United Kingdom Digital X-ray Devices Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

Over the next few years, the market for digital X-ray devices in the United Kingdom is expected to register a CAGR of about 7.5%.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on diagnostic imaging, particularly on digital X-ray devices. Digital imaging plays a vital role in the diagnosis of COVID-19, as it aids in the clear detection of infected parts of a patient’s lungs. For instance, in January 2022, the research team at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) found that COVID-19 could be accurately detected by artificial intelligence (AI) utilizing X-ray equipment in a couple of minutes. This fast and accurate X-ray method for diagnosing COVID-19 could replace other diagnostic tests, which were expected to have significant growth in the market over the coming years.

The increasing burden of chronic diseases such as orthopedic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers, the increasing number of serious injuries, traumas, and road accidents, and the advantages of digital x-ray systems over conventional x-rays are actively driving the growth of the studied market. For instance, according to the British Heart Foundation's United Kingdom August 2022 Factsheet, over 7.6 million people in the United Kingdom were predicted to have cardiovascular diseases in 2021, of whom an estimated 6.4 million people in England and 700,000 people in Scotland will have cardiovascular diseases in 2021. The rise in cardiovascular diseases is expected to help the market grow, since chest X-rays are used to check for cardiovascular disease in the first place.

Additionally, according to the article published by the State of Musculoskeletal Health 2021, in the United Kingdom in 2021, 20.3 million people (32% of the population) had a musculoskeletal (MSK) condition such as arthritis or back pain. The high burden of musculoskeletal disease in the country is projected to increase the demand for digital X-ray devices to diagnose the underlying conditions of the bones, thereby positively influencing the regional market’s growth. However, the high installation cost and new sales affected by the increasing use of refurbished devices are likely to impede market growth.

The United Kingdom digital X-ray devices market is expected to be driven by the growing number of different types of cancer and the growing awareness of advanced diagnostic and imaging solutions for early and accurate cancer diagnosis. These are the main factors that are increasing the demand for digital X-ray devices in the cancer segment.

Furthermore, the new technological advancements in digital X-ray help in the fast and accurate diagnosis of cancer, which is expected to drive the market. For instance, Brunel University London stated in November 2022 that research is employed in a project examining X-rays using artificial intelligence that spans all of England. The trial attempts to shorten the time a patient must wait between the initial chest X-ray and a cancer diagnosis by utilizing AI to assess questionable chest X-rays. Chest X-rays can miss certain lung cancer cases because some lung nodules are challenging to detect. Using AI with X-rays and medical professionals, on the other hand, could help find cases earlier, which is expected to drive the market in this segment.

Owing to the growing demand for digital X-ray devices, market players are focusing on new product launches, and the government is focused on opening new diagnostic centers to use the technology in disease diagnosis and management. In England, for example, 40 community diagnostic centers opened in October 2021. They are expected to offer a variety of diagnostic services, such as X-rays for early detection of chronic diseases like cancer, and are expected to boost the market in this segment.

A portable X-ray device is a wireless digital X-ray imaging device for mobile health providers, such as doctors and first-aid workers, in field situations, during home care, in nursing homes, and for medically oriented aid organizations, etc. Various advantages of portable X-ray devices, an increasing number of injuries, traumas, and road accidents, and the rising burden of chronic diseases are some of the major driving factors in the growth of the market in this segment.

For instance, as per the Reported Road Casualties Great Britain annual report, in 2021, 55% of casualties were car occupants, 13% were pedestrians, 12% were motorcyclists, and 13% were pedal cyclists, and the biggest percentage change compared to the previous year was for motorcyclists, which showed a 16% increase. Because of their advantages in establishing any internal trauma or fractures, portable X-ray devices are in high demand and will drive the market during the study period.

Furthermore, new product approvals and launches aid in the widespread use of devices across the country, thereby boosting market growth. For instance, in July 2022, Fujifilm launched a portable x-ray device, the FDR Cross, in Europe and the United Kingdom. FDR Cross is a flexible, hybrid C-arm, and portable x-ray machine designed to offer high-quality fluoroscopic and static x-ray images during surgery and other medical procedures. Hence, the latest product launches with new applications increase the usage of the devices in healthcare facilities and drive the market through this segment.

The United Kingdom's digital X-ray devices market is fragmented in nature due to the presence of many companies operating globally as well as regionally. The competitive landscape includes an analysis of a few international as well as local companies that hold market shares and are well known. Some of the key market players are General Electric Company (GE Healthcare), Koninklijke Philips NV, Fujifilm Holdings Corporation, Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Canon Medical Systems Corporation, Shimadzu Corporation, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Samsung Healthcare), Agfa-Gevaert Group, and Konica Minolta Inc., among others.

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