Flexible Endoscopes Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Laparoscopes, Arthroscopes, Ureteroscopes, Cystoscopes), By End-use (Hospitals, Outpatient Facilities), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Report Overview               

The global flexible endoscopes market size was valued at USD 8.96 billion in 2022 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6% from 2023 to 2030. The increasing use of minimally invasive surgical procedures has led to a growing demand for various types of endoscopes and endoscopy devices in surgical interventions, such as cystoscopy, bronchoscopy, arthroscopy, and laparoscopy. This shift towards minimally invasive surgeries over traditional surgeries is attributable to multiple reasons such as cost-effectiveness, higher patient satisfaction, shorter hospital stays, and fewer post-surgical complications.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted various industries worldwide including the medical sector, which experienced significant impacts such as disruptions in treatment procedures and healthcare services, as well as challenges with the supply chain of medical devices. The market was also affected, with a decrease in demand for new endoscopes due to a reduction in endoscopy services being offered in hospitals due to COVID-19-related emergencies on healthcare staff. In February 2021, according to an article published by the Guidelines for Robotic Flexible Endoscopy at the Time of COVID-19, endoscopic procedures were significantly reduced during the pandemic, and only urgent cases were considered.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the demand for these endoscopes due to certain endoscopic procedures, such as respiratory endoscopy and gastrointestinal endoscopy, being considered aerosol-generating procedures for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. For instance, the American Association for Bronchology & Interventional Pulmonology updated its recommendations for using flexible bronchoscopes in COVID-19 patients. The updated recommendations indicated that bronchoscopy posed a substantial risk to patients and staff as an aerosol-generating procedure. As a result, bronchoscopy was not the preferred option for diagnosing COVID-19 and was only considered for intubated patients if upper respiratory samples were negative. These factors contributed to a decrease in demand for flexible endoscopes and impacted the studied market during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Furthermore, factors driving the market include an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases affecting internal body systems, the advantages of flexible endoscopes compared to other devices, and growing awareness for early diagnosis of these conditions. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), stomach & colon cancers, respiratory infections, and tumors, among others, require the use of these devices for diagnosis. As a result, the growth in the incidence of these diseases has led to an increase in demand for these flexible devices. For instance, in 2022, the American Cancer Society, Inc. estimated that there were about 26,380 new cases of stomach cancer (15,900 in men and 10,480 in women) in the U.S., as well as 106,180 new cases of colon cancer and 44,850 new cases of rectal cancer.

The high incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases such as lung cancer and irritable bowel syndrome in the U.S. are driving the demand for the use of flexible endoscopes. For example, the American Lung Association estimated that 236,000 people in the U.S. were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021, while the American College of Gastroenterology reports that 10-15% of adults suffer from irritable bowel syndrome symptoms in the country. Moreover, the advantages of flexible endoscopes over other types are also contributing to their increasing use, with optical fiber being particularly advantageous due to its ability to change direction and expand its scope of application.

The trend of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has led to an increase in the use of endoscopes for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Despite this growth, the industry is hindered by strict regulatory requirements for flexible endoscopes. Overall, the market is expected to grow due to the rising use of endoscopies and their minimally invasive nature.

Type Insights

The colonoscopes segment dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 21.8% in 2022, owing to the increasing prevalence of colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal disorders, leading to higher demand for colonoscopes as a diagnostic and preventive tool. Furthermore, technological advancements in colonoscopy equipment have improved the efficiency and safety of the procedure, making it more widely accepted and accessible.

The neuroendoscopes segment is anticipated to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period from 2023 to 2030, owing to an increasing prevalence of neurological disorders such as hydrocephalus, brain tumors, and pituitary tumors. Furthermore, favorable government initiatives and insurance policies that cover neuroendoscopy procedures have also played a role in the growth of this segment. Additionally, the segment is growing as neuroendoscopes offer several advantages over traditional open surgery, including shorter recovery times, less scarring, and reduced risk of complications.

End-use Insights

The outpatient facilities segment dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 52.9% in 2022. This high share is attributable to the substantially large adoption and usage of endoscope devices in outpatient facilities and favorable reimbursement policies. The segment is also expected to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period as there is a growing demand for cost-effective and convenient healthcare services, which has led to an increase in the number of outpatient facilities. These facilities offer medical care that does not require overnight hospitalization, making them a more affordable option for many patients.

The advancements in medical technology and procedures have made it possible to perform many procedures in an outpatient setting, which were previously only possible in a hospital. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the growth of outpatient facilities as patients have become more comfortable with the idea of receiving medical care in a less crowded setting. The pandemic has also led to an increased focus on infection control, which outpatient facilities are often better equipped to handle than hospitals.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the flexible endoscopes market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 40.6% in 2022 due to increased chronic diseases that require their use, such as stomach and colorectal cancer, and irritable bowel syndrome. In the U.S., studies suggest that 12% of people have irritable bowel syndrome. The region also has a surge in the aging population, which is more susceptible to chronic diseases, with 16.5% of the population aged 65 or above in 2021. This number is expected to reach 20% by 2050, contributing to market growth. The market in the region is also driven by the easy availability of advanced flexible endoscopes and product launches, such as Ambu Inc.'s aScope 4 Cysto, which received clearance from Health Canada in April 2021. Regulatory approval for such products is expected to be a significant factor in driving the demand for the market.

The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period from 2023 to 2030 owing to various factors such as the growing geriatric population, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, and the rising demand for minimally invasive surgeries. In addition, the increasing healthcare expenditure by governments, along with a surge in disposable incomes, has led to increased accessibility to advanced medical technologies, including flexible endoscopes. Furthermore, the ongoing development of healthcare infrastructure and the increasing number of hospitals and diagnostic centers in the region are expected to fuel the market's growth.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Competition is intense amongst the existing players due to the rising demand for flexible endoscopes for various treatment and diagnostic procedures. In addition, technological advancements in the field of endoscopic instruments by key players are further increasing the competition. Some of the prominent players in the global flexible endoscopes market include:

• Olympus Corporation

• Richard Wolf GmbH

• Smith n Nephew Inc.

• FUJIFILM Holdings Corp.

• Ambu A/S

• Stryker Corporation

• Boston Scientific

• Karl Storz GmbH.

• Medtronic Plc (Covidien)

• Ethicon Endo-surgery

• LLC.

• PENTAX Medical

• Machida Endoscope Co., Ltd.

Major players are increasingly launching products and are receiving FDA approvals for them. For instance, in August 2021, Boston Scientific was granted FDA approval for its EXALT Model B Single-Use Bronchoscope, which is a new type of flexible bronchoscopy designed for use in ICUs to aid in respiratory procedures such as double-lumen tube placements. Similarly in May, EndoFresh also received FDA approval for its Disposable Digestive Endoscopy System, which is used for gastrointestinal purposes. Furthermore, strategic alliances with other players in the form of product launches, mergers & acquisitions, and partnerships, as well as increasing R&D in the area of endoscopic technologies, are some of the initiatives being undertaken by key players to improve their position. In January 2021, Olympus Corporation acquired quest Photonic Devices, expanding its presence in the surgical endoscopy market and increasing its customer base, thus solidifying its position in the market.

Flexible Endoscopes Market Report Scope

Global Flexible Endoscopes Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research, Inc. has segmented the flexible endoscopes market report on the basis of type, end-use, and region.

• Flexible Endoscopes Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Laparoscopes

  • Arthroscopes

  • Ureteroscopes

  • Cystoscopes

  • Gynecology Endoscopes

  • Neuroendoscopes

  • Bronchoscopes

  • Hysteroscopes

  • Laryngoscopes

  • Sinuscopes

  • Otoscopes

  • Sigmoidoscopes

  • Pharyngoscopes

  • Duodenoscope

  • Nasopharyngoscopes

  • Rhinoscopes

  • Colonoscopes

• Flexible Endoscopes End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Hospitals

  • Outpatient Facilities

• Flexible Endoscopes Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

    • Spain

    • France

    • Italy

    • Russia

    • Switzerland

    • Denmark

    • Sweden

    • Norway

  • Asia-Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

    • Australia

    • Thailand

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Mexico

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • Kuwait