Disposable Endoscope Market Research Report and Outlook by 2028

The market for disposable endoscopes is projected to expand significantly, growing from US$ 1,213.28 million in 2022 to US$ 3,096.34 million by 2028, with an anticipated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.9% during this period.

The increase in hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) linked to contaminated endoscopes, along with a heightened emphasis on patient safety and operational efficiency, are key factors propelling the growth of the disposable endoscope market. Current trends in this sector include swift technological innovations and the introduction of new products.

Disposable endoscopes are designed for single-use, intended for application on a patient during one specific procedure. Their primary advantage lies in the significant reduction of cross-contamination risks among patients, as these devices are not intended for reprocessing or reuse.

Numerous companies and research organizations within the disposable endoscope sector are actively working on advanced technologies to broaden their product offerings and enhance their market presence. Below are some notable recent advancements in disposable endoscopes:

In January 2022, TSC Endovision partnered with Flexicare to exclusively distribute TSC Endovision?s Broncoflex, a novel single-use bronchoscope, in the United States. This collaboration is expected to facilitate a successful introduction of Broncoflex into the US market and aid the healthcare sector's shift towards single-use endoscopic solutions.

In November 2022, Boston Scientific Corporation finalized an agreement to acquire Apollo Endosurgery, Inc. for a cash price of US$ 10 per share, which equates to an enterprise value of approximately US$ 615 million.

These developments are likely to foster new trends within the disposable endoscope market throughout the forecast period.

According to a study published in Frontiers in Endoscopy, the United States recorded around 20 million endoscopic procedures in July 2020, including 600,000 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (ERCPs). The presence of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) on contaminated endoscopes poses a significant risk for HAIs. Recently, infections associated with endoscopes, particularly those linked to reusable devices used in ERCP procedures (such as duodenoscopes), have raised alarms within the healthcare community. A report from the National Library of Medicine in December 2020 indicated that the outbreak rates associated with duodenoscopes ranged from 6% to 20%. The same report noted that the use of contaminated duodenoscopes during ERCP procedures could lead to infections in up to 10% of cases. Furthermore, a study published in Cambridge University Press in March 2022 revealed that between October 2019 and September 2020, 859 samples from reprocessed TJF-Q180V duodenoscopes and 850 from TJF-160F/VF models were analyzed, showing an overall contamination rate of 5.3%, with 91 samples contaminated by high-concern organisms. The American Journal of Infection Control reported that as many as 71% of reprocessed endoscopes could harbor microbial growth, which can result in severe complications that jeopardize patient health.

An analysis of medical device reports by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from October 15, 2018, to March 31, 2019, documented 3 fatalities, 45 cases of infection, and 159 reports of contaminated devices due to inadequate reprocessing of duodenoscopes used in pancreatic and bile duct procedures. Additionally, it was noted that manufacturers such as Olympus, Fujifilm, and Pentax had not fulfilled their obligations regarding post-marketing studies for reusable endoscopes.

Consequently, there is an increasing demand for disposable endoscopes globally to mitigate the risks of HAIs and the dangers associated with contaminated endoscopic devices.

Insights Based on Application

The global disposable endoscope market is categorized by application into urologic endoscopy, gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, bronchoscopy, arthroscopy, proctoscopy, and others. In 2022, the GI endoscopy segment dominated the market share. However, the urologic endoscopy segment is projected to experience the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Insights Based on End User

The disposable endoscope market is segmented by end user into hospitals, diagnostic centers, and clinics. The hospitals segment accounted for the largest market share in 2022 and is expected to register the highest CAGR in the coming years.

Key primary and secondary sources utilized in the preparation of the report on the disposable endoscope market include the World Health Organization (WHO), the US Census Bureau, and the US National Library of Medicine.