According to Medtech Insight’s recently published report, US Markets for Neurostimulation Products, the frontier for neural stimulation is expanding rapidly, representing a $628 million market in 2006 that is forecast to grow by over 20% each year to produce sales approaching $2 billion in 2012. Topics discussed include implantable pulse generators, device reimbursement, and current and emerging applications for neurostimulation.

Over the last 20 years, obesity has become a disease of epidemic proportions, and the prevalence of this complex disease continues to rise. Amid this epidemic, opportunities abound for companies with surgical and nonsurgical solutions, making this market one of the hottest new growth areas for medical technology companies. At this year's meeting of the American Society of Bariatric Surgery (ASBS), manufacturers showcased some of the latest surgical solutions for treating obesity and the morbidly obese.

Whether treating excess weight gain or the visual effects of aging, medical device companies are beginning to tap into a market for quality of life condition that have been largely the province of pharmaceutical companies. A combination of changing demographics and advances in less-invasive technology has created new opportunities for devices that treat less-than-life threatening conditions.