Diagnostic imaging is a technique and process used to create image of the internal as well as external human body parts for clinical purposes. It is used for visualizing different things in the body. It is also used in the follow-up of a disease already diagnosed or treated. X-ray, ultrasound imaging, MRI, CT, single photon emission tomography (SPECT), and positron emission tomography (PET) are some of the major diagnostic imaging techniques. Each type of technology provides different information about the area of the body being treated or studied for diseases or for effectiveness of a medical treatment.
The global diagnostic imaging market is growing at a significant rate due to growing geriatric population, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and increasing healthcare expenditure. Technological advancement, widening application of diagnostic imaging devices and increasing need for diagnostic imaging procedures are also driving the growth of the global diagnostic imaging market.
Factors such as stringent regulatory requirements, high cost of diagnostic imaging system, increasing risk of cancer due to exposure to radiations, lack of skilled professionals and shortage of helium for MRI across the world are inhibiting the growth of the market globally. The growing number of product launches is the key trend been observed in the global diagnostic imaging market.
Geographically, the diagnostic imaging market is witnessing the fastest growth in Asia-Pacific due to improving healthcare infrastructure, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and growing geriatric population. Among the countries in the APAC region, Japan is the largest market for diagnostic imaging in Asia-Pacific.
Some of the key companies operating in the global diagnostic imaging market include Siemens AG, Koninklijke Philips N.V., General Electric Company, Hitachi Ltd., Toshiba Corporation, Shimadzu Corporation, FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, SAMSUNG, and Esaote SpA.
