Contrast Media Injectors: Market Outlook and Opportunities

The vital, and growing role of contrast media, and the medical devices employed to inject the agent into the body, cannot be understated in healthcare today. As the radiology community is clearly aware, their diagnostic function, and the impact of shortages from supply chain delays, were major issues confronted in 2022. Injecting contrast media into the bloodstream of patients enables visualization of various pathologies through X-ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or other medical-imaging modalities, in support of a myriad of diagnoses, including stroke, heart and vascular disease, cancer, physical injuries and digestive disorders.

While the global COVID-19 pandemic took its toll on imaging diagnostics, the market for contrast agent injector systems is poised for significant growth for a range of reasons.

Segment Growth at a Glance

In a market forecast report issued November, 2022, Digital Journal identified factors impact significant growth driving this massive market in the next decade.

Six significant highlights from Digital Journal’s report on the global contrast media injector market included:

•Estimated at $1.5 Billion in 2022, in contrast to $1.4 Billion in 2021, with a
7.1% year-over-year growth rate.

•Expected to garner $3.1 Billion in 2032, reflecting a CAGR of 7.4% from 2022
to 2032.

•Anticipated to yield absolute dollar growth of $1.6 Billion by 2032.

•Radiology is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period, and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 7.8%

•The U.S. is estimated at $1.1 Billion while displaying a CAGR of 6.8% during the timeframe of 2022 to 2032. This can be attributed to the presence of developed healthcare infrastructure and the prevalence of chronic diseases.

•Diagnostic imaging centers are expected to dominate the market during the assessment period, with a projected CAGR of the segment at 7.1%. This development is attributed to the growing number of cancer and CVD cases.

Other factors driving the market include increases in funding, investments and the geriatric population. Additional insights address the capacity of vendors to meet the growing needs of hospital and medical centers. Increased awareness for patient safety during contrast media insertion has motivated players to advance and develop safety parameters in contrast media injectors. The forecast also noted deployment of IT-based solutions in the sector is expected to offer significant opportunities to the U.S market in the coming time. As Imaging Technology News (ITN) reported in the past year, growing strategic collaborations in the industry are continuing to bolster market growth.

Innovative Vendors Deliver Value

Advances in contrast media injectors have focused on creating solutions that are simple, efficient and reliable. Industry-leading systems employ innovations intended to help meet financial, clinical and organizational goals of its users, with a heightened emphasis on patient safety. To that end, vendors are leveraging innovation to provide features specifically designed to combine dedicated software solutions with exceptional service.

For its part, the OptiStar Elite MR Contrast Delivery System from Guerbet incorporates an ultrasonic motor that is non-magnetic and compatible with up to 3 Tesla scanners (3T). The system features one-click loading, auto-retract rams for efficient turnaround, a color touchscreen with console enable to minimize delays, powerhead keys to allow operator control, and three different configurations (pedestal, ceiling mount and mobile). To support traceability and informed decision-making, the company notes its digital solutions collect, archive, analyze and show patient injection data and injector activity.

Bayer’s MEDRAD Stellant Flex CT solution enables contrast dose management and automated, accurate documentation. Reported to be the first and only CT injection system currently cleared for use with Contrast Enhanced Mammography (CEM), it allows for better visualization of abnormalities in breast tissue that may not be visible with conventional mammography.

Other top providers, including Bracco Imaging and GE Healthcare, continue to play a large role in the radiology segment. On the issue of supply, and collaborations to avoid the contrast agent shortage that befell the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to GE’s Shanghai facility shutdown, reports of alternative suppliers and partnerships, as seen with Guerbet and Bracco in 2022, will continue in 2023. Solutions focused on patient safety and workflow efficiencies will evolve and emerge in a market poised for strong growth through the coming decade.

View the Contrast Media Injectors comparison chart here