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Market Overview

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The global market for portable ultrasound is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.91% and reach USD 2.12 billion by 2028, up from USD 1.42 billion in 2022. This growth can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, there is a growing continuum of applications for portable ultrasound, which is expanding its use in various care settings such as critical care, emergency medicine, long-term care, ambulatory surgical settings, anesthesiology, musculoskeletal, and prehospital care. Secondly, there are continuous technological advancements in portable ultrasound devices, making them more efficient and user-friendly. Lastly, the prevalence of chronic diseases is increasing worldwide, leading to a greater demand for medical imaging and diagnostics.

In North America, particularly in the United States, the adoption rate of portable ultrasound is high. The US accounts for a significant share of 89.11% in the North American portable ultrasound market in 2022. This can be attributed to the investments made by large companies, public and private entities, as well as partnerships and collaborations in the region. Moreover, the increasing population and the rising prevalence of chronic conditions drive the demand for medical imaging and diagnostics. Factors such as the growing healthcare expenditure, the need for advanced imaging techniques, the advantages associated with handheld and mobile ultrasound devices, the presence of established players, and the shift towards AI-based portable ultrasound further contribute to the market growth in North America.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated the growth of medical technology, including portable ultrasound. There is a newfound demand for devices that can diagnose and treat injuries, illnesses, and chronic conditions. In particular, AI-powered portable ultrasound has attracted substantial investments and attention. For example, Exo secured USD 220 million in funding in 2021 for its AI/ultrasound platform. Manufacturers of wearable ultrasound devices are incorporating AI and machine learning into their products to automatically recognize anatomy and provide instant body recognition. The integration of AI into point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) devices enhances diagnostic accuracy, aids in decision-making, and improves patient outcomes.

Various care settings offer different levels of medical care, and ambulatory care is one of the most common facilities for receiving healthcare services. These settings encompass a broad range of services and places, including urgent care centers, acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, outpatient services (such as chemotherapy, hemodialysis, podiatry, endoscopy, pain management clinics, and dentistry), and outpatient surgery centers. Additionally, healthcare services are also provided in private offices or home settings.

Portable ultrasound has the potential to improve patient outcomes in prehospital care settings. It has been identified as one of the top priorities in physician-delivered prehospital critical care research. There is significant growth potential for portable ultrasound in expanding and proposed care settings.

Technological advancements have introduced truly handheld ultrasound (HHU) devices into the market. These devices have smaller footprints, user-friendly interfaces, and more affordable price points, making them highly appealing. However, the introduction of HHU devices also brings new challenges and complex questions regarding the management of patient data, as is the case with most emerging technologies in healthcare.

The imaging technology used in handhelds and conventional machines is similar, with one notable exception. Most conventional cart-based ultrasound systems and handhelds utilize piezoelectric crystal technology to create ultrasound images. However, Butterfly Network Inc. uses capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers on complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMUT-on-CMOS) technology in their product. CMUTs replace vibrating piezoelectric crystals with oscillating drums embedded in a single silicon chip, serving the same function of converting electricity into sound waves.

There is a potential for increased future use of HHU devices by emergency department (ED) consultants, even in specialties that traditionally do not use point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), such as nephrology and internal medicine. Some experts suggest that ultrasound should become a routine part of physical examinations, as HHU devices are expected to become more widespread outside the ED. As ultrasound education becomes more integrated into medical school curricula, it has the potential to facilitate and expand professional education and practice at the graduate level.

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Market Segmentation

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The market is segmented based on various factors, including product, application, end-users, and geography.

Segmentation by Product
Compact
Handheld

Segmentation by Application
General Imaging
Cardiovascular
OB/GYN
Others

Segmentation by End-Users
Hospitals
Diagnostic Imaging Centers
OB/GYN Clinics/Centers
Others

Segmentation by Geography
North America – US, Canada
Europe – Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain
APAC – China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand
Latin America – Brazil, Mexico, Argentina
Middle East & Africa – South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Turkey

The global portable ultrasound market is primarily dominated by compact ultrasound devices, which account for the largest share of 85.37%. These devices are widely used in various medical specialties such as medical imaging, musculoskeletal, cardiology, OB/GYN, vascular, urology, and internal medicine. They are equipped with advanced features and technological advancements like 4D, 5D, and color Doppler. Additionally, they have Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) compatibility, allowing easy integration with picture archiving and communication systems (PACS). Technicians can also export patient data through DVD and USB media using the integrated DICOM viewer.

Koninklijke Philips, holding the second-highest market share, offers a diverse range of compact ultrasound devices including CX50 xMATRIX, Sparq, Affiniti 30, and Affiniti 50.

The global portable ultrasound market is segmented into general imaging, cardiovascular, OB/GYN, and others. General imaging accounted for 34.87% of the market share in 2022. General imaging refers to ultrasound equipment that can provide imaging for general diagnostic tests. It is commonly used for abdominal, musculoskeletal, vascular, urology, and small parts applications. Radiologists and other physicians either perform scans directly using general imaging ultrasound machines or have sonographers perform the scans. General imaging portable ultrasounds are used for various scans including liver, scrotal, thyroid, pancreas, gallbladder, bladder, kidney, spleen, and hip scans. Vendors like Philips and Esaote offer a wide range of portable ultrasound devices suitable for general imaging, offering high-quality imaging technologies such as eHD Technology, Fusion Imaging, Elaxto-Elastosonography Imaging, and contrast media procedures.

Hospitals are the largest end-user segment in the global portable ultrasound market, accounting for 38.23% of the market share. The incorporation of portable ultrasound technologies in hospitals has increased in recent years due to the need for increased productivity and efficiency in imaging activities. The prevalence of chronic illnesses, such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, respiratory diseases, and other medical conditions, has increased the workload on radiologists and departments using conventional ultrasound systems. This has led hospital radiologists to adopt portable ultrasounds to meet the growing demand.

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region holds the highest market share of 36.11% in the global portable ultrasound market as of 2022. The region is expected to witness significant growth in the adoption of portable ultrasound devices if quality healthcare services are provided to a large population. The prevalence of chronic diseases, aging-related conditions, and maternal mortality are key drivers of market growth in the APAC region. China and India are major contributors to the regional market, thanks to their large populations and targeted patient demographics. China’s dominance in the global portable ultrasound market can be attributed to the presence of numerous portable ultrasound manufacturers, an increase in the number of hospitals and diagnostic centers, awareness of advanced healthcare technologies, strong economic growth, and healthcare reforms.

In Europe, the portable ultrasound market was valued at USD 362 million in 2022 and is growing significantly. The increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), gastrointestinal diseases, kidney and bladder diseases, complications in pregnancy, and fetal development are major factors driving market growth in the region. CVDs, in particular, are the leading cause of mortality and a significant source of morbidity in Europe, with approximately 49 million people affected in the EU according to the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) in 2019.

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Competitive Landscape

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The global portable ultrasound market exhibits moderate dynamism, characterized by the presence of a few international and several regional players offering a comprehensive range of portable ultrasound devices. Key players in the market include GE Healthcare, Koninklijke Philips, Siemens Healthineers, Canon Medical Systems, Mindray, and Fujifilm SonoSite. International players in particular emphasize the development of innovative products integrated with advanced technologies like AI, aiming to expand their product portfolios. These major companies focus on maintaining competitiveness through substantial investments in research and development initiatives.

In order to enhance sales and improve profit margins, several prominent players actively pursue inorganic growth strategies such as strategic acquisitions and partnerships. Such strategies allow them to expand their product offerings, gain access to new technology, and increase their market shares. GE Healthcare, holding the top position in the global portable ultrasound market, has successfully maintained its status as the leading manufacturer of portable ultrasound devices, capturing over 25% of global revenues in 2021. In the same year, the company acquired BK Medical, an industry innovator in intraoperative imaging and surgical navigation. BK Medical offers a wide array of 3D imaging systems that find applications in obstetrics and gynecology.

Key companies profiled in this report include GE Healthcare, Koninklijke Philips, Mindray, FUJIFILM, Canon Medical Systems, Siemens Healthineers, DRAMINSKI, Quantel Medical, Healcerion, Clarius, Butterfly, Shantou Institute of Ultrasonic Instruments, MEDGYN PRODUCTS, Viatom, CHISON Medical Technologies, Esaote, Konica Minolta, Dawei Medical, Kaixin, Promed Technology, Fude Technology, Sonoscanner, BenQ Medical, Meda, The Prometheus Group, Xuzhou RuishengChaoying Electronic Technology, Swissray, IMV, E.I. Medical Imaging, ASUSTeK Computer, Samsung Healthcare, CONTEC MEDICAL SYSTEMS, Hologic, Advanced Instrumentations.

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Key Questions Answered

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How large is the global portable ultrasound market?

The global portable ultrasound market was valued at USD 1.42 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 2.12 billion by 2028.

What is the growth rate of the global portable ultrasound market?

The global portable ultrasound market is growing at a CAGR of 6.91% from 2022 to 2028.

Which companies are key players in the global portable ultrasound market?

The key vendors in the global portable ultrasound market include GE Healthcare, Koninklijke Philips, Mindray, Fujifilm, Canon Medical Systems, and Siemens Healthineers.

Which region holds the largest share of the global portable ultrasound market?

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region dominates the global portable ultrasound market, holding the highest share of 36.11%.

What are the emerging trends in the portable ultrasound market?

The emerging trends in the portable ultrasound market include increasing demand for AI-based portable ultrasound devices, future expansion of care settings, and technological advancements in portable ultrasound equipment.