Portable Ultrasound Devices Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type of Device (Mobile Ultrasound Device, Handheld Ultrasound Device), By Application (Gynaecology, Cardiovascular, Urology, Musculoskeletal, Anaesthesiology, Others), By Region, Competition, 2021-2031F

Market Overview

The Global Portable Ultrasound Devices Market will grow from USD 2.93 Billion in 2025 to USD 4.21 Billion by 2031 at a 6.23% CAGR. The Global Portable Ultrasound Devices Market comprises compact, lightweight imaging systems designed to facilitate rapid point-of-care diagnostics outside traditional hospital radiology suites. Key drivers supporting market growth include the increasing burden of chronic diseases requiring immediate bedside imaging, an expanding global geriatric population, and the rising necessity for accessible medical diagnostics in emergency and remote environments. These fundamental factors sustain demand for mobile imaging solutions, distinct from transient technological trends.

However, a significant challenge hindering broader market expansion is the critical shortage of qualified professionals proficient in operating these devices and interpreting the resulting images. This workforce deficit limits the effective deployment of portable solutions despite their availability. According to the 'American Society of Radiologic Technologists', in '2025', 'vacancy rates for sonography positions were reported at 12.4%', highlighting the severity of these staffing constraints. Consequently, the lack of sufficient expertise restricts the optimal utilization and adoption of portable ultrasound technology.

Key Market Drivers

Integration of Artificial Intelligence for Enhanced Diagnostic Accuracy is fundamentally reshaping the Global Portable Ultrasound Devices Market by automating complex image acquisition and interpretation tasks. This technological shift directly addresses the steep learning curve associated with traditional sonography, enabling non-specialist users such as nurses and primary care physicians to capture diagnostic-quality images with minimal training. By incorporating real-time guidance and automated measurement tools, manufacturers are significantly expanding the clinical utility of portable devices beyond specialist radiology departments. These intelligent features provide step-by-step probe positioning assistance, effectively mitigating the operational barriers caused by the shortage of trained experts. According to GE HealthCare, April 2024, the company had secured approximately 60 AI-enabled medical device authorizations in the United States, underscoring the rapid industry-wide validation and integration of these intelligent software solutions.

Surging Demand for Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Applications is rapidly driving market momentum as healthcare providers prioritize immediate bedside diagnostics to improve patient outcomes. This trend is characterized by the widespread deployment of handheld units across emergency medicine, critical care, and remote environments where traditional cart-based systems are impractical. The ability to perform rapid assessments for trauma, cardiac, and obstetrics cases at the point of care has transitioned these devices from niche tools to essential medical instruments. According to Clarius Mobile Health, March 2024, the company has delivered more than 25,000 AI-powered handheld ultrasound systems to clinicians in 58 countries, reflecting the extensive global adoption of these mobile solutions. Furthermore, the scale of this market expansion is evident in the installed base of major players; according to Butterfly Network, in February 2024, the company reported that it had sold more than 100,000 ultrasound units globally since its inception.

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Key Market Challenges

The shortage of qualified sonographers and imaging technologists acts as a substantial restraint on the Global Portable Ultrasound Devices Market. Although portable systems are designed for rapid deployment, their efficacy relies entirely on the availability of trained personnel to capture and interpret diagnostic images. Healthcare providers face a disconnect where the hardware is accessible, but the skilled workforce required to operate it is critically scarce. This operational gap forces medical facilities to delay procurement decisions, as acquiring additional devices without adequate staffing leads to underutilization and diminishes the return on investment for healthcare administrators.

This workforce crisis is pervasive and directly limits market scalability by capping the effective user base. According to the 'Australasian Sonographers Association', in '2024', '96% of respondents reported a current shortage of sonographers'. Such a high prevalence of staffing deficits indicates that the market’s growth potential is restricted by human resource availability rather than demand for the technology itself. Consequently, healthcare systems are compelled to prioritize managing existing workloads over expanding their diagnostic fleets, directly slowing the commercial adoption of portable ultrasound solutions.

Key Market Trends

Penetration into Home Healthcare and Remote Monitoring is expanding the market beyond clinical facilities, moving diagnostics from episodic hospital visits to continuous home-based care. This shift is supported by regulatory frameworks incentivizing healthcare systems to treat acute patients in their own residences, necessitating user-friendly portable devices for monitoring chronic conditions. The "Hospital at Home" model is rapidly creating a new end-user segment for handheld units that can be easily transported and operated outside of traditional infrastructure. According to Home Health Care News, December 2024, in the article 'Early Lessons Learned From CMS Hospital-At-Home Initiative', as of October 2024, 366 hospitals had been approved to participate in the federal 'Acute Hospital Care at Home' program, creating a robust channel for mobile medical tools to serve more than 31,000 patients.

Proliferation of Wireless and Smartphone-Connected Probes is simultaneously transforming the hardware landscape by decoupling transducers from proprietary display units. Manufacturers are designing "app-based" probes that connect wirelessly to standard commercial smartphones, drastically reducing device costs and leveraging the processing power of consumer electronics. This "Bring Your Own Device" approach eliminates the expense of dedicated consoles, making advanced imaging accessible to a wider range of practitioners who previously could not afford capital-intensive equipment. According to Butterfly Network, November 2024, in its 'Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results', the company reported revenue of $20.6 million, representing a 33% increase year-over-year, driven significantly by the global adoption of its latest smartphone-connected iQ3 probe.

Segmental Insights

The Handheld Ultrasound Device segment represents the fastest-growing category within the Global Portable Ultrasound Devices Market due to rising demand for immediate point-of-care diagnostics. This expansion is supported by ongoing product approvals from regulatory entities such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which validate safety and expand clinical applications. Healthcare providers increasingly prefer these compact units for their ability to deliver rapid imaging in emergency and remote environments. Additionally, the integration of wireless technology with standard mobile devices has reduced costs and enhanced usability, further driving global adoption among medical professionals.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a dominant position in the Global Portable Ultrasound Devices Market, supported by established healthcare infrastructure and high medical expenditure. The region experiences rapid adoption of portable diagnostic tools, driven by the increasing need for point-of-care testing to manage chronic diseases. Additionally, the concentration of key market manufacturers within the United States ensures early access to technological innovations. This growth is further sustained by a supportive regulatory environment, where the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays a pivotal role in streamlining product clearances, thereby enhancing the availability of handheld ultrasound solutions across clinical settings.

Recent Developments

• In November 2025, Fujifilm Sonosite launched the Sonosite MT, a new portable ultrasound system featuring a compact clamshell design engineered for high mobility in point-of-care environments. The device was designed to be used seamlessly both on and off a stand, offering clinicians flexibility without compromising diagnostic functionality. It incorporated an all-touch user interface and a button-free control panel to facilitate efficient cleaning and adherence to infection control protocols. The President and Chief Executive Officer of the company stated that the system was built to provide durability and reliability, reinforcing their commitment to supporting clinicians in demanding medical settings.
• In May 2024, Clarius Mobile Health entered into a strategic collaboration with Novartis Canada to support the early detection of psoriatic arthritis among patients. Under this partnership, the company agreed to deploy its wireless handheld ultrasound scanners to rheumatologists across the country, facilitated by a leasing and distribution arrangement funded by the pharmaceutical firm. The initiative also included providing specialized software and training to help physicians identify inflammatory markers more effectively. By increasing access to portable diagnostic tools, the collaboration aimed to improve patient outcomes through timely diagnosis and management of this autoimmune condition.
• In April 2024, GE HealthCare introduced Caption AI software on its Vscan Air SL wireless handheld ultrasound system to enhance cardiac assessments at the point of care. Debuted at the American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session, this technology provided clinicians with real-time, turn-by-turn visual guidance to capture diagnostic-quality images and automated estimates of ejection fraction. The integration was designed to empower non-expert users to perform rapid heart exams, addressing the global shortage of sonographers. This development underscored the company's focus on expanding access to precision care and early disease detection in resource-limited settings.
• In February 2024, Butterfly Network announced the commercial launch of the Butterfly iQ3, its third-generation handheld point-of-care ultrasound system, in the United States. This advanced device featured a next-generation semiconductor chip capable of doubling the data transfer rate compared to previous models, which resulted in superior image resolution and faster processing. The system introduced new 3D imaging capabilities, such as automated tools for lung visualization and multi-slice organ capture, designed to simplify complex scans. The company’s President and Chief Executive Officer highlighted that the smaller, lighter probe aimed to deliver digital image quality comparable to traditional cart-based systems.

Key Market Players

• Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
• FUJIFILM Sonosite, Inc.
• GE HealthCare
• Hitachi, Ltd.
• Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.
• Canon Medical Systems Corporation
• Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Samsung Healthcare
• Siemens Healthineers AG
• Fukuda Denshi Co. Ltd

Report Scope:

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

• Portable Ultrasound Devices Market, By Type of Device:

• Mobile Ultrasound Device
• Handheld Ultrasound Device

• Portable Ultrasound Devices Market, By Application:

• Gynaecology
• Cardiovascular
• Urology
• Musculoskeletal
• Anaesthesiology
• Others

• Portable Ultrasound Devices 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