The purpose of this report is to describe the specific market segment of the in vitro diagnostics market called point of care testing (POCT).

It examines these clinical measurement devices and their reagents and supplies as utilized in hospitals, clinics and doctor's offices.

An analysis of analytes that are related to the common chemical constituents of blood, plasma or serum at the point of care of the patient is addressed.

Moreover, the study defines the dollar volume of sales, both worldwide and in the U.S., and analyzes the factors that influence the size and the growth of the market segments.

Also examined are the subsections of each market segment, including the research labs, hospital labs and commercial laboratories.

Additionally, rapid detection of food pathogens and infectious pathogens (MSRA, herpes simplex, avian flu, West Nile virus and typhoid) are discussed.

The report surveys almost all of the companies known to be marketing, manufacturing or developing instruments and reagents for the point of care market in the U.S.

Each company is discussed in extensive depth with a section on its history, product line, business and marketing analysis, and a subjective commentary of the company's market position.