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:

1. Covidien (NYSE:COV) [Tyco Healthcare Group]: 354
2. GE (NYSE:GE): 334
3. Medtronic (NYSE:MDT): 214
4. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) [Ethicon Endo-Surgery]: 212
5. Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX): 144
6. St. Jude Medical (NYSE:STJ): 72
7. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) [Synthes]: 69
8. Covidien (NYSE:COV) [Nellcor Puritan Bennett]: 67
9. Abbott (NYSE:ABT) [Abbott Diabetes Care]: 59
10. 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%)