In 2006, the European new and emerging wound closure products market (including ligating clips, mechanical stapling devices, resorbable and nonresorbable sutures, surgical sealants, tissue glues/adhesives, and wound closure strips) totaled approximately $1.4 billion. Over the forecast period covered by this report, sales are expected to increase at a compound annual rate of 4.9%, reaching approximately $1.9 billion in the year 2012.

This new report from Medtech Insight includes analyses of products, technologies, current and forecast markets, competitors, and opportunities in the European new and emerging wound closure products market. Topics discussed in this report include an overview of the healthcare markets of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, the Benelux countries, and the Nordic countries; an overview of clinical issues in wound management; surgical sealants, surgical sutures, tissue glues/adhesives, wound closure devices such as ligating clips and mechanical surgical stapling devices, and wound closure strips.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

i.          Methodology

ii.          Surgical Sutures

iii.         Wound Closure Strips

iv.         Wound Closure Devices

v.         Surgical Sealants and Tissue Adhesives

vi.         Combined Market Analysis

Exhibit ES-1:    Europe, Surgical Sutures, Market Forecast, by Country, 2005-2012

Exhibit ES-2:    Europe, Wound Closure Strips, Market Forecast, by Country, 2005-2012

Exhibit ES-3:    Europe, Wound Closure Devices, Market Forecast, by Country, 2005-2012

Exhibit ES-4:    Europe, Surgical Sealants and Tissue Adhesives, Market Forecast, by Country, 2005-2012

Exhibit ES-5:    Europe, Wound Closure Products, Combined Market Forecast, by Country, 2005-2012

1. EUROPEAN HEALTHCARE MARKETS

1.1 The European Union

1.1.1 A Common Currency

1.1.2 Regulatory Policies

1.1.3 Reimbursement

1.1.4 Healthcare Spending

1.2 Selected European National Healthcare Profiles

1.2.1 France

1.2.1.1 Healthcare Organization and Reform

1.2.1.2 Hospital Services

1.2.1.3 Medical Device Reimbursement

1.2.2 Germany

1.2.2.1 Healthcare Organization and Reform

1.2.2.2 Hospital Services

1.2.2.3 Medical Device Reimbursement

1.2.3 Italy

1.2.3.1 Healthcare Organization and Reform

1.2.3.2 Hospital Services

1.2.3.3 Medical Device Reimbursement

1.2.4 Spain

1.2.4.1 Healthcare Organization and Reform

1.2.4.2 Hospital Services

1.2.4.3 Medical Device Reimbursement

1.2.5 United Kingdom

1.2.5.1 Healthcare Organization and Reform

1.2.5.2 Hospital Services

1.2.5.3 Medical Device Reimbursement

1.2.6 Benelux

1.2.6.1 Healthcare Organization and Reform

1.2.6.1.1 Belgium

1.2.6.1.2 Luxembourg

1.2.6.1.3 The Netherlands

1.2.6.2 Hospital Services

1.2.6.3 Medical Device Reimbursement

1.2.7 Nordic Countries

1.2.7.1 Healthcare Organization and Reform

1.2.7.1.1 Denmark

1.2.7.1.2 Finland

1.2.7.1.3 Norway

1.2.7.1.4 Sweden

1.2.7.2 Hospital Services

1.2.7.3 Medical Device Reimbursement

Exhibit 1-1:      European Union, Medical Devices Risk Classification System

Exhibit 1-2:      European Union, Population Statistics Comparison, 1995 and 2005

Exhibit 1-3:      France, Selected National Healthcare Statistics

Exhibit 1-4:      Germany, Selected National Healthcare Statistics

Exhibit 1-5:      Italy, Selected National Healthcare Statistics

Exhibit 1-6:      Spain, Selected National Healthcare Statistics

Exhibit 1-7:      United Kingdom, Selected National Healthcare Statistics

Exhibit 1-8:      Belgium, Selected National Healthcare Statistics

Exhibit 1-9:      Luxembourg, Selected National Healthcare Statistics

Exhibit 1-10:    The Netherlands, Selected National Healthcare Statistics

Exhibit 1-11:    Denmark, Selected National Healthcare Statistics

Exhibit 1-12:    Finland, Selected National Healthcare Statistics

Exhibit 1-13:    Norway, Selected National Healthcare Statistics

Exhibit 1-14:    Sweden, Selected National Healthcare Statistics

2. CLINICAL ISSUES IN WOUND MANAGEMENT

2.1 Physiology of Wound Closure

2.1.1 Layers of the Skin and Supporting Structures

2.1.1.1 Epidermis

2.1.1.2 Dermis

2.1.1.3 Subcutaneous Tissue

2.1.1.4 Fascia

2.1.1.5 Muscle

2.1.1.6 Bone

2.1.2 Wound Closure Process

2.1.2.1 Hemostasis

2.1.2.2 Inflammation

2.1.2.3 Proliferation

2.1.2.4 Remodeling Phase

2.2 Factors Affecting Wound Closure

2.2.1 Extrinsic Factors

2.2.1.1 Desiccation

2.2.1.2 Hydration

2.2.1.3 Infection

2.2.1.4 Maceration

2.2.1.5 Medications and Other Types of Treatment

2.2.1.6 Necrotic Tissue and Debris

2.2.1.7 Oxygenation

2.2.1.8 Stress

2.2.1.9 Temperature

2.2.1.10 Wound Creation and Depth

2.2.1.11 Wound Closure Techniques

2.2.1.12 Other Extrinsic Factors

2.2.2 Intrinsic Factors

2.2.2.1 Body Build

2.2.2.2 Chronic Illness and Age

2.2.2.3 Nutrition

2.2.3 Complications of Wound Healing

2.2.3.1 Bleeding

2.2.3.2 Scarring

2.3 Major Wound Types

2.3.1 Amputation

2.3.2 Arterial Ulcers

2.3.3 Burns

2.3.4 Diabetic Ulcers

2.3.5 Pressure Ulcers

2.3.6 Surgical Wounds

2.3.7 Traumatic Wounds

2.3.8 Venous Ulcers

Exhibit 2-1:      Layers of the Skin and Supporting Structures

Exhibit 2-2:      Phases of the Wound Closure Process

Exhibit 2-3:      Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors Affecting Wound Closure

Exhibit 2-4:      Major Wound Types, by Cause

Exhibit 2-5:      Stages of Burn Wounds

Exhibit 2-6:      Stages of Pressure Ulcers

Exhibit 2-7:      2005, Surgical Procedure Volumes

3. SURGICAL SUTURES

3.1 Types

3.2 Market Drivers

3.3 Market Limiters

3.4 Resorbable Surgical Sutures

3.4.1 Products

3.4.2 Market Analysis

3.4.3 Competitive Analysis

3.5 Nonresorbable Surgical Sutures

3.5.1 Products

3.5.2 Market Analysis

3.5.3 Competitive Analysis

Exhibit 3-1:      Resorbable Suture Types, by Material

Exhibit 3-2:      Resorbable Suture Characteristics, by Material

Exhibit 3-3:      Nonresorbable Suture Types, by Material

Exhibit 3-4:      Nonresorbable Suture Characteristics, by Material

Exhibit 3-5:      2007, Selected Resorbable Surgical Sutures

Exhibit 3-6:      Europe, Resorbable Sutures, Market Forecast, by Country, 2002-2012

Exhibit 3-7:      2006, Europe, Resorbable Sutures Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 3-8:      2006, France, Resorbable Sutures Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 3-9:      2006, Germany, Resorbable Sutures Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 3-10:    2006, Italy, Resorbable Sutures Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 3-11:    2006, Spain, Resorbable Sutures Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 3-12:    2006, United Kingdom, Resorbable Sutures Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 3-13:    2006, Benelux Countries, Resorbable Sutures Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 3-14:    2006, Nordic Countries, Resorbable Sutures Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 3-15:    2006, Rest of Europe, Resorbable Sutures Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 3-16:    2007, Selected Nonresorbable Surgical Sutures

Exhibit 3-17:    Europe, Nonresorbable Sutures, Market Forecast, by Country, 2002-2012

Exhibit 3-18:    2006, Europe, Nonresorbable Sutures Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 3-19:    2006, France, Nonresorbable Sutures Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 3-20:    2006, Germany, Nonresorbable Sutures Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 3-21:    2006, Italy, Nonresorbable Sutures Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 3-22:    2006, Spain, Nonresorbable Sutures Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 3-23:    2006, United Kingdom, Nonresorbable Sutures Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 3-24:    2006, Benelux Countries, Nonresorbable Sutures Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 3-25:    2006, Nordic Countries, Nonresorbable Sutures Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 3-26:    2006, Rest of Europe, Nonresorbable Sutures Market, Share by Supplier

4. WOUND CLOSURE STRIPS

4.1 Market Drivers

4.2 Market Limiters

4.3 Products

4.4 Market Analysis

4.5 Competitive Analysis

Exhibit 4-1:      2007, Selected Wound Closure Strips

Exhibit 4-2:      Europe, Wound Closure Strips, Market Forecast, by Country, 2002-2012

Exhibit 4-3:      2006, Europe, Wound Closure Strips Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 4-4:      2006, France, Wound Closure Strips Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 4-5:      2006, Germany, Wound Closure Strips Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 4-6:      2006, Italy, Wound Closure Strips Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 4-7:      2006, Spain, Wound Closure Strips Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 4-8:      2006, United Kingdom, Wound Closure Strips Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 4-9:      2006, Benelux Countries, Wound Closure Strips Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 4-10:    2006, Nordic Countries, Wound Closure Strips Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 4-11:    2006, Rest of Europe, Wound Closure Strips Market, Share by Supplier

5. WOUND CLOSURE DEVICES

5.1 Market Drivers

5.2 Market Limiters

5.3 Mechanical Surgical Stapling Devices

5.3.1 Products

5.3.2 Market Analysis

5.3.3 Competitive Analysis

5.4 Ligating Clip Applicators

5.4.1 Products

5.4.2 Market Analysis

5.4.3 Competitive Analysis

Exhibit 5-1:      2007, Selected Mechanical Surgical Staplers

Exhibit 5-2:      Europe, Mechanical Surgical Staplers, Market Forecast, by Country, 2002-2012

Exhibit 5-3:      2006, Europe, Mechanical Surgical Staplers Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 5-4:      2006, France, Mechanical Surgical Staplers Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 5-5:      2006, Germany, Mechanical Surgical Staplers Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 5-6:      2006, Italy, Mechanical Surgical Staplers Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 5-7:      2006, Spain, Mechanical Surgical Staplers Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 5-8:      2006, United Kingdom, Mechanical Surgical Staplers Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 5-9:      2006, Benelux Countries, Mechanical Surgical Staplers Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 5-10:    2006, Nordic Countries, Mechanical Surgical Staplers Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 5-11:    2006, Rest of Europe, Mechanical Surgical Staplers Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 5-12:    2007, Selected Ligating Clip Applicators

Exhibit 5-13:    Europe, Ligating Clip Applicators, Market Forecast, by Country, 2002-2012

Exhibit 5-14:    2006, Europe, Ligating Clip Applicators Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 5-15:    2006, France, Ligating Clip Applicators Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 5-16:    2006, Germany, Ligating Clip Applicators Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 5-17:    2006, Italy, Ligating Clip Applicators Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 5-18:    2006, Spain, Ligating Clip Applicators Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 5-19:    2006, United Kingdom, Ligating Clip Applicators Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 5-20:    2006, Benelux Countries, Ligating Clip Applicators Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 5-21:    2006, Nordic Countries, Ligating Clip Applicators Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 5-22:    2006, Rest of Europe, Ligating Clip Applicators Market, Share by Supplier

6. SURGICAL SEALANTS AND TISSUE ADHESIVES

6.1 Market Drivers

6.2 Market Limiters

6.3 Surgical Sealants

6.3.1 Products

6.3.2 Market Analysis

6.3.3 Competitive Analysis

6.4 Tissue Adhesives

6.4.1 Products

6.4.2 Market Analysis

6.4.3 Competitive Analysis

Exhibit 6-1:      2007, Selected Surgical Sealants

Exhibit 6-2:      Europe, Surgical Sealants, Market Forecast, by Country, 2002-2012

Exhibit 6-3:      2006, Europe, Surgical Sealants Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 6-4:      2006, France, Surgical Sealants Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 6-5:      2006, Germany, Surgical Sealants Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 6-6:      2006, Italy, Surgical Sealants Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 6-7:      2006, Spain, Surgical Sealants Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 6-8:      2006, United Kingdom, Surgical Sealants Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 6-9:      2006, Benelux Countries, Surgical Sealants Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 6-10:    2006, Nordic Countries, Surgical Sealants Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 6-11:    2006, Rest of Europe, Surgical Sealants Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 6-12:    2007, Selected Tissue Adhesives

Exhibit 6-13:    Europe, Tissue Adhesives, Market Forecast, by Country, 2002-2012

Exhibit 6-14:    2006, Europe, Tissue Adhesives Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 6-15:    2006, France, Tissue Adhesives Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 6-16:    2006, Germany, Tissue Adhesives Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 6-17:    2006, Italy, Tissue Adhesives Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 6-18:    2006, Spain, Tissue Adhesives Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 6-19:    2006, United Kingdom, Tissue Adhesives Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 6-20:    2006, Benelux Countries, Tissue Adhesives Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 6-21:    2006, Nordic Countries, Tissue Adhesives Market, Share by Supplier

Exhibit 6-22:    2006, Rest of Europe, Tissue Adhesives Market, Share by Supplier

7. COMPANY PROFILES

7.1       3M Health Care, Inc./3M Company

7.2       Advanced Medical Solutions Group PLC

7.3       Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

7.4       Baxter International, Inc.

7.5       B. Braun Melsungen AG

7.6       CryoLife, Inc.

7.7       Ethicon, Inc./Johnson & Johnson

7.8       Laboratoires URGO

7.9       Nycomed AS

7.10     OMRIX biopharmaceuticals, Inc.

7.11     Smith & Nephew PLC

7.12     Tyco International LTD

APPENDIX:  COMPANY LISTING