Medical Imaging Markets, Volume I: Radiography (X-Ray, Digital X-Ray, Fluoroscopy, Mammography, and CT Markets)

The reinvigorated market for medical imaging systems employing x-rays has undoubtedly been propelled by the explosion of digital technology. But also, the expanded role of imaging modalities in a whole host of clinical applications from trauma to cancer to cardiology has increased the profile of radiography while enabling computer technologies expand the usefulness of traditional x-ray techniques.

Kalorama's Medical Imaging Markets Volume I: Radiography analyzes the current and potential world market for medical x-ray systems, including several distinct imaging modalities and applications both traditional and digital:

• general radiography
  • x ray
  • digital x ray
• fluoroscopy
• computed tomography (CT)
• mammography

The report also briefly covers ancillary equipment such as PACS and medical laser imagers.

This report provides manufacturers' revenues and shares in the global market, but particularly disects the U.S. market. This report generally reviews the nature and direction of research and clinical practice and discusses the drivers and restraints to continued expansion. as well as future markets. It also profiles several companies involved in marketing medical x-ray equipment, including Analogic, Fuji, Kodak, GE Healthcare, Imaging Dynamics, and R2 Technology, among others.

Market forecasts are based on an examination of current market conditions and on investigations into the development of new products by key companies. The market data provide multiple year forecasts for all product segments covered in the report. The information presented in this report is the result of data gathered from company product literature and other corporate brochures and documents, as well as information found in the scientific and trade press. In addition, interviews were conducted with company executives, clinicians and researchers.

New York, February 3, 2009 / Marketwire —As digital imaging increasingly replaces traditional film in the medical x-ray field, and hospitals purchase various systems and components from different vendors, the issue of interoperability between systems is coming to the forefront, finds a new report from Kalorama Information, Medical Imaging Markets, Volume I: Radiography (X-Ray, Digital X-Ray, Fluoroscopy, Mammography, and CT Markets). The movement to digitize diagnostic imaging is also closely tied to efforts to boost healthcare efficiency through the digitization of electronic medical records.

Hospitals are buying more equipment from different vendors and developing internal networks that connect diagnostic imaging equipment - x-rays, CT scans, PET scans - over Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) networks to data storage servers for instant access. This is driving medical imaging equipment vendors to develop interoperable equipment with a uniform user interface.

“If an imaging system can work with what the hospital already has, that’s a huge advantage for the vendor,” notes Bruce Carlson, publisher of Kalorama Information. “Offering more features, such as storage servers and interface software, is another successful tactic. If a healthcare system is to justify a large purchase, it helps to line up the need for the new system with the need for efficiency and government initiatives regarding medical records and digital images.”

The move to digital will lead to an increase in healthcare productivity by eliminating the time consuming step of film development and the costly storing and transporting of x-rays, which must be held in large storage facilities for several years. In addition, the use of better, faster diagnostic equipment will lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment and the networking of health records and diagnostic images will make remote diagnosis a reality, contributing to growth in telemedicine and video-multimedia conferencing.

While it is initially expensive to purchase a digital system, which has somewhat impeded implementation rates, operating costs are lower than those of standard radiography. Traditional film x-ray systems have a price tag ranging from $20,000 to $80,000, while digital systems can cost from $180,000 to $500,000. But the high cost can be justified in a high volume setting.

Kalorama Information’s new report, Medical Imaging Markets, Volume I: Radiography (X-Ray, Digital X-Ray, Fluoroscopy, Mammography, and CT Markets), analyzes the current and potential world market for medical and dental x-ray systems. The report discusses both digital and analog technologies. Market forecasts through 2012 for each segment, product pipelines, company profiles and a review of trends and research are covered.

About Kalorama Information
Kalorama Information supplies the latest in independent market research in the life sciences, as well as a full range of custom research services. We routinely assist the media with healthcare topics.