The world market for blood pressure monitors will enjoy steady growth in the years ahead as aging populations climb in number and diseases exacting their toll require observation and supervision, according to a new report from IHS Inc., a leading global source of critical information and insight. 

Global revenue for blood pressure monitors is set to reach $854.9 million by year-end, up a modest 2% from $838.8 million in 2012. Revenue expansion will hold firm at the 2% to 3% range for the next three years, before bounding to a 5% increase by 2017. By then, industry takings will amount to $963.2 million, as shown in the attached figure. The majority of revenue will stem from automatic upper-arm monitors, which is the preferred type of blood pressure monitor. 

“One important reason for the consistent rise in revenue over the years is that the worldwide population of those aged 65 and above will continue to grow over time, making up an increasingly larger percentage,” says Roeen Roashan, analyst for consumer medical devices and digital health. “As a result, health monitoring will increase, which will drive market growth for blood pressure monitors. While evident in all regions, the phenomenon will be particularly apparent in Europe and Asia.”

A second reason for the growth of the market stems from the continuing peril imposed by cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, responsible for more than 30% of annual deaths, Roashan notes. Lifestyle diseases are at their highest prevalence given the current state of people diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. In particular, developing countries such as China, India, Russia, and the sub-Saharan African region are experiencing high growth in hypertension incidence, taking place because of a richer diet borne out of rising discretionary income. The trend in these regions will undoubtedly spur market demand overall for blood pressure monitors. 

A third reason is due to government initiatives in preventive care, which have had the effect of increasing awareness among consumers of the benefits to be obtained from health monitoring. The basis for preventive care is health monitoring, and prohibitive healthcare costs have only added to the urgency of the matter. 

Among countries, Denmark and the U.K. have been especially successful in implementing telehealth, or the remote monitoring of health conditions via monitors and compatible devices, contributing to higher demand for blood pressure monitors. 

Overall, blood pressure monitors will be part of an $8.2 billion market this year for consumer medical devices including blood glucose meters, activity and heartrate monitors, and hearing aids. By 2017, total revenue for consumer medical devices will equate to a staggering $10.6 billion.

Mazak Corp. recently named SIM Technologies Corp., an engineering services firm specializing in software development for the manufacturing and distribution industries, to its exclusive Value Inspired Partner (VIP) technology program that brings total manufacturing solutions to Mazak customers.   

Through this partnership, SIM Technologies and Mazak will collaborate on solutions that solve production, scheduling, logistics and inventory challenges. The two companies will also work together to create training programs and seminars on understanding and solving production bottlenecks for presentation at Mazak technology and education events across the country, including the DISCOVER 2013 event that will take place Oct. 8 – 16, 2013, at Mazak Corp. headquarters in Florence, Ky.

“We are excited to have SIM Technologies as our newest VIP partner. Having relied on them to optimize our own manufacturing initiatives, we know firsthand the company is a proactive collaborator that embodies what it means to be a VIP, says Brian Papke, president of Mazak Corp. “Like Mazak, SIM Technologies is committed to making its customers more productive and profitable by solving their production challenges.”

SIM Technologies offers software-based planning systems that focus on global supply chains, capacity scheduling, flexible manufacturing simulation, lean manufacturing and congestion modeling. Projects range from optimizing throughput of an existing production line to the complete global supply chain process for a company. Mazak relies on SIM Technologies’ to continuously improve the workflow of its Kentucky manufacturing plant via Flexible Manufacturing Simulation System software upgrades. 

“It is an honor to receive Mazak VIP certification because it further validates our commitment to the manufacturing industry,” states Paul Eckard, president of SIM Technologies Corp. “We are excited to be able to take our working relationship with Mazak to the next level and serve as a key factor in helping their customers reduce capital and operating costs through our specialized solutions.” 

Launched in 2010, the Mazak VIP program brings together reputable producers of complementary technologies for Mazak machines. In order to become a Mazak VIP, members must exceed customer expectations in terms of products, services and support as well as maintain a culture of ethical business practices.   

For more information on the Mazak VIP program and SIM Technologies, please visit MazakUSA.com/VIP and www.simtechcorp.com.

HxGN Live on Location Event Details

SpatialAnalyzer is Coming to your City
Oct. 9, 2013, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Learn about the latest upgrades to SpatialAnalyzer and how advanced capabilities can help you. Topics include:

• Optimization
• Unified Spatial Metrology Network
• Measurement Plans
• Advanced User Tips
• Hands-on Demos & Learning

Leica Automated Solutions Workshop
Oct. 10, 2013, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Laser Tracker Automated Cell - see it in action! Get the latest on automated solutions with 6 Degrees of Freedom technology:

• Measurement strategies for Automated Solutions; efficient combined use of probing and scanning
• Automated inspection – success stories, hardware setup, etc.
• Calibration of robot and machines
• NRK Presentation Spatial Analyzer, SA Automation & SA Machine
• Automation based on emScon TPI
• Try out the new Leica 3D Disto

Open House – Ask the Experts
Oct. 11, 2013, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Explore solutions to fit your unique application. Our wide range of products guarantees a customized fit. Take advantage of hands-on demonstrations of the following:

• Portable Measuring Arms
• New PC-DMIS Touch Software
• New Micro-CT Stent Measurement Package
• White Light Scanner Automated Cell
• Latest In Bridge CMMs
• Multisensor & Optical Systems
• Laser Tracker Systems

Plus, don’t miss….

• Enjoy Oktoberfest fare and festivities on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Spouses and significant others are encouraged to join
• Prize drawings throughout the event
• Lunch provided daily
• HxGN Live 2014 Annual User Conference event tickets for all attendees
• Complimentary tickets to International Oktoberfest in Newport, Rhode Island (Saturday 12, 2013)

Location: Hexagon Metrology Precision Center, 250 Circuit Dr. North Kingstown, R.I.

For more information or to register, click here.

Henkel Corp. officials have announced two dates for Loctite Medical Device Adhesive Seminars during the fall of 2013. The first will take place on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013, in Novi, Mich. with the second event scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, near Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Each comprehensive program will provide design, product and manufacturing engineers with an overall knowledge of adhesive technologies used in the design and assembly of medical devices.

Engineers who attend the upcoming Loctite Medical Device Adhesive Seminars will benefit from intensive educational information and hands-on demonstrations of adhesives and equipment. Engineers will gain a solid knowledge of adhesives and understand how to automate manual processes, improve profitability/process efficiency, decrease costs, improve product quality/reliability and reduce process cycle times and work-in-progress.

Topics covered during this full-day training seminar include proper joint design for adhesive assembly, selecting the appropriate medical device adhesive technology and processing equipment requirements. The program will provide an overview of each of the major families of ISO 10993 biocompatible engineering adhesives, including light cure, cyanoacrylate, epoxy, polyurethane and silicone technologies.

The Loctite Medical Device Adhesive Seminar on September 19, 2013, will be held at J.D. Racing Indoor Karting in Michigan. The seminar starts at 8:30 a.m. with registration and coffee, and runs until 3:00 p.m., when participants will be invited to stay and race go-karts on the facility’s indoor track. 

The Oct. 1, 2013, seminar will take place at the Courtyard Fort Lauderdale. The event starts with 8:30 a.m. registration and continental breakfast, with training continuing through 2 p.m. 

Both seminars feature information on the latest innovations for medical device assembly. These innovations include the Loctite AssureCure inline system for quantitatively and cost effectively assessing the degree of cure of light cure adhesives; toughened light cure cyanoacrylate adhesives that cure effectively in both visible and shadowed areas; and light cure silicone adhesives that provide superior flexibility and high bond strength on silicone and plastic substrates. 

To register for the seminar on Sept. 19, 2013, please call Chad Painter at 734.451.2211, email detroit@rshughes.com, or visit www.henkelna.com/medicaladhesives. Registration is required by September 6.

To register for the seminar on Oct. 1, 2013, please call 800.448.0406, email medical.adhesives@us.henkel.com, or visit www.henkelna.com/medicaladhesives. Registration is required by Sept. 20. For more information on the Oct. 1, 2013, event, call John Alberino at 410.804.3402.