Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Medical imaging has brought about great improvements in the quality of health
care. One medical publication asked physicians to rank 30 innovations from the
last 25 years in terms of their positive clinical impact on their own
patients. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT)
imaging were ranked first.
New medical technologies, such as advances in diagnostic imaging, are widely
considered a major driver of the rise in healthcare spending in the U.S. One
reason is that innovations in medical imaging often translate into safer and
less invasive means of treatment. This can greatly increase the number of
patients who want to make use of them. Thus, the cost per patient may decrease
while volume rises.
This was true of the development of angioplasty. Increased use of angioplasty
initially increased total costs, even though it was far less expensive than
the alternative, open-heart surgery. Over the long-term, however, this
increase may taper off as angioplasty yields long-term benefits among those
heart patients who would not have had surgery in the past.
SCOPE OF STUDY
This report contains:
- Descriptions of various types of medical imaging equipment including
x-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and current and
potential applications for each
- The current market status of medical imaging equipment, trends and
forecasts for growth over the period 2007 through 2012
- Technological issues, including a patent analysis and a review of the
latest developments
- Analysis of the industry' s structure and regulatory environment
- Profiles of many of the leading companies in the industry.
METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES
The market assessments provided have been assembled based on publicly
available information from January 2004 up to and including July 2007. The
base year for this report is 2007 and forecast data are provided through 2012.
In cases where data for 2007 were not available, figures were extrapolated
from 2006 statistics, half-year figures for 2006, and historical trends
between 2003 and 2006. Market figures are based on current dollars and
inflation is not computed into the projection figures.
A comprehensive literature and patent search was conducted. The literature
included technical newsletters and journals, as well as many other sources.
The information contained in this report has been assembled from both primary
and secondary data. Primary research was conducted via telephone interviews
with industry professionals, research scientists, physician researchers, and
laboratory heads to discover the most recent developments in their fields of
interest. Secondary data was collected via a comprehensive search of the
scientific, peer-reviewed literature, clinical trial reports and databases,
industry trade media, company websites, annual reports, and industry press
releases.
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