Contrast Auto-injectors Gain Momentum in Western Europe?

The use of auto-injectors to ensure controlled and efficient contrast delivery for quick and accurate imaging modality diagnosis is gathering momentum in Western Europe. To exploit the market upswing, auto-injector and imaging modality vendors are exploring various combination options to promote bundled sales.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Western European Contrast Auto-injectors Market, finds that the market earned revenues of $40.4 million in 2013 and estimates this to reach $49.6 million in 2018 at a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%. The study covers computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiography auto-injectors.

“The reduction of medical errors due to the adoption of innovative technologies including auto-injectors, readily available consumables, and preloaded/prefilled syringes with contrast agent/medium is encouraging market activity in Western Europe,” said Frost & Sullivan Healthcare Senior Research Analyst Srikanth Kompalli. “The focus is mainly on developing a cost-effective imaging solution that yields even better precision and facilitates the transfer of diagnostic information within the hospital.”

As such, economical auto-injectors and time-saving examinations with documented hygiene safety in diagnostic imaging procedures are expected to grab the attention of key decision-makers in hospitals and Food and Drug Administration authorities. Scalable informatics-ready solutions, along with CT and MRI auto-injectors that offer radiation and contrast dose management options, will also gain popularity in large private hospitals. They provide a complete injector interface between the scanner, picture archiving and communication system (PACS), and radiology information system (RIS).

However, budget constraints and further reimbursement reductions will negatively impact the market in the next few years. Already, increasing cutbacks in healthcare spending across Western European countries is making the initial investment required for imaging systems unaffordable and, in turn, adversely affecting the contrast auto-injectors market. To add to market woes, the lengthy product lifecycles of CT and MRI injectors is hindering sales while the promotion of combination systems is hampering the growth of modality-based injectors.

“Notwithstanding these challenges, contrast auto-injectors with features like automated workflow and integrated features to work in other imaging modalities are finding acceptance in Western Europe,” noted Kompalli. “Programmable contrast injectors, which help minimise the contrast media being wasted and allow for efficient time management, are also witnessing greater demand.”

Market potential is set to grow with some manufacturers offering extravasation sensors that give a warning if the injector needle is embedded in the tissue instead of inside the vessel, adding to safety. For angiography auto-injectors, new programmed automatic injection devices that allow online hemodynamic monitoring as well as control of injection rate and amount of contrast to be delivered are making headway in the interventional modality space.