The disposable ureteroscope market size is estimated to be USD 265.87 million in 2022 and is expected to witness a CAGR of 17.92% during the forecast period 2023-2033. Rise in diseases such urethral stricture, kidney stones, and kidney cancer, and changes in lifestyle such as drinking less water and consuming more alcoholic and aerated beverages are some of the factors contributing to the market growth. Furthermore, growing popularity of minimally invasive procedures is expected to support the market growth. However, lack of qualified workforce and the high price of technologically advanced products is expected to hinder the growth.

Rise in diseases such urethral stricture, kidney stones, and kidney cancer is expected to fuel the market growth during the projected period. According to CDC statistics from 2021, the population aged 65 and over had the largest penetration rate of chronic kidney diseases (38%), led by the 45–64 age group (12%), and the 18–44 age group (6%). Diabetes and cardiovascular disease patients are particularly prone to developing chronic kidney disease, which will directly benefit expansion as it will increase demand for minimally invasive procedures including ureteroscopy, which will cause a sharp increase in the procedural rate and thereby boost the adoption of ureteroscopy.

Growing popularity of minimally invasive procedures is predicted to propel the market growth during the forecast period. Disposable ureteroscopes are increasingly being used by endoscopists and surgeons to diagnose and treat a variety of urological disorders and minimally invasive treatments, often referred as one-day surgeries. These operations have fewer collateral tissue damages, quicker recovery times that reduce hospital stays, and fewer postoperative problems and care requirements. These minimally invasive techniques are also more cost-effective than open surgery.

Segmentation

By Product

The market is categorized into rigid uteroscopes and flexible uteroscopes. In 2022, the flexible uteroscopes segment accounted for the highest revenue share due to the significant advancements in technology and clinical applications over the last few years. Disposable flexible ureteroscopes have made significant advancements in recent years, and as a result, they are frequently employed for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes for a number of upper urinary tract disorders. The flexible ureteroscope shortens hospital stays by allowing 180 degrees of total mobility. The rigid ureteroscope market is anticipated to expand profitably over the forecast period. Rigid ureteroscopes have witnessed technological advancements that have decreased the sheath size of the calibre while increasing the working channel.

By Application

The market is categorized into urolithiasis, arthoscopy, kidney cancer, bronchoscopy, urethral stricture, ENT endoscopy, GI endoscopy, and others. In the global market, the urolithiasis segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2022 owing to incidence of kidney stones around the world. For instance, according to an article from the Kidney International Organization, kidney stones are a very widespread health condition in the West, with lifetime prevalence rates of 10-12% for men and 5-6% for women. The market expansion of this sector is anticipated to be driven by increasing innovations and quick adoption of cutting-edge technologies. The availability of several specialist clinics, rising disease awareness among the patient population, and supportive governmental regulations all contribute to the market’s expansion. The others segment is anticipated to expand at the fastest CAGR over the projection period. Rising cancer incidences including urothelial carcinoma and urethral cancer are to responsible for the expansion. Kidney cancer is among the most prevalent types of cancer, with a male to female ratio of 1 in 46 for men and 1 in 80 for women, according to an article by the American Cancer Society.

By End User

The market is divided into diagnostic centers, hospitals, and clinics. In 2022, the hospitals segment accounted for the largest revenue share owing to the fact that patients typically choose hospitals for ureteroscopy operations due to the availability of experienced medical staff and advantageous payment policies. Infrastructure improvements in the healthcare industry, the use of cutting-edge technology, and rising global investment in the hospital sector all contribute to the market’s expansion. Growing urolithiasis rates are having a beneficial effect on market expansion. For instance, according to the NCBI report, approximately 9% of Americans experience urinary stones each year. Growing trends in minimally invasive procedures, increased healthcare spending, and improvements in product design all support the segment’s market expansion. The clinics segment is anticipated to exhibit the fastest CAGR growth throughout the projected period. The segment is predicted to grow as a result of rising healthcare spending in the private sector and an increase in the number of specialist clinics around the world.

Regional Markets

In 2022, North America region accounted for the highest revenue in the disposable ureteroscope market and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. This is attributed to the well-established healthcare system and the presence of major companies in the area, including Elmed Medical Systems, Boston Scientific, and Stryker. The market is also growing as a result of other factors including advantageous reimbursement policies, patient awareness, and the use of cutting-edge instruments. The industry is also being driven by an increase of paediatric stone cases in the area. According to the NIH report, increasing salt consumption, decreased hydration intake, and obesity have all contributed to a massive rise in kidney stone cases among young people and adults in the U.S. The fastest growth rate is predicted to occur in Asia Pacific during the coming years, as a result of the region’s expanding population and supportive policies from the government. The market is expanding due to increase in kidney stone cases brought on by dietary changes and climate changes. For instance, 1 in every 17 persons in China suffers from kidney stones, according to NCBI. Additionally, rising R&D spending, infrastructure improvements in the healthcare industry, and a rising obese population are all supporting to the market’s growth in the years to come.

Competitor Insights

Some of the key players operating in the disposable ureteroscope market are Richard Wolf GmbH, Olympus Corporation, Boston Scientific Corporation, FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, Smith & Nephew Inc., Dornier MedTech, Karl Storz GmbH, Elmed Electronics & Medical Systems S.A., OPCOM, PENTAX Medical, and AED.MD.

To achieve a competitive edge, these companies are implementing a variety of growth strategies. Strategic partnerships, alliances, and agreements with different businesses and research institutions are seen to be the main strategies used by companies in this sector.

• In May 2021, Uro Viu Corporation announced that the U.S. FDA has given the clearance for the commercialization of Uro-G, a flexible single-use cystoscopy, the company’s third device. The fully deflectable tip of this device would assist medical professionals in performing interventional and diagnostic operations.

This comprehensive research report focuses on the global and regional market size and forecasts of diverse segments including product, application, and end user from 2023 to 2033.

Report Scope:

Segmentation: Disposable Ureteroscope Market Report 2022 – 2033

Product (Revenue, USD Million), 2022- 2033

• Rigid Uteroscopes
• Flexible Uteroscopes

Application (Revenue, USD Million), 2022 – 2033

• Urolithiasis
• Arthoscopy
• Kidney Cancer
• Bronchoscopy
• Urethral Stricture
• ENT Endoscopy
• GI Endoscopy
• Others

End user (Revenue, USD Million), 2022 – 2033

• Diagnostic Centers
• Hospitals
• Clinics

By Region (Revenue, USD Million), 2022 – 2033

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • UK
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Rest of APAC
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Rest of LATAM
• Middle East & Africa
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Rest of MEA