3D Medical Imaging Systems Becoming More Cost-Effective in Europe

Three-dimensional (3D) imaging has become one of the highest growth segments in the field of medical imaging and the European 3D imaging market is expanding as applications become increasingly affordable.

3D is gaining in popularity as a rapid diagnostic tool that can handle the huge volume of medical data being produced daily in European hospitals, aiding in workflow efficiency. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (Palo Alto, CA, USA), an international growth consultancy company, revealed that the market earned revenues of US$210 million in 2007, and estimates this to reach $521 million in 2014.

"In the past few years, the 3D imaging market has become one of the highest growth segments in the medical imaging field, and this trend is set to persist as these applications become more affordable and research proves their clinical value,” noted Frost & Sullivan research analyst Darshana De. "Most of these applications will provide noninvasive alternatives that have the potential to improve standards of care for patients.”

3D medical imaging solutions are additional imaging tools that help display images more accurately, displaying internal body structures with a three-dimensional view. This ability then provides added information to physicians and supports the precise detection and diagnosis of diseases. 3D medical imaging provides advanced visualization options and tools to radiologists and surgeons.

While market prospects appear promising, the major opportunities are likely to be restricted to large hospitals. The high costs involved in large, enterprise-wide deployment, combined with the lack of reimbursement for 3D imaging, which is not recognized as a separate procedure and is bundled with other diagnostic procedures, will challenge market participants.

"In Europe, very limited reimbursement is offered for performing imaging procedures using 3D visualization,” elaborated Ms. De. "Where reimbursement is offered, the 3D processing is typically not recognized as a distinct procedure, but is usually bundled with reimbursement for a particular modality procedure.”

In spite the ease of viewing 3D-rendered images, it requires highly skilled radiologists to pre-process the images. Furthermore, the imaging tool can be effectively utilized only in hospitals, which generate large volumes of data everyday. To utilize growth opportunities, sales and marketing need to continuously minimize costs through efficient functioning, while R&D has to focus on reducing product development and manufacturing costs, according to Frost & Sullivan.

Market participants need to produce user-friendly solutions with high levels of customer support, including training, maintenance, and installation services. Partnering with picture archiving and communications system (PACS) vendors also affords 3D visualization companies expanded access to end users through the superior sales and distribution channels of PACS vendors.


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