Medical semiconductor sensors: a market perspective on state-of-the-art solutions and trends

The aim of this Master Thesis is to analyse the worldwide state-of-the art market solutions and trends in semiconductor sensors within medical applications; specially magnetic and pressure sensors, with the intention of developing a potential entry plan of Infineon Technologies AG into this market. For that purpose, a fit between a top-down and bottom-up qualitative and quantitative estimation of the medical semiconductor sensor’s market size has been made; with application units, sensor volumes and sensor revenues, with a horizontal scope of five years. Once understood the existing market, some insight into the competitive landscape is provided, where the key suppliers are analysed in terms of product portfolio and revenue share estimates, on an application basis. And also, a spotlight on innovation and trends at three levels – healthcare, medical devices and medical semiconductor sensors – is presented, to forecast a possible evolution of the fore-mentioned market. The research that has been conducted is based on three main sources of information; internal contacts (i.e. within Infineon), external contacts (most of them through internal references) and internet research. Access to market research company’s reports and interviews has been particularly helpful, to complement extensive internet research. Outcomes of this study indicate that the global medical semiconductor magnetic sensor market reveals low revenue potential; as most of the applications are yet innovation fields. Reed switch replacement in battery-powered medical devices can be an opportunity for magnetic switches. However, this project suggests that there is a key investment opportunity: magnetic beads for viral detection with spintronics sensors. The global medical semiconductor pressure sensor market seems a fairly mature market; the gross part of the revenue comes from blood pressure measurement. Blood pressure measurement might be an opportunity for existing automotive semiconductor pressure sensor products. Furthermore, this report suggests that the future of blood pressure measurement might tend towards implantable pressure sensors, with a non-significantly different technological basis. To conclude, this report unveils certain business opportunities for Infineon’s semiconductor magnetic and pressure sensor products; and puts special focus on the development of derivative products to pioneer the commercialization of innovative medical applications, with a forecasted huge revenue potential.