MOBILE IMAGING SERVICES MARKET ANALYSIS

Global mobile imaging services market is estimated to be valued at US$ 14.7 Bn in 2023, and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 3.3% during the forecast period (2023-2030). Thekey driver of the global mobile imaging services market is growing demand for convenient and cost-effective healthcare solutions. The market is also witnessing technological advancements that have significantly improved the capabilities of mobile imaging devices, and thus propelling  the market growth.

Analysts’ Views on Global Mobile Imaging Services Market:

Global mobile imaging services market is witnessing growth, due to increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, cancer,  orthopedic conditions, and others For instance, in May 2023, according to the data published by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2023 at least six in ten Americans are living with one chronic disease and four in ten adults are living with two or more. These conditions often require frequent imaging evaluations, and mobile units provide a convenient solution for monitoring disease progression, assessing treatment response, and conducting follow-up examinations.

Figure 1. Global Mobile Imaging Services Market Share (%), By Product Type, 2023

To learn more about this report, request sample copy

Global Mobile Imaging Services Market- Driver

Favourable reimbursement policies and government support

The market is expecetd to witness growth, owing to favourable reimbursement policies and government initiatives aimed at expanding healthcare access. Many governments and healthcare organizations are recognizing the benefits of mobile imaging services, and are implementing policies to support its adoption. Reimbursement schemes are being developed to cover mobile imaging procedures, encourage healthcare providers to offer these services, and making these more accessible to broader patient population. For instance, according to the guidelines for medicare claims, revised in January 2021, services furnished by portable x-ray suppliers will be covered under medicare claims. The services of portable x-ray suppliers may have four components out of a professional component- a technical component, a transportation component, a set-up component, and a transportation of equipment billed by a Subsequent Nursing Facility (SNF) to a Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC).

Technological advancements enhancing the capabilities of mobile imaging devices

The medical device industry has seen major advancements in recent years leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI), which has completely changed the way healthcare is delivered. AI-powered medical devices are improving diagnosis, treatment strategies, and patient care because they can analyze enormous volumes of data, spot trends, and make predictions. Players in the mobile imaging services market are also increasing their focus on employing AI technologies for boosting the efficiency of mobile imaging devices. For instance, Carestream Health, a worldwide imaging company, registered 20 new patents in 2022 for technological breakthroughs in mobile imaging, digital radiography (DR) detectors, image quality, and artificial intelligence (AI). The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted fifteen of the patents, and five more were granted in Asian nations.

Figure 2. Global Mobile Imaging Services Market Share (%), By Region, 2023

To learn more about this report, request sample copy

Global Mobile Imaging Services Market- Regional Analysis

With an estimated market share of 34.9% for 2023, North America is expected to dominate the global mobile imaging services market over the forecast period. Increased inorganic growth strategies like acquisitions and partnerships is expected to drive the market growth in the region. For instance, in March 2023, DMS Health Technologies, a U.S.- based mobile diagnostic imaging service provider, announced acquisition of Advanced Imaging Management, a veteran owned small business that provides diagnostic imaging equipment and services. Through this acquisition, the portfolio of DMS Health Technologies includes a collection of mobile Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Systems, computerized tomography (CT), and nuclear medicine systems deployed throughout North America. The company has also expanded its offerings in several positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET/CT) units.

Global Mobile Imaging Services Market– Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Since the COVID-19 virus outbreak in December 2019, the disease has spread to over 100 countries across the globe, and the World Health Organization declared it a public health emergency on January 30, 2020.

COVID-19 has affected the economy in three main ways: by directly affecting the production and demand for biochemistry analyzers and medical devices, by creating disruptions in modality, and through its financial impact on firms and financial markets. Due to nationwide lockdowns, several countries such as China, India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, and others faced problems regarding transportation of biochemistry analyzers from one place to another.

Quarantine, traveling constraints, and social distancing measures led to steep decline in business and consumer spending. Furthermore, healthcare providers faced hallenges such as lack of  additional manpower, equipment, consumables, and other resources which were required to ensure safety in hospitals, and to provide treatment to patients with other diseases. Though the overall impact on the healthcare market was positive, the demand for mobile imaging services boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic necessitated social distancing measures and reduced in-person visits to healthcare facilities. This increased demand for remote healthcare solutions including mobile imaging services. Patients who required imaging procedures but were unable or unwilling to visit hospitals or imaging centers, sought alternative options and the mobile imaging services emerged as a viable solution. Mobile units equipped with imaging equipment could be dispatched to patients’ home or other healthcare facilities, and thus,minimizing the risk of exposure to the virus. According to a study published by Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences in February 2022, demand for mobile X-ray imaging during the pandemic increased approximately 1.7 folds in Australia.

Global Mobile Imaging Services Market- Segmentation:

Global mobile imaging services market report is segmented into product type, end user, and region.

By product type, the market is segmented into X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI, PET/CT, bone densitometry, electrocardiogram (EKG), and mammography. Out of which,  MRI segment is expected to dominate the market. Technological advancements in the field, and rising incidences of brain injuries and multiple sclerosis are expecetd to drive the segment growth.

By end user, the market is segmented into hospitals & private clinics, home healthcare providers, rehabilitation centers, geriatric care & hospice agencies, sports organizations, and others (military institutions, prisons). Out of which, hospitals & private clinics segment is expected to dominate the market. Increasing use of mobile imaging systems in hospital from in-patient to emergency room imaging is expecetd to drive the segment growth.

Among all segmentation, MRI segment is estimated to hold the highest growth potential due to increasing deployment of the portable MRI imaging systems in hospitals. For instance, in June 2023, Jefferson Abington Hospital, U.S., introduced a new portable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system that aims to improve the way that patients receive brain imaging.

Global Mobile Imaging Services Market- Cross Sectional Analysis

Among the product type, x-ray segment is expected to be dominant in  North America region due to  efforts of government to increase patients’ access to healthcare. For instance, in May 2023, the New Brunswick provincial government granted US$ 1.1 million to the extra-mural program, a home and community-based health care service run by the Department of Health, Canada. The program focuses on extending mobile X-ray service to all long-term-care residents in New Brunswick, Canada.

Global Mobile Imaging Services Market: Key Developments

In July 2022, Member of Parliament of India, Kanimozhi and Social Welfare Minister, P. Geetha Jeevan, launched the digital mobile X-ray diagnostic unit costing US$ 56,178  to detect tuberculosis in Madurai, India

In April 2022, Boston Imaging, a U.S.-based Samsung digital radiography and ultrasound systems, introduced the premium AccE GM85 digital radiography instrument with a user-centric design that supports effective and efficient patient care named GM85 Fit. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted 510(k) clearance for the GM85 Fit's commercial use in the USA.

In April 2021, DispatchHealth, a provider of mobile and virtual healthcare,  acquired Professional Portable X-Ray, mobile imaging compan,y to provide imaging services to patients receiving home visits

Global Mobile Imaging Services Market: Key Trends

Strategic government investments promoting manufacturing of innovative domestic medical supplies

Several regional government are encouraging the research and development for manufacturing of domestic medical supplies to boost export of homegrown solutions and innovations. This is expected to drive the global mobile imaging services market growth over the forecast period. For instance, in April 2022, KA Imaging, a Canada-based provider of solutions for medical and veterinary imaging industry and research, announced its plans to develop a fully made-in-Ontario mobile X-ray sytem with government support. With an investment of US$ 1,488,000, KA Imaging is focused on developing the first dual-energy transportable X-ray system using their Reveal 35C dual-energy X-ray detector.  The mobile X-ray will have a greater imaging diagnostic capacity for a range of patients including those who require critical care and those who reside in rural and distant areas where stationary X-ray devices like CT scans and MRIs are not practical or available. The Ontario Together Fund will provide US$ 967,200 to the project.

Global Mobile Imaging Services Market: Restraint

Site requirements for mobile imaging services

Mobile imaging services have site specific requirements to set up that might be difficult to fulfill, particularly in remote mobile environments and rural areas. Following are the examples of some mobile site requirements:

• High-speed accesss to hospital networks that use electronic technology such as public communications and archiving systems. Poor internet access in remote regions may cause delays in the archiving images for radiologist assessment and prevent access to online results.
• Favorable climate- especially in areas where there is violent weather such as huricanes
• a consistent electrical supply
• levelled ground surface for placement of mobile imaging units

Unavailability of these basic site requirements can hamper the global mobile imaging services market growth in several rural areas.

Counterbalance: The setting up of mobile imaging services can be done in rural areas by associating with larger healthcare system in the urban sectors. It can also be done by providing awareness programmes to the rural communities, and make them aware of the required healthcare services and the benefits of the mobile imaging services. In broader sense, implementation of a mobile vehicle with X-ray facilities and basic services can be made feasible in places where such resources are scarce.

Global Mobile Imaging Services Market: Key Players

Major players operating in the global mobile imaging services market include Carestream Health, Accurate Imaging, Inc., Alliance HealthCare Services, Inc., Atlantic Medical Imaging, Axiom Mobile Imaging, Boston Imaging, Center for Diagnostic Imaging, Inc., Cobalt Diagnostic Imaging, DMS Health Technologies, Inc., Front Range Mobile Imaging, Inc., Imaging On Site, Inc., InHealth Group, Interim Diagnostic Imaging, LLC, Jacksonville Mobile Imaging Services, Inc., Nuffield Health, Shared Imaging LLC, and VanScan Ltd.

*Definition:  Mobile imaging services provides comprehensive X-Ray, EKG, and ultrasound services directly to medical facilities, homes and businesses. It is generally cheaper and faster than third-party alternatives, and can assist overburdened in-house imaging departments.