Cardiovascular field to push U.S. x-ray market to $2.8B in 2016

Rapid expansion of hybrid operating rooms (ORs) will drive growth in the U.S. x-ray market, according to “U.S. Markets for X-Ray Systems 2012,” a report issued by Millenium Research Group (MRG).

MRG forecasts modest growth, from $2.5 billion in 2011 to $2.8 billion in 2016, and cited a generally saturated market. Sales of mobile digital radiography (DR) systems, DR flat panels and DR retrofits should swell, while sales of analog systems, CR systems and charge-coupled devices will drop through 2016.

Demographic and clinical forces also come into play, according to MRG, as the aging population, rising chronic disease and obesity rates will result in increases in the number of imaging exams. These factors, coupled with the rising popularity of minimally invasive procedures, will fuel growth in the cardiovascular/hybrid OR segment.

GE Healthcare leads the total x-ray system market, as well as the fluoroscopy, surgical x-ray and mobile markets. Carestream Health takes the top revenue spot for general x-ray systems, and Philips Healthcare nabs the front role in the cardiovascular market.

For more about hybrid ORs, read "Anatomy of a Succesful Hybrid OR," in Health Imaging magazine.