MINIMALLY INVASIVE DEVICE MARKET SHOULD SEE BIG GROWTH, ANALYST SAYS

The global market for minimally invasive surgery (MIS) devices and instruments -- including catheters, balloons, stents and other devices used in minimally invasive angioplasty -- is expected to grow from an estimated $12 billion in 2005 to $12.9 billion in 2006 and should reach $18.5 billion by 2011, according to a June report.

The market for MIS devices is expected to show an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 7.5 percent between 2006 and 2011, said BCC Research analyst Andrew McWilliams.

The U.S. accounted for about 60 percent, or $7.2 billion, of the world market in 2005 and is growing at an AAGR of 7.2 percent, McWilliams noted, adding that the U.S. market should reach $7.7 billion in 2006 and $11 billion by 2011.

Highlights of the report can be viewed at www.bccresearch.com/hlc/HLC051D.asp (http://www.bccresearch.com/hlc/HLC051D.asp).