Endoscope is a medical device that is inserted into a body cavity, canal or organ to allow examination and visualisation of its interior. Endoscopy procedures are routinely used for examination and diagnosis of various gastrointestinal, respiratory and genitourinary conditions. Traditional endoscopes are reusable and require thorough cleaning and disinfection or sterilization after every use to prevent infection transmission between patients. However, the disinfection and reprocessing of reusable endoscopes is a complex procedure that if not done properly can lead to transmission of infections.
Rise of Disposable Endoscopes
With growing awareness about infection control and advantages of single-use devices, The Global Disposable Endoscopes has seen tremendous growth in recent years. According to a latest report by ABC Research, the global disposable endoscope size is projected to surpass USD 1000 million by 2025, growing at a CAGR of over 15% during 2019-2025. Various advantages such as reduced risk of infection transmission, easy to use without complex reprocessing and lower long term costs have fueled adoption of disposable endoscopes worldwide.
North America Dominates
North America currently dominates the global disposable endoscopes due to technological advancements, growing geriatric population undergoing endoscopic procedures and stringent regulations regarding reprocessing of medical devices. The United States accounts for over 50% of the North America disposable endoscope . Growing clinical use of GI endoscopy and implementation of initiatives to curb healthcare associated infections are some key factors supporting growth in the region. However, Asia Pacific is expected to witness highest gains during the forecast period attributed to increasing medical tourism, rising healthcare expenditure and growing awareness.
Product Segment Analysis
By product, the global disposable endoscope is segmented into bronchoscopy, colonoscopy, gastroscopy, ureteroscopy and other applications. Among them, the bronchoscopy segment holds the largest share currently. Growing incidence of lung cancer along with rising demand for minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for respiratory conditions are major factors fueling segment growth. On the other hand, the gastroscopy segment is anticipated to record highest CAGR during the analysis period, owing to rising geriatric population suffering from gastrointestinal diseases and increasing preference of disposable gastroscopes over reusable ones.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has boosted adoption of Global disposable endoscopes worldwide. Numerous researches have found virus detecting in endoscope channels after routine disinfection. This has raised concerns about risks of cross-contamination during outbreak and prompted healthcare facilities to switch to single-use endoscopes. Moreover, production of medical devices was earlier disrupted due to lockdowns and supply chains breakage. However, easing of restrictions along with manufacture of endoscopy infection control accessories has aid recovery. Going forward, stakeholder are focusing on advanced technologies to develop innovative disposable endoscopes for different clinical applications.
While the disposable endoscopes industry depicts lucrative opportunities, certain challenges still exist such as lack of awareness in developing nations, high initial costs and concerns over image quality for certain procedure types. Ongoing research in miniaturization, 4K imaging systems and development of disposable versions for other applications including arthroscopy can further augment revenues. Additionally, favourable government policies, expanding medical tourism industry and collaborative efforts among OEMs and healthcare facilities are some factors that can help overcome existing bottlenecks. Overall, growth projection for disposable endoscope remains positive with wider acceptance of single-use paradigm and new product launches catering different clinical needs globally.