Pulmonary Device Market May Present Big Opportunity

If you’re looking to invest in medical devices, the pulmonary market might be a good place to focus your energy. That’s according to a new report by market research firm Health Research International, which is predicting the sector to double to more than $3 billion by 2011.

The report, Opportunities in U.S. Pulmonary Device Markets, credits sleep apnea as the first pulmonary disease to make an impact in this sector of devices. It notes not only that sleep apnea has far from peaked as a category, but also that there are many other pulmonary conditions, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), for which device options remain limited or non-existent.

The study says that minimally invasive and interventional therapies are starting to pop up in these areas, driving significant growth for the sector overall. Health Research International says the new technologies are expected to improve outcomes for drug-refractory patients, and enable screening and earlier diagnosis of a range of pulmonary diseases.

The report covers a number of technologies — from diagnostic spirometry products to lung CAD systems to peak flow meters, to name just a few — and mentions approximately 100 medical technology companies working in the space. It’s being distributed exclusively by Life Science Intelligence, a market intelligence firm that tracks private medical technology companies, and can be purchased here.