Re-use and re-manufacturing is the next stage in re-processing of medical devices
The cost of cardiac catheters is high, and as they are single use devices, large amounts of medical waste is generated. For economic and environmental reasons it has become common to re-process these single use devices.
Millennium Research Group estimates that the market for re-processed electrophysiology diagnostic catheters will grow at a rate of over 15% through 2014. This growth is underpinned by hospitals seeking to reduce both costs and waste. In addition, Group Purchasing Organisations (GPOs) are known to be expanding supply contracts with re-processors.
One of the limitations for growth in re-processable EP catheters has been the predominance of single use devices in the market. While the FDA has previously acknowledged the safety of re-using these devices, as the name suggests, the number of times devices can be re-processed is very limited and often only to the low single digits. We believe re-processors, hospitals and GPOs will benefit from products that are designed and purpose built for re-manufacturing.
Re-processing currently represents only 10% of the global catheter market, but could dominate the market in 10 years.
The use of a re-usable catheter, specifically design to withstand multiple uses, could significantly reduce catheter costs. This per use fee can be charged at a discount to the price of a new catheter.
This is a potentially disruptive model that can benefit all stakeholders:
