Medical Imaging

Report Highlights

• The overall U.S. imaging equipment and auxiliary products market is estimated to be $7.9 billion in 2004 and is expected to increase at a 5.7% AAGR (average annual growth rate) to reach $10.4 billion by 2009.
• The fastest-growing category of the imaging market consists of computer systems used as adjuncts for disease detection and results archiving. These will constitute 21% of the market in 2009, up from 14% in 2004.
• Systems whose sales are expected to grow most rapidly include computed radiography and direct digital radiography units, 64-slice CT scanners, 3.0-Tesla MRI scanners, multimodal SPECT/CT and PET/CT scanners and hand-carried ultrasound units.
• Products such as conventional radiography and fluoroscopy units, singleslice CT scanners and gamma cameras will show low or negative growth.

INTRODUCTION

Medical imaging is robust, technically intensive and changing. In the century following Wilhelm Roentgen's accidental discovery of the imaging capability of Xrays, additional methods of imaging body tissues such as ultrasound, nuclear medicine, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have emerged. Today, imaging devices reveal every organ and lay bare every disease in more detail and with greater accuracy.

These devices even analyze the images they produce. They identify malignancies, count plaque deposits in arteries, measure bone loss and calculate the heart's pumping capacity. They also assist surgeons, tracking the positions of their instruments in real time and letting them know what their scalpels are about to cut into.

This BCC report shows how a global industry of competitive and visionary firms, ranging from giant market leaders to ambitious startups, has drawn together scientific advances from many fields to deliver a remarkable series of product innovations. It outlines new opportunities in medical imaging and forecasts markets by product category, application and geographical area through 2009. In addition to medical imaging equipment, markets for auxiliary products are reviewed. Emerging imaging methods that appear promising but have not yet had a major impact on the marketplace are identified.

SCOPE OF STUDY

The report contains:

• A focus on the modalities generally considered part of the medical imaging industry, such as:
     - X-ray, including radiography and fluoroscopy
     - computed tomography
     - magnetic resonance imaging
     - ultrasound
     - nuclear medicine, including both single-photon emission studies and positron emission tomography
• A review of some of the newer imaging modalities
• Analysis of the industry's structure, regulatory environment and salient technological developments in each area
• Market forecasts for each type of product and application, and for geographical areas of the world through 2009
• Profiles of many of the leading companies in the industry

METHODOLOGY

We employed statistical forecasting techniques along with considering developments in technology and other factors affecting demand for equipment. These factors are discussed in each forecast section of the report. Other published forecasts were considered and critically assessed. All projections are in 2004 constant dollars.

INFORMATION SOURCES

To research this report, we reviewed data published by government agencies and industry and professional associations; motions filed in lawsuits; vendors' annual reports, SEC filings, presentations, regulatory submissions, press releases, and product literature; healthcare providers' annual reports, SEC filings, web sites, and published purchasing plans; and secondary information such as articles in scientific, medical, and industry journals. Information and analysis was also obtained through direct discussion or correspondence with manufacturers, healthcare providers, government agencies, and industry and professional associations.

ANALYST CREDENTIALS

Masha Zager is a writer specializing in and technology. Trained as an economist, she has written about information technology, telecommunications, call center technology, energy markets, securities markets, municipal finance, and a wide variety of other subjects. She was the author of BCC Report B-140R, Medical Imaging, the precursor to this report.