In a move that unites players in the digital x-ray segment, Canon Europe has acquired Netherlands-based Delft Diagnostic Imaging (Delft DI). In addition to bolstering its digital x-ray offerings, the deal also provides Canon with an entrée into the informatics segment.
Delft DI specializes in two product areas. The first is in imaging informatics, thanks to Delft DI subsidiary Rogan-Delft of Veenendaal, which develops PACS software. Rogan-Delft's technology will become a platform for the development of new healthcare IT products, including Cross-enterprise Document Sharing for Imaging (XDSI) technology for Canon Europe.
The second is digital x-ray imaging systems, systems integration, and radiology x-ray service. Delft DI has been a distribution partner for Canon digital radiography (DR) systems for more than 10 years in the Netherlands and Belgium. Delft DI will become a platform for developing future digital radiography services, the companies said.
Delft Imaging Systems, currently a subsidiary of Delft DI, is not part of the acquisition. Delft Imaging Systems will become a separate company and will no longer be part of Delft DI group.
Following the completion of the acquisition, Delft DI will become a subsidiary of Canon Europe. Yoshiyuki Masuko, senior director, Medical Imaging Group, will join the board of Delft DI.
Canon Europe President and CEO Ryoichi Bamba said the company has identified medical imaging as an important focus area for future growth and believes this investment and expansion of its medical business will bring new opportunities to build digital radiography and eye care sectors.
Theo Ahadome, market analyst with InMedica, estimated the value of the European PACS, RIS, and cardiovascular information systems (CVIS) market at $472.7 million U.S. (358 million euros) in 2011.
PACS firm Rogan Delft "has a steady position in this market and Canon can look to build on this," Ahadome said. "Rogan Delft has particularly increased its position as an enabler of enterprise solutions with its XDS offering, and it is this technology that may have attracted Canon."
Stephen Holloway, market analyst in Inmedica's Medical Imaging & Healthcare IT Group, added that the acquisition of Delft DI "signals clear intent of Canon's long-term commitment to the medical imaging market."
He noted that Canon recently expanded its DR presence in Europe with a new Canon-branded portfolio of general radiography x-ray and unveiling of a mobile C-arm x-ray prototype.
"The Delft DI acquisition will further strengthen this commitment and drive further development," Holloway added. "This partnership could provide Canon with a head start to addressing new markets in developing economies, a significant challenge for many of the larger x-ray suppliers."
![Examples of ultrasound findings and techniques. (A) Images in a 39-year-old male patient with a mass in the left thigh. The mass is heterogeneous on the B-mode US image (compared with the patient in D) and showed increased microvascularity (superb microvascular imaging [SMI]) and shear-wave elastography (SWE) values. Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma was diagnosed at biopsy (with pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma in surgical specimen). (B) Images in an 18-year-old male patient with a mass in the left leg. The mass is hypoechoic on the B-mode image, with no other findings suggestive of malignancy. The lesion is in contact with the cortex of the tibia, which is slightly irregular. CT revealed a doubtful anteromedial tibial erosion. The microvascular study demonstrated high vascularization, suggestive of malignancy. Periosteal Ewing sarcoma was diagnosed with both histologic and immunohistochemical confirmation. (C) Images in a 69-year-old female patient with a lump growing on the outside of the left leg. Multiple SWE examinations were performed (please note the high values obtained in the measurements, whereas the color map highlights the stiffness relative to adjacent tissues). SMI showed areas of increased vascularization to target for sampling. Undifferentiated spindle cell sarcoma was diagnosed at biopsy, with residual leiomyosarcoma in the surgical specimen after neoadjuvant therapy. (D) Images in a 56-year-old female patient with a mass in the right thigh. The mass is heterogeneous at both B-mode ultrasound (similar to patient A) and MRI (coronal T2-weighted spectral attenuated inversion recovery [SPAIR]; T1-weighted pre-contrast and postcontrast imaging), which even shows uptake after the administration of paramagnetic contrast material, which is traditionally suggestive of malignancy. Low values at SMI and elastography are suggestive of benignity. Spindle cell lipoma was diagnosed at biopsy, with atypical spindle cell lipomatous tumor in the surgical specimen.](https://img.auntminnieeurope.com/mindful/smg/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/08/images-radiol250278fig2.APCFLSvX6p.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=100&q=70&w=100)
![Examples of ultrasound findings and techniques. (A) Images in a 39-year-old male patient with a mass in the left thigh. The mass is heterogeneous on the B-mode US image (compared with the patient in D) and showed increased microvascularity (superb microvascular imaging [SMI]) and shear-wave elastography (SWE) values. Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma was diagnosed at biopsy (with pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma in surgical specimen). (B) Images in an 18-year-old male patient with a mass in the left leg. The mass is hypoechoic on the B-mode image, with no other findings suggestive of malignancy. The lesion is in contact with the cortex of the tibia, which is slightly irregular. CT revealed a doubtful anteromedial tibial erosion. The microvascular study demonstrated high vascularization, suggestive of malignancy. Periosteal Ewing sarcoma was diagnosed with both histologic and immunohistochemical confirmation. (C) Images in a 69-year-old female patient with a lump growing on the outside of the left leg. Multiple SWE examinations were performed (please note the high values obtained in the measurements, whereas the color map highlights the stiffness relative to adjacent tissues). SMI showed areas of increased vascularization to target for sampling. Undifferentiated spindle cell sarcoma was diagnosed at biopsy, with residual leiomyosarcoma in the surgical specimen after neoadjuvant therapy. (D) Images in a 56-year-old female patient with a mass in the right thigh. The mass is heterogeneous at both B-mode ultrasound (similar to patient A) and MRI (coronal T2-weighted spectral attenuated inversion recovery [SPAIR]; T1-weighted pre-contrast and postcontrast imaging), which even shows uptake after the administration of paramagnetic contrast material, which is traditionally suggestive of malignancy. Low values at SMI and elastography are suggestive of benignity. Spindle cell lipoma was diagnosed at biopsy, with atypical spindle cell lipomatous tumor in the surgical specimen.](https://img.auntminnieeurope.com/mindful/smg/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/08/images-radiol250278fig2.APCFLSvX6p.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&fit=crop&h=167&q=70&w=250)
