The Digital X-ray Systems Market is expected to reach $13.29 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 7.8% from 2023–2030. Digital X-ray systems or digital radiography systems have widespread usage in the medical field for scanning specific parts or organs of the body. They produce less radiation than traditional X-ray devices and capture accurate and clearer images. Digital X-ray replaces the film or computed radiography (CR) plates with a direct digital transfer of X-ray images into the picture archiving and communication system (PACS). Digital X-ray systems are available both as fixed base room installations and mobile or portable systems.
The growth of this market is driven by the rising geriatric population, coupled with the growing burden of chronic diseases, the increasing adoption of teleradiology, and technological advancements leading to a higher preference for digital X-ray systems. However, the high costs of digital X-ray systems are restraining the market’s growth.
Furthermore, emerging economies and the increasing integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into digital X-ray systems are expected to offer significant market growth opportunities. The lack of skilled professionals poses a major challenge to the market’s growth.
Rising Geriatric Population, Coupled with the Growing Burden of Chronic Diseases, Drives the Demand for Digital X-ray Systems
The geriatric population is growing rapidly worldwide. According to the United Nations, in 2021, nearly 761 million people globally were over the age of 65. This number is projected to reach over 1.6 billion by 2050. The geriatric population is prone to age-related problems, including joint pain, arthritis, or osteoporosis. According to 2022 Osteoporosis Canada Facts and Stats, nearly 2.3 million Canadians have osteoporosis. Nearly 80% of all fractures occurred in people aged 50 with osteoporosis.
Further, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the U.S., the number of adults diagnosed with arthritis is estimated to reach 75 million in 2035 from 54 million in 2015. These orthopedic disorders require an X-ray for analysis of disorders. As digital X-ray systems have less turnaround time and are portable, there is an increased demand for these systems, as they can be used in nursing homes.
The elderly population is also affected by cardiovascular diseases (CVD), resulting in increased hospital admissions. For instance, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) National Hospital Morbidity Database, acute care cardiovascular disease hospitalizations increased from 454,653 in 2010-11 to 542,491 in 2020-21. For diagnosis of CVDs, chest X-rays of the patients are widely preferred. Also, there are many emergency CVD cases where portable digital X-ray systems are useful for faster diagnosis and treatment of the patient. Due to these reasons, there is an increased demand for digital X-ray devices, further driving the market growth.
Implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Digital X-ray Systems Creates an Opportunity for the Digital X-ray Systems Market
X-ray is often used as an entry-level modality for diagnosing patients, producing large volumes of images. These systems are equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) for efficient analysis of images. A large database of radiography images is created, and with the help of AI-powered recognition algorithms, radiologists can analyze irregular readings. AI recognition will search and map images to help identify pathologies and display a heat map of potential issues. Internal defects, inclusions, or geometries can also be tested, and this process is reduced from several days to a few hours. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increased adoption of AI platforms. These AI-driven platforms helped early intervention through rapid screening of COVID-19 with the help of chest X-ray interpretation.
Market players are focusing on developing AI platforms to benefit from data screening. For instance, in June 2022, MinXray, Inc. (U.S.) enhanced the digital radiography systems with the AI solution. The AI software can detect and localize 30 chest X-ray abnormalities, including tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19 infections. The availability of funding for developing AI-enabled systems is supporting the market growth. In January 2020, Nano-X Imaging LTD. (Israel) secured USD 26 million in funding for the development, commercialization, and deployment of its Nanox System. The Nanox system is a digital X-ray device consisting of Nanox.Cloud software that provides an end-to-end medical imaging service based on AI analysis. Hence, digitization and implementation of AI in these systems will lead to effective analysis using digital X-ray systems.
Key Findings of the Digital X-ray Systems Market Study:
Among the Product Types, Portable Digital X-ray Systems are Projected to Register the Highest CAGR Over the Forecast Period
Among the product types, the portable digital X-ray systems segment is projected to register the highest CAGR over the forecast period. The growth of this segment is driven by the gradual adoption of portable digital X-ray systems in intensive care units (ICUs) and emergency departments, as they are compact, lightweight, and portable. Also, companies are launching portable digital X-ray systems. For instance, in March 2021, Fujifilm India Private Limited (India) launched a portable X-ray device named FDR Xair XD2000. This device is compact, lightweight, and battery-powered.
In 2023, Direct Radiography (DR) Segment is Expected to account for the largest share of the Market
Among the technologies, in 2023, the direct radiography segment is expected to account for the largest share of the digital X-ray systems market. In direct radiography technology, the procedure from X-ray detection is digitalized, leading to shorter readout and processing time than computed radiology. Due to this, direct radiography technology is widely adopted in emergency cases where quick diagnosis and further treatment are required.
In 2023, the Orthopedic & Trauma Segment is Expected to Account for the Largest Share of the Market
Among the applications in 2023, the orthopedic & trauma segment is expected to account for the largest share of the digital X-ray systems market. As there is a rise in orthopedic disorders, shorter diagnosis time is required to manage the growing number of patients suffering from these disorders. As digital X-ray systems help reduce the diagnosis time by digitally generating the images, they are adopted in a large number by hospitals and clinics are the factors contributing to the largest share of this segment.
In 2023, the Hospitals & Clinics Segment is Expected to Account for the Largest Share of the Market
Among the end users, in 2023, the hospitals & clinics segment is expected to account for the largest share of the digital X-ray systems market. Many medical facilities are adopting digital X-ray modalities, and the high prevalence of chronic diseases leading to increased hospital admissions contributes to the largest share of the segment.
Asia-Pacific: Fastest-growing Regional Market
Based on geography, Asia-Pacific is slated to record the highest growth rate during the forecast period. The growth of this market is mainly driven by the improvements in the healthcare infrastructure in the region, the gradually rising need for advanced imaging modalities, the high burden of the aging population, and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and injuries are some of the factors contributing to the growth of the market in this region.
Key Players
The key players profiled in the digital X-ray systems market report are Siemens Healthineers AG (Germany), Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands), GE HealthCare Technologies Inc. (U.S.), Canon Inc. (Japan), Shimadzu Corporation (Japan), FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation (Japan), Carestream Health, Inc. (U.S.), Agfa-Gevaert NV (Belgium), Hologic, Inc. (U.S.), Konica Minolta, Inc. (Japan), Samsung Medison Co., Ltd. (South Korea), and Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd. (China).
Scope of the Report:
Digital X-ray Systems Market Size & Trend Analysis, by Product Type
- Fixed Digital X-ray Systems
- Ceiling Mounted
- Floor Mounted
- Portable Digital X-ray Systems
- Detectors
- Software & Services
Digital X-ray Systems Market Size & Trend Analysis, by Technology
- Direct Radiography (DR)
- Computed Radiography (CR)
Digital X-ray Systems Market Size & Trend Analysis, by Application
- Orthopedic & Trauma
- Breast Imaging
- Dental Imaging
- Chest & Lung Imaging
- Other Applications
(Note: Other applications include colorectal imaging, abdominal imaging, and neuroimaging.)
Digital X-ray Systems Market Size & Trend Analysis, by End User
- Hospitals & Clinics
- Diagnostic Imaging Centers
Digital X-ray Systems Market Size & Trend Analysis, by Geography
- North America
- Europe
- Germany
- France
- U.K.
- Italy
- Spain
- Rest of Europe
- Asia-Pacific
- China
- Japan
- India
- Rest of Asia-Pacific
- Latin America
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Rest of Latin America
- Middle East & Africa
Key questions answered in the report: