About 50% of the 13.9 million people undergoing treatment in the US for major depressive disorder have anxious depression, which represents a large market opportunity for Neuronetics, according to an analyst.

With the global pandemic leading to a big rise in mental health issues, medtech could have a role to play. In Vivo explores transcranial magnetic stimulation systems that are being used to treat severe anxiety and depression, among other indications. As well as the skyrocketing use of telehealth, apps and light therapy for mental health indications.  

With the global pandemic leading to a big rise in mental health issues, medtech could have a role to play. In this first part of a two-part series focusing on mental health tech, Medtech Insight focuses on transcranial magnetic stimulation systems used to treat severe anxiety and depression, among other indications. Part two will focus on the skyrocketing use of telehealth, apps and light therapy.   

The conventional wisdom in the medtech industry is to pursue the “razor-razor blade” business model, as each placement of capital equipment generates a lucrative annuity of recurring revenues from disposables. The corollary to this conventional wisdom is that so-called “big iron” is to be avoided as, in sharp contrast, it suffers from greater early cash requirements and longer sales cycles that create difficulties forecasting quarterly revenues, and provides no annuities. But that view is no longer the only one that counts, Health Advances CEO Mark Speers argues.