According to MIC (Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute), Taipei-based ICT research institute, US and European vendors both have great R&D capabilities in medical robot. Out of the top 30 vendors who have relatively strong R&D intensity, 21 are based in the United States, four in Europe and five in the rest of the world.
R&D Intensity of the Top 30 Patent Assignees
|
Assignee
|
Number of Patents
|
Ranking
|
|
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
|
554
|
1
|
|
SRI International, Inc.
|
18
|
2
|
|
Hansen Medical, Inc.
|
62
|
3
|
|
Siemens
|
66
|
4
|
|
Restoration Robotics, Inc.
|
36
|
5
|
|
Accuray, Inc.
|
27
|
6
|
|
IBM
|
8
|
7
|
|
Symbiosis Corporation
|
4
|
8
|
|
NASA
|
4
|
9
|
|
Korea Institute of Science and Technology
|
8
|
10
|
|
St. Jude Medical, Inc.
|
22
|
11
|
|
Medtronic, Inc.
|
16
|
12
|
|
Bonutti Skeletal Innovations
|
12
|
13
|
|
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
|
12
|
14
|
|
3M
|
10
|
15
|
|
National Institutes of Health
|
9
|
16
|
|
Virtual Incision Corporation
|
6
|
17
|
|
Philips Electronics
|
6
|
18
|
|
Surgical Navigation Technologies, Inc.
|
5
|
19
|
|
Curexo Technology Corporation
|
7
|
20
|
|
Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
|
7
|
21
|
|
Baxter Corporation
|
7
|
22
|
|
Kuka
|
7
|
23
|
|
Honda
|
7
|
24
|
|
Mazor Robotics Ltd.
|
7
|
25
|
|
Toyota
|
6
|
26
|
|
Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska
|
5
|
27
|
|
Fanuc, Ltd.
|
5
|
28
|
|
Johns Hopkins University
|
5
|
29
|
|
Orametrix, Inc.
|
5
|
30
|
Source: MIC, May 2015
US vendors have a greater presence in robot-assisted surgery. Of all the 967 patents related to this application, US vendors controlled 920 pieces (95.1%) while European vendors only had 47 pieces (4.9%). Important technology fields include Surgical Instrument, Robotic Arm, Minimally Invasive, Surgical Tool, Image Data, Image Capture Device, Optical Fiber, and Light Source.
By contrast, European vendors have greater strength than US vendors in therapy robots. Of the 40 patents related to the field, European vendors owned 35 pieces (87.5%) while US vendors had five pieces (12.5%). Key technology fields include: X-ray, Radiation Therapy, and Electron Beam.
By pouring more resources into robot-assisted surgery, US vendors have demonstrated ambition to seize more control over the key technologies and be the front-runner in the market. By contrast, European vendors focus more on developing therapy robots. Perspective vendors are suggested to keep an eye on the latest development of the US and European incumbents.
To see more about this report, please visit: The Robot Doctor Will See You Now -- Patent Analysis and Business Opportunities of Medical Robots
For future receipt of press releases, or more information about MIC research findings, please contact MIC Public Relations.
About MIC
Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute (MIC), based in Taipei, Taiwan, was founded in 1987. MIC is Taiwan's premier IT industry research and consulting firm providing intelligence, in-depth analysis, and strategic consulting services on global IT product and technology trends, focusing on markets and industries in Asia-Pacific. MIC is part of the Institute for Information Industry. https://mic.iii.org.tw/english