3-D Medical Imaging Markets Continue to Heat Up Despite Cooling Economic Conditions, Says Frost & Sullivan.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--April 24, 2001

Despite recent economic downturns, 3-D medical imaging market growth is being driven by a host of technological advancements that are positioning these systems as clinically viable medical tools.

New analysis by Frost & Sullivan (www.healthcare.frost.com), US 3-D Medical Imaging Markets, indicates that market revenues could grow nearly five fold over previous totals from 1999 and are projected to reach nearly $1 billion by 2006.

In order for these markets to realize their full potential, Frost & Sullivan reports that the number of clinical applications available for 3-D must continue to grow. Additionally, factors such as ease-of-use, image quality and segmentation, and information processing speeds will all influence the acceptance of 3-D medical imaging systems within the clinical setting.

"The emerging 3-D medical imaging market represents a wealth of novel opportunities," says Monali Patel, Frost & Sullivan medical imaging analyst. "The growth in the volume of medical imaging procedures performed, coupled with the increasing percentage of modalities sold with 3-D have helped to advance the acceptance and use of 3-D visualization techniques."

Three-dimensional systems are increasingly migrating from UNIX to PC-based (NT) workstations. In addition to cost benefits, the move to PC-based systems could ease the learning curves typically associated with operating 3D imaging.

"The development of PC-based imaging systems has accounted for much of the shift from the research sector to the clinical sector," says Patel.

This Frost & Sullivan analysis includes forecasts of two separate segments, the first of which combines CT, MR and angiography technologies, while the other focuses on ultrasound systems.

Frost & Sullivan, headquartered in San Jose, Calif., is a global leader in international strategic market consulting and training. Frost & Sullivan's industry experts monitor the medical imaging industry for market trends, market measurements and strategies. This analysis is part of the frost.com Diagnostic Imaging Monitor Service, which includes studies on the World Medical Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging Equipment Markets and the U.S. Markets for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Equipment. Executive summaries and interviews are available to the press.

In addition to developing in-depth strategic market analysis, Frost & Sullivan also provides custom consulting solutions to a variety of national and international companies.

U.S. 3D Medical Imaging Markets

Research: 7817-50