Report Description

Forecast Period

2024-2028

Market Size (2022)

USD 11.86 Billion

CAGR (2023-2028)

4.67%

Fastest Growing Segment

Mobile

Largest Market

North America

Market Overview

Global Ultrasound Systems Market has valued at USD 11.86 Billion in 2022 and is anticipated to project impressive growth in the forecast period with a CAGR of 4.67% through 2028. An ultrasound scan, also known as sonography, is a medical procedure that utilizes high-frequency sound waves to generate real-time images of the body's internal structures. It is a valuable diagnostic tool for medical professionals in identifying and evaluating conditions affecting various organs and systems, such as the bladder, eyes, gallbladder, kidneys, liver, ovaries, pancreas, spleen, thyroid, testicles, uterus, and blood vessels, without the need for surgical intervention. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in monitoring the development of a fetus during pregnancy, as ultrasound imaging does not involve the use of radiation, distinguishing it from other imaging techniques. Moreover, this technique is employed to assist in guiding needle-based procedures like biopsies or tumor treatments, examining breast abnormalities, assessing thyroid gland function, detecting genital and prostate issues, as well as evaluating metabolic bone diseases.

Key Market Drivers

High Prevalence of Chronic Diseases

The frequency of chronic diseases is on a rapid rise, leading to a surge in demand for healthcare services. This includes an increase in patient visits, hospital admissions, and surgeries. In fact, according to the CDC's statistics from 2022, there were more than 900 million doctor visits, 155 million visits to the ER, and 45 million outpatient procedures performed in the United States alone. This escalating demand has also resulted in a significant increase in the need for medical imaging equipment, particularly ultrasound systems, which play a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of various conditions. Additionally, the growing proportion of geriatric populations worldwide who suffer from chronic diseases has further contributed to the demand for these devices.

Over the past decade, the applications of ultrasound technology have expanded beyond its traditional use in obstetrics, cardiology, obesity, and radiography. It is now widely used in clinical areas such as surgery, gastroenterology, and musculoskeletal. This expansion has been driven by recent innovations and the introduction of numerous products in the point-of-care (POC) sector, including handheld devices. As a result, the deployment of ultrasound systems in primary care, anesthesia, emergency medicine, and critical care applications has significantly increased. All these factors are expected to fuel the growth in sales of medical imaging equipment, particularly ultrasound systems, throughout the forecast period. The continuous advancements in technology and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases worldwide are driving the need for more comprehensive and advanced healthcare solutions.

Rising Prevalence of Orthopedic Injuries and Musculoskeletal Disorders

Musculoskeletal disorders are associated with both occupational injuries and age-related dysfunction. Common musculoskeletal conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and septic arthritis. Among the elderly population, orthopedic injuries such as bone fractures and broken hips are prevalent.

On a global scale, numerous individuals experience musculoskeletal conditions. For example, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2021 report, approximately 1.71 billion people worldwide are affected by musculoskeletal conditions. Furthermore, the WHO predicts an increase in disabilities related to musculoskeletal disorders in the coming decades. Moreover, the aging population often encounters age-related issues such as joint pain, arthritis, and osteoporosis. Arthritis, in particular, is widespread among adults, impacting millions of individuals worldwide. According to the CDC, approximately 63.0 million people in the U.S. were diagnosed with arthritis in 2020, with projections indicating that this number could reach 78.4 million by 2040. These orthopedic conditions have led to an increased demand for ultrasound systems to analyze and diagnose these disorders.

Increasing Aging Population

The aging population and shifts in societal behaviors are significant factors contributing to a consistent rise in the prevalence of chronic diseases. This has resulted in an increased demand for ultrasound procedures. According to the "World Population Ageing 2020" report published by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations, the global population of individuals aged 65 or above was 727 million in 2020 and is projected to reach 1.5 billion by 2050.

Moreover, knee pain, often associated with knee osteoarthritis, is highly prevalent among the elderly population and can be diagnosed using ultrasound. Additionally, lung cancer ranks among the most widespread chronic illnesses. GLOBOCAN estimates that lung cancer cases will increase from 2.21 million in 2020 to approximately 3.63 million in 2030.

In addition to chronic diseases, malnutrition poses a significant risk to the elderly population, leading to increased frailty, reduced quality of life, and higher mortality rates. Malnutrition often results in a decrease in muscle mass, which affects muscle strength. Researchers have explored the use of ultrasonography to measure muscle thickness as a nutritional assessment tool in older adults. Consequently, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases and the growing geriatric population are expected to drive the adoption of ultrasound systems, thereby fueling the growth of this market.

Introduction To Artificial Intelligence In Obstetrics And Gynecology Ultrasound Imaging

Artificial intelligence (AI) utilizes data and algorithms to achieve the same, if not superior, outcomes as humans. AI powers various applications like face identification, speech recognition in virtual assistants (such as Amazon Alexa, Apple's Siri, Google Assistant, and Microsoft Cortana), as well as self-driving automobiles. Notably, AI software has recently triumphed in world championships in chess, go, and poker.

Within the healthcare sector, AI plays a pivotal role in driving innovation. It aids in the development of new medications, offers clinical decision support, and ensures quality assurance in radiography. The list of AI applications in medical image analysis, regulated by the FDA or European Union (soon to be governed by the European Union Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR)), is rapidly expanding. These applications address a wide range of clinical needs, including arrhythmia detection using smartwatches or fully automated triage of critical imaging techniques for radiologists.

Deep learning, a significant AI technology, excels in pattern identification from photographs, making it invaluable to professionals who heavily rely on image analysis, such as radiologists, sociologists, and pathologists. While obstetric and gynecologic ultrasonography are among the most commonly performed imaging tests, AI's impact in this domain has been limited thus far. Nevertheless, there is immense potential for AI to assist with repetitive ultrasound tasks, such as automatically selecting high-quality acquisitions and providing instant quality assurance. Realizing this potential requires interdisciplinary collaboration between AI developers and ultrasound specialists.