Jun 2020 | Report Format: Electronic (PDF)
· Medical cameras have become a mainstay in medical and life science institutions in recent years, and more so with the continued advancements made in imaging technology through research and development by various organizations and private companies. Advanced machine vision cameras have rapidly penetrated various application areas such as endoscopy, pathology and ophthalmology, just to name a few, and coupled with rapidly growing interest in other areas, the medical cameras market is expected to have a very positive growth in coming years.
· Images and videos that are obtained from medical cameras provides a form of documentation for visual study by healthcare or research experts. These forms of media can also be stored for inspection at any later day, and help doctors in making precise and accurate interpretations through proper diagnosis. Medical cameras help in identification of common symptoms, while also enhancing the field of view of the subject, as well as providing the clarity needed to address previously unknown possibilities. This has created a very positive impression in the medical community regarding the device.
· The medical cameras market is expected to witness significant growth in the coming years, on account of the investments being pumped in by research organizations to aid the research and development in terms of advanced digital imaging and highly sensitive sensor technologies. Additionally, growing patient preference for minimally invasive surgeries, along with healthcare infrastructural developments, as well as the growth in funding and grants provided by governments in major global economies, all have combined to create a positive market environment.
· In terms of application, the medical cameras market is segmented into endoscopy, ophthalmology, dermatology, dental space, and others. The endoscopy segment earns a significant market share on account of its role in determining disorders such as tumors, infections, stomach ulcers, digestive tract issues, arthritis and CVDs. Some of the well-known endoscopy forms are arthroscopy, cystoscopy, laparoscopy and bronchoscopy. The dermatology segment is anticipated to witness substantial growth in the coming years, as it proves helpful in the diagnosis of skin cancer. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, more than 3 million US citizens suffer from BCC (basal cell carcinoma) or SCC (squamous cell carcinoma).
· Based on technology, the medical cameras market is segmented into digital imaging (3D and 2D), infrared, OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) and liquid lens technology. The digital imaging segment accounts for a substantial market share, due to the widespread use of 2D and 3D imaging in a number of critical areas such as dentistry and neurological procedures. The OCT segment is expected to witness significant growth in the near future, on account of increasing admissions for eye conditions such as age-macular degeneration and glaucoma. According to BrightFocus Foundation, as many as 11 million people in the US suffer from macular degeneration, and the number is expected to double by 2050.
· North America accounts for a large portion of the market revenue, on account of the presence of a large ageing population, the extent of technological advancements, and the presence of major market players in the region. Asia Pacific, on the other hand, is anticipated to witness rapid growth in the coming years, on account of heavy investments being made by economies such as India and China in the research and development of novel devices, as well as establishment of proper healthcare infrastructure.
Recent Developments
· In April 2020, Olympus launched the EVIS X1, the company’s most advanced endoscopy system, with the key features being an Extended Depth of Field (EDOF), Red Dichromatic Imaging (RDI), Texture and Color Enhancement Imaging (TXI), and Narrow Band Imaging (NBI). The system would prove to be useful in detection, characterization and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, such as colorectal cancer (CRC), or bronchial diseases.
· In February 2020, Carestream Dental announced a set of updates for the CS Orthodontic Imaging software that enables doctors to have unprecedented views of their patients’ anatomy through integration with Carestream Dental’s CS Face Scan technology. The software users would be able to acquire a lifelike 3D rendering of their patient’s face, which may also be exported in a PLY format to improve the image data rendering shared with referrals.
