Innovations in the medical imaging industry can lead to significant improvements at clinical practices, allowing radiologists to provide optimal results to referring physicians. These modalities, coupled with ever-evolving illnesses and patient needs, have contributed to substantial market growth.
According to a recent report from Persistence Market Research, the global diagnostic imaging device market will pass $35 billion in the next five years.
The increasing value of radiology equipment
Due to the rising numbers of injuries, life-expectancies, advancing imaging technology and federal health initiatives, the market value of digital imaging devices will grow by a compounded annual growth rate of 5.2 percent. A year ago, the industry was estimated to be worth roughly $25 billion, HealthImaging explained.
Authors of the report noted that the market worth estimates would be much higher if not for additional limiting factors, which included stringent regulatory requirements established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other federal organizations. There is also growing concern about the heightened risk associated with overexposure to radiation, as it might inhibit overall market growth.
When broken down by region, the fastest rates of growth were attributed to Asia and the Pacific, where the devices are being adopted more frequently than in Europe and North America. This was reportedly due to growing awareness among patients regarding the benefits of early disease diagnoses and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. Despite this, North America and Europe still implemented new imaging technologies faster than other international doctors.
In particular, the U.S. has seen measurable improvements to radiology workflow due to innovative applications and equipment in the industry.
New research helps reduce radiation dose
AuntMinnie.com reported that researchers from the University of Michigan have created an innovative approach to computer-aided detection software, which used two algorithms on digital breast tomosynthesis exams to improve results. The technique applies independent formulas to analyze microcalcifications in mammography images acquired through low-dose DBT equipment.
The approach, developed by lead researcher Ravi Samala, Ph.D., and colleagues, allowed doctors to achieve a high level of sensitivity while reducing radiation dose in half. The exposure wound up being the equivalent of conventional full-field digital mammography scans. The team started with a prototype DBT system that was used to capture two-view images in 154 breasts. Results were then processed to simulate two types of DBT acquisitions: normal and low-dose protocols.
The study cohort consisted of 77 patients, with 116 breasts having microcalcifications and 38 without. Findings showed that the addition of CAD algorithms delivered 85 percent sensitivity for microcalcification clusters, with 1.72 false positives per DBT volume by view. Samala and his colleagues concluded that joint CAD on low-dose DBT images provided a significant improvement over single CAD protocols at low doses.
This innovative study underscored the benefits of radiological research into novel approaches to imaging. Using existing systems and tweaking algorithms can lead to insightful results that contribute to gains in quality care.
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Ronny Bachrach
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