Compact Scanners Continue to Drive Market
A recently released medical ultrasound technology market report provides good news for manufacturers of ultrasound imaging (US) equipment. Sales of US scanners world wide is expected to reach $4.7 billion by the year 2012 with a particularly high demand for hand-carried (i.e., compact) scanners. The growing use of sonography by a variety of new users such as those in anesthesia, sports medicine, emergency medicine and other disciplines was cited as a major contributing factor in sales. Additionally, the demand for US (and other imaging) equipment will continue to rise as a result of the world's aging populations and longer life expectancies. The increased use of sonography in developing countries (where more costly modalities are cost-prohibitive) is also contributing to the growing the demand for US equipment.
The attractiveness of hand-carried scanners, which has been on-going for several years, is related to these scanners’ low cost, ease of use and portability. Additionally, the quality of images produced by compact scanners continues to improve making these small units attractive to both traditional imagers as well as new users who may not be well trained.
Read more about the market report here.