For Medical Devices, Coatings Provide the Finishing Touch; Greystone Associates Finds Coating...

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

AMHERST, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 1, 2004

Advances in medical devices have greatly improved diagnostic and therapeutic practices in medical care. But numerous undesirable complications such as bacterial infections, blood clots, host

A new survey by Greystone Associates finds that advances in coating materials and application methods are improving device profiles in important areas such as biocompatibility and biostability, and lowering the incidence of thrombosis and infection, creating new opportunities for device developers and for materials and manufacturing service suppliers.

"Coatings for implantable and insertable devices will experience strong growth over the next decade," explains George Perros, Greystone Managing Director. "The growth of prosthetic devices, particularly for orthopedic restoration and replacement, will increase as longer life expectancy and growth in the population reaching post-middle age combine to drive higher demand for these devices and the materials and processes that create them."

These findings are contained in a new and comprehensive report: Medical Coatings: Advancing Technology, Emerging Opportunities. The survey identifies advances in coating materials and application technology that are increasing the types of devices that can meet clinical targets. Growth in device implants will track shifting patient demographics, as the effects of aging fuel the need for orthopedic and coronary devices.

More information is available at www.greystoneassociates.org .

About Greystone

Greystone Associates is a medical and healthcare technology consulting firm providing services in strategic planning, venture development, product commercialization, and technology and market assessment.