Global Markets for Ultrasound Systems 2009

Abstract

The global ultrasound system market consists of the developed markets of the US and Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK) as well as the emerging BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) markets. Maturity of the developed markets, combined with the ongoing global recession, will negatively impact growth over the forecast period. The developing BRIC markets will be affected to a lesser degree by the economic crisis, but market saturation in China will slightly impede the potential for expansion. Despite these limitations, total revenues will increase moderately as more health care facilities purchase higher-priced systems to enhance patient care. In addition, governments of the BRIC countries are investing in improvements to their health care infrastructure, which have lagged behind developed nations. Such government spending includes the purchase of ultrasound systems. Consequently, the global market for ultrasound systems will exhibit steady gains after the impact of the current financial downturn subsides from 2010 onward.

Methodology

The following report uses a number of methodologies to gather and present data and analysis. At the outset, a large survey of secondary sources is conducted. These sources act as the basis for the primary research stage, which builds and enhances the quantitative and qualitative attributes of the early research.

Secondary sources include:

• Government Sources:
  • Securities and Exchange Commission filings
  • Food and Drug Administration and patent filings
  • National Center for Health Statistics data
• Ultrasound System Companies:
  • Annual reports, product brochures, corporate profiles, etc.
• Internal Databases and Reports:
  • Previous reports on similar/related sources
• General Internet Searches, Medical Literature, and Newspaper/Magazine Searches:
  • Identifying various centers of specialization and articles that might provide leads for primary research.

The secondary research stage builds the foundation for the primary research.

The primary research methodology has four steps:

Step 1: The first step involves an impartial scan of all the information gathered during the secondary research stage to determine its utility based on the specific requirements of this report. Each piece of information is, thus, either discarded or marked as high or low priority. It is then organized appropriately as determined by the structure and sectioning of the report.

Step 2: At this stage, early assumptions are formed as to the implications of the information for the various ultrasound market segments. These assumptions are then used to determine hypotheses using both inductive and deductive approaches. On the quantitative front, these hypotheses result in full historical and projected market data sets (market sizes [units and US$] and market shares).

Step 3: At this stage, the research is in position for its most important primary phase - expert interviews. Throughout the secondary research, industry and medical experts are identified. These experts are now contacted by telephone and asked to participate in interviews on recent trends and developments in the industry.

Interviews are either conducted at the time of the initial call or scheduled at the convenience of the expert. Interview questions are tailored to the expertise of the particular interviewee, although in most cases, the most important questions are asked of all experts. The questions are largely based on the assumptions and hypotheses developed in Step 2, which are then either augmented, discarded, or adjusted, based on the views and positions put forth. Attempts are made, whenever possible, to cross-check the views of various experts against each other and reach positions of consensus on issues and market numbers.

Step 4: The final stage of primary research involves individual and group analysis by Millennium Research Group. All research results are assessed and cross-checked thoroughly to determine their validity, relevance, and weight. From this process, qualitative conclusions are reached and data points finalized.

In addition to Steps 1 through 4 (as outlined above), the following “bottom-up” methodology was followed in developing forecast assumptions for this report.

A comprehensive breakdown of various ultrasound procedures was prepared using data from several sources including professional associations, government statistics, and private research/media sources. Industry experts and practitioners were consulted to ensure accuracy and verify observed trends. As a cross-check, total industry revenues available through 10-Ks and other sources were compared against modeled industry revenues.

Using the best estimates of industry experts, practitioners, private research/media sources, and in-house experts, year-by-year growth rates and average selling prices were applied individually to each subcategory to derive forecasts. These estimates were cross-checked by industry experts (marketing managers, product managers, CEOs, etc.) and further refined.

Overall findings were compared against market and procedure forecasts published by other sources to ensure reasonable estimates.