The medical device sector posted the strongest growth in patent activity among 12 leading sectors, making it 1 of the most innovative industries in the world, according to a Thompson Reuters report.
The medtech sector was assigned 60,300 patents from 2010-2012, making it the 6th-most active industry of the 12 considered in Thompson Reuters’ "2012 State of Innovation" report, with 8% of total patents awarded (the computer & peripherals category logged 30% of the total patent activity, according to the report, making it top dog).
But medical devices grew the most, at a 15.7% clip, according to Thompson Reuters.
The analysis also listed the top 10 U.S. assignees among medical device companies:
- Covidien (NYSE:COV) [Tyco Healthcare Group]: 354
- GE (NYSE:GE): 334
- Medtronic (NYSE:MDT): 214
- Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) [Ethicon Endo-Surgery]: 212
- Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX): 144
- St. Jude Medical (NYSE:STJ): 72
- Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) [Synthes]: 69
- Covidien (NYSE:COV) [Nellcor Puritan Bennett]: 67
- Abbott (NYSE:ABT) [Abbott Diabetes Care]: 59
- Cook Medical: 55
And here’s a look at the breakdown by device type:
- Diagnosis/Surgery: 34% (+21.3%)
- Sterilizing/Syringes/Electrotherapy: 30% (+13.8%)
- Dentistry/Bandages/Prosthesis: 19% (+15.9%)
- Medical Aids/Oral Administration: 17% (+18.5%)