MRI Motion Tracking Systems Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Type (Optical Tracking Systems, Software), By Product (Marker, Marker-less), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030

Report Overview

The global MRI motion tracking systems market size was valued at USD 2.7 million in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.76% from 2022 to 2030. MRI is an efficient tool to detect aneurysms, tumors, and abnormalities in the brain and body. As per OECD, in 2020 the number of MRI units installed in the U.S. was 34.54 per million population. However, it is the growing need of the hour to develop a system that improves the stability of the image captured by MRI and reduces unnecessary rescans. Scans conducted for patients needing sedation such as pediatrics and geriatric patients with involuntary motions, often record motion artifacts, creating unclear diagnostic scans. Hence, motion tracking systems, are used to tackle such issues.

Reduced errors, improved image quality, reduced motion disturbances or artifacts, decreased scan time and frequency, undisturbed scanning workflow, and economic stability, are the advantages of these MRI motion tracking systems. Leading MRI manufacturers, such as Siemens, Phillips, and GE Healthcare, partner with motion tracking systems providers, to improve their equipment efficacy and track patient movement and provide patient position in real-time within the software. However, stringent FDA approvals for such systems have created great potential for new entrants in this less competitive market. 

Studies suggest that ~16.4% of all clinical MRI scans, had deteriorated image quality that compromised diagnosis, which cost ~$115,000 per scanner for motion artifacts created. Motion artifacts skew outcomes especially in neuroimaging studies when comparing groups that moved differently during scanning. Studies also suggest that the level of patient motion has been found to vary with age, sex, and clinical status and correlate with several behavioral, demographic, and physiological parameters.

Complex motion artifacts can be a problem in high-resolution 3D-encoded neuroanatomical MRI scans, which might take several minutes to complete for a single brain volume. Thus, motion correction is considered the gold standard solution for MRI investigation. Their ability to produce 0.1-degree rotation accuracy, correction within six degrees of freedom, high record speed of 60 frames per second, ability to streamline with MRI bore, and compatibility with all product (1.5 T to 7 T), makes these systems unique in their ability.

Type Insights

The optical tracking systems are expected to grow at a lucrative CAGR of 20.18% during the forecast period. Based on type, the MRI motion tracking system market is segmented into optical tracking systems and software. These systems mainly consist of cameras with different specifications such as pixels ranging from 2 MP to 15MP, resolutions starting from 1920x1080 to 4096x3072 and beyond, and frame speeds starting from 360 fps to as high as 665 fps.

Kineticor installs 4 cameras installed within the Siemens MRI system, which allows tracking of patient movement in real-time. The camera is efficiently designed to fit any bore size within the MRI system. The optical system developed by TracInnovations, has 3D bore surface camera with invisible infrared light. The presence of only 2 major companies in this market space, ensures huge growth potential in the future.

Product Insights

Markerless systems are expected to grow at a faster rate of 23.41%. Based on the product, the MRI motion tracking systems market is segmented into a marker and marker-less systems. These systems construct points to model of the body part like the head as a reference, to estimate movements. The structured light technique can be used to measure motion monitoring as well as retrospective or prospective correction of the acquired data. The system was first introduced for motion‐correction applications in PET and has since been adapted for use in MRI scanners, with PMC demonstrated in 3D FLASH.

Other markerless motion measurement approaches (that do not use MR navigators) include a stereo camera system, which detects features from a stamp applied to the patient’s forehead to retrospectively correct MRI data, and targeted optimization, to estimate motion for retrospective correction of 2D RARE images. TracInnovation is the only company providing a commercial markerless motion correction system. Hence, the market holds great potential for new entrants.  

Regional Insights

North America dominated the global market by capturing over 58.3% of the revenue share in 2021. Increased adoption of MRI scans over other diagnostic modalities, high healthcare GDP, stringent diagnostic regulation, and the presence of numerous research institutes working to develop more effective systems.

The APAC region accounts for a higher CAGR of 40.8% in the forecast period. This high-growth region holds the potential to develop local systems at a minimized cost in the future and increased contracts to contract research manufacturers from manufacturers of developed nations. Latin America and the Middle East and Africa markets generated no revenue from 2020 to 2021. However, it is said to improve by 2022 as local players would enter the market.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The key players are developing MRI motion tracking systems with increased image efficiency and reduced scan frequency. The market has only 2 manufacturers that currently produce and commercialize their systems for use mainly in developed nations. Due to stringent FDA regulations, and enormous research activities needed to develop such systems, the market has numerous untapped opportunities for new entrants. Thus, the market holds great potential for new players. In 2020, Kineticor received FDA clearance for its MRI motion tracking system and TracInnovation received clearance in 2021 for its markerless motion tracking system. Some prominent players in the MRI motion tracking systems market include:

• Manufacturers

  • TracInnovations

  • Kineticor

• OEM

  • Theia

• New Market Entrants

  • Metria Innovations

MRI Motion Tracking Systems Market Report Scope

Global MRI Motion Tracking Systems Market Segmentation

This report forecasts Revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2020 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global MRI motion tracking systems market report based on type, product, and region:

• Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020 - 2030)

  • Optical Tracking Systems

  • Software

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020 - 2030)

  • Marker systems

  • Marker-less Systems

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

    • Italy

    • France

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • India

    • China

    • Japan

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE