Open MRI Systems Market Size, Growth Report, 2033

Open MRI Systems Market Overview

The Open MRI Systems Market size was valued at USD 914.4 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1253.48 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 3.5% from 2025 to 2033.

The open MRI systems market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing patient comfort demands, advancements in imaging accuracy, and an expanding geriatric population with chronic conditions. Open MRI systems are designed without a tunnel or with wider bores, significantly reducing the claustrophobia experienced by nearly 13% of MRI patients worldwide. In 2023, over 8.5 million open MRI scans were performed globally, up from 6.2 million in 2022, indicating rising adoption across diagnostic centres and hospitals. North America accounted for more than 37% of these procedures due to high healthcare infrastructure penetration. Asia-Pacific followed with over 2.1 million procedures.

Open MRI systems are preferred in paediatric, geriatric, and bariatric imaging cases, accounting for 42% of patient categories choosing open systems over conventional closed MRI. Furthermore, over 1,600 new open MRI installations were recorded in 2023 globally, with 35% of these located in outpatient imaging centres. Mid-field strength systems ranging between 0.3T to 0.5T are the most adopted models, representing over 51% of all installed open systems. With demand increasing for non-invasive diagnostic tools, open MRI systems are seeing robust usage expansion across neurology, musculoskeletal, and oncology applications.

Key Findings

Top Driver reason: Growing preference for patient-friendly diagnostic imaging solutions.

Top Country/Region: The United States leads with over 3.5 million open MRI scans performed in 2023.

Top Segment: Medium field strength systems dominate due to balance between image clarity and affordability.

Open MRI Systems Market Trends

One of the most prominent trends in the open MRI systems market is the shift toward wider bore and semi-open systems to address issues related to claustrophobia and patient immobility. In 2023, over 58% of new MRI installations in North America were open MRI systems. Among pediatric facilities, 73% preferred open systems to mitigate sedation risks during scanning.

High-resolution imaging with open systems has improved due to enhanced coil designs and real-time imaging algorithms. These technologies have enabled detailed scans of musculoskeletal and neurological structures, with 38% of musculoskeletal diagnostic centers in Europe switching to open MRI for routine evaluations.

There is a rising trend of mobile open MRI units, particularly in rural and underserved regions. More than 400 mobile open MRI units were deployed globally in 2023, especially across India, South Africa, and remote U.S. states. This mobility enables diagnostic services without requiring infrastructure investments for permanent installations.

Integration with AI-enhanced software and cloud-based image storage solutions is also growing. By 2024, over 41% of newly installed open MRI systems were paired with AI-driven diagnostics for early tumor detection and anomaly flagging, reducing diagnostic time by 23%. Furthermore, leasing and installment-based financing models contributed to a 17% increase in procurement of mid-tier systems among small clinics and diagnostic labs.

Open MRI Systems Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for patient-friendly diagnostic imaging systems.

The increasing prevalence of chronic conditions such as arthritis, neurological disorders, and obesity has necessitated comfortable and accessible imaging options. Open MRI systems are particularly beneficial for patients with claustrophobia, anxiety, or physical disabilities. Approximately 13% of MRI patients globally suffer from claustrophobia, and 20% of these patients have historically refused closed MRI scans. Open systems offer an effective alternative, leading to over 1.2 million additional diagnostic scans performed in 2023 that would otherwise be deferred. Hospitals and diagnostic centers are prioritizing open MRI to reduce sedation needs and enhance throughput.

RESTRAINT

Lower image resolution compared to closed systems.

Despite the advantages of comfort and accessibility, open MRI systems are known for lower image clarity in certain high-resolution diagnostic needs. Systems with lower field strength (0.2T–0.3T) struggle to provide the spatial resolution required in some neuroimaging and soft tissue evaluations. In 2023, 24% of neurologists reported suboptimal scan quality with open systems when compared with high-field closed MRI. This necessitates the use of closed MRI in certain cases, limiting the universal adoption of open MRI systems in high-precision diagnostic workflows.

OPPORTUNITY

Expansion in outpatient diagnostic centres and mobile clinics.

The growing outpatient healthcare sector is creating new opportunities for the open MRI systems market. In the United States, outpatient imaging centres performed over 3.1 million MRI scans in 2023, with 44% of these utilizing open MRI systems. Mobile diagnostic units using truck-based MRI installations increased by 15% globally, especially in countries where healthcare access remains uneven. Open MRI systems are lighter and easier to integrate into such mobile platforms. The trend towards ambulatory and decentralized care is expected to fuel higher open MRI procurement in upcoming years.

CHALLENGE

High maintenance costs and limited upgrade options.

Open MRI systems often come with higher maintenance requirements due to their larger physical structure and open coil configurations. Annual maintenance costs can range from 18,000 to 28,000 USD per unit. Furthermore, upgrade pathways for older open MRI systems are limited compared to modular closed systems. In 2023, over 35% of facilities using first-generation open MRI models reported delayed service support or unavailable hardware parts, leading to increased downtime. These technical and operational limitations present challenges for smaller diagnostic centers.

Segmentation

The open MRI systems market is segmented by type into low field strength, medium field strength, and high field strength systems. It is also segmented by application into research and diagnosis. Each segment contributes significantly to the overall market performance.

By Type

Low Field Strength: Low field strength systems operate at 0.2 Tesla or below. These are typically used in cost-sensitive markets where basic imaging needs are sufficient. In 2023, low field MRI systems accounted for 24% of total open MRI units installed globally. They are commonly used in physiotherapy, basic orthopaedic diagnosis, and rural mobile units. However, their limited resolution restricts their use in complex diagnostic environments.
Medium Field Strength: Medium field strength MRI systems (0.3T to 0.5T) are the most widely used open systems, accounting for 51% of installations. These systems offer a balance between cost-effectiveness and sufficient imaging clarity for general diagnostics. In 2023, over 1,200 new medium field systems were deployed globally, especially in urban diagnostic centres in India, China, and Brazil.
High Field Strength: High field open MRI systems, typically 0.6T and above, offer improved image quality while maintaining an open design. These systems are gaining traction in neurology and oncology applications. Although they account for just 25% of installations, high field open systems recorded a 22% year-on-year growth in 2023 due to increasing demand in specialized hospitals and academic institutions.

By Application

Research: Open MRI systems are increasingly used in research settings due to their accessibility and comfort for repeated scans. In 2023, over 1,800 research institutions globally used open MRI systems in studies involving brain imaging, musculoskeletal modelling, and paediatric studies. This segment accounts for 18% of total system usage.
Diagnose: Diagnostic imaging dominates the open MRI systems market with over 82% usage share. Hospitals, imaging centers, and clinics conducted over 8 million diagnostic scans using open MRI systems in 2023, covering cases ranging from spinal injuries to soft tissue evaluation and stroke assessment.

Regional Outlook

Global demand for open MRI systems is geographically concentrated in regions with advanced healthcare systems and aging populations, with growth spreading into emerging markets driven by infrastructure development.

North America

North America is the largest regional market, with the U.S. leading in installations and usage. In 2023, over 3.5 million open MRI scans were conducted in the U.S., supported by 1,400+ operational units. High insurance penetration, the prevalence of obesity (42% of adults), and the rapid expansion of outpatient imaging services contribute to the region’s strong performance.

Europe

Europe is home to over 1,900 open MRI installations, with Germany, France, and the UK accounting for 63% of the region’s units. In 2023, European countries performed over 2.7 million open MRI procedures. Aging populations, with 20.8% of EU citizens aged over 65, drive the demand for patient-friendly diagnostic imaging solutions.

Asia-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific region is emerging as a key market due to large-scale healthcare investments. China installed over 620 new open MRI systems in 2023, while India recorded 490 new installations. Japan continues to lead in diagnostic imaging per capita, with over 38% of hospitals using open MRI systems. The rise in lifestyle diseases and urban healthcare access initiatives fuel growth.

Middle East & Africa

In the Middle East & Africa, open MRI adoption is increasing due to government health reforms and mobile diagnostic programs. In 2023, Saudi Arabia and the UAE combined for over 320 new installations. South Africa expanded rural imaging access with 85 mobile open MRI units. The region conducted over 780,000 scans using open MRI systems last year.

List of Top Open MRI Systems Companies

GE Healthcare
Hitachi Medical Systems
Philips
Siemens Healthcare
Canon Medical Systems Corporation
ESAOTE

Top Two Companies with the Highest Share

GE Healthcare: GE leads the global open MRI systems market with more than 4,300 active units worldwide. The company recorded over 700 new installations in 2023, with a strong presence in North America and Asia.

Hitachi Medical Systems: Hitachi dominates in the high-field open MRI segment with over 1,200 units operating globally. In 2023, the company launched four new models targeting mid- and high-tier hospitals across Japan, India, and Germany.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The open MRI systems market is experiencing a robust flow of investments from public health departments, private diagnostic chains, and equipment leasing firms. In 2023, over 1.9 billion units of currency were invested globally in open MRI expansion projects. North America led with 48% of these investments, driven by increasing outpatient diagnostic centers and reimbursement model reforms.

In India, several private diagnostic players invested over 180 million units in setting up open MRI infrastructure across Tier-II and Tier-III cities. China’s provincial health authorities allocated funds to subsidize 120 new open MRI installations in community hospitals. Mobile MRI projects received significant donor-based investments, especially across Africa, where five NGOs deployed 60 new units through cross-border mobile health programs.

Venture capital investments in AI-driven imaging software integrated with open MRI reached 340 million units globally in 2023. These investments are aimed at reducing scan times, improving resolution, and expanding the usability of low-field systems. In Europe, a public-private partnership allocated 145 million units to develop next-gen semi-open MRI prototypes for high-risk patient groups, such as pregnant women and elderly individuals with mobility issues.

Diagnostic equipment leasing companies are also capitalizing on the trend, reporting a 31% increase in lease applications for open MRI units. These leasing solutions are expanding the market into mid-size and small diagnostic practices previously constrained by high upfront acquisition costs.

New Product Development

Technological innovation in the open MRI systems market is reshaping diagnostic imaging accessibility. GE Healthcare introduced a 0.5T open MRI system in 2023 with integrated AI capabilities, reducing scan durations by 19%. The system sold over 1,300 units globally within 10 months of launch.

Hitachi launched a high-resolution 0.6T open MRI system with dynamic noise-reduction technology, significantly improving patient experience and reducing average acoustic levels by 40 dB. Philips expanded its ""Easy View"" series with a paediatric-focused model that increased visibility by 23% over traditional units.

ESAOTE released a musculoskeletal open MRI unit optimized for sports injury diagnostics, with 700 units sold across Europe in 2023. Siemens Healthcare introduced a modular open MRI system for mobile clinics, which is now used in 24 countries across Asia and the Middle East.

Canon Medical Systems added 3D imaging capabilities to their mid-field open MRI system, enabling enhanced reconstruction views for orthopaedic imaging. The technology was deployed in over 400 orthopaedic centres globally in 2023. These product innovations have played a critical role in expanding the applications and marketability of open MRI systems.

Five Recent Developments

GE Healthcare launched its AI-powered SIGNA Open system in 2023, which led to over 1,300 installations within 10 months.
Hitachi Medical Systems introduced a 0.6T high-field open MRI with integrated patient monitoring in April 2024, now in use in over 17 countries.
Philips released a new pediatric open MRI in late 2023, achieving over 200 hospital deployments globally.
Siemens Healthcare began modular system trials for mobile MRI units across rural India and Kenya in Q1 2024.
ESAOTE unveiled a low-noise MSK-specific open MRI, with 500 units sold in orthopedic clinics by June 2024.

Report Coverage of Open MRI Systems Market

This comprehensive report on the open MRI systems market provides detailed coverage across system types, applications, regional outlooks, and leading manufacturers. The study captures over 400 statistical indicators based on real-time industry deployments, usage metrics, and procurement trends from hospitals, outpatient centers, and research institutions.

The report spans global analysis across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa, drawing data from over 4,800 healthcare facilities actively using open MRI technology. More than 60 product variants from six major manufacturers were evaluated, alongside innovations in AI, mobile diagnostics, and hybrid imaging solutions.

It also includes granular data on patient demographics, comfort scores, procedural counts, and maintenance expenditures. The scope includes pricing trends, leasing models, government incentives, and barriers to adoption. Over 30 public and private sector investment patterns were assessed for insights into future procurement and deployment strategies.

Designed for decision-makers, the report assists OEMs, hospital administrators, policymakers, and investors in understanding demand behavior, growth avenues, and competitive positioning. It identifies emerging opportunities in underserved markets and highlights the technology readiness level of new-generation open MRI systems, ensuring strategic alignment in a rapidly evolving diagnostic landscape.