Abstract
Increasing Implementation of PACS Pushes Digital Radiography into High
Gear
As an emerging technology, digital radiography (DR) has witnessed phenomenal
success and overcome initial hurdles, such as inefficient manufacturing,
production bottlenecks, exorbitant prices, and low customer interest. Increasing
proliferation of picture archiving and communications systems (PACS) is driving
the adoption of complementary DR technology that assists in achieving
cost-cutting and quality improvement goals. Deployment of DR in a PACS
environment provides comprehensive and cost-effective image management solutions
that could replace film-based and computed radiography systems. DR also
eliminates delays and inefficiencies inherent in film development, increasing
patient throughput and allowing hospitals to economize on space and deployment
of radiology employees.
This Frost & Sullivan research analyzes the digital radiography markets
and different types of underlying technologies such as charge-coupled device (CCD)
cameras, amorphous silicon detectors, and amorphous selenium detectors. A
comprehensive coverage of key market drivers, restraints, and challenges assists
in creating focussed marketing and business plans. Strategic recommendations
enable participants to harness the benefits of the latest developments and
emerging opportunities in this market.
Future Price Reduction Set to Stimulate Wider Acceptance of DR Systems
High-priced DR systems with flat-panel detectors were initially introduced to
cater to large hospitals and medical centers. However, with the market expanding
beyond the early-adopter segment, competitively priced DR systems are expected
to gain widespread popularity and gradually replace computed radiography.
"Economies of scale and increased production volumes for flat-panel
detectors are signalling cost maturation and ultimately more affordable DR
systems accessible to smaller hospitals and outpatient facilities,"
explains the analyst.
However, extremely low-prices, though competitive in the short run, do not
necessarily boost unit shipments. This assumes greater significance when dealers
and distributors become involved, since manufacturers typically lose 30 to 40
percent of the sales proceeds to revenue sharing with distributors. A balanced
pricing strategy of five to ten percent below the market average is considered
optimum and stimulates sustainable revenue growth in the long run.
High-performance Imaging Combined with Lower Radiation Doses Spurs Growth
of DR
The use of low-radiation dosage to produce superior quality X-ray images is a
significant achievement that catapults DR systems ahead of general radiography
screen-film systems. "Many DR models operate at about half the radiation
dosage conventional X-ray systems require for routine radiological
examinations," notes the analyst. "Considering the health risks
attached to radiation exposure, low-radiation doses combined with equivalent
imaging power may boost the sales of DR systems."
Innovative technology that incorporates several value-added features improves
diagnostic and clinical performance of DR systems in the medical imaging
environment. For instance, the tissue equalization feature permits a single
high-quality display of both low- and high-density tissues. Dual energy
subtraction is a sophisticated imaging technique that allows different
attenuation characteristics of soft tissue and bone to be individually
processed. This may prove to be a high-potential technology since it eliminates
overlying structures and replaces frequently obscured pathology with
high-clarity images. | 
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