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 (AR), 5G and digitalization. In the last three years alone, there have been over 230,000 patents filed and granted in the medical devices industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Virtual and augmented reality in medical: AR-based medical imaging. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which uses over 165,000 patents to analyze innovation intensity for the medical devices industry, there are 35+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
AR-based medical imaging is a key innovation area in virtual and augmented reality
AR-based medical imaging is the use of augmented reality technology to enhance medical imaging and visualization. This approach allows for the display of three-dimensional medical images in real-world environments, allowing medical professionals to visualize and manipulate these images in a more intuitive and interactive way.
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 350 companies, spanning technology vendors, established medical devices companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of AR-based medical imaging.
Key players in AR-based medical imaging – 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 AR-based medical imaging
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Koninklijke Philips and Johnson & Johnson are two of the leading patent filers in AR-based medical imaging. Some other key patent filers in the field include , Canon, Fujifilm and Medtronic.
In terms of application diversity, RTX leads the pack, while Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and NantMobile stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, OnPoint Medical Diagnostics held the top position, followed by Stryker and Planmeca.
The horizon of AR-based medical imaging is set to expand significantly, driven by the ability to offer real-time, 3D visualization during medical procedures, which enhances accuracy and reduces risks. Furthermore, AR-based medical imaging is anticipated to play a pivotal role in medical education and diagnosis, contributing to better patient care and outcomes. As technology advances, the market will continue to thrive, with increasing adoption by healthcare professionals and institutions, ultimately leading to an overall improvement in healthcare delivery and patient experiences.
To further understand the key Virtual and augmented reality and technologies disrupting the medical devices industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Augmented Reality in 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.
