AdvaMed - the Advanced Medical Technology Association - is the world's largest trade association representing innovative manufacturers of medical devices, equipment, diagnostic products and health information systems. AdvaMed member companies are transforming patient care - saving lives and restoring health and vitality through more accurate diagnoses, less invasive procedures and improved treatment options. Medical technology also adds real value to the health care system by detecting diseases sooner, reducing disabilities, shortening procedure times and hospital stays, eliminating costly complications and easing pain and suffering.

Working in collaboration with scientists, physicians and other health care providers, the medical technology industry is producing the next generation of lifesaving and life-enhancing innovations designed to target the real driver of health care costs - disease.

Along the continuum of care, there is no aspect of patient care that is not impacted by medical technology. Examples of medical technologies include:

• diagnostic tests and imaging systems, which can detect disease earlier and eliminate the need for exploratory surgery;
• implantable devices, such as pacemakers and artificial hips and knees, which restore vitality and mobility;
• equipment such as dialysis machines and respirators, which can take over the function of failing organs;
• computerized record-keeping systems, which can more efficiently manage the flow of health care information and reduce medical errors; and
• minimally invasive surgical tools, which lead to fewer patient complications and shorter hospital stays.

For patients, the future is even brighter. Molecular and gene-based diagnostics will detect disease earlier in its progression, improving patient outcomes and lowering treatment costs. Information technology will allow critical medical data to be processed and transmitted rapidly over great distances, saving both patients and physicians time and speeding delivery of treatment. Miniaturization of medical devices will allow for more targeted delivery of therapies and enable more minimally invasive and non-invasive procedures, which move more care from hospitals to the outpatient setting.

AdvaMed advocates for a legal, regulatory and economic environment that advances global health care by assuring worldwide patient access to the benefits of medical technology. It promotes policies that foster the highest ethical standards, rapid product approvals, adequate reimbursement and access to international markets.

AdvaMed members produce nearly 90 percent of the health care technology purchased annually in the U.S. and more than 50 percent purchased annually around the world. AdvaMed members range from the largest to the smallest medical technology innovators and companies. For more information, visit www.advamed.org.