Mar 12 2008
Research and Markets has announced the addition of "European 3D Imaging Markets" to their offering.
3D medical imaging solutions are additional imaging tools that help display images more accurately, displaying internal body structures with a three-dimensional (3D) view. This ability, in turn, offers added information to physicians and supports the precise detection and diagnosis of diseases. 3D medical imaging provides advanced visualisation options and tools to radiologists and surgeons. "In the past few years, the 3D imaging market has become one of the higher growth segments of the medical imaging field, with this trend set to persist as these applications become more affordable and research proves their clinical value," notes the analyst of this research. "Most of these applications will provide non-invasive alternatives that have the potential to improve standards of care for patients."
The end-user sales segment is the largest segment contributing maximum revenues to the overall market. This segment involves direct sales to end users such as hospitals and clinics for software plug-ins or workstations or for direct clinical application in cardiology, radiology, oncology and ultrasound departments for 3D imaging. This segment is followed by the PACS vendor sales segment which entails the sale of plug-in software solutions for 3D imaging for integration/addition with/to PACS workstations and/or networks. This helps to add an additional 3D imaging element into the PACS solution. Modality OEM sales account for the smallest revenue contribution and encompass the sale of 3D imaging system solutions to OEMs for integration into their scanners and/or workstations, which are then sold along with their modalities.
Limited Reimbursement Looms as Major Challenge
While market prospects appear promising, the major opportunities are likely to be restricted to large hospitals. The high price involved in large, enterprise-wide deployment coupled with the lack of reimbursement for 3D imaging, which is not recognised as a separate procedure and is bundled with other diagnostic procedures, will challenge market participants. "In Europe, very limited reimbursement is offered for performing imaging procedures using 3D visualisation," elaborates the analyst. "Where reimbursement is offered, the 3D processing is typically not recognised as a distinct procedure, but is usually bundled with reimbursement for a particular modality procedure."
To leverage growth opportunities, sales and marketing need to continuously minimise costs through efficient functioning, while R&D has to focus on reducing product development and manufacturing costs. Market participants need to produce user-friendly solutions with high levels of customer support, including training, maintenance and installation services. Besides, partnering with PACS vendors affords 3D visualisation companies expanded access to end users through the superior sales and distribution channels of PACS vendors.
This Frost & Sullivan research service titled European 3D Imaging Markets provides an overview of dynamics and revenues in the market, along with a complete analysis of key drivers, restraints and trends in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Benelux, Spain and Scandinavia. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine different imaging market segments, detail critical challenges and provide strategic recommendations