The medical imaging industry is steadily booming owing to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, where early diagnostic intervention is key to check for the same. Several kinds of imaging modalities, such as X-Ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET), are available for diagnostic imaging of a wide range of diseases.
X-Ray is a commonly employed modality for diagnosing several conditions across a wide range of clinical areas such as oncology, orthopedics, cardiovascular, surgical, and dental. This is owing to some of its key advantages, such as its easy affordability, simplicity, and lower radiation dose in comparison to the other commonly employed imaging modality.
An X-Ray system generally consists of an X-Ray generator and an imaging detector. Conventionally, X-Ray imaging was done on photographic plates and film, following which technological advancements in the field of medical imaging led to the evolution of X-Ray technology into computed radiography (CR) and digital radiography (DR).
While CR systems were used more commonly in the past owing to advantages such as their compatibility with a wide range of traditional systems and low initial investment, the radiography market is witnessing a shift in demand and usage of CR to DR systems owing to the more advanced technology of DR systems as well as government incentives to aid that transition. In January 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented a policy to reduce the reimbursement for X-Rays taken using CR technology by 7.00% until 2022 and 10.00% from 2023 onward.
Flat-panel detectors (FPD) used in DR X-Ray systems are composed of a sensitive pixel array that further consists of a photodiode and a switch. FPDs are responsible for converting the X-Rays into electric charge and subsequently into a digital image using thin-film transistors (TFTs).
The Road Ahead
X-Ray technology is evolving, and several high-resolution, low-cost, and low-radiation dose systems are being developed by market players. Continuous research and development (R&D) have led to several technological advancements in X-Ray detector technology, such as the development of thinner and more flexible FPDs. Several research studies are also aimed at identifying novel materials for FPDs. Perovskites represent a class of such materials with great potential to revolutionize the X-Ray FPD industry.
Impact Analysis
The global medical X-Ray detectors market is anticipated to be influenced by various factors during the forecast period 2022-2032. The factors driving growth include the increasing prevalence of fractures and spinal injuries, growing technological advancements in X-Ray detectors, and development of flat panel detectors using novel materials.
The factors restraining market growth include limitations in emerging economies, such as raw materials hindering the adoption of X-Ray detectors and high cost of X-Ray detectors. The opportunities for the growth of the global medical X-Ray detectors market include the development of AI-based digital X-Ray systems and innovations in technology leading to various new offerings shaping the market. The following figure indicates the impact analysis of the various factors influencing the growth of the market.
Rising technological advancements have led to a paradigm shift in X-Ray detector technology from CCD and CR detectors to flat-panel detectors (FPDs). FPDs are mostly used in digital radiography (DR) X-Ray systems. With the initiative by CMS to incentivize the shift from CR to DR technology, FPDs are expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period 2022-2032. The following figure indicates the share % of the various product types in the global medical X-Ray detectors market.
Portable detectors are particularly useful in cases where it is difficult to move the patient to the site of imaging, such as for patients in nursing homes or intensive care units (ICUs). In comparison, fixed X-Ray detectors are useful in large healthcare institutions such as hospitals that have dedicated radiology or imaging departments. The following figure indicates the share % of the different modalities in the global medical X-Ray detectors market.
Regions such as North America and Europe have technologically advanced healthcare systems and strong government backing in terms of funding and implementation of initiatives that encourage the development of low-cost and low-radiation diagnostic systems, due to which these regions hold the maximum share in the global medical X-Ray detectors market. Regions such as Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa are anticipated to register significant growth during the forecast period 2022-2032 owing to key factors such as the growing demand for X-Ray examinations and the advancements in X-Ray imaging.
New offerings accounted for the maximum number of key developments in the global medical X-Ray detectors market, followed by partnerships, alliances, and business expansions, collectively accounting for nearly 83.00% of the global medical X-Ray detectors market. The following table indicates the quarterly analysis of key developments that occurred in the market from January 2018-December 2022.
COVID-19 Impact and Post-COVID-19 Scenario
The COVID-19 pandemic led to the rescheduling of non-essential diagnostic tests and treatment procedures in order to allocate more resources toward the management of COVID-19. The American College of Radiology postponed non-urgent outpatient visits in accordance with the guidelines put forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There was a significant decrease in the number of X-Ray examinations done in 2020 as compared to 2019.
In the post-COVID-19 scenario, the imaging volumes are expected to return gradually to pre-pandemic levels. As the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic declines, hospitals are expected to reallocate resources toward radiology and pursue diagnostic imaging with renewed vigor. While the severity of COVID-19 is anticipated to reduce to non-threatening levels, the increasing prevalence of acute injuries will continue to place a burden on the healthcare system. The technological advancements in medical imaging and their role in the diagnosis of chronic diseases spanning various clinical areas are expected to lead to the normalization of imaging volumes.
The global medical X-Ray detectors market is a mature market. However, R&D efforts in countries across the world aimed at developing low-cost imaging systems with high spatial resolution have led to several technological advancements that are expected to drive the market during the forecast period 2022-2032. Moreover, government initiatives to incentivize the shift to digital radiology (DR) are further expected to drive the growth of the market. However, emerging regions such as Latin America and Middle East and Africa still have unequitable access to X-Ray imaging which is one of the key factors hindering the growth of the market in those regions.
