Mobile Imaging Services MarketSize and Trends

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.

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

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.

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: 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.