OCT. 7–SAN JOSE, CA–The rapid growth and usage of such endoscopes such as neuroendoscopes, colonoscopes and bronchoscopes is expected to expand the disinfection and sterilization markets.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (www.medical devices.frost.com), “Strategic Analysis of the U.S. Disinfection and Sterilization Markets, reveals that this industry generated revenues totaling $647 million in 2001.

Total revenues are projected at more than $900 million in 2008. The share of sterilization supplies, the largest market segment, is expected to increase modestly to 59 percent of total projected revenues.

Prion deactivation unfolds the greatest opportunity for disinfection and sterilization companies. Prions are extremely resistant to heat and chemicals, thus none of the existing technology is effective.

“This effective technology is expected to be a combination of new methods n existing product lines, incorporating additional technology,” according to Dhiraj Ajmani, a Frost & Sullivan analyst.

The challenge for companies developing prion deactivation technologies, he explains, is that there is not appropriate standard a company’ can measure the effectiveness of sterilization techniques against prions. In order to capitalize on this opportunity, a number of small and large companies are developing technologies for prion deactivation.

Biological indicators are used to test the sterilizer ability to kill specific strains of highly resistant organisms. The segment present the highest potential for growth in the next few years.

“With the rapid readout test, hospitals are expected to shift to testing daily preferably with every load. The guidelines presently followed are weekly, preferably daily,” says Dhiraj. “The shift is expected to have significant effect on the usage of biological indicators in the coming years.”