Medical devices
The range of medical device technology is vast, and includes the following categories
- Medical imaging/ultrasound equipment and materials
- Diagnostic equipment and materials
- Electromedical and respiratory devices
- Active and passive implantables
- Advanced wound management
- Surgical and anaesthetic equipment
- Rehabilitation aids
- Integrated analysis and data transfer systems
- Emergency and resuscitation instrumentation
The UK has a strong history in research and development of medical devices and in technologies for the delivery of healthcare.
Whilst much of the manufacturing in the high value sectors has moved to the major markets of America, Japan and Germany, the UK continues to have many successful specialist manufacturing companies and smaller producers in emerging areas of technology.
Barriers to entry in medical technology are high, due to the regulatory requirements, the engineering and computing investment required and because of the restricted size of the domestic market outside the NHS. The domination of the NHS in the UK, with its procurement rules, large scale requirements and pricing policy can make it difficult for small companies to access.
The UK medical technology industry has been driven by small to medium size R&D orientated companies, working closely with centres of clinical excellence in the UK. This has led to a fragmented market with a large number of small companies designing and manufacturing a wide range of products. However a number of UK companies have a truly global presence and are market leaders in their sector, such as Smiths Industries Medical Systems and Huntleigh Technologies.
The SEEDA region has the largest concentration of Medical Device and Technology Companies in the UK; 50% of the companies in the sector are located in the South East.