A Wide BreadthA Wide Breadth

Originally Published MX January/February 2002

COVER STORY

American Medical Systems (AMS; Minneapolis) focuses on supplying medical devices to physicians specializing in the treatment of urological disorders. It is within this niche that the company has managed to claim its place as a market leader-and to become one of the fastest-growing medical device companies of the last few years. AMS has been able to do so by manufacturing and marketing a broad line of proprietary products directly to urologists, with its principal focus on the three major urological disorders: incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and prostate disease.

Incontinence Products. AMS offers a broad line of products designed to treat men and women suffering from urinary and fecal incontinence. Its products include artificial sphincters, sling systems, and bulking systems. The company's incontinence products represent $42.4 million, or 42.3%, of its net sales in 2000. Its principal competitors in the incontinence market are Boston Scientific, Johnson & Johnson, C. R. Bard Inc., and Mentor Corp.