Global Point-of-care Ultrasound Market Size, Trends Reshaping Markets 2024-2032

Point Of Care Ultrasound Market Size And Forecast

Point-of-care Ultrasound Market size was valued at USD 3.98 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 6.79 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 7.63% from 2024 to 2031.

• Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a diagnostic technology that enables healthcare personnel to perform ultrasound imaging at the patient’s bedside to inform clinical decisions.
• It is a portable, low-cost equipment that supplements physical examinations while reducing the need for referrals to radiology departments. POCUS offers a wide variety of uses in several medical specialties:
• In emergency medicine, it is used to quickly evaluate critically unwell patients for cardiac tamponade, pneumothorax, ectopic pregnancy, and abdominal aortic aneurysms.
• Furthermore, in critical care, POCUS helps monitor therapy and identify reversible causes of cardiac arrest, such as hypovolemia and pericardial effusion.

Global Point-of-care Ultrasound Market Dynamics

The key market dynamics that are shaping the point-of-care ultrasound market include:

Key Market Drivers

• Increasing Prevalence of Chronic Diseases: The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases is boosting demand for point-of-care ultrasound devices. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), chronic diseases account for 71% of all deaths worldwide, or 41 million people per year. Cardiovascular diseases account for the majority of chronic disease mortality, which totals 17.9 million people each year. Point-of-care ultrasonography is very beneficial for detecting and monitoring cardiovascular problems, which contributes to its increasing demand.
• Rising Geriatric Population: The expanding older population is a key driver of the point-of-care ultrasound market. According to the United Nations, the global population in 2019 included 703 million people aged 65 and up. This figure is expected to quadruple to 1.5 billion by 2050. Older persons often need more frequent medical checkups and supervision, increasing the need for convenient and efficient diagnostic tools like point-of-care ultrasound.
• Technological Advancements in Ultrasound Devices: Technological advancements are making point-of-care ultrasound devices more accessible and usable. According to an American College of Emergency Physicians report, the usage of point-of-care ultrasonography in emergency departments has expanded dramatically, with more than 90% of academic emergency departments in the United States adopting it in 2015. This high rate of adoption is due in part to technology developments that have made these gadgets more portable and user-friendly.

Key Challenges:

• High Cost of Devices: The high initial cost of POCUS devices is a significant obstacle to adoption, especially in smaller healthcare facilities and resource-constrained areas. The large expenditure required inhibits widespread adoption of this technology, limiting its availability to patients.
• Limited Reimbursement and Regulatory Challenges: Some locations have inconsistent or limited reimbursement rules for POCUS exams, which stifles market growth. In addition, companies face difficulties and time constraints when negotiating the regulatory framework and meeting safety/quality standards, causing market launch delays.
• Competition from Conventional Imaging Modalities: POCUS competes with well-established imaging techniques such as CT scans and MRIs, both of which are widely used in clinical settings. The choice of these traditional modalities in specific applications influences the growth of the POCUS market.

Key Trends:

• Increasing Adoption of Handheld and Portable POCUS Devices: The market is experiencing an increase in demand for handheld and portable POCUS devices due to their increased mobility, convenience of use, and ability to give rapid diagnostic information at the point of care. These little gadgets allow healthcare providers to extend the use of ultrasound technology outside standard clinical settings.
• Expansion of POCUS Applications Across Medical Specialties: POCUS is gaining popularity in a variety of medical professions, including emergency medicine, critical care, primary care, and surgical disciplines. Healthcare practitioners are increasingly using POCUS to aid clinical decision-making, improve patient outcomes, and increase operational efficiency in a variety of clinical settings.
• Increasing Focus on POCUS Education and Training: Increasingly, extensive education and training programs for healthcare professionals are being provided to guarantee the successful and broad adoption of POCUS. Various organizations have launched initiatives to provide doctors with the requisite skills to use POCUS technology and interpret the obtained images.

Global Point-of-care Ultrasound Market Regional Analysis

Here is a more detailed regional analysis of the point-of-care ultrasound market:

North America:

• According to Market Research, North America is estimated to dominate the point-of-care ultrasound market during the forecast period. North America, particularly the United States, has a high prevalence of chronic diseases, which drives demand for point-of-care ultrasound devices. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), six out of ten persons in the United States have a chronic disease, with four out of ten having two or more. In 2018, heart disease was the top cause of death in the United States, affecting 30.3 million adults. Due to the significant frequency of chronic illnesses, quick and accurate diagnostic methods such as point-of-care ultrasound are required.
• North America has a well-developed healthcare system that quickly incorporates new technologies. According to the American Hospital Association, 76% of US hospitals used at least a basic Electronic Health Record (EHR) system in 2019. The high degree of technological integration in healthcare settings facilitates the adoption of advanced diagnostic tools like point-of-care ultrasound devices.
• Furthermore, the growing frequency of emergency department visits in North America highlights the need for fast, bedside diagnostic technologies. According to the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, the United States saw 139.0 million emergency department visits in 2017. Point-of-care ultrasonography is especially useful in emergencies, where speedy diagnosis is critical. According to a survey conducted by the American College of Emergency Physicians, 98.3% of emergency medicine residency programs in the United States used point-of-care ultrasound in 2017.

Asia Pacific:

• The Asia Pacific region is estimated to exhibit the highest growth during the forecast period. The Asia Pacific region is undergoing tremendous population expansion and aging, resulting in increased demand for healthcare services such as point-of-care ultrasonography. According to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the region’s population is expected to grow from 4.3 billion in 2020 to 4.7 billion by 2050. Also, the number of individuals aged 65 and up in the region is predicted to more than double, from 395 million in 2020 to 956 million in 2050. This demographic transition is expanding the market for efficient diagnostic techniques such as point-of-care ultrasonography.
• Cardiovascular disorders are growing more widespread in the Asia Pacific region, demanding better diagnostic tools. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular illnesses cause 31% of all fatalities in the Western Pacific Region, which covers much of Asia. In Southeast Asia, the figure is considerably higher at 34%. The growing prevalence of cardiovascular disorders is encouraging the use of point-of-care ultrasound for speedy and precise diagnosis.
• Furthermore, many Asia Pacific countries are investing considerably in healthcare infrastructure and expanding healthcare spending, including the use of modern medical technologies such as point-of-care ultrasound. According to the World Bank, health expenditure as a proportion of GDP in East Asia and the Pacific rose from 6.4% in 2010 to 7.2% in 2018. This trend suggests increased investment in healthcare technologies, such as point-of-care diagnostic equipment.

Europe:

• Europe region is estimated to exhibit substantial growth during the forecast period. Europe’s population is increasingly aging, pushing up demand for point-of-care ultrasound devices. According to Eurostat, the proportion of adults 65 and older in the EU-27 is expected to rise from 20.3% in 2019 to 29.4% by 2050. Chronic diseases are becoming more prevalent as a result of this demographic shift. According to the European Heart Network, cardiovascular illnesses kill 3.9 million people in Europe each year, accounting for 45% of total deaths. The rising frequency of cardiovascular disorders among the elderly is driving the implementation of point-of-care ultrasound for speedy and effective diagnosis.
• European countries are investing more in healthcare technology, such as point-of-care ultrasound machines. According to the European Commission, health expenditure in the EU accounted for 9.9% of GDP in 2019, up from 8.8% in 2014. This increasing funding encourages the use of modern medical technologies. For example, a study published in the European Journal of Emergency Medicine discovered that the use of point-of-care ultrasonography in European emergency rooms went from 74.6% in 2012 to 91.5% in 2017, demonstrating a high adoption of this technology.
• Furthermore, Europe is experiencing a shift toward improving primary care and decentralizing healthcare services, which is pushing the use of point-of-care ultrasound. According to the European Observatory on Health Systems and Strategies, many European nations are putting in place strategies to improve primary care. For example, in the United Kingdom, the NHS Long Term Plan aims to improve out-of-hospital treatment, including increasing the use of point-of-care diagnostics. This move is projected to raise demand for portable and user-friendly diagnostic instruments such as point-of-care ultrasound machines.

Global Point-of-care Ultrasound Market: Segmentation Analysis

The Point-of-care Ultrasound Market is segmented based on Type, Portability, Application, End-User, and Geography.

Point-of-care Ultrasound Market, By Type

• Diagnostic
• Therapeutic

Based on Type, the market is segmented into Diagnostic and Therapeutic. The diagnostic segment is estimated to dominate the point-of-care ultrasound market due to its low cost in comparison to other medical imaging technologies, the growing prevalence of chronic illnesses has raised the demand for ultrasonic imaging for disease diagnosis. Furthermore, increased awareness among healthcare professionals about the benefits of POCUS is encouraging early detection and intervention, bolstering the Diagnostic segment’s dominance in the POCUS market.

Point-of-care Ultrasound Market, By Portability

• Trolley-based Devices
• Handheld Devices

Based on Portability, the market is segmented into Trolley-based Devices and Handheld Devices. The trolley-based device segment is estimated to dominate the point-of-care ultrasound market during the forecast period. The segment’s dominance is being driven by hospitals and clinics’ increasing use of trolley-based devices for emergency medicine, vascular access, and other advanced medical procedures. The portability of these devices, which allows them to be readily moved from one room to another without disrupting patient care, adds to their popularity.

Point-of-care Ultrasound Market, By Application

• Emergency Medicine
• Cardiology
• Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Urology
• Vascular Surgery
• Musculoskeletal

Based on Application, the market is segmented into Emergency Medicine, Cardiology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Urology, Vascular Surgery, and Musculoskeletal. The urology segment is estimated to dominate the point-of-care ultrasound market during the forecast period due to the rising occurrence of urological illnesses such as kidney stones, urinary tract infections, and prostate abnormalities, which has increased demand for POCUS in urology clinics and emergency departments. Urologists are increasingly using POCUS for non-invasive, real-time imaging of the urinary tract and reproductive organs.

Point-of-care Ultrasound Market, By End-User

• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Maternity Centers
• Ambulatory Surgical Centers
• Others

Based on End-User, the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Market is divided into Hospitals, Clinics, Maternity Centers, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, and Others. The hospital segment is estimated to dominate the market over the forecast period. The increasing number of emergency and critical care procedures, the rising frequency of chronic diseases, and the expanding adoption of advanced imaging technologies to improve patient outcomes are all driving this segment’s growth.  Hospitals are increasingly using POCUS to assist clinical decision-making, monitor therapy, and increase operational efficiency, contributing to the segment’s market dominance.

Point-of-care Ultrasound Market, By Geography

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Rest of the World

Based on Geography, the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Market is classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. North America is expected to dominate during the forecasted period due to increased financing for R&D, rising chronic illness prevalence, technical improvements, the presence of established market participants, and the region’s well-developed healthcare infrastructure.

Key Players

The “Point-of-care Ultrasound Market” study report will provide valuable insight with an emphasis on the global market. The major players in the market are GE Healthcare, Koninklijke Philips N.V., FUJIFILM Sonosite, Inc., Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co. Ltd., Hitachi Ltd., Samsung Electronics, Siemens Healthineers, Canon Medical Systems, and Esaote SpA.

Our market analysis also entails a section solely dedicated to such major players wherein our analysts provide an insight into the financial statements of all the major players, along with product benchmarking and SWOT analysis. The competitive landscape section also includes key development strategies, market share, and market ranking analysis of the above-mentioned players globally.

Point-of-care Ultrasound Market Recent Developments

• In October 2023, Butterfly Network and Forest Neurotech signed a 5-year co-development agreement to create next-generation brain-computer interfaces with ultrasound-on-chip technology. Butterfly will earn USD 20MM in annual licenses, chip purchases, services, and milestone payments under the arrangement, with USD 3.5MM received upon signing.
• In October 2023, GE HealthCare signed a USD 44 million contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to develop and obtain regulatory clearance for next-generation advanced point-of-care ultrasound technology with new AI applications.

Report Scope

Conclusion

The Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) market continues to witness robust growth, driven by escalating demand for portable and rapid diagnostic solutions across healthcare settings worldwide. Advancements in ultrasound technology, coupled with the burgeoning adoption of point-of-care diagnostics, are propelling market expansion. Moreover, the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, rising geriatric population, and growing emphasis on efficient healthcare delivery further bolster market dynamics. As healthcare providers prioritize accessible and accurate diagnostic tools to streamline patient care processes, the Point of Care Ultrasound market is poised for sustained development in the foreseeable future.

Research Methodology of Market Research:

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Reasons to Purchase this Report

• Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market based on segmentation involving both economic as well as non-economic factors• Provision of market value (USD Billion) data for each segment and sub-segment• Indicates the region and segment that is expected to witness the fastest growth as well as to dominate the market• Analysis by geography