Global Markets and Technologies for Medical Lasers: Focus on the U.S. and Canada

Report Summary

• The global market for medical laser devices was $2.7 billion in 2010. As it recovers from the effects of the recent recession, the market is expected to increase to more than $3 billion in 2011 and nearly $6.8 billion in 2016, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.3% over the 5-year period.
• The U.S. and Canadian market for medical lasers was worth nearly $1.5 billion in 2010. In 2011, the market is projected to approach $1.7 billion and, by 2016, it should be nearly $3.9 billion, a CAGR of 18.1% between 2011 and 2016.
• The combined U.S. and Canadian market for diagnostic and therapeutic ophthalmic lasers was worth $731 million in 2010. Diagnostic lasers accounted for about 55% of this market. In 2011, the market is projected to approach $867 million and, by 2016, it should be nearly $2.4 billion, a CAGR of 22.7% between 2011 and 2016.

INTRODUCTION

STUDY BACKGROUND

Medical lasers are a multibillion-dollar global industry. Lasers are used in a wide range of medical applications, from cosmetic procedures to diagnosis and therapy.

The global recession of 2008 and 2009 had a significant negative impact on the market for medical lasers. Much of the demand for medical lasers comes from elective procedures such as laser-assisted eye surgery, which many consumers postponed as they tightened their belts in response to the recession.

Somewhat paradoxically, the market for lasers used in certain minimally invasive cosmetic surgical procedures (e.g., hair restoration, photo-rejuvenation with intense pulsed light, and laser body contouring) held up relatively well in the recession. Meanwhile, the market for lasers used in surgical applications that cannot wait until the economy turns around remained comparatively strong.

The longer-term outlook for the medical laser market is much better. Indeed, demand may experience a “bump” as the economy improves and consumers who have postponed elective laser procedures during the recession decide to have them.

Another force for possible change in the medical laser market is the new U.S. health care law that was enacted in 2010. The law imposed a 5% excise tax on elective cosmetic surgical procedures. When it does go into effect, this tax could reduce the demand for such procedures and by extension the market for medical lasers used in cosmetic procedures.

Meanwhile, medical laser technology is continuing to evolve. New laser sources with potential medical applications include fiber lasers, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and organic LEDs (OLEDs). Plastic foils as surface emitters could become important as an irradiation source in photo-dynamic therapy (PDT). In addition to new laser sources, the development of new applicators and tool holders will continue to widen the range of applications for existing types of lasers. Finally, the spread of new laser applications such as nanosurgery, OCT, and sophisticated fluorescence microscopy will stimulate the growth of the medical laser market.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The market for medical lasers, in other words, is in a period of considerable flux. This report is an update of an earlier BCC report published in 2009. The overall goal of this study is to provide the reader with an up-to-date understanding of the technological, economic, and regulatory forces that are influencing the future size and structure of the market for medical lasers. Specific objectives include the following:

• Identifying the medical laser technologies and applications with the greatest commercial potential in the near to mid-term (2010–2016)
• Analyzing the key drivers and constraints that will shape the market for medical lasers over the next 5 years
• Estimating the current and future demand for medical lasers through 2016. Ascertaining which companies are best positioned to meet this demand, because of proprietary technologies, strategic alliances, or other advantages.

INTENDED AUDIENCE

The report is intended especially for vendors of medical lasers, as well as government agencies, healthcare policy analysts, and others seeking to understand the medical applications of laser technologies. Although the report focuses on specific technologies, it is largely nontechnical in nature. That is, it is concerned less with theory and jargon than with what works, how much of the latter the market is likely to purchase, and at what price.

As such, the report’s main audience is executive management, marketing, and financial analysts. It is not written specifically for scientists and technologists, although its findings concerned the market for their work, including the availability of government and corporate research funding for different technologies and applications should interest them as well.

SCOPE AND FORMAT

The report addresses the global market for lasers used in diagnostic, therapeutic, and cosmetic applications during the period from 2010 through 2016. It addresses the market in its entirety as well as in selected regional and country markets.

The report does not cover the market for lasers used in the fabrication of medical devices (e.g., in the creation of microscopic features and spot welds). The focus is on the market for lasers themselves, rather than the larger pieces of equipment that incorporate them.

The format of the study includes the following elements:

• Summary
• Definitions
• Types of medical lasers and their main applications
• End-user segments
• Market environment (legal and regulatory, standards, trends in the healthcare industry, demographic and economic trends, other market drivers and barriers to deployment)
• Detailed market estimates and projections, by type of laser/end-user segment/geographical area for the period 2010–2016
• Supplier profiles
• Patent analysis.

METHODOLOGY

Both primary and secondary research methodologies were used in this research report. The findings and conclusions of this report are based on information gathered from developers, vendors, integrators, and users of medical lasers. Interview data were combined with information gathered through an extensive review of secondary sources such as trade publications, trade associations, company literature, and online databases to produce the baseline market estimates contained in this report.

The base year for analysis and projection is 2010. With 2010 as a baseline, market projections were developed for 2011–2016. The projections are based on a combination of a consensus among the primary contacts combined with BCC’s understanding of the key market drivers and their impact from a historical and analytical perspective.

The specific assumptions and approach BCC used to develop the projections (both near/mid-term and long term) for each application are documented in detail under the various segments addressed. This way, readers can see how the market estimates were developed and, if they so desire, test the impact on the final numbers of changing assumptions regarding such matters as date of regulatory approval.

Table Of Contents

Chapter- 1: INTRODUCTION - Complimentary  5
STUDY BACKGROUND
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
INTENDED AUDIENCE
SCOPE AND FORMAT
METHODOLOGY
AUTHOR’S CREDENTIALS
RELATED BCC RESEARCH
BCC ON-LINE SERVICES
DISCLAIMER

Chapter- 2: SUMMARY 2
Table: GLOBAL MARKET FOR MEDICAL LASERS BY END USE, THROUGH 2016
Figure: GLOBAL MARKET FOR MEDICAL LASERS BY END USE, THROUGH 2016

Chapter- 3: OVERVIEW OF MEDICAL LASERS 9
BASIC CONCEPTS
HISTORY OF MEDICAL LASERS
EFFECTS OF LASERS ON HUMAN TISSUE
MEDICAL TREATMENTS USING LASERS
Table: COMMON TYPES OF MEDICAL LASER TREATMENTS

Chapter- 4: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 6
Figure: U.S. MEDICAL LASER PATENTS ISSUED SINCE 1976 AND PATENT APPLICATIONS PENDING AS OF 10/29/2011
Figure: U.S. MEDICAL LASER PATENT TRENDS OVER TIME, <2007-2011
Figure: U.S. MEDICAL LASER PATENT APPLICATION TRENDS OVER TIME, <2007-2011
Figure: MAJOR U.S. PATENT PORTFOLIOS RELATING TO MEDICAL LASERS
Figure: U.S. MEDICAL LASER PATENTS BY INVENTOR/ASSIGNEE’S COUNTRY

Chapter- 5: OPHTHALMIC LASERS 10
APPLICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGIES
SUPPLIERS
Table: SUPPLIERS OF OPHTHALMIC LASERS

Chapter- 6: SURGICAL LASERS 15
APPLICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGIES
SUPPLIERS
Table: SUPPLIERS OF SURGICAL LASERS

Chapter- 7: COSMETIC LASERS 9
APPLICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGIES
SUPPLIERS
Table: SUPPLIERS OF COSMETIC LASERS
Figure: GLOBAL COSMETIC LASER MARKET SHARES, 2010

Chapter- 8: DENTAL LASERS 7
APPLICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGIES
SUPPLIERS
Table: SUPPLIERS OF DENTAL LASERS

Chapter- 9: VETERINARY LASERS 2
APPLICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGIES
SUPPLIERS
Table: SUPPLIERS OF VETERINARY LASERS

Chapter- 10: GOVERNMENT REGULATION 10
UNITED STATES
CANADA
EUROPEAN UNION
JAPAN
CHINA
INDIA
OTHER COUNTRIES

Chapter- 11: GLOBAL MARKET FOR MEDICAL LASERS, 2010–2016 9
OVERALL MARKET SIZE
END-USE SEGMENTS
APPLICATION SEGMENTS
TECHNOLOGY SEGMENTS
GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS
Table: GLOBAL MARKET FOR MEDICAL LASERS BY REGION, THROUGH 2016
Figure: GLOBAL MEDICAL LASER GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS

Chapter- 12: U.S. AND CANADIAN MARKETS FOR MEDICAL LASERS, 2010–2016 43
SUMMARY
OPHTHALMIC LASERS
SURGICAL
COSMETIC
DENTAL
VETERINARY

Chapter- 13: COMPANY PROFILES 17
ABBOTT MEDICAL OPTICS
AESCULIGHT, LLC
ALCON, INC.
ANGIODYNAMICS, INC.
ASUKA LASER SYSTEMS, INC.
BIOLASE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
BIOLITEC AG
CANDELA CORP.
COHERENT, INC.
CONVERGENT LASER TECHNOLOGIES
CYNOSURE, INC.
DEKA LASER
DENFOTEX LIGHT SYSTEMS, LTD.
DORNIER MEDTECH GMBH
ELLEX MEDICAL LASERS, LTD.
ERCHONIA MEDICAL
HEIDELBERG ENGINEERING
IRIDEX CORP.
LANTIS LASER, INC.
LISA LASER PRODUCTS
LUMENIS, LTD.
NIDEK COMPANY, LTD.
ONDINE BIOPHARMA CORP.
OPTOS, PLC
PALOMAR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
PARALLAX TECHNOLOGY, INC.
PHOTOMEDEX
PLC SYSTEMS, INC.
QUANTEL MEDICAL
SOLTA MEDICAL, INC.
SPECTRANETICS CORP.
TRIA BEAUTY, INC.
TRIMEDYNE, INC.
VASCULAR SOLUTIONS, INC.
CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
WORLD OF MEDICINE AG

List of Tables

Summary Table : GLOBAL MARKET FOR MEDICAL LASERS BY END USE, THROUGH 2016
Table 1 : COMMON TYPES OF MEDICAL LASER TREATMENTS
Table 2 : SUPPLIERS OF OPHTHALMIC LASERS
Table 3 : SUPPLIERS OF SURGICAL LASERS
Table 4 : SUPPLIERS OF COSMETIC LASERS
Table 5 : SUPPLIERS OF DENTAL LASERS
Table 6 : SUPPLIERS OF VETERINARY LASERS
Table 7 : GLOBAL MARKET FOR MEDICAL LASERS BY END USE, THROUGH 2016
Table 8 : GLOBAL MARKET FOR MEDICAL LASERS BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016
Table 9 : LEADING MEDICAL LASER PROCEDURES IN TERMS OF EQUIPMENT SPENDING, 2010 AND 2016
Table 10 : GLOBAL MARKET FOR MEDICAL LASERS BY TYPE OF LASER TECHNOLOGY, THROUGH 2016
Table 11 : GLOBAL MARKET FOR MEDICAL LASERS BY REGION, THROUGH 2016
Table 12 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR MEDICAL LASERS BY TYPE OF LASER, THROUGH 2016
Table 13 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR LASER DEVICES USED IN OPHTHALMOLOGY, THROUGH 2016
Table 14 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR DIAGNOSTIC LASER DEVICES USED IN OPHTHALMOLOGY, THROUGH 2016
Table 15 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR OPHTHALMIC THERAPEUTIC LASERS, BY TYPE OF APPLICATION, THROUGH 2016
Table 16 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR PHOTOCOAGULATION LASERS USED IN OPHTHALMIC SURGERY, THROUGH 2016
Table 17 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR PHOTODISRUPTION LASERS USED IN OPHTHALMIC SURGERY, THROUGH 2016
Table 18 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR PHOTODYNAMIC LASERS USED IN PDT, THROUGH 2016
Table 19 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR SLT LASERS, THROUGH 2016
Table 20 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR PHOTOABLATION LASERS USED IN REFRACTIVE CORRECTION SURGERY, THROUGH 2016
Table 21 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR SURGICAL LASER DEVICES, THROUGH 2016
Table 22 : U.S./CANADIAN SURGICAL MARKET FOR PHOTOCOAGULATION LASERS, THROUGH 2016
Table 23 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR PHOTOCOAGULATION LASERS USED TO TREAT VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY, THROUGH 2016
Table 24 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR PHOTOCOAGULATION LASERS USED TO TREAT BENIGN PROSTATE HYPERPLASIA, THROUGH 2016
Table 25 : U.S./CANADIAN SURGICAL MARKET FOR THERMAL ABLATION LASERS, THROUGH 2016
Table 26 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR THERMAL ABLATION LASERS USED TO TREAT BENIGN PROSTATE HYPERPLASIA, THROUGH 2016
Table 27 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR THERMAL ABLATION LASERS USED TO TREAT OTHER TYPES OF TUMORS, THROUGH 2016
Table 28 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR THERMAL ABLATION LASERS USED TO TREAT OTHER CONDITIONS, THROUGH 2016
Table 29 : U.S./CANADIAN SURGICAL MARKET FOR PHOTOABLATION LASERS, THROUGH 2016
Table 30 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR PHOTOABLATION LASERS USED IN LASER ANGIOPLASTY, THROUGH 2016
Table 31 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR PHOTOABLATION LASERS USED IN CARDIAC LEAD REMOVAL, THROUGH 2016
Table 32 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR PHOTODISRUPTION LASERS USED TO TREAT URINARY STONES, THROUGH 2016
Table 33 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR LASERS USED IN PDT FOR VARIOUS CANCERS, THROUGH 2016
Table 34 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR LOW-LEVEL LASERS USED IN NON-VETERINARY APPLICATIONS, THROUGH 2016
Table 35 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR COSMETIC LASERS BY TYPE OF LASER, THROUGH 2016
Table 36 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR PHOTOCOAGULATION LASERS USED IN COSMETIC SURGERY, THROUGH 2016
Table 37 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR PHOTOCOAGULATION LASERS USED IN COSMETIC SURGERY, THROUGH 2016
Table 38 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR PHOTOCOAGULATION LASERS USED TO REMOVE VENOUS BLEMISHES, THROUGH 2016
Table 39 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR THERMAL ABLATION LASERS USED IN COSMETIC SURGERY, THROUGH 2016
Table 40 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR THERMAL ABLATION LASERS USED IN SKIN RESURFACING, THROUGH 2016
Table 41 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR THERMAL ABLATION LASERS USED IN ACNE SCAR REMOVAL, THROUGH 2016
Table 42 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR THERMOLYSIS LASERS USED IN COSMETIC SURGERY, THROUGH 2016
Table 43 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR PHOTOTHERMOLYSIS LASERS USED IN SKIN RESURFACING, THROUGH 2016
Table 44 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR PHOTOTHERMOLYSIS LASERS USED TO REMOVE PIGMENTED SKIN LESIONS, THROUGH 2016
Table 45 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR PHOTOTHERMOLYSIS LASERS USED IN HAIR REMOVAL, THROUGH 2016
Table 46 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR PHOTOTHERMOLYSIS LASERS USED IN ACNE SCAR REMOVAL, THROUGH 2016
Table 47 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR PHOTOTHERMOLYSIS LASERS USED IN TATTOO REMOVAL, THROUGH 2016
Table 48 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR PHOTODISRUPTION LASERS USED IN CELLULITE REMOVAL, THROUGH 2016
Table 49 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR DENTAL LASERS, THROUGH 2016
Table 50 : U.S./CANADIAN SALES OF THERMAL ABLATION LASERS FOR DENTAL PROCEDURES, THROUGH 2016
Table 51 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR VETERINARY LASERS, THROUGH 2016

List of Figures

Summary Figure : GLOBAL MARKET FOR MEDICAL LASERS BY END USE, THROUGH 2016
Figure 1 : U.S. MEDICAL LASER PATENTS ISSUED SINCE 1976 AND PATENT APPLICATIONS PENDING AS OF 10/29/2011
Figure 2 : U.S. MEDICAL LASER PATENT TRENDS OVER TIME, <2007-2011
Figure 3 : U.S. MEDICAL LASER PATENT APPLICATION TRENDS OVER TIME, <2007-2011
Figure 4 : MAJOR U.S. PATENT PORTFOLIOS RELATING TO MEDICAL LASERS
Figure 5 : U.S. MEDICAL LASER PATENTS BY INVENTOR/ASSIGNEE’S COUNTRY
Figure 6 : GLOBAL COSMETIC LASER MARKET SHARES, 2010
Figure 7 : GLOBAL MARKET TRENDS FOR MEDICAL LASERS, 2010–2016
Figure 8 : GLOBAL MEDICAL LASER END-USE SEGMENTS, THROUGH 2016
Figure 9 : GLOBAL MEDICAL LASER APPLICATION SEGMENTS, THROUGH 2016
Figure 10 : GLOBAL MEDICAL LASER TECHNOLOGY SEGMENTS, THROUGH 2016
Figure 11 : GLOBAL MEDICAL LASER GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS
Figure 12 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR OPHTHALMIC LASERS, 2010
Figure 13 : U.S./CANADIAN OPHTHALMIC LASER MARKET SEGMENTS, 2010–2016
Figure 14 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR DIAGNOSTIC LASER DEVICES USED IN OPHTHALMOLOGY, 2010
Figure 15 : U.S./CANADIAN OPHTHALMIC DIAGNOSTIC LASER MARKET SEGMENTS, 2010–2016
Figure 16 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR OPHTHALMIC THERAPEUTIC LASERS, 2010
Figure 17 : U.S./CANADIAN OPHTHALMIC THERAPEUTIC LASER APPLICATION SEGMENTS, 2010–2016
Figure 18 : U.S./CANADIAN MARKET FOR LASERS USED IN LT, 2010
Figure 19 : U.S./CANADIAN SURGICAL LASER APPLICATION SEGMENTS, THROUGH 2016
Figure 20 : U.S./CANADIAN COSMETIC LASER MARKET SEGMENTS, 2010–2016
Figure 21 : U.S./CANADIAN DENTAL LASER MARKET SHARES, 2010
Figure 22 : U.S./CANADIAN DENTAL LASER MARKET SHARES, 2010–2016
Figure 23 : U.S./CANADIAN VETERINARY LASER MARKET SHARES, 2010
Figure 24 : LUMENIS SALES BY MARKET SEGMENT, 2010