OT Tables and OT Lights – Growing Demand

Technological advancements have moved the surgical table way beyond glorified gurney into tables with multiple patient-positioning options, and have allowed ORs to shift away from halogens to LEDs.

An operating room (OR) must be prepared with technically advanced equipment that offers enhanced operational efficiency to enable surgeons and other healthcare professionals with greater flexibility and ease of handling. They are required to be equipped with precise instruments and equipment to ensure better patient-care and enhanced operational efficiency.The supporting high-quality surgical lighting and operating tables play an important role in performing intricate procedures. As surgical procedures and OR continue to become more specialized, technological advancements have also led to the development of specialized lights and tables to cater to the specific requirements depending on the type of surgery and OT specifications and dimensions.

OT Tables
Operating tables are a staple requirement for a surgery or medical procedure. Having been present since the 19th century, operating tables have evolved a lot with technology and with the evolution there have been different types of operating tables developed for different kinds of surgeries. However, one crucial aspect of operating tables that does stay the same in every case is to provide the patient immense comfort and be easy for the doctor to use according to the surgery.

Technological advancements have moved the surgical table way beyond glorified gurney into a cross between the space shuttle and a carnival ride. The need for versatility, articulation, safety, efficiency, flexibility, and reliability is reflected in models that can literally move up, down, and all round, take pictures in the process, and all the while support the considerable weight of the expanding population. Growing in prominence are electrohydraulic tables with multiple patient-positioning options that increase clinical versatility, enable integration of imaging equipment, and ensure compatibility with computer-video based surgical practices.

Indian Market Dynamics
In 2016, the Indian OT tables market is estimated at Rs. 400 crore with sales at 4000 units. The indigenous segment with 3200 units constitutes 80 percent of the total market, in volume terms. This is a major change in trend, with indigenous brands offering excellent quality and gaining market share. The Indian segment is dominated by Magnatek Enterprises, Staan, and Palakkad Surgical. Surgdent, Cognate, and Midmark (Janak) are aggressive players.

The market for imported OT tables in 2016 is estimated at 800 tables, estimated worth Rs. 100 crore. This market is catered to by BenQ (Bet Medical), Maquet, Eiffel (Magnatek), Mediland, Steris (including Eschmann), Scharer, Mindray, Stryker, Trumph, Takeuchi, Mezhuo, and Schmitz. Famed, Martin, OPT, and Haliday also have a presence in this segment.

The market is growing at an accelerated rate with focus on specialized healthcare, with larger expansions by corporate hospitals sensing a huge potential in untapped Indian masses and the government investing in the healthcare sector by opening a large number of institutes across the country and initiating better healthcare schemes.The country is expected to spend over Rs. 1,340,000 crore by 2024 to strengthen its medical infrastructure. AIIMS Bhubaneswar has set a target to add 30 modular OTs with latest technologies within the next 1 year.

Since the last couple of years, in response to the huge demand from all over the country, a large number of Indian and Chinese brands have almost sprung up. At Medicall 2017 held recently in Chennai, 30–35 new OT table vendors had participated with their respective product range, making the competition fierce. Vendors that have the capability to develop highly specialized and technologically advanced products are expected to gain a competitive edge over their peers.

Global Market
The global operating tables market is projected to grow at a steady CAGR of 3.82 percent from 2017 to 2020, predicts Research and Markets, driven by the robust increase in global volume of surgeries performed against the backdrop of a growing disease burden and the popularity of surgical care and intervention as the preferred treatment mode guided by developments in minimally invasive surgeries.

Moreover, increasing number of ambulatory surgical centers and the rising demand for hybrid OR will boost the market growth. Technological advancements in the field and high adoption rate for operating tables with new technology will also drive the global market. Growing in prominence are electrohydraulic tables with multiple patient-positioning options that increase clinical versatility, enable integration of imaging equipment, and ensure compatibility with computer-video based surgical practices. However, some of the important factors which restrain the global market for operating tables include high cost involved and lack of skilled medical professionals for proper handling of operating tables.

North America dominates the market owing to better infrastructure, technological advancement, improved healthcare facilities, and high demand of operating tables in the region. Asia-Pacific is expected to emerge as the fastest growing market, led by rising standard of living, improving healthcare infrastructure, rising healthcare awareness resulting in demand for high-quality medical services, spurt in medical tourism, and increased hospital investments in patient-handling infrastructure.

OT Lights
Operating lights are a necessary component of any operating theatre or surgical suite and are available in a variety of different configurations, wattages, and features. Wide selections of surgery lights are available in the market currently including both large, ceiling-mounted OR lights and small, portable exam lights. The latest generation of surgical lights uses LEDs for their light source. Surgical light manufacturers have shifted from using halogen and metal halide to LEDs for their light sources since they last longer than traditional incandescent versions and often incorporate LCD touchscreens to adjust illumination and spotlight settings.

LED surgical lights can be configured with high-definition cameras and monitors providing surgeons with the latest technology. They can be mounted on the wall and on the ceiling in a variety of configurations. Some manufacturers offer surgical lights with battery back-ups to ensure the surgical team has lighting in case of any electrical disruptions.

Indian Market Dynamics
In 2016, the Indian OT lights market is estimated at Rs. 580 crore, with 6000 units. This includes both government and private sector buying. With new technological features being introduced, the discerning surgeon needs to upgrade and replace the lights, reducing the product lifecycle to 5 years.

The imported segment is dominated by Maquet, Dr Mach, Draeger, and Martin. Other brands also aggressive in this segment are BenQ (Bet Medical), Mindray, SynerG (VIVID), Magnatek, and Cognate.

The Indian OT lights contribute 83 percent to the market, with total sales estimated at 5000 units in 2016, in volume terms. The segment is dominated by Magnatek, Staan, Bharat Surgical, and Philips.

Halogen lights are gradually exiting this segment. India is perhaps one of the few countries where halogen lights are still bought in remote areas or very small hospitals. With technological development, prices have fallen, and many manufacturing facilities have been established. Many Indian companies are importing them in SKD condition from China and Israel among other countries and taking advantage of the inverted duty structure. The lesser requirement of energy, brighter intensity, lesser heat generation in comparison with halogen bulbs, and greater shelf life are some of the major advantageous factors attributing toward the increased demand for LED lights over halogen bulbs. Moreover, LED lights are designed in a way that makes them capable of producing light in the visual spectrum which could be used for illumination. Further, there is an increased trend of buying lights with multiple media arms and HD camera, although there is a 3D camera in existence but is not popular in the OT lights segment. The replacement market is huge, with the government opting for the top-of-the-line range.

Road Ahead
The healthcare infrastructure in India is set to rise to make the country a global healthcare hub. The country is expected to spend over Rs. 1,340,000 crore by 2024 to strengthen its medical infrastructure. This rise in expenditure is projected to increase the number of healthcare facilities in the country. For instance, various hospitals including AIIMS, Safdarjung, and Fortis will be expanding their facilities in the coming years. This is likely to drive the operating tables and lights market in the future since they comprise one of the first requirements of a modern healthcare system and thus will be in constant demand to improve OT suits.