OT Tables And Lights – Filling The Void

Advances will continue as lighting choices, illumination, and surgical tables become smarter in the ORs and medical field. Each step forward will make for a safe environment for both the patient and the surgical team.

The operating room (OR) is getting smarter, more effective – and a lot less risky for patients.

Hospitals are investing in new devices, designs, and digital technologies that promise a new era of innovation for surgery. The moves are part of a growing shift away from traditional open procedures that involve big incisions, lots of blood loss, and long hospitalizations.

Improved design of ORs and more efficient logistics are being developed using a multidisciplinary approach with close collaboration among clinicians, technologists, scientists, and industry.

The OR is well-positioned to be one of the primary platforms for digitally enabled healthcare. These high-tech spaces have the potential to be more than the information-rich settings they already are. Because they integrate data from multiple sources and incorporate a range of equipment, including surgical tables and lights, future ORs will operate as distinct medical devices in their own right.

OT tables
Surgical tables comprise one of the first requirements of a modern healthcare system and thus are likely to be in constant demand over the near future. There has been a gradual shift from manual operating tables to more sophisticated operating tables incorporating the latest technologies such as hydraulic and electro-hydraulic powered tables with battery systems and locking drawers to allow skilled operating theater staff to access the operating table drawers. The development of more advanced powered as well as hybrid operating equipment that can auto-adjust is likely to create new opportunities for manufacturers of operating tables in the global market. Newer and more advanced operating tables serve to increase the efficiency of the surgical process and are being increasingly preferred by surgeons across the world. The development of pressure distribution mattresses will prevent unintentional injuries to patients during operations and these are also witnessing a growing demand among the global surgeon community. Highly advanced operating tables powered by the latest technologies improve the working ergonomics of the surgical team and demand for this equipment is expected to increase considerably in the coming years.

Of the three types of technologies implemented in operating tables, the non-powered/manual operating tables segment is globally anticipated to be in higher demand, resulting in an increased revenue share throughout the period 2017–2025. This segment is estimated to reach a market valuation in excess of USD 550 million by the end of 2025. The non-powered/manual operating tables segment is projected to be the most attractive in the global market, with an attractiveness index of 1.4 over the next 8 years.

Powered operating tables is the second largest segment by technology in the global operating tables market, with a market valuation of over USD 470 million by the end of 2025. However, the hybrid operating tables segment is projected to be the fastest growing segment in the global market, and is expected to exhibit the highest segmental CAGR of 4.6 percent during the period 2017–2025.

The growing demand for bariatric surgeries is one of the key factors likely to drive this market over the coming years. Also, with the worldwide prevalence of obesity constantly rising, it has led to physicians adopting minimally invasive techniques to carry out various weight loss surgical procedures and thus it is expected that this factor will further contribute to the growth of the market in the next few years.

Key players are focusing on the development of OT tables with better efficacy. These are likely to fuel the global market in the near future. However, high prices of OT tables are likely to influence demand.

Indian Market Dynamics
In 2017, the Indian OT tables market is estimated at Rs. 230.75 crore with sales at 4550 units. The indigenous segment with 3800 units constitutes 83.5 percent of the total market, in volume terms, and is estimated as Rs. 87.25 crore in value. This is a major change in trend, with indigenous brands offering excellent quality and gaining market share. The Indian segment is dominated by Cognate and Staan, closely followed by Magnatek Enterprises, Galaxy, and Palakkad Surgical. Other aggressive players include Surgdent and Midmark.

The market for imported OT tables in 2017 is estimated at 750 tables, estimated at Rs. 143.5 crore. This market is catered to by BenQ (Bet Medical), Steris (including Eschmann), Eiffel (Magnatek), and Maquet. Other brands popular in this segment include Mindray, Stryker, Trumpf, Takeuchi, Mezhuo, Schmitz, Mediland, and Scharer.

A polarization has been observed in the last one year in the Indian market for surgical tables. The leading MNC brands are now also offering Chinese models at extremely competitive prices. And the indigenous manufacturers have improved the quality and features of the surgery tables. Features as patient-centered transfer system, extreme-positioning possibilities, lifting range from 535 to 1235 mm, patient weight capability up to 250kg and carbon fiber tabletops are not uncommon.

Trends impacting the market
The specialized surgical tables allow handling a variety of procedures/positions. The evolution of orthopedic procedures from invasive to non-invasive, which needs patients to be positioned differently, is increasing the demand for advanced orthopedic operating tables. The top three emerging market trends driving the global orthopedic operating tables market according to Technavio research analysts are:

Focus toward the hybrid operating rooms. Hospitals and ASCs are focusing on upgrading their general ORs to hybrid ORs, which consist of multiple features, including specialized orthopedic operating tables. The advanced ORs integrate various types of surgical and imaging equipment and allow surgeons to perform surgeries, including orthopedic surgeries, with MI techniques. This helps to reduce the need for additional patient transfers to imaging rooms, and thus enhances patient safety and minimizes the time taken to perform surgeries.

“Hybrid operating rooms are becoming more popular in the field of orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, and cardiology, as they are cost-efficient and help in preventing major medical errors. Technologically advanced orthopedic operating tables enable surgeons to perform surgeries with improved accuracy and efficiency. The increasing demand for the hybrid operating rooms is driving the demand for the specialized orthopedic operating tables,” says Ramakrishna Edupulapati, lead analyst, Technavio for orthopedics and medical devices research.

Increasing adoption of state-of-the-art operating rooms. Increasing awareness of the benefits of renovating existing ORs with new-generation technology will lead to the adoption of orthopedic operating tables. Advances in technology have led to the improvement in surgical methods in certain complex surgical procedures. Hence, hospitals and ASCs are increasingly seeking to build state-of-the-art ORs to attract and retain star surgeons by offering them the most advanced tools and bringing more procedures to the facility. This helps hospitals to remain competitive and increase their market potential.

Increase in online marketing. Vendors in the global orthopedic operating tables market are focusing on online marketing of their products and services to provide better access to customers and to increase the volume of product sales. As a result of this strategy, vendors can minimize their setup, and distribution costs which rose due to mediators and distributors. Online sales also help customers to choose the best orthopedic operating table based on the detailed information provided about the various devices. In addition, online marketing offers a lot of discounts and promotional offers, which lead to an increase in online purchases. Furthermore, the products available through online services also come with a warranty/guarantee from the manufacturer. This trend of online marketing enables vendors to expand their business from local to the national and global markets. Thus, the increase in online marketing services is expected to contribute significantly to the sale of orthopedic operating tables in coming years.

OT lights
Evolution of novel and technologically superior surgical lighting systems, increase in number of surgical procedures performed in various therapeutic fields, favorable reimbursement scenario, surge in incidence and prevalence of lifestyle diseases demanding surgical interventions, and rise in the healthcare spending capacity globally are the factors anticipated to boost the growth of the global surgical lighting systems market. However, high cost of LED surgical lighting systems and risk of burns associated with use of high lux light sources is restraining demand.

The global surgical lights market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.53 percent during 2018–2023, estimates Market Research Future. The global market is driven by the extensive use of surgical lights for minor and major surgical procedures and increasing demand for new technologies in surgical lighting. Further, technological advancement in medical devices and increasing number of surgical light manufacturers also fuel the growth of the market.

North America dominates the global surgical lighting systems market owing to high healthcare spending capacity, adoption of technologically advanced products, and rise in demand for minimally invasive surgical procedures. Europe is expected to be the second largest market for surgical lighting systems, attributable to the increase in geriatric population, rise in incidence of lifestyle diseases, high healthcare awareness among the population, and presence of large number of leading manufacturers of surgical lighting systems.

Asia-Pacific’s surgical lights are driven by an increasing number of surgical procedures, and government initiatives have had a synergistic effect on the market. Additionally, focus on the quality of surgical lights, increasing demand for a LED lighting system in ORs, and rising demand for LED lighting systems also fuel the growth of the market. Additionally, the increase in traffic of medical tourism, especially in cardiology, is the largest contributor to the growth of the market. The market is mainly driven by increasing demand for cost-effective surgical lighting solutions and increasing number of patients with chronic diseases requiring surgical procedures.

In the Middle East and Africa, the growth of the surgical lights market is attributed to increasing availability of specialty care services in countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Africa exhibits steady growth with demand for primary care services in the region.

Indian Market Dynamics
In 2017, the Indian OT lights market is estimated at Rs. 208.5 crore, with 5200 units, with imported lights at 2100 units and indigenous brands at 3100 units. Value-wise the imported segment is estimated at Rs. 168 crore and Indian Rs. 40.5 crore.

The imported segment is dominated by Dr. Mach, Maquet, Steris, and Magnatek, closely followed by BenQ (Bet Medical), and KLS Martin. Other brands also aggressive in this segment are Siemon, Trumpf, Stryker, Draeger, and Mindray. The indigenous OT lights segment is dominated by Bharat Surgical and United Surgical. Aggressive presence is displayed by Cognate, Matrix, Galaxy, and Chinese brands. The unorganized regional manufacturers continue to cater to this market, located primarily in Delhi, Bhiwani, and Southern States of India.

The year 2017 was when halogen lights showed a complete exit, with the result that the replacement market almost no longer exists. A handful of government hospitals might still be in the process of transitioning from halogen to LED lights, with double dome being the preferred category.

Way forward
Many of the greatest ideas and innovations are not in the operative field, where surgeons focus their tools and time, but are sourced from the multitude of processes that must happen to facilitate a smooth operation. Surgeons commonly experience the challenges of poor visualization, prolonged periods of tedious dissection, and episodes of chaos. That makes it difficult to detach and focus on innovation while in the OR. Considering the critical role that precision lighting plays in today’s OR procedures, ORs are required to integrate a variety of technological advances which require proper lighting to be fully utilized. The main focus of concentration should be on the quality of light versus the quantity of light.

Additionally, surgical tables comprise one of the first requirements of a modern healthcare system and thus are likely to be in constant demand over the near future. Developed countries have led the way in modernizing their healthcare sectors and incorporating major technological advances, but healthcare agencies in developing regions are also likely to become major players in the sector. New operating procedures and requirements for patient positioning will continue to make new demands of operating tables in future. Mobile operating tables and operating table systems will have to be developed further in order to satisfy the expectations and demands of operating teams and patients.

The OR is a demanding environment that requires precision, efficiency, communication, skilled surgeons and healthcare professionals, and quality lighting. Advances will continue as lighting choices, illumination, and surgical tables become smarter in the ORs and medical field. Each step forward will make for a safe environment for both the patient and the surgical team.