Advancements In Handheld And Wearable Fluorescent Intraoperative Imaging Systems Are Booming Intraoperative Imaging Systems Market Growth
According to World Health Organization, out of 56.4 million global deaths in 2015, 39.5 million or 70% were due to lifestyle and chronic diseases like cardiovascular (17.7 million), cancer (8.8 million), diabetes (1.6 million) and respiratory (3.9 million), where immediate medical assistance is required for diagnosis and treatment of these chronic diseases through surgical procedures. Hence, advanced intraoperative imaging systems like Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) systems, Intraoperative computed tomography (iCT) systems, C-arm (intraoperative X-ray) and Intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) are used as an essential tool for real-time imaging while performing invasive surgeries to deliver therapies, confirm procedure status, improve real-time decision making capability, to modify treatment methodology for improving localization and targeting of diseased tissues in case of cancer, improve surgical outcomes with shorter hospitalization and fewer post-operation complication risks.
According to IQ4I analysis, the intraoperative imaging systems global market is expected to grow at a mid single-digit CAGR to reach $3,424.7 million by 2024. Increase in aging population and rise in lifestyle and chronic diseases, increased demand for minimally invasive surgical procedures requiring the need for advanced surgical procedures, technological advancements in wider applicational areas, rising awareness and market expansion in emerging nations are the factors driving the market growth. Whereas, lack of skilled professional in handling devices, soaring cost of intraoperative imaging systems and increasing number of product recalls due to FDA mandates are some of the factors hindering intraoperative imaging systems market growth.
Advancement in this sector has led to the development of portable and wearable assisted intraoperative imaging systems. Portable Intraoperative imaging devices are lightweight, handheld, multi-dimensional used in major surgical centers offering the surgeons with 100% accuracy in real-time detection and management of most sensitive lesions while performing complicated surgeries like microsurgical, reconstructive and gastrointestinal etc, even in the most anatomically dangerous areas through limiting the risk of errors. These devices are used in the operating room and in smaller places like ambulatory surgical centers through providing detailed and intricate visualizations with improved image quality at multiple visualization modes. For instance, Micro C by Micro C Imaging LLC (U.S.) is hand-held, wireless x-ray and digital imaging fluoroscopy device which are used for visualizing anatomical regions while performing orthopedic surgeries at low radiation exposure rate compared to traditional full C-Arms or mini C-Arms.
Wearable Near Infrared (NIR) fluorescent imaging system (Google glass by Google (U.S.)) are a miniaturized device with two imaging sensors affixed to a wearable stereoscopic display assisting the surgeons in providing 3D images during oncologic surgeries. It consists of an excitation light source, a monochromatic CCD camera, a host computer and a wearable headset unit with Head-Mounted Display (HMD) and Google glass modes, where a wireless connection is established between the glass and the host computer for image acquisition and data transport. This system detects fluorescence from cancer selectively through Near Infra-Red (NIR) contrast agent facilitating real-time intraoperative visualization of surgical margins and tumors assisting the surgeons for improving oncologic surgery outcomes and reducing the chances of cancer recurrence, need for additional surgeries, time, cost and patient’s stress.
A Recent trend in this market is usage and adoption of optical imaging in intraoperative imaging system due to its ability to visualize blood flow, pathological tissues, intraoperative cellular and chemical/molecular imaging. For instance, LUM System by Lumicell (U.S.) is handheld, lightweight single-cell resolution intraoperative imaging device which is under clinical trials, this device is designed to be used in assisting the surgeons to remove residual cancer cells in real-time within the tumor bed through eliminating the need for repeated surgeries due to positive margins or local recurrence in breast cancer patients. LightPath imaging system by Lightpoint Medical Ltd (U.K.) is an intra-operative imaging device capable of rapidly acquiring molecular images of tissue specimens using Cerenkov luminescence imaging technology in breast cancer patients which is under clinical trials.
Geographically, North America commanded the largest share of the intraoperative imaging systems global market followed by Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. Rising incidences of chronic diseases along with increased demand and usage of the intraoperative imaging device while performing invasive surgeries in this region had led to hold a major share in this market. Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing region, mainly driven by the increased incidences of chronic illness and improving healthcare infrastructure in the region through investments from private sectors and government agencies.
Medtronic Plc (Ireland), Novadaq Technologies Inc (Canada), Fluoptics (France), SurgOptix (U.S.), Google (U.S.), Lumicell (U.S.), Lightpoint Medical Ltd (U.K.) and Siemens Healthineers (Germany) are some of the players offering portable and wearable assisted intraoperative imaging systems.