The U.S. MRI market generated revenues of more than $1 billion in 1999, according to a new report from market research firm Frost & Sullivan. Moderate growth will continue through 2006, when revenues will top $1.5 billion, according to the report, called U.S. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Equipment Markets.
One trend driving market growth is interest in patient comfort in MRI with open-magnet systems. In areas where MRI scanning service providers are saturated, patient comfort will be a differentiating factor, according to Frost & Sullivan analyst Katharina Steiner-Leuthold. In addition, comfort-enhancing accessories have the potential to increase the number of MRI applications, heightening market potential, she said.
The San Jose, CA-based research firm also reported growth in purchasing of high-field scanners, prompted by demand for systems with better imaging capabilities. In addition, improved imaging techniques have allowed even lower field-strength equipment to produce higher-quality images than possible in previous years, she said. As such, practitioners who can use lower-field systems will attain significant cost savings, she said.
Suffering from these trends are mid-field MRI systems, with customers choosing to purchase units that have either the highest field strength or the lowest cost, according to the report.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
August 9, 2000
Related Reading
Radiopharmaceutical growth may double by 2006, August 3, 2000
New technologies drive interventional radiology growth, August 1, 2000
TMG sees healthy PACS growth in next five years, July 28, 2000
Contrast agent market to reach $4.22 billion by 2006, July 19, 2000
Cardiac cath labs experience strong growth, April 26, 2000
TMG sees growth in MR, CT procedure volume, March 9, 2000
Copyright © 2000 AuntMinnie.com
