by
Diana Bradley, Staff Writer | April 19, 2012
From the April 2012 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
“I think [flat panel detector] is a technology that customers are becoming more comfortable with, they have a better understanding of, and an appreciation for the benefits of the image quality advantages of flat detectors,” says Manum. “Customers are starting to recognize the advantages of the higher dynamic range of flat detectors versus image intensifiers and superior resolution.”
Philips’ units have been selling well; particularly, the Veradius system and Veradius neo product lines have piqued customers’ interest.
“We have gone from selling mostly image intensifiers to almost parity between image intensifiers and flat detector systems,” says Manum.
But as more and more companies jump onto the flat panel detector bandwagon, competition is increasing. At least five companies were showcasing new flat panel detector systems at RSNA’s show and conference in November, according to Manum. He notes that this is an indication that the market is really starting to shift.
To get a historical market perspective, it helps to compare flat panel detector
technology in fluoroscopy and angiography, according to Herbert Westin, the senior director of product marketing for surgery and urology at Siemens Healthcare. When it was first introduced several years ago, health care providers saw the advantages in angiography and switched fairly quickly. Fluoroscopy rooms are now moving toward the technology.
Hologic's Fluoroscan InSight system
“On the urology side, we have an II-based system called the UROSKOP Access, and an FD-based system the UROSKOP Omnia,” says Westin. “The market is switching and accepting the FD technology faster even if it is more expensive.”
For Ziehm Imaging – the first company to introduce flat panel technology to the C-arm sector the – technology is a major revenue and market driver. More than one-third of all systems sold by the company are now flat panel detector units.
Richard Keil, Hologic, Inc.’s Fluoroscan sales and marketing director, has high hopes that new flat panel detector systems will grow the market for mini C-arms, with the biggest impact occurring in the next 12 to 24 months.
