Disposable Endoscopes Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Laparoscopes, Arthroscopes, Ureteroscopes, Cystoscopes, Gynecology Endoscopes, Neuroendoscopes, Bronchoscopes, Hysteroscopes, Laryngoscopes, Otoscopes, Sigmoidoscopes, Duodenoscopes, Nasopharyngoscopes, Rhinoscopes, Colonoscopes), By End User (Hospitals, Outpatient Facilities), By Region and Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 3.51 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.84%
Fastest Growing Segment	Hospitals
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 5.52 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Disposable Endoscopes Market will grow from USD 3.51 Billion in 2025 to USD 5.52 Billion by 2031 at a 7.84% CAGR. Global Disposable Endoscopes Market

Disposable endoscopes are sterile, single-use medical devices designed to be discarded after a single procedure, thereby eliminating the complex reprocessing required for traditional reusable instruments. The primary driver of this market is the urgent need to mitigate hospital-acquired infections, particularly those caused by multidrug-resistant organisms linked to contaminated duodenoscopes and bronchoscopes. Additionally, healthcare facilities are increasingly adopting these devices to enhance operational efficiency by removing the labor costs, downtime, and chemical exposure risks associated with cleaning and sterilization protocols.

Despite these advantages, the environmental impact of single-use plastics remains a significant impediment to broader adoption. The volume of medical waste generated by these devices creates sustainability concerns that institutions are striving to address. According to the Association of Medical Device Reprocessors, in 2025, healthcare facilities diverted over 12 million pounds of waste from landfills by reprocessing single-use devices, a statistic that highlights the massive ecological footprint otherwise created by the disposable endoscopy sector.

Key Market Drivers

The mitigation of cross-contamination and hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) acts as the primary catalyst propelling the global disposable endoscopes market. Traditional reusable devices, particularly duodenoscopes with complex elevator mechanisms, present significant sterilization challenges that have been persistently linked to the transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms. This critical safety flaw has necessitated a rapid paradigm shift toward sterile, single-use alternatives which inherently eliminate the vector for pathogen transfer between patients. According to Ambu A/S, November 2025, in the 'Annual Report 2024/25', the company’s Endoscopy Solutions business achieved an organic growth of 15.4%, a performance surge directly attributed to the accelerating conversion from reusable to single-use modalities in response to urgent infection control priorities.

Simultaneously, rapid technological advancements in single-use endoscopic imaging are removing historical barriers to adoption by delivering visualization quality that rivals traditional reusable platforms. Innovations in high-definition digital sensors and ergonomic design have rendered these disposable devices clinically viable for increasingly complex procedures, thereby fostering broader acceptance among physicians in hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. This improved clinical utility is driving substantial commercial uptake as providers seek to combine performance with operational efficiency. According to Boston Scientific, February 2025, in the 'Q4 2024 Financial & Operational Highlights', the company reported double-digit growth in their single-use imaging franchises, reflecting the expanding utilization of these advanced technologies. Furthermore, the sector operates within a massive scale; according to Boston Scientific, in 2025, their total Endoscopy segment generated net sales of $2,687 million, indicating the robust market environment supporting these disposable innovations.

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Key Market Challenges

The significant environmental impact associated with single-use medical devices stands as a critical restraint hampering the broader expansion of the global disposable endoscopes market. As healthcare systems globally commit to aggressive carbon neutrality goals, the accumulation of non-biodegradable plastic waste creates a direct conflict with institutional sustainability mandates. This ecological liability forces hospital administrators to carefully weigh the infection-control benefits of disposable scopes against the reputational risks and logistical burdens of managing increased medical waste, often causing procurement departments to delay the transition from reusable inventories.

The magnitude of this carbon footprint is substantial and serves as a measurable deterrent to adoption. The production and disposal of these devices contribute heavily to greenhouse gas emissions, a metric that is increasingly scrutinized by regulatory bodies. According to the Association of Medical Device Reprocessors, in 2024, the sector required the elimination of over 23 million pounds of CO2 emissions through reprocessing initiatives to mitigate this impact. This figure underscores the massive potential carbon load inherent in the single-use supply chain, which continues to challenge the market's growth potential in an era of heightened environmental accountability.

Key Market Trends

The Emergence of Sustainable and Biodegradable Device Materials represents a critical market response to the environmental challenges posed by high-volume medical waste. Manufacturers are increasingly moving beyond simple recycling initiatives to fundamentally redesign device composition, integrating bio-based polymers to decouple production from fossil fuels. This shift allows healthcare facilities to maintain the sterility and workflow benefits of single-use instruments while actively reducing their carbon footprint, a factor becoming decisive in hospital procurement strategies. According to Ambu A/S, November 2025, in the 'Annual Report 2024/25', the company successfully implemented bioplastics in the handles of 100% of its currently marketed endoscopes, establishing a new industry benchmark for reducing the ecological impact of disposable medical devices.

Simultaneously, the market is witnessing a Diversification into Specialized Urology and Bronchoscopy Applications, expanding well beyond the traditional gastrointestinal segment. This trend is driven by the heightened complexity and fragility of reusable ureteroscopes and bronchoscopes, which are prone to damage during reprocessing and present persistent cross-contamination risks. Consequently, providers are rapidly adopting high-performance disposable alternatives for these intricate procedures to ensure consistent device availability and clinical safety. This robust uptake is evident in financial performance; according to Boston Scientific, February 2025, in the 'Q4 2024 Financial & Operational Highlights', the company reported double-digit organic revenue growth in its single-use imaging franchises, underscoring the accelerating demand for specialized disposable platforms in urological and biliary interventions.

Segmental Insights

The hospitals segment represents the fastest-growing category within the global disposable endoscopes market, driven by an intensified focus on infection prevention and operational efficiency. Medical centers are increasingly adopting single-use devices to eliminate the risk of cross-contamination often associated with the reprocessing of reusable instruments. This shift is supported by safety communications from regulatory entities such as the U.S. FDA, which have scrutinized the cleaning challenges of traditional endoscopes. Consequently, hospitals are integrating disposable solutions to enhance patient safety protocols while simultaneously reducing the operational burdens related to device maintenance and sterilization.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a dominant position in the global disposable endoscopes market, driven by established healthcare infrastructure and a rising prevalence of chronic diseases. A primary factor influencing this regional leadership is the regulatory focus on infection control. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has actively issued safety communications regarding reprocessed devices, encouraging the transition to single-use alternatives to minimize cross-contamination risks. Additionally, high awareness of hospital-acquired infections and favorable reimbursement frameworks further accelerate the adoption of these sterile devices throughout the region's medical facilities.

Recent Developments

• In April 2025, Karl Storz announced the worldwide launch of the Slimline C-MAC S, a new single-use video laryngoscope designed for advanced airway management. This device was developed to provide clear visibility and confidence during intubation procedures, particularly in challenging clinical scenarios where infection control is paramount. By expanding its offering in the Global Disposable Endoscopes Market, the firm aims to support healthcare professionals with high-quality, sterile tools that mitigate cross-contamination risks. The launch reflects the organization's commitment to innovation and patient safety, ensuring that critical single-use intubation tools are readily available for emergency and routine applications in hospitals globally.
• In October 2024, Verathon launched the Spectrum QC eco, a pioneering single-use video laryngoscope constructed primarily from bio-based plastics. This innovative product, introduced to the Global Disposable Endoscopes Market, utilizes a shell made from renewable materials to drastically lower its carbon footprint compared to fossil-fuel-based alternatives. The device maintains the high-performance visualization standards expected by clinicians while addressing the increasing healthcare demand for environmentally sustainable medical practices. The President of the company emphasized that this launch demonstrates that excellence in critical patient care can be effectively achieved alongside environmental responsibility, reinforcing the firm's leadership in the single-use device sector.
• In April 2024, Ambu announced that it had obtained 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the aScope Gastro Large, described as the world's first single-use therapeutic gastroscope. This new device features a wide 4.2 mm working channel, designed to facilitate complex procedures such as bleed management and stent placement within the Global Disposable Endoscopes Market. The company highlighted that the endoscope is manufactured using bioplastic materials, which significantly reduces the device's carbon footprint. This clearance expanded the firm's single-use portfolio, allowing it to address a broader range of clinical needs in intensive care units and endoscopy suites.
• In April 2024, Olympus Corporation received FDA 510(k) clearance for the RenaFlex, its first single-use flexible ureteroscope system. This strategic product launch allows physicians to access and visualize the urinary tract for diagnosing and treating various conditions, such as kidney stones, thereby strengthening the company's presence in the Global Disposable Endoscopes Market. The system was engineered to offer precise maneuverability and high-quality visualization, providing a sterile, efficient alternative to traditional reusable scopes. The company stated that this development supports its objective to expand its single-use endoscopy lineup, complementing its existing reusable portfolio to meet diverse clinical requirements across different sites of care.

Key Market Players

• Olympus Corporation
• Karl Storz SE
• Ambu A/S
• Boston Scientific Corporation
• obp Surgical Corporation
• CooperSurgical Inc.
• HOYA Corporation
• Shenzhen HugeMed Medical Technical Development Co., Ltd.

By Type	By End User	By Region
Laparoscopes Arthroscopes Ureteroscopes Cystoscopes Gynecology Endoscopes Neuroendoscopes Bronchoscopes Hysteroscopes Laryngoscopes Otoscopes Sigmoidoscopes Duodenoscopes Nasopharyngoscopes Rhinoscopes Colonoscopes	Hospitals Outpatient Facilities	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Disposable Endoscopes Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Disposable Endoscopes Market, By Type:

• Laparoscopes
• Arthroscopes
• Ureteroscopes
• Cystoscopes
• Gynecology Endoscopes
• Neuroendoscopes
• Bronchoscopes
• Hysteroscopes
• Laryngoscopes
• Otoscopes
• Sigmoidoscopes
• Duodenoscopes
• Nasopharyngoscopes
• Rhinoscopes
• Colonoscopes

• Disposable Endoscopes Market, By End User:

• Hospitals
• Outpatient Facilities

• Disposable Endoscopes Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE