Overview
Urology is the branch of medicine that diagnoses and treats diseases of the genitourinary tract. Urologists treat disease states ranging from simple urinary tract infections and kidney stones to more complex diseases such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), urinary incontinence, kidney/renal failure, sexual dysfunction and prostate cancer.
BPH, also known as an enlarged prostate, is a common condition in older men whereby an enlarged prostate leads to a need to urinate more frequently, sometimes so much so that normal sleep patterns are disrupted. Urinary incontinence is a common occurrence in women over the age of 35 that leads to an inability to retain urine in between normal voiding, thus requiring the use of absorbent pads. Prostate cancer is a common cancer in men that often requires removal of the prostate. This delicate surgery often affects the neurovascular bundles on the prostate gland, which control sexual function, leading to a secondary need to address erectile dysfunction conditions after prostate surgery.
There are a wide variety of medical devices used in Urology, including disposable test devices for measuring urinary flow; implantable and injectable biomaterials for treating urinary incontinence, such as pelvic slings and bulking agents; machines and disposables for performing kidney dialysis; machines – called lithotripters – for non-invasive destruction of kidney stones; implantable radioactive “seeds” used to treat prostate cancer, and the associated tools and software planning systems used to plan and implement seed insertion into the prostate; electrical, microwave, cryogenic and laser-based systems for minimally-invasive ablation (destruction) of prostate tissue for both BPH and prostate cancer applications; and devices used to assist with sexual function in compromised patients, including both implantable and external devices.
Market Opportunity
Kairos estimates the total market for Urology devices to exceed $1 billion annually, with overall sector growth of approximately 5% and specific new-technology segments growing in excess of 15% per year. Generally, Urology is one of the top medical diagnosis and treatment areas, accounting for nearly 5% of all hospital outpatient visits and approximately 3% of all inpatient surgeries each year. BPH is estimated to affect more than one-half of all men over the age of 60. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men after lung cancer. Urinary incontinence is estimated to affect 20-30% of all women over the age of 35.
Kairos Focus
Kairos’ focus is in those areas of Urology that are exhibiting high growth and which relate to treating critical care patients in a hospital setting, with devices and systems that have a significant disposables component. The primary focus areas are BPH ablation systems and disposables; urinary incontinence slings and bulking agents, and tools for pelvic floor reconstruction; radioactive seeds and ablation tools for prostate cancer; and implantable and external devices for erectile dysfunction. |
