Ureteroscopes Market - Growth, Trends, Covid-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

Ureteroscopes Market - Growth, Trends, Covid-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

The ureteroscopes market is expected to register a CAGR of nearly 5.6% during the forecast period.

The spread of COVID‐19 across the world affected the delivery of healthcare services. Ureteroscopes had probably been the hardest hit subspecialty in urology with a massive cut down in outpatient urological investigations and procedures and urological operations. As per the August 2021 published study in PubMed, during the pandemic, patients with symptomatic kidney stones expressed anxiety regarding outpatient encounters and reluctance toward procedural intervention. Also, as per the November 202 published study in Elsevier, there has been a significant reduction in emergency admissions for urolithiasis, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Rome.

Furthermore, in another study published in September 2021, a considerable reduction was seen in overall admissions for the treatment of urolithiasis in the Brazilian public healthcare system during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Women and individuals older than 60 years were especially affected. It was also stated that October 2020 and November 2020 were the least affected, probably due to the decline in the pandemic burden. On the other hand, urgent procedures significantly increased during 2020, when compared to 2017-2020. Thus, COVID-19 had a significant impact on the market.

The ureteroscopes market is expected to increase due to certain factors such as rising kidney and urinary disorders along with the rising geriatric population. For instance, as per the March 2022 published article by NIH, chronic kidney disease is a progressive condition that affects ~10% of the general population worldwide, amounting to more than 800 million individuals. Chronic kidney disease has emerged as one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, and it is one of a small number of non-communicable diseases that have shown an increase in associated deaths over the past few decades.

Also, as per the CDC's 2021 data, chronic kidney disease affects more than one in seven US adults, an estimated 37 million Americans. It also stated that one in three adults in United States (approximately 80 million) is at risk of kidney disease. The same source stated that while Americans with diabetes or high blood pressure are most prone to kidney disease, nearly one in three people with diabetes and one in five people with high blood pressure have kidney disease. As a result, the increasing prevalence of kidney disease is likely to support market growth.

However, the high cost of ureteroscopes is likely to hamper the growth of the market.

Digital ureteroscopes are expected to grow significantly due to their ease of use and technological advancements. In recent years, the digital ureteroscopes market has experienced significant evolution with the advent of new technologies. The digital ureteroscope allows complete mobility of 180 degrees. For instance, Olympus fiberoptics provides crystal-clear imaging. Olympus bending section provides maximum flexibility and durability using passive bending technology that prevents damage while enabling new access to formerly unreachable areas of the kidney along with complete mobility.

Furthermore, the introduction of a single-use digital flexible ureteroscope has opened new opportunities for the market as it provides detailed HD images for removing stones more efficiently and safely. Market growth is also driven by the development of more flexibility and the availability of high-definition cameras. For instance, Boston Scientific's LithoVue Single-Use Digital Flexible Ureteroscope delivers tangible financial benefits that have a long-term economic and clinical impact. The user can eliminate many steps to use, maintain, and handle a reusable ureteroscope. Thus, the benefits associated with the product are driving the market growth.

North America is expected to drive the market due to factors such as a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy food habits, and the presence of key market players operating in the region. For instance, as per NLM data published in April 2021, the prevalence rate of kidney diseases was as high as 9 in 10 people in 2020.

According to the National Kidney Foundation estimates for 2022, more than 50% of seniors over 75 years are believed to have kidney disease. People over 60 years are also more likely to suffer from kidney disease than the rest of the general population. Thus, the increasing aging population is likely to contribute to market growth as the geriatric population is more prone to chronic diseases.

According to United States Department of Health and Human Services, the prevalence of CKD among the American adult population was 16.2% in 2020. Almost half of the individuals with CKD suffer from diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The same source stated that more than 661,000 Americans suffered from kidney failure, and 468,000 patients were given dialysis in 2020. Thus, the factors above are driving the growth of the region.

The ureteroscopes market is moderately consolidated and competitive. Market players are developing and launching advanced ureteroscopes and expanding their market share. Key market players operating in ureteroscopy include Olympus Corporation, Richard Wolf GmbH, Boston Scientific Corporation, PENTAX Medical (Hoya Corporation), Stryker Corporation, and Vimex Sp. z o.o., Dornier MedTech, E.M.S. Electro Medical Systems S.A., Elmed Electronics & Medical Industry & Trade Inc., SCHÖLLY FIBEROPTIC GMBH, and OPCOM.

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