Wantai Medical Advances Full Coverage of Intelligent Medical Imaging Equipment with Upcoming Clinical Launch of High-End 256-Slice CT

United Imaging Healthcare goes public, while Neusoft Medical and MinFound Medical strive for IPOs, further fueling the already hot medical imaging market.

In hospitals, medical imaging equipment is an essential diagnostic tool, with substantial demand for domestically produced alternatives. Moreover, given the high unit price and extensive utilization of such equipment, the market size is significant.In 2020, the market size of medical imaging in China reached RMB 53.7 billion, and is projected to reach nearly RMB 110 billion by 2030, with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%, approximately twice the global average CAGR for the imaging market.

In 2021, the National Health Commission issued the “Work Plan for Enhancing the Comprehensive Capabilities of County Hospitals under the ‘Thousand Counties Project’ (2021–2025),” proposing that by 2025, at least 1,000 county hospitals across China would reach the medical service capacity level of tertiary hospitals. The improvement in medical standards at county hospitals also relies on the procurement of medical imaging equipment, which will further promote the localization of imaging equipment manufacturing in China.

In the domestic medical imaging equipment market, CT (Computed Tomography) systems account for the largest share. In the 2021 ranking of bid-winning shares in the Chinese CT market, alongside well-known players such as United Imaging, Neusoft, and MinFound, QuantumTec Medical, a Beijing-based enterprise, secured the fifth position.

A closer look reveals that QuantumTec Medical is not only outstanding in the CT market but is also vigorously developing MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and DR (Digital Radiography) equipment, covering a full spectrum from basic imaging devices that meet clinical needs to high-end products.

 Ranking of Market Share in Winning Bids for Domestic CT Scanners in China in 2021 Source: Zhongcheng Shuke

The vast market for medical imaging equipment has attracted a wave of entrepreneurs and innovators, including many pioneers who have already taken the lead.

In 2011, QuantumTec Medical was officially established, with its founding team members largely hailing from the world’s leading medical imaging companies. At that time, China was vigorously promoting the “Healthy China 2020” initiative, which aimed to bring major health indicators up to the levels of moderately developed countries by 2020. The advancement of healthcare standards relies heavily on the development of medical devices and equipment, particularly high-end, sophisticated large-scale equipment such as medical imaging systems, which are essential for clinical practice.

In its early days as a distributor of diabetes-related medical devices, QuantumTec Medical rose to a leading position in China, accumulating extensive clinical and market resources. It was precisely through the process of distributing imported products that the company recognized the importance of original R&D capabilities and identified the vast untapped potential in the medical imaging market, ultimately bringing it back to the imaging industry.

Currently, QuantumTec Medical has established three R&D centers and three production bases across China, providing medical imaging equipment and services such as MRI, CT, and DR to the global market. Its parent company, QuantumTec Group, prioritizes R&D investment and has founded a North American R&D center overseas, with R&D personnel accounting for more than 35% of its workforce. Therefore, independent research and development serve as the foundation for QuantumTec Medical’s growth.

To date, QuantumTec Medical has secured over 240 national patents. The company’s current portfolio includes more than 20 DR models, 10 CT systems, and 7 MRI scanners, covering a full spectrum from practical, cost-effective imaging equipment that meets basic clinical needs to high-end imaging systems. Meanwhile, the company has established a high-end imaging product manufacturing base in Hangzhou, dedicated to the R&D and production of advanced imaging equipment such as 128-slice CT scanners and 3.0T MRI systems.

In the medical imaging market, where industry giants have entered, the core of QuantumTec Medical's development lies in two aspects: first, breaking through in high-end products; second, seeking growth in niche segments. The company places emphasis on the development of mobile medical imaging equipment and expands its applications across multiple scenarios.

Self-research and development is the foundation of QuantumTec Medical. More than half of the components in the company's imaging equipment are independently developed, while the rest are sourced from domestic enterprises, free from restrictions imposed by overseas suppliers.In the MRI field, QuantumTec Medical has independently developed spectrometer technology, gradient technology, and other core technologies; in the CT field, it has self-developed core technologies for high-power CT high-voltage systems capable of prolonged continuous exposure, as well as imaging physics and algorithmic core technologies; in the X-ray field, it has self-developed high-frequency high-voltage technology and core general electrical control technologies.

Building on its independent R&D capabilities, QuantumTec Medical is able to offer products with a higher cost-performance ratio, taking the lead in addressing basic clinical needs starting from the primary care market. It is precisely this accumulation of original technologies that has enabled QuantumTec Medical to pursue a two-pronged strategy, simultaneously advancing its high-end product line.

QuantumTec Medical offers all MRI systems with field strengths below 3.0T,The recently launched Xunyu H15 1.5T superconducting MRI system adopts China’s first fiber-optic transmission technology and independently developed fully automated digital variable-frequency gradient technology. Paired with its operating software, the system delivers clinical images with high signal-to-noise ratio, high resolution, and high contrast in a short time, while ensuring high system stability.

In the CT sector, domestically produced CT equipment is currently concentrated in the mid-to-low-end market with fewer than 64 slices, while high-end 256-slice CT products remain scarce. QuantumTec Medical offers 32-slice, 64-slice, and 128-slice systems that meet basic clinical needs. Meanwhile, its high-end 256-slice and 512-layer CT scanners are scheduled for clinical deployment this year, featuring advantages such as faster scanning speeds and superior image clarity.

In the DR field, QuantumTec Medical offers a comprehensive portfolio of multi-scenario equipment, including floor-mounted, ceiling-suspended, and integrated column-and-table systems. Its product line covers in-hospital, portable, and vehicle-mounted units, as well as X-ray systems specifically designed for neonates. With domestic devices accounting for 70% of the market share in China, companies providing full-suite solutions will have access to a larger application market.

As our products successively enter clinical trials this year,QuantumTec Medical will become one of the few companies in China to master both 3.0T MRI and 256-slice CT technologies, securing a foothold in the high-end market.To date, QuantumTec Medical has had multiple products included in the Catalogue of Excellent Domestic Medical Equipment Products by the China Association of Medical Equipment, and multiple products selected for the Catalogue of Urgently Needed Medical Equipment for COVID-19 Prevention and Control by the China Association of Medical Equipment.

In the field of medical imaging, competition is fierce, with numerous domestic and international giants vying for dominance. QuantumTec Medical is still exploring other niche markets to establish its brand.

With the advancement of medical care and improvements in quality of life, health check-ups have become a topic of widespread public concern, and off-site examination services have gradually emerged. Mobile health check-up vehicles can provide examination services across multiple scenarios and are equipped with standard medical devices to basically meet needs. The emergence of mobile CT screening vehicles enables further assessment of physical conditions through CT imaging, thereby promoting precision medicine.

QuantumTec Medical Launches 32-Slice CT Mobile Health Examination VehicleQuantumTec Medical has introduced a 32-slice CT mobile health examination vehicle designed for emergency situations and patients with limited mobility. This vehicle enables high-speed, high-definition data acquisition and is equipped with an integrated software platform that delivers high-resolution imaging. To address special diagnostic needs during the pandemic, the company also launched a mobile cabin CT scanner, featuring a fastest rotation speed of 0.5 seconds per scan, extended continuous operational capability, and a highly efficient and stable imaging system. Furthermore, the company has introduced mobile health examination vehicles that provide on-site services, covering routine health check-ups and occupational disease screenings.

Overall, China’s medical imaging equipment market is characterized by low industry concentration, small enterprise scale, low domestic market share in the mid-to-high-end segment, and insufficient R&D investment by companies. However, driven by technological advancements and policy support, the technological gap between domestic and international enterprises is narrowing, with Chinese manufacturers progressively breaking through the void in high-end equipment offerings.The primary gap currently lies in brand influence.。

Cai Yuliang, founder of QuantumTec Medical, stated: “In the field of medical imaging, the technological barriers between imported and domestic brands are dissipating. For basic clinical applications, domestically produced imaging equipment is no longer an issue. However, in terms of high-end equipment and software, there remains a certain gap between Chinese enterprises and their overseas counterparts. The three major giants—GE, Philips, and Siemens—possess first-mover advantages, maintain a degree of technological leadership, and wield strong brand power, granting them greater influence in overseas markets.”

In China, QuantumTec Medical has established its brand in the primary healthcare market by offering cost-effective products and high-quality services. Compared to tertiary hospitals, primary healthcare institutions face a shortage of medical professionals, have more basic requirements for medical imaging products, and rely more heavily on manufacturers’ training and maintenance services.For post-installation equipment services, QuantumTec Medical provides “24/7 on-call support.” To date, the company’s service network covers 99% of China.

To enhance the global brand influence of QuantumTec Medical, the company actively participates in overseas academic conferences and exhibitions, collaborates with local clinical experts, and establishes distributor networks abroad, thereby steadily building its reputation.

References:

“Research on the Trend of Domestic Substitution for High-End Medical Imaging Equipment” – Huoshi Zhizao