Varied uses of new technology will drive the global nuclear medicine imaging device market to $4.5 billion by 2022, according to a new study from market research firm Companies and Markets.
Despite a decline in sales volume and reduced demand in the aftermath of the global economic recession, the industry has "recovered well," and the report estimated the global market at $1.5 billion in 2011.
The firm also cited the introduction of hybrid units, such as PET/CT and PET/MRI, as a contributor to market growth.
Developed nuclear medicine imaging device markets, such as in the U.S. and U.K., are highly saturated, and the future focus is likely to be toward upgrading standalone PET and SPECT systems with fully integrated hybrid units that offer an enhanced level of anatomical and functional detail.
Markets in developing countries such as China and India will offer more opportunity due to a lack of nuclear medicine facilities and technologies and increased healthcare spending.
