Ureteroscope is a device, which is used for examining upper urinary tract and the technique is called ureteroscopy. Ureteroscope works similar to a cytoscope, however, it is longer and thinner than cytoscope, and is passed through the urethra to the bladder and then into the ureter (the tubes, which carry urine from kidneys to bladder). Ureteroscope has illuminating light and lens for capturing images of urinary tract organs for presence of tumors and calculi. This device helps to find the position of stone in ureter and is also used for the removal of kidney stone. Ureteroscopy is less harmful and less time consuming procedure to remove kidney stone and shows high accuracy and less complications than conventional methods such as percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).

Ureteroscopes Market Drivers

Increasing approvals and launches of new ureteroscopes devices is expected to be a major factor for growth of the global ureteroscopes market. For instance, in 2016, Boston Scientific Corporation launched its new LithoVue single-use digital flexible ureteroscope in the U.S. and Europe market. LithoVue is used in minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment of kidney stones and other conditions of the kidney, ureter, and bladder.

Furthermore, increasing prevalence of kidney stone is expected to increase demand for ureteroscopes and fuel the market growth. For instance, according to the data published by National Kidney Foundation in 2016, globally, over half a billion people suffer from kidney stone annually. According to data published by National Institute of Health, in 2016, globally, total prevalence of chronic kidney disease is around 14.0% of the general population.

Moreover, prevalence of kidney stones also increases with increasing age. According to the data published in National Center for Biotechnology Information, in 2017, in Mainland China the prevalence of kidney stone was 5.96% in the people aged between 30-39 years, while the prevalence was around 9.68% in people above 60 years of age. Hence, rise in geriatric population is also expected to increase incidence of kidney stone, which in turn is expected to increase demand for ureteroscopes and fuel market growth in the near future. For instance, according to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) 2016, around 547 million people were aged above 60 years in Asia Pacific and the number is projected to reach around 1.3 billion by 2050.

Ureteroscopes Market Regional Analysis

North America is expected to hold the dominant position in global ureteroscopes market, due to presence of key players in the region and high success rates of ureteroscopy. For instance, according to data published by Department of Urology, New York Medical College, in 2016, after a single procedure, around 37% of patients who had undergone flexible ureteroscopy were stone free as compare to only 21% of the patients who were treated with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL). Moreover, Boston Scientific Corporation and Stryker Corporation are the two U.S.-based major players in this market. Furthermore, increasing prevalence of kidney stone in the U.S. is also expected to increase demand for ureteroscopes, which is turn is driving the market growth in North America. For instance, according to data published in National Center for Biotechnology Information, in 2014, according to survey done by National Health and Nutrition Examination in 2012, around 10.6% of men and 7.1% of women in the U.S. are affected from renal stone disease and there is a rapid increase in prevalence of urinary tract stone disease. Asia Pacific is expected to exhibit significant growth in the global ureteroscopes market, owing to increasing incidence of kidney stone disease in population in India and China. For instance, according to data published in National Center for Biotechnology Information in 2017, the prevalence of kidney stone in Mainland China was estimated to be around 10.34% in males and 6.62% in females.

Ureteroscopes Market Restraint

High cost of ureteroscopy procedure is expected to be a major restrain for growth of the global ureteroscopes market. The average cost of ureteroscopy in the U.S. can go up to around US$ 3,000. Such high cost procedures are not easily affordable by everyone and hence it restrain the market growth.

Ureteroscopes Market Key Players

Key players operating in ureteroscopes market include Boston Scientific Corporation, Olympus Corporation, Stryker Corporation, KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG, Richard Wolf GmbH, PENTAX Medical, Elmed Electronics & Medical Industry & Trade Inc., AED.MD, SCHÖLLY FIBEROPTIC GMBH, OPCOM Inc., Prosurg, Inc., SOPRO-COMEG GmbH, and others.

Ureteroscopes Market Taxonomy:

The global ureteroscopes market is segmented on the basis of product type, application, end user, and region:

By Product Type-

Flexible Ureteroscopes
- Fiberoptic Ureteroscopes
- Digital Ureteroscopes
Semi-rigid Ureteroscopes
Rigid Ureteroscopes

By Application-

Therapeutics
- Urolithiasis
- Kidney Cancer
- Ureteral Stinctures
Diagnostics

By End User-

Hospitals
Specialty Clinics
Ambulatory Surgical Centers
Diagnostic Imaging Centers

By Region-

North America
Latin America
Europe
Asia Pacific
Middle East
Africa

About Author

Manisha Vibhute is a consultant with over 5 years of experience in market research and consulting. With a strong understanding of market dynamics, Manisha assists clients in developing effective market access strategies. She helps medical device companies navigate pricing, reimbursement, and regulatory pathways to ensure successful product launches.