DOTmed Industry Sector Report: O/R Microscopes

by Barbara Kram, Editor | August 12, 2009

Several technicians have told DOTmed that practitioners can save 50% or more by opting for used equipment, making it attractive for institutions as well as individual practitioners and surgery centers.

"The big thing we are seeing with the economy is a lot more refurbished equipment being sold. In the past, hospitals were shy to try something [used] but when you can find a piece of equipment completely refurbished with a warranty that is just as good as new, in this economy they are more willing to try it," said Kim Hensley, Didage Sales Company, Inc. "I am also seeing that equipment is even more readily available for us because some hospitals, surgery centers and offices are going out of business; we go in and can pick up a lot of equipment."

Your Trusted Source for Sony Medical Displays, Printers & More!

Ampronix, a Top Master Distributor for Sony Medical, provides Sales, Service & Exchanges for Sony Surgical Displays, Printers, & More. Rely on Us for Expert Support Tailored to Your Needs. Email info@ampronix.com or Call 949-273-8000 for Premier Pricing.

At the same time, several OEMs and ISOs confirmed many hospitals are keeping their equipment for a while, having difficulty finding a capital budget for upgrades. Uncertainty about the ongoing health care reform debate in Washington doesn't help matters.

"This year, the economy has affected us because capital expenditures in hospitals have been frozen or put on hold, they are asking surgeons to make do for a year with the microscopes they have," said Leica's Betsy Schwartz.

On the clinical side, advances in endoscopy, including minimally invasive procedures, may be viewed as competing with surgical microscopes. Endoscopes, inserted into the body, eliminate the heavy lifting of procedures that require surgical microscopes (which are used outside of the patient's body.)

The OEMs continue to innovate in order to prompt and prepare for a sales uptick. Recent advances include high definition video, autobalance capability, increased portability, and integration into robotic surgical suites, as well as expanding applications.

"We think the overall outlook for surgical microscopes is still good," Schwartz said. "The number one reason a surgeon buys a surgical microscope is the view. The other things you add on and the way the stand maneuvers are very important but a crystal clear view with an excellent depth of focus is the most important part of a surgical microscope."

Because of advances in this technology, surgeons in many specialties are limited not by their vision, but only by their imagination.