May 2 (Reuters) - Teleflex ( TFX ) reported a

better-than-expected first-quarter profit on Thursday, on the

back of strong demand for its medical devices.

The Wayne, Pennsylvania-based company also raised the lower

end of its 2024 adjusted profit forecast to $13.60 from $13.55

per share, keeping the upper end at $13.95 per share.

Analysts on average estimate adjusted profit for the period

to be $13.73 per share, according to LSEG data.

Investor expectations around the performance of medical

device makers have been heightened since last November due to

higher demand for procedures, especially among older adults,

that were delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rivals such as Boston Scientific ( BSX ) and Stryker

raised their full-year profit forecasts on resilient demand for

medical devices, with industry bellwether Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ )

expecting medtech-related procedures to remain elevated

in 2024.

"We are pleased with our solid start to 2024...Our first

quarter performance, combined with an improving

macro-environment, keeps us well-positioned to deliver on our

financial guidance for 2024," said CEO Liam Kelly.

The manufacturer of hospital supplies and single-use medical

devices reported 3.8% rise in revenue from a year ago to $737.9

million for the quarter, higher than Wall Street estimates of

$726.9 million.

The company's vascular access segment, its largest, which

makes medical devices for bloodstream-related procedures like

catheters and probes, reported revenue of $181.4 million,

missing estimates of $183.8 million.

Its interventional unit, which focuses on heart and medical

imaging devices, reported sales of $134.7 million, above

estimates of $125.2 million.

On an adjusted basis, the company reported a profit of $3.21

per share, topping analysts' average estimate of $3.07 per

share.