Global Medical Imaging Phantoms Market Size, Trend & Opportunity Analysis Report, by Application (Calibration & Quality Assurance, Diagnostic Imaging, Research & Development, Training & Education, Therapeutic Applications), Product (CT (Computed Tomograph

Market Definition and Introduction

The global medical imaging phantoms market was valued at USD 181.5 million in 2024 and is anticipated to reach USD 348.13 million by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period (2024–2035). Calibration at its best function of medical imaging phantoms. They hold a crucial place for clinicians and researchers, ensuring accurate imaging systems with less live testing. Like everything else in radiology, phantoms have emerged as the unsung heroes of medical imaging precision-with the advent of AI-assisted diagnostics, hybrid modalities, and value-driven imaging workflows. Severe pressure is being thrust upon healthcare systems globally to meet safety and quality standards while improving their sharper, reproducible diagnostic outputs. This scenario has further expedited the push for imaging phantoms across MRI, CT, PET, and ultrasound, hybrid modalities in the world as quality and standardisation assets.

Quality frontiers, the importance of phantoms now extends into innovation. Medical research infrastructures and device manufacturers make extensive use of phantoms in not only validating new operating protocols of imaging but also assessing reconstruction algorithms powered by artificial intelligence and creating technologies being developed, like photon-counting CT or advanced molecular imaging. As healthcare progresses in shifting towards more personal diagnostics, phantoms evolve and develop into sophisticated surrogates that accurately replicate human tissue heterogeneity for high-fidelity simulations of real-world imaging scenarios.

Increasing demand for non-invasive procedures coupled with an increase in R&D investments, the manufacturers of these devices have been compelled to develop high-efficiency phantoms capable of replicating complex anatomical structures while including traceable calibration features. The new era of precision in healthcare currently drives a very energetic wave of innovation and competition, as companies strive to integrate ingenuity with regulatory compliance as they prepare for the next generation of imaging-validation tools.

Recent Developments in the Industry

In January 2024, Kyoto Kagaku introduced the next generation of multi-modality phantoms that reproduce ultra-realistic tissue properties for CT, MRI, and ultrasound. This innovation allows radiology trainees and clinical researchers to develop skills and standardise diagnostic practices.

In July 2024, CIRS Inc. (a Sun Nuclear Company) released AI-ready phantom solutions tailored for validating deep learning models in diagnostic imaging. These phantoms provide traceable references for algorithm benchmarking, ensuring robustness and reliability in machine learning applications.

In April 2023, PTW Freiburg GmbH presented a next-generation dosimetry phantom designed for combined radiotherapy-imaging applications. This development considers the growing need for hybrid treatment workflows and allows for the precise monitoring of doses supported by real-time imaging.

In February 2024, Biodex Medical Systems Inc. (a Mirion Technologies company) partnered with leading distributors in Europe to strengthen the availability of its ultrasound and nuclear medicine phantoms, responding to increasing regional demand for quality assurance solutions.

In March 2025, Modus Medical Devices Inc. announced a focused research investment to develop new phantom models for photon-counting CT systems, set to revolutionise diagnostic imaging resolution and clinical efficiency.

Market Dynamics

Steady phantom demand across healthcare settings is fuelled by increasing adoption of diagnostic imaging.

Demand for diagnostic imaging is increasing, substantially because of an ageing population and chronic diseases, resulting in a rapidly rising reliance on precision-based medicine. Imaging phantoms are an integral part of calibration and validation in hospitals or diagnostic centres to allow adherence to very refined standards of image quality and safety of patients with all kinds of modality integration.

Regulatory push drives innovation in phantom design and quality assurance systems.

Phantom use has become an inevitable part of today for routine system validation and clinical trial imaging with stringent compliance from the FDA, EMA, and ISO. Manufacturers invest in the most modern materials that replicate those of real tissue densities and incorporate even traceable calibration markers. It clearly shows that the industry now strives for a highly specialised, regulatory-compliant design in phantoms that are accurate as well as durable.

Growing R&D investments nurture the phantom of imaging modalities.

In the last few decades, research organisations, as well as manufacturers of imaging equipment, have been spending most of their research resources on phantoms, because new technologies-development-from artificial intelligence image analysis, particle-counting CTs, to molecular imaging-need phantoms that can reproduce human tissue complexities in considerable fidelity. Today's status of phantoms as a really enabling factor of imaging innovation is recognised.

Material and cost limitations, therefore, prove to be obstructions towards adoption in such economies.

While the advanced phantoms are being adopted by developed markets, it does not include their high price and limited local manufacturing capabilities, thus restricting their usage in price-sensitive regions. Barriers to importation-which are aggravated by supply chain constraints-pose some of the major problems to the smaller diagnostic centres in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Emerging prospects for phantom applications after the shift toward hybrid and personalised imaging.

The future of next-generation phantoms is being created in this fertile ground since radiology, nuclear medicine, and AI are converging. In this case, the hybrid imaging phantoms for validating protocols across modalities or those involving patient-specific anatomical models for personalised treatment planning promise to provide tremendous opportunities for transformative growth.

Attractive Opportunities in the Market

AI-Driven Imaging Validation – Development of AI-ready phantoms accelerates algorithm benchmarking for diagnostic accuracy.
Photon-Counting CT Phantoms – Emerging demand for validation models tailored to ultra-high-resolution CT technology.
Hybrid Therapy Support – Phantom designs for combined radiotherapy-imaging workflows enable cross-disciplinary treatment precision.
3D Printed Custom Phantoms – Personalised phantom manufacturing delivers anatomically accurate models for clinical trial support.
Eco-Friendly Phantom Materials – Use of sustainable, biocompatible materials reduces environmental and manufacturing footprint.
Emerging Market Expansion – Growing healthcare investment in Asia-Pacific and Latin America drives phantom adoption.
Academic-Industry Partnerships – Collaborations between universities and manufacturers accelerate innovation in phantom development.
Training and Education Surge – Phantoms are increasingly utilised for skill development and radiology workforce training.
Regulatory Compliance Growth – Heightened global imaging standards reinforce phantom integration into QA protocols.
R&D Commercialisation Pathways – Translating phantom-based prototypes into scalable imaging solutions opens new revenue streams.

Report Segmentation

By Application: Calibration & Quality Assurance, Diagnostic Imaging, Research & Development, Training & Education, Therapeutic Applications

By Product: CT (Computed Tomography) Phantoms, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Phantoms, Ultrasound Phantoms, X-ray Phantoms, Nuclear Medicine Phantoms, Others

By End-use: Hospitals & Diagnostic Imaging Centersm, Medical Device Manufacturers, Others

By Region: North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico), Europe (UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific), LAMEA (Brazil, Argentina, UAE, Saudi Arabia (KSA), Africa Rest of Latin America)

Key Market Players

Kyoto Kagaku Co., Ltd., CIRS Inc. (a Sun Nuclear Company), PTW Freiburg GmbH, Biodex Medical Systems Inc. (Mirion Technologies), Gammex Inc., Modus Medical Devices Inc., PhantomX, Leeds Test Objects Ltd., True Phantom Solutions Inc., and RTI Group.

Report Aspects

Base Year: 2024
Historic Years: 2022, 2023, 2024
Forecast Period: 2024-2035
Report Pages: 293

Dominating Segments

Regulatory and imaging system accuracy requirements, that calibration and quality assurance dominate.

Calibration and quality assurance are the primary users of phantoms, as regulatory requirements demand that systems are validated regularly around the world to guarantee image accuracy and patient safety. Phantoms for calibration made for CT, MRI, ultrasound, and PET/CT systems ensure reproducibility of performance in diagnostic environments. These phantoms are being used at hospitals and in diagnostic centres to meet the global regulatory requirements, especially together with the increasing sophistication and integration of the imaging techniques.

Diagnostic Imaging segment has increased tremendously, with advanced imaging modalities gaining demand.

Diagnostic imaging has grown to an unimaginable extent under the pressure of an ageing demographic and the rise of chronic diseases. Phantoms in this area allow radiologists to standardise imaging protocols, train workforce personnel, and start validating new imaging algorithms. Hybrid systems such as PET/MRI and photon-counting CT are growing the scope of phantoms even further, since these new modalities require more elaborate tools for validation.

R&D applications are gradually on the rise as phantoms become crucial for medical innovation.

Phantoms are gaining valuable traction in the R&D environment towards the advancement of new imaging hardware, reconstruction algorithms, and standardisation of clinical trials. From AI-based diagnostic models to next-generation imaging modalities, phantoms provide the reproducible testing conditions that are so vital in clinching the transfer of theoretical research into clinical applications. The use of phantoms in academic-industrial partnerships is also on the rise, with universities and manufacturers collaborating to develop customised phantoms that imitate patient-specific anatomical structures.

Key Takeaways

Calibration Leadership – QA phantoms dominate due to their indispensability in compliance and accuracy assurance.
Diagnostic Growth Surge – Expanding imaging demand boosts phantom usage in hospitals and diagnostic centres worldwide.
R&D Expansion – Research institutions increasingly adopt phantoms for AI, photon-counting CT, and hybrid imaging.
Innovation Catalyst – Phantoms drive progress in imaging protocol development and AI validation.
Regulatory Compliance Push – Global safety and quality standards necessitate phantom integration across imaging workflows.
Training Demand Growth – Medical education relies heavily on phantoms for skill-building and protocol standardisation.
Material Innovation Trends – Sustainable, biocompatible materials reshape phantom development and reduce ecological impact.
Emerging Market Opportunities – Investments in Asia-Pacific and Latin America bolster phantom adoption.
Hybrid Imaging Adoption – Cross-modality phantoms gain importance as radiology converges with nuclear medicine.
Collaborative R&D Pathways – Joint academic-industry initiatives accelerate the development of next-generation phantoms.

Regional Insights

North America leads in the market as a result of strong regulatory compliance and advanced healthcare infrastructure.

North America is the foremost region in the medical imaging phantoms market as it boasts of strong healthcare systems, the most extensive adoption of imaging techniques, and a demanding regulatory environment. Particularly, the U.S., where it is a major hub for innovation in imaging, supported by wide-ranging research and development pipelines lined up with FDA regulations, allows phantoms to be part of the system validation. Increased demand for AI-based diagnostic solutions has put more weight on phantoms to maintain confidence and reproducibility.

Europe innovates with green and advanced phantom design regulations under strong regulation.

Europe is, therefore, the first user of phantoms, all due to its strict regulation in this respect, and coupled with the EU's effort to direct harmonised health care standards across the continent. Germany, the UK, and France are active participants, with rising investments in green materials and multi-modality designs for phantoms. Much collaboration between university and industry players is taking place to scale up the increasing demand for hybrid imaging and AI validation, both in clinical and research settings.

Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region with an increasing capability in imaging and local innovation.

Asia-Pacific emerges as the fast-growing regional market due to increased investment in healthcare, improved imaging infrastructure, and the establishment of domestic phantom manufacturing capabilities. China, India, and South Korea are adopting such governments' encouragement policies on training and innovation regarding diagnostic imaging. High patient numbers and continuing research activity will provide a more balanced future for clinical and educational applications of phantoms.

LAMEA is gradually strengthening adoption amid investments in healthcare and regional training programs.

The three regions of Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa are now incrementally adopting medical imaging phantoms due to healthcare modernisation efforts and increased investments in diagnostic infrastructure. Lack of cost-effective equipment was a barrier to use in some areas, but other initiatives to advance radiology training and regulatory alignment foster increased phantom use. Global partnerships further help close accessibility and innovation gaps.

Core Strategic Questions Answered in This Report

What is the expected growth trajectory of the medical imaging phantoms market from 2024 to 2035?

The global medical imaging phantoms market is projected to grow from USD 181.5 million in 2024 to USD 348.13 million by 2035, registering a CAGR of 6.1%. This growth is driven by the rising adoption of diagnostic imaging, regulatory compliance needs, and the expansion of R&D in imaging technologies.

Which key factors are fuelling the growth of the medical imaging phantoms market?

Several key factors are propelling market growth:

Rising global demand for advanced diagnostic imaging modalities
Regulatory compliance requirements mandating quality assurance validation
Rapid adoption of AI and photon-counting CT technologies
Expanding use of phantoms in R&D and clinical trial standardisation
Growing demand for radiology training and medical education tools

What are the primary challenges hindering the growth of the medical imaging phantoms market?

Major challenges include:

High costs of advanced phantoms and limited affordability in emerging markets
Material and design limitations in replicating complex tissue heterogeneity
Dependency on imports in price-sensitive regions
Supply chain bottlenecks for specialised phantom products
Barriers to widespread adoption due to a lack of awareness in smaller diagnostic centres

Which regions currently lead the medical imaging phantoms market in terms of market share?

North America currently leads the medical imaging phantoms market due to its strong healthcare infrastructure, high imaging adoption, and regulatory compliance. Europe follows closely with advanced research collaborations and green innovation initiatives, while Asia-Pacific demonstrates the fastest growth trajectory driven by large-scale investments and expanding imaging capacity.

What emerging opportunities are anticipated in the medical imaging phantoms market?

The market is ripe with new opportunities, including:

Expansion of photon-counting CT validation phantoms
Development of eco-friendly and sustainable phantom materials
Growth of personalised and 3D-printed phantom applications
Increasing adoption in hybrid imaging and AI model validation
Expansion of training and education programmes in emerging economies

Key Benefits for Stakeholders

The report offers a quantitative assessment of market segments, emerging trends, projections, and market dynamics for the period 2024 to 2035.
The report presents comprehensive market research, including insights into key growth drivers, challenges, and potential opportunities.
Porter's Five Forces analysis evaluates the influence of buyers and suppliers, helping stakeholders make strategic, profit-driven decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer relationships.
A detailed examination of market segmentation helps identify existing and emerging opportunities.
Key countries within each region are analysed based on their revenue contributions to the overall market.
The positioning of market players enables effective benchmarking and provides clarity on their current standing within the industry.
The report covers regional and global market trends, major players, key segments, application areas, and strategies for market expansion. Show more