Characterized by relative maturity and sluggish growth, the global fluoroscopy and mobile C-arms market is forecasted to crawl to 9,600 units worth $1.3 billion in 2012, according to a report from market research firm Global Industry Analysts (GIA).

Replacement sales form a large chunk of total market, particularly in the developed world, and growth is mainly anticipated from untapped developing markets such as Asia-Pacific, according to the report.

With an increasing emphasis on minimally invasive procedures worldwide, the demand for mobile C-arms is expected to increase in the future. The full-size mobile C-arms market represents the larger product segment, with about 54 percent share of the total market in terms of unit sales, as stated by GIA.

The firm reported that the fluoroscopy market, the other segment analyzed in the report, is forecasted to witness lackluster growth. In terms of geographic regions, United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific together account for more than 65 percent share, both in terms of volume and value sales. However, Asia-Pacific is projected to be the fastest growing region until 2015.