Close MRI scanners to dominate the global market

The global magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) market was valued at USD 5900 million in 2017 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 5.2 percent from 2018 to 2026 to reach the value of USD 9200.0 million by the end of 2026, projects Transparency Market Research. Increase in government initiatives to make reimbursement policies affordable for patients, along with, rise in the incidence of various diseases, growth in the global geriatric population, and the introduction of technologically advanced products are expected to boost the growth of the market. In terms of design, closed MRI segment dominated the global market. These scanners are used with a high magnetic field strength that ranges from 1.5 Tesla to 3.0 Tesla. Advantages such as the ability to scan in a precise and rapid manner and visualize physiological processes of the human body are estimated to boost the adoption of closed MRI equipment. However, the growth of the segment is anticipated to be hampered as obese and claustrophobic patients cannot be scanned through closed MRI equipment due to small aperture size of the equipment. In addition, patients undergoing scanning by stationary CT equipment need to lie motionless on the tube/medical stretcher which is difficult for claustrophobic patients due to anxiety.