is within this niche that the company has managed to claim its place as a market leader—and to become one of the fastest-growing medical device companies of the last few years. AMS has been able to do so by manufacturing and marketing a broad line of proprietary products directly to urologists, with its principal focus on the three major urological disorders: incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and prostate disease.

Incontinence Products. AMS offers a broad line of products designed to treat men and women suffering from urinary and fecal incontinence. Its products include artificial sphincters, sling systems, and bulking systems. The company’s incontinence products represent $42.4 million, or 42.3%, of its net sales in 2000. Its principal competitors in the incontinence market are Boston Scientific, Johnson & Johnson, C. R. Bard Inc., and Mentor Corp.

The Acticon neosphincter prosthesis received FDA premarket approval in December 2001.

The company’s most recently approved incontinence product is the Acticon neosphincter prosthesis for the treatment of fecal incontinence, which received a PMA in December 2001 (see figure). The Acticon device restores the patient’s control over bowel functions and is completely concealed within the body.

Erectile Dysfunction Products. AMS is engaged in the surgical erectile dysfunction market, with more than 70% market share in penile prostheses in 2000. Its erectile dysfunction products include a line of inflatable and malleable penile prostheses and a diagnostic system used to determine the cause of erectile dysfunction. AMS’s erectile dysfunction products represent $51.3 million, or 51.2%, of its net sales for 2000. AMS’s principal competition in the erectile dysfunction market is Mentor Corp.’s penile implants.

Prostate Products. AMS participates in the prostate disease market with its prostatic stents, resection loops, and a minimally invasive ethanol injection system that is under development for treatment of enlarged prostates, also referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). AMS’s prostate disease products represent $6.6 million, or 6.5%, of its net sales for 2000. Its principal competitors in the prostate disease market are Urologix, VidaMed, Johnson & Johnson, and Boston Scientific.

Photo courtesy of American Medical Systems.

Copyright ©2002 MX