Bhvita Jani, research manager at Signify Research, explains the technology trends she is seeing in the radiology X-ray market, She includes insights on digital radiography (DR), computed radiography (CR) and how the prices of digital detectors dropping have increased adoption of DR systems.
During the first year of the COVID pandemic in 2020, Jani explained mobile DR systems saw a dramatic uptick in sales, as hospitals around the world bought more of these to increase their imaging capability. Increased COVID cleaning protocols for imaging rooms between patients caused delays in imaging. There also was a demand for mobile systems because hospitals did not want to transfer COVID patients to the radiology department for imaging because of fears of spreading viral contamination around the hospital.
She said this dipped into budgets for fixed room X-ray system replacements, but fixed room system sales began increasing again in 2021 and 2022.
The high cost of digital X-ray panel detectors was a limiting factor early on in U.S. adoption of DR from CR cassette systems. However, increased durability and lower prices for these panels helped increase usage in the market, largely replacing CR in the U.S.
In developing areas of the world, Jani said most hospitals and clinics are still using CR and angling X-ray film systems. But, these systems are slowly being replaced by DR systems as prices continue to drop for the digital detectors.
"We are seeing in those countries that are still using CR and analog X-ray, such as India and Latin America, the price of fixed DR systems is becoming a lot more affordable, because we are seeing entrance from companies in Asia, which is causing the price of flat panel detectors to drop," Jani explained. "The price drop has been in the range of 15-20%, and this was mainly driven by competition from Chinese companies."
Technologists accidentally dropping digital detectors that cost close to $100,000 also was a barrier to adoption. But, replacement or repair warranty programs from vendors and a vibrant DR plate detector replacement market have helped mitigate this concern.
Vendors also have addressed this issue with new lighter weight detectors and glassless detector plates being released on the market. Being less heavy reduces the chances of them being dropped. The new glassless plates from Konica-Minolta, Fujifilm and Carestream also reduce the chances of the detectors breaking if they are dropped.
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Dave Fornell has covered healthcare for more than 17 years, with a focus in cardiology and radiology. Fornell is a 5-time winner of a Jesse H. Neal Award, the most prestigious editorial honors in the field of specialized journalism. The wins included best technical content, best use of social media and best COVID-19 coverage. Fornell was also a three-time Neal finalist for best range of work by a single author. He produces more than 100 editorial videos each year, most of them interviews with key opinion leaders in medicine. He also writes technical articles, covers key trends, conducts video hospital site visits, and is very involved with social media. E-mail: dfornell@innovatehealthcare.com