Non-invasive medical devices: environmental scan - technology and markets

Non-invasive medical devices can be defined as those which do not require insertion into any part of the patient’s body for diagnosis, monitoring or treatment of disease. Non-invasive techniques offer advantages to patients, health practitioners and service funders; because of this, a clear trend towards the use of such devices has emerged over time and looks likely to continue. The objective of this analysis was to identify sectors where emerging non-invasive technologies are likely to have a significant impact on the existing market, and to highlight leading applications of innovative non-invasive technology within the life science sector.

The scan was carried out through desk-based research into emerging technologies, market dynamics, key players, and applications including diagnostics, monitors, therapeutics and other devices. The scan was limited to technologies within the life sciences sector, and did not cover imaging technology.

The following conclusions were reached: there is a clear move towards developing non-invasive technology for the delivery of drugs, with scope for innovation into new areas of clinical practice; there are opportunities for non-invasive technology within the wound care market; development of non-invasive sensing technologies is likely to disrupt the diagnostics market; and development of wearable monitoring devices is likely to open up the remote patient monitoring market.

There were no recommendations as this was not within the remit of the report.