Portable X-ray Devices Market

Market Overview

The global portable X-ray devices market size was valued at USD 7,645.94 million in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 16,578.89 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 8.98% during the forecast period (2023–2031).

A form of electromagnetic radiation known as X-rays has a very narrow wavelength and great intensity, and it can pass through solid objects and materials, including the human body. A portable X-ray device is an on-the-go medical professional's wireless digital X-ray imaging system that they can use in the field, at home, in nursing homes, on ships and offshore rigs, and by doctors and other first responders. A portable X-ray machine is smaller than a fixed X-ray machine and can be moved. It allows radiographers, vets, and dental professionals to take X-ray images of patients without calling them into a special lead-lined room.

The basic idea remains the same: X-rays are emitted through a person's or animal's body, which are reflected and appear as white on the image. Portable X-ray machines are often used by professionals where space is an issue or there's a distinct lack of access to equipment. Portable medical X-ray machines eliminate long waits and processing times, making patients happier. It is a cost-effective approach as constantly using ambulances, taxis, and the resource of staff costs money.

Market Dynamics

Global Portable X-ray Devices Market Drivers

Huge Funding for R&D of Portable Technologies by Private Players and the Government

Developing technologies and new medical devices requires money, time, and effort. Various organizations, governments, and market players strategically collaborate and merge to promote the adoption and development of advanced devices. The government of various countries is actively involved in assisting projects for improving public health.

For instance, in September 2019, the Morrison Government invested over USD 6.6 million in four research projects focused on public health for melanoma detection in high-risk patients, breast MRIs' effectiveness, chronic fatigue cost, and mobile X-rays at residential aged care facilities. The same source reported that 'The University of Adelaide' has received funding for a project titled 'Mobile X-ray services provided within residential aged care facilities' for USD 1,970,000. Such funding from the government to increase the adoption of portable technology is driving the growth of the portable X-ray devices market over the forecast period.

Growing Geriatric Population

Various molecular and cellular changes that accumulate with age lead to a gradual loss of physical and mental function and a higher risk of disease. X-rays are largely used to detect bone fractures, vascular diseases, certain tumors and other abnormal masses, pneumonia, some types of injuries, calcifications, foreign objects, dental problems, etc.

The Global Population Ageing 2020 Highlights report from the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs estimated that 727 million people around the globe were 65 or above in the year 2020. In 2050, the population is projected to surpass and reach 1.5 billion. Since the older population is prone to the disease, it is expected to generate the need for portable X-ray devices for diagnosis, thereby driving the market's growth.

Global Portable X-ray Devices Market Restraint

High Risk of Radiation Exposure

Radiation safety has always been a concern for physicians, patients, and staff in many departments, including interventional cardiology, radiology, and surgery. Radiation exposure could lead to various side effects as there are chances that a specific X-ray can cause DNA damage that may later develop even into cancer. According to the Food and Drug Administration's article titled 'Medical X-ray Imaging,' updated in September 2020, X-ray imaging uses ionizing radiation to generate the body's image. At the same time, the ionizing radiation has enough energy to cause DNA damage potentially. Such damage can harmfully affect the health of humans and thus hold back people and medical professionals from using and recommending X-ray diagnoses frequently. Therefore, the factors above restrict the market growth during the forecast period.

Global Portable X-ray Devices Market Opportunities

Technological Advancements

The incorporation of artificial intelligence in the devices may improve the diagnosis. The research articles show that artificial intelligence may be a promising medical imaging technology and boost the market's growth. For instance, the Journal of the American Medical Association article titled 'An AI–Based Chest X-ray Model on Human Nodule Detection Accuracy from a Multicenter Study' published in December 2021, reported that an Artificial Intelligence algorithm was associated with improved detection of pulmonary nodules on chest radiographs compared with unaided interpretation for different levels of detection difficulty and readers with different experience.

Furthermore, product advancement launched by key players drives the market's growth. For instance, in May 2021, Fujifilm Corporation partnered with Qure.ai to make intelligent solutions. The Fujifilm Corporation introduced X-ray solutions augmented with Qure.ai's computed-aided radiology software application designed with deep-learning artificial intelligence (AI) technology named qXR. Thus, owing to the abovementioned factors, the advancements in X-ray technology are expected to create opportunities for the portable X-ray devices market over the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global portable X-ray devices market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and South America.

North America is the most significant global portable X-ray devices market shareholder and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 9.16% during the forecast period. Growing chronic diseases, a rapidly evolving healthcare infrastructure, and technologically advanced players in this region contribute to the growth. For instance, 2,281,658 new cancer cases were diagnosed in the U.S. in 2020, with 612,390 fatalities, according to the GLOBOCAN 2020 report. Similarly, according to a report published by Arthritis in Canada in August 2021, 1 in 5 Canadians aged 15 or older, or more than 6.0 million, had arthritis. Furthermore, according to the same source, approximately one in two seniors over 65 had arthritis. The increased prevalence of chronic diseases raises the demand for an accurate diagnosis and a timely treatment plan from healthcare providers. Therefore, there will be a surge in the need for portable X-ray equipment, which will spur market expansion in the North American region.

Europe is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.58% over the forecast period. The market for portable X-ray devices in the region is growing due to the rising frequency of chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, the aging population, the rising need for precise diagnosis, and favorable government initiatives. For instance, according to estimates from the Global Cancer Observatory, 628,519 new cancer cases were identified in Germany in 2020, with 252,065 cancer fatalities. In addition, according to the World Population Ageing Report (2019), the U.K. population aged 65 and above was 12,499 thousand in 2019, with an expected increase of up to 18,775 thousand in 2050. Several age-related bone illnesses have been linked with the aging population, resulting in increased demand for portable X-ray devices for diagnosis, driving market growth.

In Asia-Pacific, some major factors affecting the portable X-ray devices market include the growing prevalence of chronic diseases, like arthritis and cancer, the upsurge in demand for effective diagnostic imaging techniques, the adoption of advanced technologies, and government policies. For instance, as per the Indian Ministry of Health & Family Welfare 2019-2020 annual report, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has taken steps to incorporate screening and management programs for five priority chronic diseases like cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and other chronic diseases to focus on early diagnosis and management of diseases which is expected to boost the market growth and increase demand for x-ray devices in the country, ultimately having a positive effect on the development of the market over the coming years.

In the Middle East and Africa region, growth in the geriatric population is one of the significant factors driving the market's growth. For instance, per United Nations Population Fund's World Population Dashboard's Statistics 2021, approximately 3.4% of Kuwait's population is 65 years and above. Since this age group is more vulnerable to chronic and lifestyle disorders, the demand for portable X-ray devices is anticipated to increase owing to regular screening procedures and early diagnosis of the diseases.

The South American region is further bifurcated into Argentina, Brazil, and the Rest of South America. Brazil dominates the regional market. The main growth drivers for the regional market are the rising prevalence of chronic disorders, the expanding geriatric population, and the rising level of consumer awareness. The country shows a major shift in the private health sector, a supporting factor for the Brazilian portable X-ray devices market. According to the Global Cancer Observatory estimates, in 2020, 592,212 new cancer cases were diagnosed and 259,949 cancer deaths in Brazil. By 2040, there will likely be 995,000 new cases of cancer, according to the same source. The high burden of cancer disorders is expected to boost the market growth for portable X-ray diagnostic devices.

Segmental Analysis

The global portable X-ray devices market is bifurcated into technology, application, and modality.

Based on technology, the global portable X-ray devices market is bifurcated into analog and digital X-rays. 

The digital X-ray segment dominates the global market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.34% over the forecast period. Digital X-ray systems use several solid-state detectors, such as silicon or amorphous selenium, to directly transform the transmitted X-ray radiation into a digital image, which is then shown on a computer. Digital X-rays are safer since they emit far less radiation than analog (traditional) X-rays. In addition, the digital system's high-quality image is produced immediately after the treatment, reducing the waiting period. These factors are leading to a global increase in the use of digital X-ray equipment, which is anticipated to fuel segment expansion over the projected period.

Analog X-ray is a traditional X-ray system used globally since the beginning that uses photographic plates to store X-ray images. In analog X-ray, an X-ray beam is generated and transmitted through a patient to produce an image on film or a radiation detector. Depending on tissue density, various soft tissues attenuate X-ray radiation differently; the denser the tissue, the whiter the image. Analog X-ray is used extensively in healthcare settings due to many applications and is considered the first diagnostics procedure for medical conditions like a fracture.

Based on application, the global portable X-ray devices market is bifurcated dental X-ray, mammography, chest X-ray, and abdomen X-ray. 

The dental X-ray segment owns the highest market share and is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 9.14% over the forecast period. Portable X-ray systems are used in dentistry to visualize dental diseases and surrounding tissues that cannot be evaluated with a simple oral exam. Portable dental X-rays identify decay beneath an existing filling, visualize decay areas in teeth, and assist in tooth implants, braces, dentures, or other dental procedures, among many other functions. Compared to fixed systems, portable dental X-rays offer greater accuracy and versatility in capturing images of the dental portion of the body. As a result, they are highly recommended and utilized for dental procedures, which will fuel the segment's growth.

Mammography is a standard diagnostic and screening technique that employs low-dose X-rays to detect breast cancer in women with no visible symptoms (when it is most curable). The image produced by an X-ray is known as a mammogram. Mammograms fall into two categories: screening and diagnostic. The growing incidences of breast cancer across the globe are driving the demand for mammography procedures and are anticipated to fuel the segment's growth.

Based on modality, the global portable X-ray devices market is divided into handheld X-ray devices and mobile X-ray devices. 

The mobile X-ray devices segment is the most significant contributor to the market and is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 8.73% over the forecast period. Portable X-ray devices are considered mobile if they are equipped with wheels that allow for simple relocation from one location to another and if they are occasionally powered by an electric motor supplied by a battery that aids the movement of the mobile unit when the operator drives it with less effort. In addition, mobile diagnostics/screening vans are also equipped with mobile X-ray devices when deployed in rural or remote regions where radiology facilities are unavailable. With the increasing initiatives for expanding healthcare facilities in remote regions by governments and private entities, the mobile X-ray devices segment is expected to grow over the forecast period.

Handheld X-ray equipment is compact, highly portable, and can be operated with one hand. These devices are available in two types, a pistol design resembling a hairdryer operated by a trigger on the handle and a camera-like design operated by a push-button. These devices offer greater operating flexibility than the other X-ray devices, are highly convenient, occupy less space, and are cost-effective. These factors collectively drive the demand for handheld X-ray devices worldwide.

Recent Developments

• January 2023- Scanna-MSC introduced a new line of X-ray products for the Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) industry. Scanna has designed and manufactured portable X-ray systems and detection equipment for the Defense and Security sectors for more than three decades; they are now bringing their quality, reliability, and expertise to non-destructive testing (NDT).

• February 2023- Carestream Health India introduced its powerful "Carestream Motion Mobile X-ray system" at the Indian Radiology and Imaging Association (IRIA) conference in Amritsar.