Interventional electrophysiology (EP), which includes diagnostic tests, ablations, and device implantation, has grown significantly over the last 20 years. These intervention techniques are often related to ionizing radiation exposure that can cause severe harm to the patients and physicians if not exposed in a controlled manner.

Due to the rising awareness about harmful radiation and technological advancements, radiation dose management solutions are rising to prominence, and they are proving to be immensely helpful in patient radiation dose management.

Currently, the majority of such interventions are carried out at healthcare facilities using fluoroscopic guidance. Additionally, more recent X-ray-based technologies, which provide extremely accurate three-dimensional (3D) images, are frequently used in conjunction with mapping systems or in 2D-3D fluoroscopic solutions (also known as "merging") to improve anatomical information. Examples of these technologies include pre-procedural cardiac computed tomography (CT) and per-procedural rotational angiography. 

As more treatments are undertaken, and anatomical problems get more complex, this development leads to higher cumulative radiation exposure for patients and staff. The patients can suffer acute radiation damage, or they might be more likely to have cancer later.

Moreover, the workforce is also exposed to rising radiation risks, from blindness to cancer. For instance, recent studies suggested that interventional cardiologists may be at increased risk for brain tumors.

Therefore, governments in several countries have established regulatory guidelines to regulate the amount of effective dose received by the patients per examination. These diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) at the national and/or local levels provide benchmarking for healthcare providers at hospitals, clinics, and imaging facilities, to help optimize doses. Dose optimization can be achieved in real-time by modifying parameters such as patient positioning.

The presence of government regulations surrounding radiation dose management systems in several countries encourages healthcare institutions to adopt dose management solutions to adhere to the regulatory guidelines.

Owing to the rising prevalence of chronic disorders requiring diagnostic intervention, the growing focus on interventional radiology (IR), and the growing awareness surrounding patient safety and the harmful and biological effects of overexposure to ionizing radiation, the global radiation dose management market is expected to grow significantly.

According to the BIS Research report, the global radiation dose management market was valued at $212.8 million in 2021 and is anticipated to reach $586.7 million by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 10.30% during the forecast period 2022-2032.

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Moving forward, companies are expected to offer standalone dose management software that can be integrated with imaging systems to measure and monitor the effective dose to the patient during a diagnostic examination. Moreover, the push from the government through the establishment of regulatory bodies to regulate medical radiation doses is also expected to drive the adoption of dose management solutions. A few examples of the latest advanced radiation dose management solutions that are available in the market are discussed further in detail.

Key Radiation Dose Management Products Available in the Market

1.    DoseWatch and DoseWatch Explore: DoseWatch, developed by General Electric Company, is a comprehensive, integrated solution that enables management, optimization, and standardization of radiation dose and contrast parameters. It obtains dosage information from the imaging modality, or picture archiving and communication system (PACS), and accurately reports radiation and contrast exposure. The emphasis is on images that can be obtained during diagnostic procedures with less exposure.

The newest version of DoseWatch, DoseWatch Explore, leverages the company's management software to track, analyze, and report practice-level data from GE healthcare CT systems. It has web-based and cloud-based features.

The following are some of the key characteristics of the DoseWatch product:

• It is a multi-modal approach that can determine the root of excess radiation.
• It was given the CE certification green light in 2012.
• It interfaces with other information technology (IT) systems, such as electronic medical records (EMRs), PACS, and radiology information systems (RIS), to share the exam dose report or patient dose history. 
• It provides detailed information on the dose metrics, such as cumulative dose, CT organ dose, series, CT fetal dose, study, effective dose, peak skin dose, and skin dose map for fluoroscopically guided procedures.

2.    tqm/Dose and DoseMonitor: The Qaelum NV product tqm/Dose offers high-performance recording and statistical planning functions for the radiation dose that is provided.

PHS Technologies Group, LLC has registered DoseMonitor as a trademark. It is a system for the automated collecting, reporting, and analysis of ionizing dose data. For many modalities and PACS systems, it offers an immediate enterprise-wide insight into patient dosage exposure. For improving procedural procedures, it offers thorough workflow analysis.

The following are some of the main characteristics of tqm/Dose and DoseMonitor:

• Regardless of size, the number of units, or the number of facilities, DoseMonitor is a single server, browser-based solution that supports IT resources with quick execution, easy connectivity, and adaptability.

• DoseMonitor gained Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2012 and CE mark approval in 2013. It offers a patient dosing history in real-time.

• It offers radiographers immediate reaction, proactive alerts, and safety checklists before, during, and after the examination.

• It offers customizable and real-time dashboards as well as tools for essential data analysis.

3.    Radimetrics Enterprise Platform: Bayer AG offers an integrated radiation and contrast dose control solution called the Radimetrics Enterprise Platform. To track examination doses between patients, it can be integrated with the radiology process and hospital IT infrastructure. It supports the hospital's efforts to improve productivity, meet regulatory requirements, and protect patients.

The following are some of the main characteristics of the Radimetrics Enterprise Platform:

• It was authorized by the FDA and CE in 2013.
• It is a web-based solution that makes use of current IT to systematically record, monitor, and report radiation dose across systems.
• It offers sophisticated capabilities for managing protocols and trend analysis.
• It backs up new legal requirements for dose monitoring, reporting, and benchmarking

Conclusion

With the growing worldwide awareness surrounding patient safety and the harmful and biological effects of overexposure to ionizing medical radiation, medical imaging companies are focused on employing dose-lowering technologies in imaging equipment.

Moving forward, the adoption of dose management software solutions is primarily expected to witness a shift from hospitals to diagnostic centers and other end users, such as research centers and ambulatory surgical centers.

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