The cost of sensor technology, a common component of medical devices, has also fallen "exponentially" in recent years, according to Vivek Wadhwa, director of research at Duke University's Center for Entrepreneurship and Research Commercialization.

WSJ: New Medical Devices Get Smart

"Patents and innovation are a critical component of Aptina's strategy, and Aptina's patent portfolio is the largest and strongest in the image sensor industry, " said Bob Gove, President and CTO of Aptina.

ENGADGET: Aptina and Sony cross-license their camera patents, Nikon smiles