Flexible Endoscopes Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Laparoscopes, Arthroscopes, Ureteroscopes, Cystoscopes, Gynecology Endoscopes, Neuroendoscopes, Bronchoscopes, Hysteroscopes, Laryngoscopes, Sinuscopes, Otoscopes, Sigmoidoscopes, Pharyngoscopes, Duodenoscope, Nasopharyngoscopes, Rhinoscopes, Colonoscopes), By End Use (Hospital, Outpatients Facilities), By Region and Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 8.41 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.51%
Fastest Growing Segment	Colonoscopes
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 12.99 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Flexible Endoscopes Market will grow from USD 8.41 Billion in 2025 to USD 12.99 Billion by 2031 at a 7.51% CAGR. Flexible endoscopes are medical instruments characterized by a pliable insertion tube with integrated optics and working channels that allow physicians to visualize internal organs and perform procedures through natural body openings. The primary drivers fueling market growth include the rapidly aging global population and the increasing incidence of chronic conditions that require frequent diagnostic interventions. Additionally, the shift towards minimally invasive surgeries supports demand as these devices reduce patient recovery times compared to traditional methods. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2025, an estimated 154,270 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in the United States, creating sustained demand for endoscopic screening.

Despite this positive outlook, the market encounters a substantial challenge related to the rigorous reprocessing standards required to prevent infection transmission. The difficulty in thoroughly sterilizing these complex reusable devices creates liability risks and operational inefficiencies for healthcare providers. This issue imposes high maintenance costs and necessitates strict regulatory compliance, which may hinder broader adoption in resource constraints settings or force facilities to incur high costs for disposable alternatives.

Key Market Drivers

The rapid adoption of single-use and disposable flexible endoscopes is fundamentally reshaping the market by addressing critical concerns regarding cross-contamination and device availability. Healthcare facilities are increasingly transitioning to sterile, single-use devices to mitigate the risks associated with reprocessing complex reusable instruments, particularly in high-volume settings like intensive care units. This shift is also driven by the need to eliminate costly repair and sterilization workflows, thereby improving operational efficiency. The robust market appetite for these solutions is evident in recent corporate performance. According to Ambu A/S, November 2024, in the 'Annual Report 2023/24', the company's Endoscopy Solutions business achieved an organic revenue growth of 19.7%, fueled largely by the expansion of their disposable product portfolio in pulmonology and urology.

Simultaneously, the rising prevalence of chronic gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders is necessitating a higher volume of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures globally. As populations age and exposure to risk factors increases, the burden of conditions such as gastric and lung cancers requires frequent screening and minimally invasive interventions. According to the World Health Organization, February 2024, in the 'Global cancer burden growing' release, lung cancer was the most commonly occurring cancer worldwide with 2.5 million new cases, highlighting the critical need for advanced bronchoscopic capabilities. This surging clinical demand translates directly into substantial financial expansion for leading device manufacturers. For instance, according to Boston Scientific, in 2025, the company recorded annual net sales of $2.687 billion for its Endoscopy business segment in 2024, reflecting the sustained reliance on these technologies for patient care.

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Key Market Challenges

The rigorous reprocessing standards required to prevent infection transmission represent a critical hurdle impeding the expansion of the Global Flexible Endoscopes Market. Flexible endoscopes contain intricate internal channels and elevator mechanisms that are highly susceptible to retaining organic debris and biofilm, making effective sterilization exceptionally difficult and labor-intensive. This complexity forces healthcare facilities to dedicate substantial resources to cleaning protocols, which significantly slows device turnover and limits daily patient throughput. The resulting operational inefficiencies and elevated maintenance costs discourage smaller healthcare centers from expanding their endoscopic capabilities, thereby stifling overall market volume.

The magnitude of this reprocessing challenge is evidenced by safety data from industry authorities. According to ECRI, in 2024, inadequate or onerous device cleaning instructions were ranked as the second highest health technology hazard globally, underscoring the persistent difficulty providers face in sterilizing complex reusable instruments. This heightened risk profile necessitates strict regulatory compliance that consumes hospital budgets, diverting funds that might otherwise be used to purchase additional endoscopic units. Consequently, the financial and liability burdens associated with infection control directly restrict the broader adoption of reusable flexible endoscopes.

Key Market Trends

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for real-time lesion detection is fundamentally altering diagnostic standards by serving as an automated second observer during endoscopic procedures. These systems utilize deep learning algorithms to analyze video feeds instantaneously, flagging potential abnormalities such as colorectal polyps that might be missed by the human eye due to fatigue or distraction. This technological shift is directly addressing the clinical challenge of variable adenoma detection rates among physicians, effectively creating a new baseline for procedural quality. Market adoption of these capabilities is accelerating rapidly as major manufacturers embed AI-driven processors into their flagship platforms. According to Olympus Corporation, May 2024, in the 'Consolidated Financial Results for Fiscal 2024', the sales ratio of the AI-capable EVIS X1 series rose to approximately 30% of the company's total Gastrointestinal Endoscopy sales in the fourth quarter, signaling a decisive commercial shift toward intelligent visualization systems.

Simultaneously, the emergence of robotic-assisted flexible endoscopy platforms is expanding the market's operational boundaries, particularly for navigating complex anatomical pathways in pulmonology. Unlike traditional manual bronchoscopes, these robotic systems employ articulating catheters and shape-sensing technology to maintain stability and precision when accessing peripheral lung nodules, which are often difficult to reach. This enhanced maneuverability significantly improves diagnostic yield for early-stage cancer biopsies, driving hospitals to upgrade their interventional capabilities beyond standard capabilities. The demand for these advanced platforms is evident in recent installation data. According to Intuitive Surgical, October 2024, in the 'Q3 2024 Earnings Release', the global installed base of the Ion Endoluminal System increased 50% year-over-year to 736 units, reflecting the sector's robust transition toward robotic navigation solutions.

Segmental Insights

The Colonoscopes segment is currently distinguishing itself as the fastest-growing category within the Global Flexible Endoscopes Market, driven primarily by the rising global prevalence of colorectal cancer and a parallel increase in preventive screening initiatives. Authoritative updates from institutions like the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force have expanded screening eligibility to younger demographics, thereby significantly increasing the volume of required diagnostic procedures. This elevated demand for early disease detection and minimally invasive lower gastrointestinal interventions compels healthcare providers to consistently procure flexible colonoscopy instruments to ensure effective patient management.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a dominant position in the global flexible endoscopes market, driven primarily by established healthcare infrastructure and the rising prevalence of chronic gastrointestinal disorders. The region benefits from favorable reimbursement policies established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which facilitate patient access to endoscopic procedures. Furthermore, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration supports market expansion through distinct regulatory pathways for medical device approvals. The high adoption rate of minimally invasive surgeries among healthcare providers in the United States and Canada further solidifies the region's market leadership.

Recent Developments

• In December 2024, Pentax Medical, a division of HOYA Group, obtained U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance for new models within its i20c Video Endoscope Series, including a video colonoscope and an upper GI scope. These new flexible endoscopes were designed with advanced ergonomic features and enhanced imaging capabilities to support healthcare professionals in detection, diagnosis, and therapy. The clearance enabled the company to introduce these slim, maneuverable devices to the U.S. market, aiming to improve clinical workflows and patient care. This launch represented a key innovation in the Global Flexible Endoscopes Market, offering improved optical performance and handling for gastrointestinal procedures.
• In July 2024, Ambu announced that it had received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance for its ureteroscopy solution, which included the aScope 5 Uretero single-use digital flexible ureteroscope and the aBox 2 endoscopy system. This regulatory milestone allowed the company to introduce its bioplastic-based single-use ureteroscope to the United States market, following its earlier clearance in Europe. The device was developed to provide high-quality imaging and performance comparable to reusable scopes while eliminating reprocessing needs. This clearance marked a significant development in the Global Flexible Endoscopes Market, reinforcing the industry's shift toward sustainable and sterile single-use endoscopy solutions.
• In April 2024, Olympus Corporation announced the U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance of its first single-use flexible ureteroscope system, RenaFlex. This new system was designed to assist clinicians in accessing and visualizing the urinary tract for the diagnosis and treatment of urinary diseases, such as kidney stones. The launch represented a strategic expansion for the company into the disposable endoscope segment, offering healthcare providers a choice between reusable and single-use options. This product introduction directly contributed to the advancement of the Global Flexible Endoscopes Market by addressing the growing demand for sterile, efficient, and patient-ready urological devices.
• In March 2024, Boston Scientific Corporation entered into an expanded strategic cooperation arrangement with Scivita Medical Technology to co-develop and globally distribute endoscopic devices. This collaboration aimed to broaden the availability of single-use endoscope and imaging solutions to hospitals and patients in China and other international regions. The partnership was designed to combine the strengths of both entities, leveraging Scivita Medical’s product portfolio alongside Boston Scientific’s global commercial infrastructure. This development significantly impacted the Global Flexible Endoscopes Market by enhancing the accessibility of minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment tools across diverse geographies.

Key Market Players

• Olympus Corporation
• Richard Wolf GmbH
• Smith n Nephew Inc.
• FUJIFILM Holdings Corp.
• Ambu A/S
• Stryker Corporation
• Boston Scientific Corp
• Karl Storz SE & Co. KG
• Medtronic Plc
• Ethicon, Inc.

By Type	By End Use	By Region
Laparoscopes Arthroscopes Ureteroscopes Cystoscopes Gynecology Endoscopes Neuroendoscopes Bronchoscopes Hysteroscopes Laryngoscopes Sinuscopes Otoscopes Sigmoidoscopes Pharyngoscopes Duodenoscope Nasopharyngoscopes Rhinoscopes Colonoscopes	Hospital Outpatients Facilities	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Flexible Endoscopes Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Flexible Endoscopes Market, By Type:

• Laparoscopes
• Arthroscopes
• Ureteroscopes
• Cystoscopes
• Gynecology Endoscopes
• Neuroendoscopes
• Bronchoscopes
• Hysteroscopes
• Laryngoscopes
• Sinuscopes
• Otoscopes
• Sigmoidoscopes
• Pharyngoscopes
• Duodenoscope
• Nasopharyngoscopes
• Rhinoscopes
• Colonoscopes

• Flexible Endoscopes Market, By End Use:

• Hospital
• Outpatients Facilities

• Flexible Endoscopes Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE