Major advancements have been made in medical imaging systems in recent times. However, in most cases, diagnostic methods are not used until the consequences of an illness are realized. Inadequate access to healthcare services results in late diagnosis of diseases. Moreover, delays in obtaining test results can further aggravate the condition. However, in the last two decades, medical imaging industry has made significant development in terms of innovative, advanced and convenient imaging products. The new imaging machines, be it the X-rays, ultrasound, 3D mammography, PET and SPECT scanners, and MRI machines, have enabled ubiquitous access and early diagnosis of various condition. Also, macro-level details provided by these machines help clinicians make better decisions. Moreover, integration with information technology and cloud computing has allowed greater access to reports irrespective of the location, which enables patients to seek multiple opinions from experts around the world.
Molecular Imaging to help Early Detection of Disease
In the field of molecular imaging, the long-term aim is to develop methods that will make it possible to detect illnesses at an early stage and employ more specific diagnostic techniques. For example, most of the current available systems can detect certain tumors and deposits in blood vessels at a very early stage. Nuclear medicine examination methods that use PET/CT and SPECT/CT scanners are the most prevalent molecular imaging techniques. Such scanners generate images of lungs, livers, and hearts with high precision, and also provide information about the organs’ metabolism and other functions.
Reducing Costs and Improving Convenience
Wide availability and increasing preference for high-end imaging equipment providing cellular details are leading to steady decline in overall health expenses. Researchers at Harvard Medical School have determined that the length of a patient’s hospital stay is reduced by one day for every US$ 385 spent on medical imaging equipment. Such investments could lead to savings of around US$ 3,000 per patient. Even hospitals can capitalize on these devices, as they are constantly under pressure to reduce costs. Such technologies are expected to be pursued by both, developed and emerging economies. Moreover, integrating scanned images with the electronic health records of the patient would make the process more efficient.
Rising Demand for Advance Techniques
Demand for inexpensive, energy-saving, and ergonomic medical equipment that requires little maintenance and involves less potential risk is increasing. Moreover, miniaturization and portability of equipment, digitization of measurement values, hybrid imaging systems, and use of non-ionizing imaging modalities such as optical and ultrasound systems are factors projected to propel market growth.
Emerging Economies offering Immense Opportunity
The rapidly expanding healthcare industry in BRIC countries is driving demand for introduction of novel medical technology. The growing number of hospitals in emerging economies is offering lucrative growth opportunities for manufacturers of imaging devices. Moreover, increasing investment by public and private players in healthcare infrastructure is driving demand for advanced imaging techniques in these regions. Also, the medical tourism market is growing rapidly in these countries owing to relatively low cost of treatment. Medical assistance from skilled professionals and availability of advanced treatment techniques at much lower cost in countries such as India are some of the key factors that are creating a conducive environment for growth of the medical imaging market in these regions.
Conclusion
Diagnosis and access to diagnostic services are major issues that need to be addressed by medical imaging companies. This involves constant innovation of products based on novel technologies and operational models. Integration of information technology with existing healthcare systems is a key factor that is driving the growth of the medical imaging market.
Mobile imaging services offer direct X-Ray, electrocardiogram (EKG) and ultrasound services to medical facilities and residential and private sector. The approach is cheaper and faster compared to... View more
Proton Therapy Market – Insights Proton therapy, also known as proton radiotherapy, uses high-energy beams to treat tumors. The approach involves depos... View more
Particle therapy is a form of external beam radiotherapy that is used in the treatment of various types of cancers such as prostate cancer, brain, tumors near the spine, pediatric cancer, gastrointe... View more
Miniature version of huge diagnostic imaging machines are available in the market, which are used for diagnosing patients. Such handheld or pocket sized machines offer advantages over conventional testing methods by making results available in short span of time. Ther... View more
Endoscopy is a minimally invasive medical procedure that helps in visualizing the internal part of the human body (hollow organ or cavity of the body). It is performed for diagnostic as well as for the therapeutic purposes. Endoscope are equipped with camera or light ... View more
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), is a non-invasive imaging test which uses light waves to take cross-sectional images of the eyes. These measurements help the ophthalmologist to view each distinctive layer of the eye, and map as well as measure the thickness. These... View more
Portable ultrasound bladder scanner is a transportable ultrasound medical device that is used to digitally measure bladder volume. It is mainly used as a diagnostic aid to assess urological conditions. Portable ultrasound bladder scanner is used as an alternative to ... View more
Orthopedic imaging is an innovative medical technique used for the visual representation of bone, ligaments, and other interior part of body in order to diagnose various orthopedic diseases. This process revels internal body structures hidden by the layers of skin. Th... View more
Digital mobile X-ray is a portable medical devices that is used for the visual representation of bone, ligaments, and other interior body parts. It is used in diagnosis of several diseases and conditions such as fractures, bone dislocation, ligament tear, arthritis, p... View more
Wide-field fluorescence microscopy is an imaging technique that relies on illumination of the intact field of interpretation of a fluorescence microscope and simultaneous finding of the discharged fluorescen... View more
Chemiluminescence is the process of converting chemical energy into visible light that is emitted as the result of chemical (oxidation or hydrolysis) reaction. This process offers sensitive and cost-effective detection methods to several radio-isotopic and fluorescenc... View more
Magnetoencephalography Devices Market– insights Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a vital step in pre-surgical evaluation of patients with epilepsy and brain tumors. The clinical application segment inclu... View more
Molecular imaging is an emerging field that involves molecular biology, chemistry, computer, engineering, and medicine. Various modern imaging technologies have been widely used to monitor structural, functional, and molecular changes in cancer tissues, including ... View more
PET-CT Scanner Device Market – Insights A positron emission tomography (PET) - computed tomography (CT) scan reveals information about both the structure and function of cells and tissues in the body du... View more
Intravascular ultrasound imaging system (IVUS) is a catheter-based imaging technique, which allows visualization and assessment of the morphological properties of blood vessels and heart. It provides observation of the real-time aortic diameter assessment. This techni... View more
Dental loupes and cameras have emerged as an important tool at the service of dentist for complex dental surgical and treatment needs. Dental loupes provide detailed view of the treatment area at ease of the dentist, even minute area could be operated, which is not vi... View more
Breast cancer is one of the leading cause of death in women. Breast imaging is a technique that involves imaging of the breast for screening or diagnostic purposes. Breast imaging can be done with digital mammography, digital breast tomosynthesis (3-D Mammography), br... View more
Medical x-ray film processor are the most important part for the X-ray image processing, these processors are used to decipher the information carried by weakened x-ray beam, when they are passed through the tissues. They capture the invisible image into visible form.... View more
Contact Us