Medical Imaging Agent-Producing System Market

Pushing the boundaries of diagnostic approach

The rapidly expanding technological use of imaging techniques continues to push the boundaries of the diagnostic approach. Medical imaging is done in order to provide a scope of diagnostic and therapeutic approach towards the patient involved; using these techniques, doctors are able to diagnose diseases more precisely, and obtain a rather structural and functional imaging of the body. Medical imaging technologies allow a rapid diagnosis and evaluation of a wide range of pathologies.

In order to increase their sensitivity and efficiency many imaging technologies rely on intravenously administered contrast agents. Imaging technologies like magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, surgical imaging, positron emission tomography and single-photon emission computed tomography are some of the major procedures practised in hospitals all over the globe due to its unparalleled look that they provide into the body.

In order to assist healthcare professionals to visualize abnormalities in diagnostic image, contrast agents, materials that are used to reflect out visible changes on the resulting image are used. Contrast agents are of great meaning in diagnostic imaging as they provide a sensitive image technique allowing for the diagnosis of previously undetected complications. Through nano-scale manipulations new technologies for contrasting agents are on a rise, providing a more sensitive, biocompatible and bio-distribution profile of various contrast materials. Such advancements in the medical imaging agent follows new realms of imaging application such as fluorescence imaging.

Significance of medical imaging agent

Many imaging studies like MRI, CT and X-ray, involves the use imaging agents. Still, the contrast between the types of agent used in each procedure differs by how it performs in the respective target. The ability for a nanoparticle to identify the tissue of interest is perhaps the most vital character publicized. Through targeting; contrast agents can provide much more useful images by targeting tissues of interest, provide precise differences in tissue type and margins, which can help identify malignant and abnormal tissues much earlier.

It has become possible to lower the dose given, reducing the expense and the toxic exposure of agent in the body. Furthermore, the image quality obtained can be improved with less contrasting agent floating free in the body resulting in improved signal to noise ratio.

Contrasting agents for different mode of operation

Contrasting agents are generally classified in response to the target it is selected for, the mode of operation and the purpose behind it.

MRI Imaging agents: Gadolinium, contrast agent that is administered by injecting in the body to highlight areas of inflammation and tumour in MRI procedures. I.e., gadofosveset trisodium

CT imaging agents: X-ray and CT agents work by increasing the density of tissues targeted. They can be administered by mouth, enema or injection. I.e. iohexol, diatrizoate.

PET/SPECT imaging agents: Nuclear medicines used here provide information about tissue metabolism or some other specific change. The PET scanner detects the radiation and produces images of the body, many PET scanners include a CT scanner to allow image of both structure and its function. Useful to perform diagnosis and derive a required treatment. Required agents are radiopharmaceuticals which emits radiation in order to obtain image of the target tissue or organ.

Ultrasound imaging: In order to visualize the micro-circulation in tissue, microbubble-based contrast agents are in use I.e. Sulphur hexafluoride

Need of the hour

The medical imaging agent-producing systems market is driven by innovation in imaging modalities and advancements in imaging agents, growing awareness over the benefits of early diagnosis and the need for accurate and timely diagnosis especially among the aging population.

Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are carried out with a single medical approach of imaging which circles around the use of different available medical imaging agents. Safety and efficacy issues are resulting in the migration away from traditional contrast agent towards a safer and vivid agents like the use of non-ionic monomeric contrast agents and iodinated contrast agents.

Technology applied in medical imaging offers a lot and with progressive capital investment in transforming the heavy machinery promises to produce new advanced from of medical imaging, in turn, contrast agents. Owing to the increased demand, government across the globe are increasingly providing approvals for the use of different types of imaging agents.

For instance, in May 2016, Bayer Healthcare received a FDA approval for their product used in magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in the U.S. The global population getting diagnosed with a medical imaging support is enormous due to its efficiency and control, continuous advancement in the field provides an option for better application which can be readily available to more number of societies

Regional Market Outlook

Geographically, global medical imaging agent-producing systems market is segmented into eight key regions viz. North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific (exc. Japan and China) ,Japan, China and Middle East & Africa. In North America, US majorly continues to dominate the global market as due to the high penetration of existing market among the end users and more number courses and imaging practices performed.

Europe stores a greater no. of regional counterparts like Germany, France and united kingdom who shares a decent share of medical imaging agent-producing systems market and is expected grow the market share in global medical imaging agent-producing systems market due its growing awareness. Asia Pacific (exc. Japan and China) due to its high population density, translating into more absolute need for treatments and is observed to be the market to grow majorly. Separate growth of small regional industries provides a broader outlook of the market.

Competition outlook

Some of the players identified in the global medical imaging agent-producing systems market are GE Healthcare, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Lantheus Medical Imaging , Bracco diagnostics, Elsai Co. and others. Focus on growing demand for efficient imaging agents for medical imaging will be rising in various developed countries and is expected to fuel the need for efficient research in other smaller sectors.

Major players are producing systems which provides an impactful procedure, increase patient compliance with dosing accuracy, convenience, safety and reduce patient time in healthcare centres. Companies are working in order to affiliate their system for mass usage and marketing, also opens up the market for smaller businesses to develop new technology around the contrast agents .With Increasing government funding for research in advanced medical treatment with concern to safety of patients is expected to drive the growth of global medical imaging agent-producing systems market.

Manufacturers/ providers

Small scale

• Fujifilm holdings corporation
• Justesa imagen
• Barco N

Medium Scale

• Aytu BioScience, Inc.
• Varian medical systems
• Canon Inc.
• Daiichi sankyo company limited
• Analogic corporation
• Guerbet group
• Eli Lily and company
• Elsai co., ltd.

Large Scale

• Lantheus Medical Imaging, Inc.
• ayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals
• BBracco diagnostics
• Hovione Farmaciencia
• Siemens
• Philips
• GE healthcare

 Medical imaging agents-producing system analysis on competitive landscape

Key Data Points Covered in the Report

The report covers exhaustive analysis on:

• Medical Imaging Agent market by product type, end users and regions
• Regional level market analysis of North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific (exc. China and Japan), China, Japan and Middle East & Africa

By end user segments and country

• Medical Imaging Agent market dynamics & opportunity assessment
• Historical actual market size, 2013 - 2017
• Medical Imaging Agent market size & forecast 2018 - 2028
• Medical Imaging Agent current trends/issues/challenges
• Competition & companies involved

Market Segmentation

Market by Product Type

• Contrast agents Producing System
• Radiopharmaceuticals Producing System

Market by End user

• Hospitals
• Diagnostic clinics
• Research centres

Market by region

• North America
• Latin America
• Western Europe
• Eastern Europe
• Asia pacific (exc. China and Japan)
• China
• Japan
• Middle east & Africa