The U.S. laparoscopic device market is expected to reach more $4.1 billion in sales in 2011 and $7.5 billion by 2018, according to an iData Research news release.
Ethicon, Allergan and Covidien lead this rapidly growing market and are battling for leadership in the gastric-band, direct-energy and ultrasonic device segments.
These segments will be driven by sales of disposables. Direct-energy devices are used in electrosurgery to cut, coagulate, desiccate or fulgurate tissue. Ultrasonic devices use lower-temperatures and vibrations to grasp and cut tissue.
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