Airway Management Devices Market Share, Size and Growth Analysis By 2029

The airway management devices market is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated US$ 3,100.64 million by 2028, up from US$ 1,944.88 million in 2021. This growth represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9% from 2022 to 2028.

Several factors are driving this expansion, including the increasing incidence of respiratory disorders, a growing elderly population, and a rise in product innovations from leading manufacturers. However, the market faces challenges, particularly due to frequent product recalls that hinder its growth.

Chronic respiratory diseases rank among the most common noncommunicable diseases globally, largely attributed to environmental pollutants and various inhalation-related behaviors. This category encompasses conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary sarcoidosis, and pneumoconiosis (including silicosis and asbestosis). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide, with approximately 3.23 million fatalities attributed to it in 2019. In the United States, around 14.8 million adults were diagnosed with COPD in 2020, while the National Health Service reported that about 1.17 million individuals in the UK were diagnosed with the condition in 2021, representing roughly 1.9% of the population.

Asthma also poses a significant health challenge, affecting 262 million individuals globally and resulting in 455,000 deaths in 2019. In the same year, asthma led to approximately 439,000 hospitalizations and around 1.3 million emergency visits in the United States. The rising rates of respiratory illnesses are a key factor propelling the demand for airway management devices. Additionally, the continuous increase in the number of hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, intensive care units, and clinics further fuels this demand.

The National Asthma Control Program (NACP), initiated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is actively working to enhance awareness and understanding of asthma. This program focuses on asthma surveillance and research to combat the disease effectively. Furthermore, the Airway Collaborative is an educational initiative aimed at equipping healthcare professionals with the necessary knowledge to integrate airway management into their practices and address airway dysfunctions.

The rising prevalence of chronic conditions such as asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, and emphysema among a vast global population has stimulated the development and launch of new products in the market. Major players in the airway management devices sector are heavily invested in research and development to foster innovation and create more effective solutions. For example, in July 2022, Verathon introduced the BFlex 2.8 Single-use Bronchoscope, specifically designed to meet the critical needs of intensive care units, operating rooms, and emergency departments. This device marks Verathon's first single-use pediatric bronchoscope, offering the necessary drivability and image quality for pediatric bronchoscopies, airway management, and lung isolation procedures.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in patient admissions to emergency and intensive care units, particularly among those suffering from severe respiratory infections and respiratory failure. This situation has heightened the demand for airway management devices, including tracheostomy and laryngoscopy tools. The pandemic has also exacerbated acute respiratory syndrome, which often results in hypoxemia, necessitating the use of airway management devices for effective treatment. In response, the Society for Airway Management (SAM) was established by the American Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force to enhance airway management practices and minimize the risk of disease transmission to healthcare providers. Consequently, the pandemic has significantly contributed to the growth of the airway management devices market.

Product Insights

The global airway management devices market is categorized into several product types, including infraglottic devices, supraglottic devices, resuscitators, laryngoscopes, and others. In 2021, the infraglottic devices segment dominated the market share. However, the supraglottic devices segment is anticipated to experience the highest growth rate during the period from 2022 to 2028. Supraglottic airway devices are utilized to ventilate patients by delivering anesthetic gases or oxygen above the vocal cords, regardless of their position relative to the glottis. These devices are particularly useful in challenging airway scenarios, emergency situations outside of hospitals, and during resuscitation efforts. They have undergone numerous design enhancements to improve patient safety. Research indicates that supraglottic devices are both safe and effective for providing essential gas exchange in both normal and difficult pediatric airways. Currently, the most common supraglottic devices include the laryngeal mask airway (LMA), ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA), laryngeal tube (LT), laryngeal tube with integrated suctioning (LTS), and the esophageal tracheal combitube (OTC).

Advancements in monitoring techniques and the improved safety profiles of supraglottic airway devices have broadened their applications. With the introduction of devices that offer higher seal pressures, their use has expanded in laparoscopic surgeries, obstetrics, among obese patients, in prone positions, during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and as a transitional tool for extubation (known as Bailey's maneuver). A variety of supraglottic airway devices are available, each claiming advantages for specific clinical situations. For instance, the Shiley laryngeal mask (Shiley LM) features an integrated inflation tube and airway shaft to facilitate insertion and minimize the risk of tube occlusion when patients bite down. Additionally, some newer devices incorporate features such as an integrated pilot cuff with an indicator to help maintain optimal intra-cuff pressure.

End User Insights

The airway management devices market is segmented by end users, including hospitals, ambulatory surgical care centers (ASCs), and others. The hospital segment held the largest market share in 2021. However, the ASCs segment is projected to become the leading market segment by 2028, driven by the provision of high-quality care, cost-effective treatment options, and improved accessibility.

Factors such as patient comfort, satisfaction, professionalism, and reliable services are propelling the growth of the airway management devices market within ASCs. A survey conducted by the US Department of Health and Human Services revealed that 98% of patients expressed satisfaction with their experiences at ASCs. These centers offer affordable services in a less stressful environment compared to traditional hospitals. Patients typically visit an ASC on the day of their procedure, undergo surgery in a fully equipped operating room, and recover under the supervision of qualified healthcare professionals without the need for hospital admission.