X-Ray Market (Portable, Handheld, Digital Radiography, Computed Radiography, Flat Panel Detection Systems, Mammography) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth and Forecast 2012 - 2018

X-ray machines are devices that produce x-ray radiations. These x-ray radiations are then used for medical procedures such as diagnosis and interventional (e.g. catheter placement) purposes. Increasing incidences of various diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer is expected to compel the usage of x-ray devices for diagnosing these diseases for treatment. In addition, implementation of picture archiving and communication system (PACS) would further propel the growth of x-ray market. The market for x-ray has been segmented as: by product type, by technology, by application and by geography. 

Based on product type, the market for x-ray has been segmented as stationary x-ray and portable x-ray. Portable x-ray has been further segmented as mobile x-ray and handheld x-ray. The market for these x-ray types has been extensively analyzed based on efficiency, number of x-ray procedures and application area. The market size and forecast in terms of USD million for each product type has been provided for the period 2010 to 2018, considering 2011 as the base year. The report also provides the compounded annual growth rate (% CAGR) for the forecast period 2012 to 2018 for each segment and sub-segment.

X-ray market by technology has been categorized as analog x-ray, computed radiography x-ray and digital radiography x-ray. The overall digital x-ray systems market is segmented into high-density line-scan solid state detection based digital x-ray systems and flat panel detection based digital x-ray systems. The flat panel detection based digital x-ray systems market is further segmented into indirect (a-Si) and direct (a-Se) based digital x-ray systems. The market for these x-ray technologies has been extensively analyzed based on efficiency, number of x-ray procedures and cost. The market size and forecast in terms of USD million for each technology based x-ray has been provided for the period 2010 to 2018, considering 2011 as the base year. The report also provides the compounded annual growth rate (% CAGR) for the forecast period 2012 to 2018 for each segment and sub-segment.

The x-ray market by applications is segmented as mammography, cardiovascular x-ray, respiratory (chest) x-ray, dental x-ray and other applications (orthopedic, urology, abdominal etc.). The market for these applications has been extensively analyzed based on cost of x-ray procedures, reimbursements, number of patients suffering from specific diseases and efficiency of x-ray for diagnosing such diseases. The market size and forecast in terms of USD million for each application has been provided for the period 2010 to 2018, considering 2011 as the base year. The report also provides the compounded annual growth rate (% CAGR) for the forecast period 2012 to 2018 for each segment and sub-segment.

The x-ray market is also estimated and analyzed on the basis of geographic regions namely North America, Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. The market size and forecasts in terms of revenue (USD million) for the period 2010 to 2018, considering 2011 as the base year, have been provided for this segment. The report also provides the compounded annual growth rate (% CAGR) for the forecast period 2012 to 2018 for each segment.

The market overview section of the report discusses the market dynamics that include drivers, restraints and opportunities influencing the market. In addition, this section covers market attractiveness analysis (by geography) for the year 2011 and Porter’s five forces analysis for the global x-ray market. The chapter on competitive landscape consists of market share analysis of the global x-ray market by key players for 2011, followed by a list of recommendations for the existing and new players. In addition, the report also profiled key players of the market on various parameters such as business overview, financial overview, product portfolio, business strategies and recent developments of the respective company. Some of the key players of this market include GE Healthcare, Siemens Healthcare, Philips Healthcare, Toshiba Medical Systems, Hitachi Medical Systems, Varian Medical Systems, Shimazdu Corporation and others.

X-rays are based on three basic technologies, namely analog, computed radiography and digital radiography systems. Computed radiography x-ray systems held majority of the market share in 2011 due to the following factors: 

• The advent of new technologies is encouraging hospitals and other medical establishments to shift to digital x-ray systems. However, digital x-ray systems are very expensive and this factor impedes the shift. 
• To curb the above problem, manufacturers have come up with a solution where-in analog x-ray systems can be turned into digital systems at a relatively cheaper price using retrofit kits (the average cost of a new digital radiography system is approximately USD 180,000 whereas the average cost of a retrofit kit is approximately USD 105,000). Retrofit kits are also used to convert analog x-ray systems into computed radiography systems by using detection devices such as high density solid scan systems or flat panel detectors.
• The introduction of such technologies have made it possible for hospitals and other medical establishments to refurbish their analog systems at a cheaper price and this has helped the global computed radiography x-ray systems gain market share and hold majority of the market in 2011. 

However, the global computed radiography x-ray systems market is expected to lose market share to the digital x-ray systems market by 2018, since manufacturers have conducted extensive research and development exercises to tone down the prices of digital x-ray systems. Moreover, the introduction of handheld digital x-ray systems perfectly suit the needs of the fast- developing emergency medical care services, dental and home healthcare market and so are responsible for the increasing market penetration of these systems worldwide. 

The rapid adoption of filmless digital x-ray systems such as computed radiography and digital radiography systems will slow down the growth of the global analog x-ray systems market and its market share will drop during the forecast period.