New York, September 6, 2006 — With the development of open systems, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has evolved into the best imaging procedure for many organs and structures, including the brain, spine, bones, and joints, leading MRI equipment to become a $3.5 billion worldwide industry today.

According to a new study released today from Kalorama Information, Medical Imaging Markets, Volume II: Magnetic Resonance, the global market is expected to continue to grow with anticipated revenues topping $4 billion in 2010.

Expected increases in the use of interventional MRI in brain surgery, along with greater use of MRI diffusion imaging to diagnose strokes and other injuries to the brain, should be key growth factors. Additionally, while cardiac MRI is not expected to replace all other interventional cardiology procedures, cardiac MRI is also expected to grow substantially in clinical use over the next decade.

According to the report, the future of MRI is shifting towards functional imaging, which images the body in real time, much like ultrasound. In addition to cardiac and neurological applications, functional imaging also allows MRI to be used for the study of peripheral blood flow and orthopedics.

“With the introduction of whole-body MRI, which offers better sensitivity and higher specificity in detecting bone metastasis, and black-blood MRI, which produces an image of the artery where blood appears black as opposed to typical MRI scans where blood appears bright, we’re moving into the next phase of MRI diagnostic capabilities,” notes Joseph Constance, the report’s author. “While these and other advanced technologies come with a high price tag, the benefits to worldwide health far exceed the costs which in time will lessen as the technologies are refined.”

Analyzing the current and potential world market for medical MRI systems, Medical Imaging Markets, Volume II: Magnetic Resonance reviews the nature and direction of current research and profiles corporate leaders specializing in the development and marketing of new MRI technologies. It can be purchased directly from Kalorama Information by clicking: