Demand for reliable, accurate, high-quality pulse oximetry devices in and – increasingly – outside hospitals is driven by the rise of chronic diseases, a growing elderly population prone to asthma, heart disease, sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as the need to monitor oxygen levels in premature babies. According to a new report by Meddevicetracker, the global market for standalone, hospital-grade pulse oximetry devices and accessories will reach $1.9bn by 2021, a CAGR of 5.4% from 2016. In this feature, we'll take a closer look at the overall pulse oximetry market, the major players and which forces are driving – and stymying – its growth.

Sonivate Medical’s finger-worn ultrasound imaging probe is a ground-breaking solution that is perfectly positioned to satisfy the growing demand for point-of-care diagnostics, as well as "wearable" technology.

The medtech market continues to expand, in spite of operating challenges, but currency headwinds depressed top-line growth for outside-US companies. This year’s Clinica 100 league table, compiled by IN VIVO’s sister publication, Clinica, lists the world’s top 100 medical devices and diagnostic players based on annual sales for 2013 or their most recent fiscal year, as of October 31, 2014.

The US market for vital signs monitoring equipment is expanding as hospitals increasingly move away from traditional, wired modular and portable monitoring systems to embrace the wireless monitoring trend that is enveloping health care today. Wireless telemetry monitoring is expected to post growth of more than 11%, compounded annually, according to Medtech Insight’s new report, “U.S. Markets, Trends, and Opportunities in Patient Monitoring Products.”