2007 marks the 30th year of this publication’s analysis of U.S. and international med-tech, with Biomedical Business & Technology having issues of our predecessor newsletter beginning from 1983.

To highlight what has or has not changed in this industry, we here provide samples of news items from these earlier publications.

May 1983 —

“TRENDS IN NEUROSURGERY

Nearly 1,500 physicians and 100 exhibitors attended the 51st annual meeting of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), Washington, D.C., April 24-28. Neurostimulation devices for the treatment of chronic pain and movement disorders were among the major topics. . . .

TENS is used for a wide variety of acute, chronic and postoperative pain problems. . . . The 1982 TENS market is estimated at $36 mln in the U.S. The growth rate plateaued at 17% per year in 1979 when a certain saturation among the prime TENS clientele (experiment-prone and innovative medical personnel) was achieved. However, with TENS gaining acceptance as treatment for acute pain, the U.S. market is gaining momentum again and will reach $55 mln by 1985 ($90-100 mln worldwide). . .

Higher technology neurostimulation devices such as implantable or semi-implantable spinal cord stimulators were originally designed to treat severe forms of intractable chronic pain associated with destruction of sensory fibers outside the central nervous system. The neurosurgeon, however, has been very slow accepting this indication. The leading maker of implantable neurostimulators, CORDIS, is only selling some 25-30 of its $3,500 ord units a month worldwide. . . . MEDTRONIC is expected to receive FDA approval for its 36 grams, telemetric device (Itrel) late this year and will be a formidable competitor for CORDIS’ bigger unit. . . .

A device that detects danger of stroke will shortly be released by HAYAHI DENKI (Japan). The instrument that will be used in public health evaluations comprises an ultrasonic sensor that determines the diameter and elasticity of the carotid arteries. The device’s microcomputer processes sensor information and quantifies the risk of stroke (the number two killer disease in Japan) in two to three minutes. . . .

Intraoperative ultrasound imaging (IUI) is rapidly gaining momentum. Although all major diagnostic ultrasound manufactures will be introducing intraoperative devices, some fie companies have a head start. ATL’s (SQUIBB) $40,000 Neuro Sector (90 degree sector) is a sophisticated neurosurgical imaging tool. A separate device, attached to its scan head, guides operating instruments such as biopsy needles, etc, by visualizing these on the TV monitor as they approach the area of interest.

The most attractive multipurpose IUI device is DIASONICS’ $40,000 NewImage system. It comprises, like the ATL Neuro Sector, a 15 mm diameter scanhead. It passes through a 16 mm burr hole; with a saline medium it can scan through a 12 mm opening.

NEW PRODUCTS & TECHNIQUES

Sweat Chloride Patch for Cystic Fibrosis Screening — One of the abnormalities associated with CF is a much higher than normal concentration of NaCl in sweat. MEDTRONIC’s Energy Technology division has developed a new procedure suitable for mass screening for abnormally high concentrations of Cl. A skin patch is used to collect about 50 microliters and, via a color change, provides a visible indication of abnormally high Cl. NaCl diffuses to the outer ring of the patch changing its brown color to white.

New Development in Biomaterials — Artificial organs made of synthetic materials do not secrete enzymes or hormones, they cannot completely function as natural organs. But recently, a research team at the Tuberculous Chest Disorder Laboratory of KYOTO University announced a breakthrough which may open the way for the production of artificial internal organs such as the liver and pancreas, with all their natural functions.

The technique involves processing a man-made membrane made of a synthetic material, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, covering it with fibrous tissues from a cow so that it can bind enzymes produced by living organs as well as antibiotics.”