Soft tissue defects have led to over one and a half million Americans ailing from conditions such as hernias, stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and pelvic organ prolapse. While many patients are surgically treated with traditional methods of autografting and suturing, manufactured biomaterial products are now extensively used to manage repairs. According to a new report by Millennium Research Group (MRG), the US markets for soft tissue repair patches, meshes, and slings exceeded $370 million in 2004, and will grow over 10% annually throughout the next five years. An aging population along with rising levels of obesity will also lead to annual procedure growth of over 5%.

Product innovation is driving the use of soft tissue repair biomaterials. In the large hernia repair market, proprietary and nonadhesive meshes have been developed to simplify the procedure, shorten operation time, and reduce recurrence rates and postoperative complications.

Minimally invasive fixationless slings and transobturator approaches are revolutionizing the vaginal sling market and the treatment of SUI. Over the next five years, clinical studies will also continue to support the efficacy of soft tissue biomaterials in emerging applications such as pelvic floor reconstruction, dural repair, and rotator cuff repair. With a substantial number of competitors, comprising typical leaders in the fields of general surgery, urology, neurosurgery, cardiovascular surgery, and orthopedics, the market is poised for even more breakthrough technology in tissue-engineering products.

As part of its Global Markets for Soft Tissue Repair series, MRG’s US Markets for Soft Tissue Repair 2004 covers seven procedural areas and over 30 competitors including American Medical Systems (AMMD), Boston Scientific (BSX), Cook, C.R. Bard (BCR), Gynecare (a division of Ethicon and Johnson & Johnson Inc. [JNJ), Integra NeuroSciences (IART), Synovis Life Technologies (SYNO), and W.L. Gore.

A leading source of competitive intelligence, MRG is now the largest provider of medical device market research in the world. Located in Toronto, Canada, MRG covers global markets and has pioneered reporting of numerous emerging products.

Contact Information:
Rena Manglal-Lan
Millennium Research Group Inc.,
(416) 364-7776 ext.145
www.mrg.net