Electrical and magnetic stimulation is theprimary focus of this Kalorama Information Report. Rather than attempting todefine and classify all of the varying electrostimulatory methods, this reportgroups technologies into basic categories based on application and complexity.
The audience for this report includestechnical directors, business development managers, investors, and analysts whowant a panoramic view, at a quantitative level, of the technology and medicalapplications of electrical and magnetic stimulation. This is a far-reachingfield, and this report thus serves as a survey aimed at providing insight aboutthe realm of market possibilities. Two general segments are discussed withvarious sub-segments included:
External ElectricalStimulation Devices:
- Bone Growth Simulation
- Transcutaneous ElectricalNerve Stimulation (TENS)
- Ultrasound-AcceleratedFracture Healing
Implanted Electrical Simulation Devices
- Bone Growth Stimulation
- Cardiac ResynchronizationTherapy
- Deep Brain Stimulation
- Gastric Electrical Stimulation
- Implantable Cardiac Pacemakers
- ImplantableCardioverter-Defibrillators
- Sacral Nerve Stimulation
- Spinal Cord Stimulation
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Companies involved in the market areprofiled to provide an understanding of today’s competitive environment andmarketing strategies.
Demand for both electrical and magnetic neurostimulationtechnologies is expected to grow moderately during the next few years.
TENS is commonly used for pain management.Despite controversy over the degree to which TENS is more effective thanplacebo in reducing pain, the market for TENS equipment continues to remain steady. Electromuscular stimulation (EMS) of muscle tissue can aid in the recuperation ofoverworked muscles. Technological progress continues in EMS,especially with microprocessors that allow protection against the risk ofburning and elimination of electrical pain. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) isa non-invasive technique that uses an electromagnet placed on the patient’sscalp to alter brain activity. Repetitive TMS (rTMS), which uses varyingfrequencies and intensities of magnetic fields, seems to have therapeuticvalue. During the previous years, rTMS has received a growing attention in thepopular and scientific media. The market forecasts reflect growing professionalmedical acceptance. The demand of electrostimulation productsbased on external electrodes is expected to benefit from innovativedevelopments in FES designed to augmentmovement of atrophied muscles, promote new nerve function, and provideinterfaces between nerve cells and computing devices. The market for treating depression is oneof the most promising applications of neurotechnology devices. The potentialmarket opportunity is huge, with between over 20 million people in the U.S.alone who could potentially benefit.
A new group of active electrodes are underdevelopment. These can connect nerve cells to microcircuits and provide aliving link between living tissues and hardware. Direct interfaces betweensmall networks of nerve cells and microdevices are advancing the understandingof nerves and leading the way to a new generation of hybrid devices thatcommunicate between computers and biological neural networks. There are severalresearch teams in the U.S.and Europe that are currently working onso-called neural-silicon hybrid chips. Wireless technology could lead to the replacementof leads with small radios that can transmit and receive information andenergy.
Companies Profiled in this report include:
- Amrex Electrotherapy Equipment (Division of Amrex-Zetron)
- Biomet, Inc.
- Bioness, Inc.
- Boston Scientific, Inc
- Cyberonics, INC
- Delsys, INC
- DJO International
- Dynatronics Corporation
- Electromedical Products International (EPI)
- Magstim Company, Ltd.
- MedFaxx., INC
- Medtronic, INC
- Multi radiance Medical, Inc
- Neuronetics, Inc
- Noraxon USA, Inc
- Orthofix International NV
- Prizm Medical, Inc.
- Rich-Mar Corporation
- RS Medical
- Smith & Nephew
- Somatics, LLC
- St Jude Medical, Inc.
- Thought Technology Ltd.