Countries covered: United States
MRI Pushes its Limits in Field Strength, Openness and Price Implementation
Challenge
Identification
High field strength is crucial for obtaining the best quality MRI image. More
and more, applications in the industry are calling for higher resolution images
that require higher field strengths. MRI systems with stronger imaging power
are now being purchased at a much higher rate than in the past. The advent of
the 3T systems, which are very high-field systems used in neurology and psychiatry,
characterizes the trend and need for highest field strength.
However, as imaging techniques improve, even lower field systems perform
with a quality level that would have been impossible only a few years ago. For
applications that can be performed with lower field strength, other key factors
such as openness and price become most important. The economical MRI systems
represent a fundamental approach to meeting customer demands.
Customers tend to purchase equipment that either has the highest field
strength or the lowest cost, instead of opting for a mid-range system. The
improvements in imaging and different field strengths are allowing the development
of new applications for either highest quality or lowest price. This, in
turn, is improving market penetration for MRI equipment, especially in the
clinical segment where both types of systems can find several applications.
Customer Satisfaction Crucial for Survival
"Increasing scanning comfort increases the application penetration or utilization,"
states the author of the report. "For example, minimally invasive MRI
will not penetrate the market at its fullest potential if surgeons have to per-form
the surgery while squeezed in a tight place and wearing ear plugs to
tolerate the noise of the MRI system."
Patient comfort is a driving factor that has become the source of many technical
advances in the past few years. The success of the open MRI, which many
patients prefer, has proved customer satisfaction is becoming crucial for success.
"It can be expected that in areas where MRI scanning service providers
are saturated, comfort will be a differentiator," says the author. "Also, com-fort-
enhancing accessories have the potential to increase applications, and
therefore, to increase market potential."
Aspects such as comfort and price become equally important as the market
moves into the clinical field. It is crucial that end-user and patient needs are
incorporated in MRI systems in order for MRI to grow to its market potential.
This Frost & Sullivan report offers an in-depth analysis of the MRI equipment
market in the United States. It evaluates the trends and challenges facing the
industry and offers exceptional market intelligence that can help your company
strategize a plan that will push your company to the top of the market.
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