Medical device consulting firm Emergo Group, based in Austin, Texas, recently released answers from its second annual survey of medical device manufacturers, distributors and industry service providers about the state of the industry, looking ahead to 2010. Here are the results:

Have you noticed a change in domestic sales/orders for your company during the last three months? (Based on 810 responses)

Sales/orders have decreased: 19.7 percent (2008: 17.5 percent)

Sales/orders have been about the same: 29.6 percent (37.7 percent)

Don’t know/not sure: 10.5 percent (2008: 11.9 percent)

Not applicable: 8.6 percent

Have you noticed a change in international sales/orders for your company during the last three months? (Based on 702 responses)

Sales/orders have increased: 37.4 percent (2008: 30.6 percent)

Sales/orders have decreased: 16.6 percent (2008: 16 percent)

Sales/orders have been about the same: 32 percent (2008: 35.3 percent)

Don’t know/not sure: 14 percent (2008: 18.1 percent)

In 2010, does your company plan to enter any new international markets for the first time? (Based on 413 responses)

Brazil: 28.8 percent

China: 24.2 percent

Europe: 23 percent

India: 20.3 percent

Canada: 19.1 percent

Japan: 18.9 percent

Australia: 18.6 percent

Mexico: 15.5 percent

Russia: 15 percent

United Kingdom: 14 percent

Compared to 2009, how do you feel about the prospects for your company in 2010? (Based on 1,037 responses)

I expect overall sales to increase: 71.7 percent (2008: 61.3 percent)

I expect overall sales to decrease: 4.3 percent (2008: 9.1 percent)

I expect sales to remain about the same: 17 percent (2008: 20.4 percent)

Don’t know/not sure: 7.1 percent (2008: 9.3 percent)

To see the complete report, visit www.emergogroup.com/files/uploads/research/emergo-medical-device-industry-outlook-2010.pdf