The total value of the global medical imaging market is expected to reach $26.7 billion by year's end, and to increase to more than $34 billion by 2017, according to new market research from Wellesley, Mass.-based BCC Research. BCC breaks down the market into four segments: the X-ray/CT market, which is expected to increase from nearly $13 billion in 2012 to $16.3 billion in 2017; the ultrasound market, which should grow from $5.6 billion this year to $7.1 billion in 2017; the MRI market, which should increase from $5.4 billion in 2012 to almost $7.5 billion in 2017; and the PET market, which is expected to grow to $3.2 billion between 2012 and 2017. Increasing awareness of medical imaging's role in the early screening of disease is helping to drive the growth as manufacturers look to replace obsolete imaging technologies. Announcement