by
Keith Loria, Reporter | November 05, 2009
Medrad Spectris Solaris®
MR Injection System
This report originally appeared in the October 2009 issue of DOTmed Business News
Although radiologists may not brag about their contrast injectors the same way they would about a new scanner or upgraded X-ray system, from X-ray to CT to MRI, injectors are a vital component of the medical imaging process.
Contrast injector systems are important as they permit visibility-enhancing substances - such as iron-based or radioactive materials - to be introduced at targeted locations within the human body. In basic terms, they are pumps injecting contrast dyes into veins - usually at 280 psi - to help illuminate target tissues. The presence of this contrast makes it possible to produce imaging studies for radiology, angioplasty and other catheterizations that readily distinguish one set of tissue from another - of critical importance to a surgeon.
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Contrast media injectors come in either mobile or stationary configurations. The mobile version is usually mounted to a wheeled pedestal, while stationary injectors are mounted to a rack in either the patient room or the control room.
The contrast injector system is made up of three components: an injector head, a display panel and an electronics box.
While contrast injectors have been around for almost 40 years, the leading OEMs such as MEDRAD Inc., ACIST (a division of Bracco), Swiss Medical Care and Covidien continue to develop new products with better advancements that help the contrast agent flow into the body more safely and efficiently.
State of Business
While the overall injector market is said to be in the neighborhood of $35 to $40 million, industry experts say that number is trending downward because of the economy. However, add-ons and accessories are on the rise.
The MEDRAD® XDS™
Scan Room Module
"Obviously it hasn't been a positive year. There is a huge correlation between scanner placements and injector placements. As people keep confining spending for multi-million dollar projects, we feel the ripple effect," says Michael Farrell, director of operational marketing for MEDRAD Inc. "What we are seeing is that people couldn't afford the multi-million dollar investments and they were buying the refurbished scanners and for that reason they didn't necessarily want to go top end on the injector."
