-- Limited spending places responsibility on manufacturers to develop innovative and cost-effective offerings

LONDON, Oct. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Limited hospital spending and lengthy equipment replacement spans are slowing down growth rates in the European anesthesia equipment and associated peripherals market. This is being offset by the growing demand for safe, advanced and patient-friendly anesthesia consumables.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.healthcare.frost.com), Analysis of the Anesthesia Equipment and Associated Peripherals Market, finds that the market earned revenues of $ 224.5 million in 2011 and estimates this to reach $ 269.2 million in 2016. The research covers equipment (anesthesia machines and monitors) and consumables (laryngeal mask airway (LMA), endotracheal tube (ETT), anesthesia mask and breathing circuit devices).

"The demand for anesthesia equipment and peripherals is rising as a result of the spiraling number of surgical procedures being performed," notes Frost & Sullivan Senior Analyst Akanksha Joshi. "The focus is now on innovative, technologically advanced products that are patient-friendly and that promote greater safety and ease-of-operation."

In the saturated anesthesia equipment segment, the focus is on developing high-quality, cost-effective products. In the consumables segment, the trend is currently favouring disposable over reusable equivalents. There has been strong demand for reliable and easy-to-use products that can flexibly adjust to any upgrades.

Revenues in the anesthesia equipment segment are dependent mainly on replacement purchases. Limited healthcare budgets have meant, however, that purchasing departments tend to buy only the most urgently required equipment each year.

"Western European hospitals are already well equipped with anesthesia equipment, with demand now likely to come from new hospitals," explains Joshi. "In the absence of strict regulations, hospitals have tended to delay replacing old anesthesia equipment, thereby restricting market growth."

A potential strategy to maintaining revenues would be for manufacturers to offer bundled solutions, wherein advanced versions of anesthesia machines and monitors would be sold as a package, along with other equipment. Anesthesia consumables could be included in such packages.

"The development of innovative, accurate and reliable patient-friendly devices would motivate hospitals to replace their existing equipment," advises Joshi. "Technological innovation in the anesthesia consumables segment would further stimulate interest in the purchase of advanced technologies that support enhanced clinical outcomes."

If you are interested in more information on this study, please send an email with your contact details to Anna Zanchi, Corporate Communications, at anna.zanchi@frost.com

Analysis of the Anesthesia Equipment and Associated Peripherals Market is part of the Advanced Medical Technologies Growth Partnership Service programme, which also includes research in the following markets: European Operating Room Solutions Market, European Cardiac Patient Monitoring Outlook and European Markets for Continuous Glucose Monitoring. All research included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

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SOURCE Frost & Sullivan