MRG reports 6.5% annual growth in the US and European endoscope market through 2015

According to Millennium Research Group (MRG), the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, the overall United States and European endoscope market will show a sustained growth averaging 6.5 percent per year through 2015, primarily driven by strong growth in the large GI endoscope segment, but also seeing notable growth in cameras. Growth will be driven by increasing capital budgets as the economy improves, as well as by a steady increase in demand for minimally invasive procedures.

“For example, Olive Medical is developing a low-cost three-chip HD camera for use on a disposable single-use scope. According to the company, this system can produce 1080p native images equivalent to leading three-chip systems, but will only cost approximately $300 per use and does not require sterilization.”

The GI endoscope market includes video colonoscopes, gastroscopes, duodenoscopes and enteroscopes. Over the next five years the market will benefit from capital purchases that have been delayed by the poor economy, as facilities replace aging systems, as well as from newly mandated cancer screening programs, particularly in the US. Sales prices will also rise, as advanced technologies such as HD videoscopes are adopted.

A GI endoscopy suite represents a substantial capital investment, and tends to tie a facility to a specific endoscope manufacturer. This will continue to benefit Olympus/Gyrus-ACMI, which currently dominates this market across the US and Europe.

Cameras represent the second largest segment and will also see significant growth, as HDTV three-chip systems are increasingly adopted and 3DHD systems are introduced. 3DHD cameras are expected to have a US market size of $25 million by 2015, starting from their initial introduction in 2010. While Stryker and KARL STORZ will continue to lead the overall camera market, new competitors such as Viking Systems and Olive Medical are launching innovative products that could result in shifting market shares over the next 5 years.

"We're seeing a lot of technological innovation in this market, which keeps selling prices high and strengthens demand, as facilities upgrade obsolete equipment," said MRG Analyst Daniel Brown. "For example, Olive Medical is developing a low-cost three-chip HD camera for use on a disposable single-use scope. According to the company, this system can produce 1080p native images equivalent to leading three-chip systems, but will only cost approximately $300 per use and does not require sterilization."

Millennium Research Group's US and European Markets for Endoscopes 2011 report includes procedure, unit, average selling price and revenue information, along with market drivers and limiters and competitive landscape for gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopes, endoscopic cameras, urological endoscopes, gynecological endoscopes, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) endoscopes, laparoscopes, arthroscopes and bronchoscopes in the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Source Millennium Research Group