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 230,000 patents filed and granted in the medical devices industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Virtual and augmented reality in medical: AR/VR optometry. 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/VR optometry is a key innovation area in augmented and virtual reality
Augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) optometry involves the use of virtual and augmented reality technologies to conduct virtual eye examinations, vision training, and the visualization of eye-related data to aid optometrists in diagnosing and treating vision problems. Simulating visual scenarios, these technologies are used to enhance the practice of eye care and vision assessment.
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 485+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established medical devices companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of AR/VR optometry.
Key players in AR/VR optometry – 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/VR optometry
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Microsoft is one of the leading patent filers in the field of AR/VR optometry. Some other key patent filers in the field include Sony Group, Samsung Group and Meta Platforms.
In terms of application diversity, Synaptics leads the pack, while Ultrahaptics and OnPoint Medical Diagnostics stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Meleap, held the top position, followed by Fraunhofer-Gesellschaf and OnPoint Medical Diagnostics.
The use of AR and VR in optometry has the potential to transform the field, offering improved patient care, better diagnostic capabilities, and enhanced training and education opportunities for professionals. As technology continues to progress, advancements in its applications including customized vision correction, telemedicine integration, and early disease detection are anticipated.
To further understand the key themes 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.
