The global market for operating room equipment, such as surgical lights, tables and cameras, could hit $3.1 billion by 2018, according to a new market report teaser.

London-based market research firm GlobalData said in a report published this week that the OR sector would enjoy a compound annual growth rate of 7.4 percent from 2011 to 2018. The estimated value of the market in 2011 was around $1.9 billion, GlobalData said.

In the United States, an aging populace will lead to more surgeries by 2020, which in turn will lead to purchases of new equipment that could help surgeons work more efficiently to cope with increased demands. However, in Europe, economic woes and the high cost of OR suites, which can touch $2 million, could hurt OR sales there, the group said.

Read our March special report on operating rooms.

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