Changes
/* Competitor Analysis */
Source [http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/end.2005.19.990?journalCode=end University of Minnesota]
=Key Findings=
==Major Players==
*Boston Scientific Limited, Abbott, Medtronic and Cook Inc. are the major players in ureteral stent research field.
[[Image:Major playersnew.jpg|thumb|center|1000px|Major Players]]
==Key Patents==
*The key patents in the field are held by Cook Incorporated, Interventional Thermodynamics, Abbott laboratories and Boston Scientific Corp.
[[Image:Key patent2.png|thumb|center|1100px|Key Patents]]
==IP Activity==
*Patenting activity has been high growth rate during the period 2001 to 2005 with a peak no. of patents in year 2005, followed by saturation during the period 2006 to 2008 and after that a gradual declination upto year 2010 in the ureteral stent research area.
[[Image:IPactivity3.png|thumb|center|1000px|year wise IP activity]]
==Geographical Activity==
*USA, Europe and Germany are very active in ureteral stent research.
[[Image:Geodistribution5.png|thumb|center|600px|Geographical Activity]]
*References
1- [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_the_United_States http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_the_United_States]
2- [http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/c/catheter_infection/stats.htm?ktrack=kcplink http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/c/catheter_infection/stats.htm?ktrack=kcplink]
3- [http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ScienceResearch/SpecialTopics/WomensHealthResearch/UCM247851.pdf http://www.fda.gov/downloads/ScienceResearch/SpecialTopics/WomensHealthResearch/UCM247851.pdf]
4- [http://www.managementparadise.com/forums/principles-management-p-o-m/208329-swot-analysis-boston-scientific-corporation.html http://www.managementparadise.com/forums/principles-management-p-o-m/208329-swot-analysis-boston-scientific-corporation.html]
==Trends in stent R&D==
* Given that the first bare metal stent entered the market in 1994, the technology is far from mature.
* Whilst drug eluting stents will be improved through the use of what are described as more ‘cell friendly’ (i.e. more hydrophobic) coatings and adapted (by using CFD in stent design) to varying wall sheer conditions, the industry is already well down the road of developing bioresorbable coatings and even bioresorbable stents.
* Such systems are already on limited trial in Europe with FDA trials aimed at 2012 and approval by 2015.
* There are still other areas under study including thinner struts which are important in terms of giving improved stent flexibility, a reduced cross-sectional profile within the vessel and potentially reduced restenosis (due to reduced vascular trauma).
* Silicon carbides, carbon coatings, titanium nitride/oxide and sputtered indium oxide have all been trialled as routes to reducing the incidence of restenosis and/or thrombosis.
* Click here for recent news and developments in [[Boston Scientific]] and [[Cook INC]]
'''Source''' [http://www.ceram.com/newsroom/news-releases/ceram-examines-the-future-of-stent-materials/ Ceram-newsrelease]
=Removed Sections=
