The medical devices industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by increased need for homecare, preventative treatments, early diagnosis, reducing patient recovery times and improving outcomes, and growing importance of technologies such as machine learning, augmented reality, 5G and digitalization. In the last three years alone, there have been over 710,000 patents filed and granted in the medical devices industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Innovation in medical: ultrasonic drug delivery. Buy the report here.
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However, not all innovations are equal and nor do they follow a constant upward trend. Instead, their evolution takes the form of an S-shaped curve that reflects their typical lifecycle from early emergence to accelerating adoption, before finally stabilizing and reaching maturity.
Identifying where a particular innovation is on this journey, especially those that are in the emerging and accelerating stages, is essential for understanding their current level of adoption and the likely future trajectory and impact they will have.
30+ innovations will shape the medical devices industry
According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which plots the S-curve for the medical devices industry using innovation intensity models built on over 155,000 patents, there are 30+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Within the emerging innovation stage, ultrasonic nebulizers and intra-oral 3D imaging are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Intraocular pressure monitoring, automated diabetes management, and tissue repair implants are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas is CPR assistance devices, which is now well established in the industry.
Innovation S-curve for the medical devices industry
Ultrasonic drug delivery is a key innovation area in medical devices
Ultrasonic drug delivery involves the use of ultrasound waves to enhance the effectiveness of drug administration. It works by inducing cavitation, which is the formation of tiny bubbles, in the target tissues. These bubbles create temporary openings in the cell membranes, allowing drugs to penetrate more effectively. Ultrasonic drug delivery can be used in various medical and cosmetic applications.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 80+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established medical devices companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of ultrasonic drug delivery.
Key players in ultrasonic drug delivery – a disruptive innovation in the medical devices industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to ultrasonic drug delivery
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Johnson & Johnson and Koninklijke Philips are two of the leading patent filers in ultrasonic drug delivery. Some other key patent filers in this field include Elbit Imaging, Guided Therapy Systems, and LG Display.
In terms of application diversity, IMGT leads the pack, while Terumo and Onex stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Johnson & Johnson held the top position, followed by Thermalin and CareWear.
Ultrasonic drug delivery enables precise and non-invasive administration of drugs, enhancing drug absorption, and facilitating tailored therapy through technological advancements. Furthermore, interest in drug delivery with reduced side effects and the ability to break the blood-brain barrier holds promise for more effective treatments for neurological disorders. In the future, factors such as low doses of medication, high therapeutic efficacy, and increased accessibility are expected to lead to widespread adoption.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the medical devices industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Medical Devices.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
