Key Challenges and Issues facing the Ultrasound Markets

Business Wire, Dec 11, 2008

NEW YORK -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report related to the Diagnostic equipment industry is available in its catalogue.

Ultrasound Markets

http://www.reportlinker.com/p098228/Ultrasound-Markets.html

During the past 35 years, ultrasound and nuclear medicine were introduced into clinical medicine, computed tomography (CT) revolutionized diagnostic procedures and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) emerged, bringing new diagnostic information at the cellular level. X-ray morphed from analog films to digital, and virtually all medical images became "soft" files on the electronic superhighway. This TriMark Publications report describes the increasingly diversified market segment of the diagnostics market sector called ultrasonography or, more commonly, ultrasound. This sector currently includes prenatal ultrasonography, cardiac and cardiology-imaging ultrasound, and increasingly portable or handheld ultrasound, which some believe may partly to fully replace the ubiquitous use of stethoscopes over time. Emerging market segments such as three-dimensional (3D) and now four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound are also examined.

- Agfa-Gevaert Corp. Heartlab

- Analogic Corp.

- Biosound Esaote

- Boston Scientific

- B-K Medical

- GE Healthcare

- Hitachi Medical Systems America, Inc.

- Hologic, Inc.

- Medison Co., Ltd.

- MEDRAD, Inc. (U.S.)

- Philips Medical Systems

- Siemens Medical Solutions

- SonoSite, Inc. (U.S.)

- Toshiba America Medical Systems

- Varian Medical Systems, Inc.

1. Overview 6

1.1 Statement of Report 6

1.2 Scope of the Report 6

1.3 Methodology 7

1.4 Executive Summary 9

2. Overview of the Medical Imaging Market 10

2.1 Medical Imaging Industry Market Size 10

2.2 Medical Imaging Industry Profile 12

2.2.1 Healthcare Delivery System Profile 12

2.2.2 Radiologists 14

2.2.3 Radiologic Services 15

2.2.4 Medical-Image Market Drivers and Restraints 17

2.2.5 Medical Imaging Market Segments 19

2.2.6 Contrast Media 21

2.2.7 Picture Archiving and Communication Systems 23

2.2.8 Picture Archiving and Communication Systems and Radiology Information Systems 23

2.2.9 Medical Imaging Companies 26

2.2.10 Significant Ultrasound Companies 29

2.2.11 Medical Imaging Industry Forecasts 33

2.3 Market Niches and Digitalization 34

2.4 Digital Imaging Techniques 35

2.4.1 Clinical Uses 35

2.5 Current and New Digital Imaging Procedures 36

2.6 The Digital Impact on Clinical Imaging Markets 39

2.7 Trends in Digital Imaging 39

2.8 Enhancing Computed Radiography 40

2.9 Digital Radiography vs. Computed Radiography 41

2.10 DR Products 41

2.11 Vasodilator Perfusion Imaging 42

3. Ultrasound Market 44

3.1.1 Overview of Ultrasound Market Segments 44

3.1.2 Increase in Application Areas Stirs Demand 44

3.2 Ultrasound Market Trends 49

3.2.1 Market Segmentation and Definitions 49

3.2.2 Ultrasonography Is of Great Value in Other Obstetric Conditions such as: 54

3.2.3 Overview 61

3.2.4 Market Developments 62

3.2.5 Market Drivers 63

3.2.6 Market Restraints 63

3.3 Ultrasound Market Forecasts 63

3.3.1 Unit Shipment Forecasts 65

3.3.2 Installed-Base Forecast 66

3.3.3 Competitive Structure 66

3.3.4 Market Analysis 66

3.4 Cardiology Ultrasound Segment Forecasts 68

3.4.1 Unit Shipment Forecasts 70

3.4.2 Market Share Analysis 70

3.5 OB/GYN Ultrasound Segment Forecasts 72

3.6 Radiology Ultrasound Segment Forecasts 72

3.7 Hand-Carried Ultrasound Segment Forecasts 73

3.7.1 Market Share Analysis 74

3.7.2 Portable Ultrasound Equipment Displays Rapid Growth 75

3.8 Contrast Media 76

3.8.1 Market Share Analysis 78

3.8.2 Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) and Microbubbles 78

3.8.3 Targeting Microbubbles 79

3.8.4 How Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) Works 79

3.8.5 Applications of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound 80

3.9 Products 80

3.9.1 The Acquisition Decision 80

3.9.2 Ardent Sound 81

3.9.3 ALOKA, Ltd. 81

3.9.4 B-K Medical 81

3.9.5 CIVCO Medical Solutions 81

3.9.6 Esaote Group Company 81

3.9.7 Fischer Medical Technologies 82

3.9.8 GE Healthcare 82

3.9.9 Hitachi Medical Systems America 84

3.9.10 Medison Co., Ltd. 84

3.9.11 MEDRAD 84

3.9.12 Mindray Co., Ltd. 84

3.9.13 Philips Medical 84

3.9.14 Sea Ridge Software 85

3.9.15 Siemens Medical 85

3.9.16 SonoSite 85

3.9.17 Sony Medical Products 85

3.9.18 TeraRecon 85

3.9.19 Toshiba America Medical Systems 86

3.9.20 U-Systems 86

3.9.21 Zonare Medical Systems 86

3.10 Manufacturers 86

3.11 New Transducer Technology 87

3.12 Ultrasound Product Introductions to the Market 88

4. Three- and Four-Dimensional Ultrasonography Markets 90

4.1 Total 3D Imaging Market Trends 90

4.1.1 Overview 90

4.1.2 Market Drivers 91

4.1.3 Market Restraints 91

4.2 Total 3D Imaging Market Forecasts 92

4.3 Three-Dimensional Ultrasound Imaging Market Forecasts 92

4.4 Three-Dimensional Imaging Markets 92

4.5.1 Echocardiography: The Largest Growth Area 95

4.5.2 Real-Time Color Doppler System 96

4.6 Manufacturers 97

5. Business Trends in the Industry 99

5.1 Sector Consolidation 99

5.2 Medical Imaging Growth Trends 99

5.3 Acquisition, License Agreements, Internal Development and Partnerships 99

5.4 Mergers and Acquisitions 99

5.4.1 Center for Diagnostic Imaging Signs With Medicalis 99