X-ray devices produce radiations used for diagnostic and interventional purposes. Introduction of portable and digital x-ray devices in order to meet the rising demand for home healthcare and point of care diagnostics market is the most significant trend observed in this market. Computed tomography systems (CT) or computerized axial tomography scanning (CAT scan) is an imaging procedure which utilizes X-rays to obtain tomographic images of targeted areas. CT scan devices play an integral role in cancer diagnosis and in guiding biopsy procedures. Increasing adoption of PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) and the introduction of high resolution CT scan equipment will serve the portable x-ray and CT scan devices market as two of the highest impact rendering drivers. PACS is a medical imaging technology which involves the electronic storage and transmission of diagnostic images. Cost reduction via the elimination of storage costs associated with x-ray films and hard copies and providing remote access to diagnostic images to medical practitioners are some of the advantages of this technology. Some of the other drivers of this market include rapidly rising geriatric global population base, increasing incidence rates of target diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, tuberculosis and oral diseases.
High usage rates of portable devices in the X-ray segment and the introduction of handheld X-ray devices touting higher efficacies and applications in the field of dentistry are some of the factors accounting for its high market share. When in comparison with CT scan devices, X-ray devices hold higher market penetration rates owing to facts such as the latter is relatively cheaper, emit lower levels of radiation and is more user friendly. The global CT scan devices market on the other hand is expected to grow at a relatively faster CAGR of over 8.0% from 2013 to 2020. Its market share was valued at 34.4% in 2012. Its ability to capture multiple views in a series and to efficiently differentiate bone masses and elaborate soft tissues will serve this market as high impact rendering driver. Moreover, growing use of portable CT scan devices in interventional confirmation will help this market experience an expedited growth during the forecast period.
The portable X-ray devices market was valued at USD 3,067.0 million in 2012. The portable X-ray devices market was dominated by the mobile X-ray devices market in 2012 on account of factors such as the growing demand for bedside imaging and the growing base of geriatric population widening the base of immobile patients. Its market share was valued at over 90.0% in 2012. However, its market share will decline by 2020 on account of the rising demand for user-friendly handheld X-ray devices especially in the field of dentistry and the subsequent introduction of products such as the NOMAD Pro by Aribex. The global portable CT scan devices market was valued at USD 1,610.0 million in 2012. Mobile CT scan devices are now increasingly being used in diagnostic and interventional medical procedures. Some of the major uses of CT scan devices in interventional and diagnostic procedures in dental and orthopedic implant procedures to achieve precision, in gaining an anatomical assessment of the cochlear during cochlear implant procedures and in computing 3D locations of implanted electrodes in relation to the structure of the ear and in obtaining impeccable clarity pertaining to the anatomy of body parts and closely monitoring these parts while conducting plastic surgery procedures.
The computed radiography (CR) based portable X-ray devices market held the majority of the market share in 2012 at 39.6%. These devices are more user-friendly than digital radiography systems and so entail minimum re-training of radiologists. This makes the use of computed radiography systems a cost effective and time-saving affair. Moreover, faster image acquisition rates and the use of cheaper high-density line scan solid state detection systems or phosphor plates used in these systems are some of the drivers of this market. The global computed radiography systems market was valued at USD 1,214.8 million in 2012. However, the digital radiography based portable X-ray devices market are expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period owing to factors such as its high patient throughput rates, fastest image acquisition rates, good image quality and low radiation risks. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.8% from 2013 to 2020. CT scan devices, on the other hand, are dominated by medium slice scanners. The global medium slice scanners market was valued at USD 985.3 million in 2012. High usage rates of these devices due to their relative cost effectiveness (in comparison to high slice scanners) and better performance (in comparison to low slice scanners) are some of the factors accounting for its large market share.
The North American portable x-ray and CT scan devices market held the majority of the market share in 2011 at 30.0%. The demand for these devices stems from both hospital as well as clinic settings. Several market players have introduced hand-held x-ray devices with exceptional efficacy in North America in the past few years which has contributed significantly to the growth of the market. However, the Asia-Pacific market is expected to exhibit the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Its market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 10.0% from 2013 to 2020. Some of the drivers of this market include the growing base of geriatric population, the presence of high unmet medical needs in countries such as Japan, China, and India. Moreover, growing market penetration rates of computed radiography systems especially because of its cost effectiveness in this region will propel the growth of this market.
Philips Healthcare dominated the global portable X-ray devices market with a market share of over 17% in 2012. Philips Healthcare possesses an extensive product portfolio catering to the x-ray segment ranging from stationary x-ray systems to digital and portable x-ray systems. Moreover, the introduction of innovative products capitalizing on customer preferences such as the introduction of Practix 360, which is a portable x-ray machine and is 30% lighter than the conventional portable x-ray machines, also helps it maintain its market position. Some of the other players of this market include GE Healthcare, Siemens Healthcare, Hitachi Medical Systems, Varian Medical Systems, Shimadzu Corporation and others.