Trends
How advanced technology helps innovate medical devices
The medical device industry is proving to show innovation in the recent past and into the future. With the advancements of technology, medtech has followed along in the innovations, helping cure diseases, and keep people healthy. Along with ongoing medical innovations, the medtech industry is experiencing an economic upturn.
According to statistics from the Advanced Medical Technology Association, the United States holds the largest medical device market in the world, with over 40% of the medtech market. United States exports of medtech have outpaced imports, which includes a $1.1 billion trade surplus in 2017. Due to the advancements of medical technologies, people can live longer, healthier, and more productive independent lives. In the span of 1980-2019, five years were added to the American life expectancy. Lastly, since 1980, the number of patient-days spent in hospitals has decreased by 38% due to the advancements of medical technologies.
“Medical technology innovators are committed to providing physicians and other health care providers with the best tools to diagnose and treat patients. This commitment drives over 6,500 MedTech companies in the U.S., which are mostly small- and medium-sized enterprises, to create medical miracles every day,” according to the Advanced Medical Technology Association.
The efficiency of healthcare systems has improved with earlier disease detection and treatments that reduce economic burden and the cost for medical procedures. The medtech industry drives economic growth by creating manufacturing jobs in the United States along with global net exports. Lastly since the market for medech products is competitive, the prices for these materials remain low.
Tomball, TX: Ready for future of healthcare
Growth, accessibility, and modern amenities make Tomball, TX an ideal location for healthcare and medical device investments. Located only 30 minutes from Houston and approximately 40 miles from the world-class Texas Medical Center, Tomball offers the ability to reach key stakeholders while enjoying the city’s small-town charm.
Surging population growth has created a demand for increased healthcare investments in Tomball. The city is expected to grow from 12,000 residents to more than 20,000 residents by 2030. Within a 10-mile radius, the population is expected to approach 700,000 in the near future.
Increased population has triggered infrastructure improvements to support the growth. The Grand Parkway and Tomball Parkway, which intersect Tomball, were recently expanded with connectors enabling easy traversing between the thoroughfares. Road extensions within Tomball are actively being completed to improve accessibility for businesses, residents, and visitors.
Healthcare facilities in Tomball keep up with patient demand by creating innovative ways to provide high level care. HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball (HCA Tomball), which has served the community since 1948, invested millions of dollars to expand and renovate its facility. The 350-bed, Level III trauma-care hospital has expanded services and added healthcare workers. The HCA complex also includes a Women’s Center, Orthopedics Center, Heart and Vascular Center, and Texas Sports Medicine Center.
The Tomball Economic Development Corporation leads a collaborative effort with HCA Tomball, Tomball Independent School District (TISD), and Lone Star College-Tomball (LSC-Tomball) to deliver a more robust local healthcare workforce. The innovative program blends high school and first two years of college for a more rapid ascent into healthcare jobs. Students enrolled in this P-TECH program work toward a community college associate degree while gaining hands-on work experience. Work-based learning enables students to obtain industry-based certifications. The first P-TECH class began in fall 2023. Tomball’s emphasis on developing a healthcare worker pipeline has perfectly situated the city for investments in the healthcare space.
Tomball’s advantageous location near key highways gives residents access to a plethora of healthcare options outside city limits. Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital offers a 358-bed hospital just a few miles south of Tomball. The facility employs more than 2,000 people, has approximately 1,000 affiliated doctors, and admits nearly 20,000 patients annually.
HCA, Houston Methodist, Memorial Hermann, St. Luke’s, and Kelsey Seybold operate hospitals and clinics in and around Tomball to deliver quality healthcare. Specialty centers and medical research companies are also investing in Tomball, recognizing the strong environment for healthcare.
Tomball’s business-friendly environment, projected growth, collaborative spirit and available workforce make it a premier location for healthcare and medical device manufacturing.
The commitment to growing the healthcare sector and the infrastructure in place to support healthcare creates a landscape that is second to none. Business Facilities