Ultrasound Devices Market Size, Share & Trends, 2033

Ultrasound Devices Market Overview

Global Ultrasound Devices Market size is projected at USD 8258.29 million in 2024 and is anticipated to reach USD 11255.2 million by 2033, registering a CAGR of 3.5%.

The global ultrasound devices market reached approximately USD 10.1 billion in 2024, supported by over 140 million procedures performed annually . In 2024 alone, more than 42 000 portable units were sold worldwide, comprising about 35% of total unit volumes . Stationary consoles accounted for roughly 58% of installed systems, with over 80 000 units deployed globally . AI‑enabled ultrasound systems had been integrated into more than 1 500 hospitals by late 2024 , enhancing diagnostic speed and accuracy.

The Asia‑Pacific region represented 41% of the overall market in 2024, equally mirrored by a figure of 30% combined new installations in China and India . North America claimed the lion’s share at about 38–45% of global volume in 2024, with the U.S. accounting for approximately 60 000 active units . In 2023, more than 90 million scans were performed in general imaging alone . Additionally, over 2000 hospitals worldwide had implemented AI‑assisted imaging systems in diagnostic workflows . This surge in adoption is driven by demand for non‑invasive, real‑time diagnostics and the proliferation of handheld and point‑of‑care devices.

Key Findings

Top Driver reason: Rising demand for point‑of‑care diagnostics and portable/handheld systems.

Top Country/Region: North America holds the largest share (~38–45%), supported by ~60 000 installed units in the U.S.

Top Segment: Portable ultrasound equipment, which accounted for ~35–38% of total unit volumes in 2023–2024.

Ultrasound Devices Market Trends

The ultrasound devices market is rapidly transitioning toward miniaturization and mobility. In 2023, the portable unit segment comprised 38% of total unit shipments, tallying approximately 42 000 devices . Handheld scanners alone made up nearly 18% of that segment, with an average weight below 1.5 kg .

AI integration is another major trend: by 2024, 1 500+ hospitals had adopted AI‑enabled ultrasound systems . AI‑assisted procedures now represent 60% of total imaging workflows in some regions, reducing interpretation time by up to 40% in emergency care . These systems also enable diagnostic quality comparable to specialists (up to 98.3% accuracy) even when used by non‑experts .

Advanced imaging modalities such as 3D/4D systems now account for 28–45% of unit sales, depending on region . Adoption of 3D/4D ultrasound surged 50% in recent years, especially in obstetrics, orthopedics, and oncology . Doppler systems and high‑intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) are also gaining traction, with HIFU procedures (e.g. prostate ablation) increasing by 300% since 2022 .

Wireless and cloud‑connected devices now constitute 45–55% of new installed systems, enabling tele‑ultrasound and remote diagnostics . Training infrastructure is expanding: academic institutions have increased ultrasound simulator programs by 15%, while portable trainee devices are increasingly incorporated .

Region‑specific trends highlight Asia‑Pacific as the fastest‑growing market, with 30% of new device installations in China and India and 65% portable device adoption in government hospitals . The Middle East and Africa saw 50% of new installations being portable units in 2023 . Europe installed over 4 000 AI‑assisted units, while North America’s portable share stands at 40% of new purchases .

In summary, the market is marked by rising adoption of portable, AI‑driven, and advanced imaging systems across all regions, driven by demand for point‑of‑care diagnostics, improved workflow, rural healthcare access, and technological innovation.

Ultrasound Devices Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for point‑of‑care and portable diagnostics

More than 45% of new ultrasound units sold in 2023 were portable, with handheld models capturing around 18% of that share . Portable and handheld devices, weighing under 1.5 kg, are increasingly deployed in emergency departments, ambulances, rural clinics, and home care . These devices enable bedside diagnostics, reducing patient transfer times and enabling faster clinical decisions—interpretation speed is improved by approximately 30% . With over 60 000 units installed in U.S. hospitals alone, demand from tertiary care centers remains strong . Asia‑Pacific markets, led by India and China, saw 10 000 portable systems deployed between 2022 and 2024 . These trends reflect a compelling shift toward decentralized care, telemedicine, and early diagnostics across various healthcare settings.

RESTRAINT

High cost of advanced and table‑top ultrasound systems

Table‑top ultrasound units, priced between USD 50 000 and USD 150 000, remain the costliest category . High acquisition and maintenance costs limit adoption in emerging economies, leading to slower uptake in regions like China, Poland, and India . In 2023, maintenance and software updates contributed to an 8% increase in operational expenditure, further limiting resource‑constrained facilities . Reimbursement complexities, particularly for point‑of‑care devices in the U.S., also restrict broader deployment . As a result, refurbished equipment remains attractive: in some emerging markets, they represent up to 50% of unit installations, delaying new-device uptake .

OPPORTUNITY

Expansion of AI‑driven and cloud‑connected solutions

AI‑assisted ultrasound is now used in 60% of imaging workflows, with 1 500+ hospitals already implementing such systems by 2024 . Integrating AI into handheld devices can democratize diagnostics by enabling non‑expert staff to perform accurate scans—up to 98.3% specialist-level accuracy . AI accelerates decision-making (by as much as 40%) and improves lesion detection using 3D/4D data ..

Cloud platforms now manage 45–55% of new installations, enabling tele‑ultrasound, image‑sharing, and remote consultations . Tele‑ultrasound is especially promising in rural Asia, where 65% of portable devices in government hospitals support remote access . Combined investment of over USD 1.4 billion in R&D (2021–2024) and USD 200 million VC funding in 2023 for AI‑ultrasound startups underscores enormous opportunity .

CHALLENGE

Workforce training and regulatory complexities

Training deficits continue to hamper adoption: despite rising demand, enrollment in certified training programs was 12% below required levels in 2024 . In emerging regions, lack of skilled sonographers keeps utilization rates low and slows full deployment . Regulatory hurdles are increasingly stringent: Europe’s approval processes and U.S. reimbursement criteria delay launches of innovative devices . Integration of hybrid systems (e.g., ultrasound with CT/MRI overlays) demands additional verification steps and clinician training . These factors limit device rollout even when funding is available, and slow penetration in underserved regions.

Ultrasound Devices Market Segmentation

The ultrasound devices market is segmented by type and application, each evaluated through installation volume and utilization statistics. By device type, 2D, 3D/4D, and Doppler systems account for installation shares of approximately 35–37%, 45–46%, and 18–20%, respectively. Application segmentation shows Radiology/Oncology capturing around 23%, Cardiology about 18%, Obstetrics & Gynecology approximately 22%, Mammography/Breast at 10%, Emergency Medicine around 8%, Vascular near 7%, and Others including musculoskeletal and pediatric imaging holding the remaining 12%. These figures illustrate allocation across clinical fields and technology platforms aligned with device capabilities.

By Type

2D: 2D ultrasound systems remain the most prevalent, accounting for approximately 37% of total installed devices in 2024 . This segment includes black‑and‑white grayscale imaging used in general diagnostic scans such as abdominal, skeletal, pelvic, and fetal studies. In 2023, over 90 million 2D scans were performed globally, primarily for fetal health assessments; hospital-based imaging centers conducted around 60 million procedures . Weight ranges for portable 2D probes typically fall below 2 kg, leading handheld unit sales to exceed 18 000 devices in 2023 . Given cost constraints, 2D remains dominant in emerging markets, representing over 50% of installed base in regions like Southeast Asia and Latin America .
3D & 4D: 3D/4D ultrasound systems accounted for approximately 45–46% of total device installations in 2024 . This segment includes static 3D volume imaging and real‑time 4D applications, especially in fetal monitoring, cardiac mapping, and tumor morphology. In 2023, roughly 6000 new 3D/4D devices were shipped globally, marking a 50% increase over the previous two years . Obstetrics and gynecology departments installed about 40% of these new systems, while cardiology and oncology claimed 30% and 20%, respectively. Average system weight ranges from 12 to 18 kg, and over 85% of installed units featured matrix-array transducers enabling volumetric scanning .
Doppler: Doppler ultrasound accounted for approximately 18–20% of total installed devices in 2024, supporting vascular flow studies and cardiac assessments . In 2023, Doppler systems booked around 25 000 new installations, with hospitals representing 70% of placements and imaging centers 20%. These units typically cost between USD 40 000 and USD 90 000, with annual maintenance contracts adding roughly10% of purchase price . Doppler utilization peaked in cardiology, accounting for 55%, followed by vascular applications at 25%, and obstetrics/gynecology at 15%, illustrating its central role in hemodynamic monitoring.

By Application

Radiology/Oncology: The Radiology/Oncology application segment represents approximately 23% of the global installed ultrasound base, with hospitals performing over 20 million oncology-related scans in 2023 . This includes guidance for biopsies, tumor volume assessment, and radiation therapy planning. Advances in HIFU have seen a 150% increase in prostate and uterine fibroid treatments since 2022, with around 3500 HIFU units installed globally in oncology centers . Radiology departments installed nearly 8000 advanced grayscale and Doppler-equipped systems in 2023, which account for 60% of imaging-related expenditures.
Cardiology: Cardiology accounts for around 18% of ultrasound applications, with over 15 million echocardiography exams conducted globally in 2023 . Approximately 55% of Doppler installations support cardiac evaluation, while 3D/4D systems enable volumetric heart imaging at 30% adoption within cardiology labs . Portable cardiac units represent 12% of global cardiac device stock, with ambulatory clinics ordering nearly 5000 units in 2023, supporting rural echo services.
Obstetrics & Gynecology: This application occupies about 22% of global ultrasound utilization, with fetal imaging scans exceeding 30 million in 2023 . Roughly 37% of these used 2D imaging, 45% used 3D/4D systems, and 18% incorporated Doppler for umbilical blood flow assessment. Maternity clinics installed nearly 10 000 portable units in emerging markets to support maternal-fetal screening.
Mammography/Breast: Ultrasound in breast imaging comprises around 10% of total applications, with 4 million breast scans performed in 2023 . Breast-dedicated systems installed numbered more than 2000, typically featuring high-frequency linear transducers (10–18 MHz). Imaging centers equipped with elastography-capable breast units recorded15% higher diagnostic rates versus grayscale alone.
Emergency Medicine: Emergency medicine accounted for about 8% of ultrasound deployments, with FAST/EFAST exams reaching 5 million globally in 2023 . Hospitals purchase approximately 3000 vascular-dedicated Doppler units annually, with imaging suites deploying 80% of these devices. Advanced vascular systems with automatic plaque measurement tools were introduced in over 500 clinics during the same year.
Others: The remaining 12% of uses include musculoskeletal, neonatal, urology, and musculoskeletal imaging—tallying around 6 million exams in 2023 . Over 2500 niche portable systems for musculoskeletal and neonatal use were deployed, each costing under USD 25 000, while point‑of-care units for intensive care wards totaled10 000 installations.

Ultrasound Devices Market Regional Outlook

The global regional landscape reveals North America holding the dominant installed base with 38–44% of devices, followed by Asia‑Pacific at 28–30%, Europe at 21–23%, and Middle East & Africa capturing 8–10%. Regional deployment varies strongly by portability and type: North America leads in advanced 3D/4D and Doppler units, Asia‑Pacific drives volume through cost‑effective 2D and handheld device uptake, while Europe and MEA allocate scanning resources between hospitals and remote clinics.

North America

North America is the leading regional market, comprising around 38.1–44% of global installed ultrasound systems . In the U.S. alone, the installed base exceeded 60 000 devices by end of 2023, with over 2.55 billion USD worth of devices in place . Diagnostic imaging units—mostly 2D and 3D/4D consoles—made up 85% of the deployment, while 40% of units sold in 2023 were portable or handheld systems . Hospitals account for 55% of placements, outpatient imaging centers 30%, and mobile/home care units the remaining 15%, providing coverage across urban and rural areas. Policy-driven reimbursement for general practitioner use meant that 26% of U.S. scans in 2023 were point-of-care ultrasounds .

Europe

Europe accounted for roughly 21–23% of global ultrasound installations in 2023 . Germany, the UK, and France represent 60% of European device placements. Approximately 18 000 new systems were installed in 2023, of which 50% were color Doppler and 35% represented 3D/4D functionalities . EU hospitals hold 70% of Europe’s installed units; imaging centers and specialty clinics share 20% and 10% respectively. AI-enabled ultrasound integration in Europe rose to 25% of installed systems in 2023, led by UK adopting more than 1500 AI-ready units.

Asia‑Pacific

Asia-Pacific commanded around 28.4–30% of global ultrasound device installations in 2023, with China and India jointly accounting for nearly 65% of regional deployments . The region deployed over 12 000 new portable devices, accounting for 65% of government hospital orders . Diagnostic 2D imaging comprised 84% of installed volume, while 3D/4D units made up 12% . Standalone imaging centers represent 30% of placements; rural clinic adoption of handheld scanners reached 5000 units in 2023. Japan led in high‑end 3D/4D system uptake, accounting for 20% of APAC’s advanced unit total.

Middle East & Africa

Middle East & Africa contributed approximately 8–10% of global installations in 2023 . Regional hospital systems installed about 3000 new ultrasound units, 50% portable and 45% Doppler-capable . Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries represented 70% of MEA expenditure, with imaging sites in UAE and Saudi Arabia installing 60% 3D/4D-capable consoles in tertiary centers. Africa registered carried-over installation of 40% refurbished systems, whereas Middle East clinics preferred new portable units. Tele-ultrasound accounted for 20% of installations due to remote diagnostics.

List of Top Ultrasound Devices Market Companies

General Electric (GE)
Philips
Siemens
TOSHIBA
Hitachi Medical
Mindray
Sonosite (FUJIFILM )
Esaote
Samsung Medison
Konica Minolta
SonoScape
LANDWIND MEDICAL
SIUI
CHISON
EDAN Instruments

Top two companies With Highest Share

General Electric (GE) : GE Healthcare holds the largest global installed base: over 60 000 units globally, operating in 100+ countries, with its R&D center in Bangalore valued at USD 50 million .

Philips : Philips is the second-most installed brand, featuring 35% share in Europe and 20% in North America. Over 1500 AI-enabled systems were deployed by Philips in 2023 across 50 countries .

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Investment interest in the ultrasound devices market has surged, reflecting both established players and new entrants securing substantial funding. From 2021 to 2024, healthcare startups focused on AI-integrated systems attracted over USD 200 million in venture capital rounds . Notably, capital allocations targeted cloud connectivity, real-time analytics, and handheld form factors, with 60% of funding supporting devices under 2 kg. Institutional investors and corporate venture arms have directed approximately USD 150 million into R&D collaborations across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, where 60% of new lab installations involve AI modules .

Mergers and acquisitions are reshaping the competitive landscape. In July 2024, GE Healthcare acquired Intelligent Ultrasound’s AI business for USD 51 million, enhancing its cloud‑enabled and AI‑driven portfolio . Earlier in 2023, GE also acquired Caption Health for USD 150 million, bringing real-time AI guidance technologies into its ecosystem . Canon and Olympus in January 2024 announced a joint development agreement for an advanced Endoscopic Ultrasound System, leveraging Olympus’s endoscopy expertise and Canon’s sonography strengths . These strategic alliances demonstrate a shift toward integrating ultrasound with other imaging modalities and surgical platforms.

Emerging-market strategies also indicate substantial investments. In China and India during 2023–2024, government-led procurement funded approximately 10 000 portable systems, of which 65% were handheld units supporting rural diagnostics . Investors have also funneled resources into tele-ultrasound infrastructure; telehealth platforms utilizing ultrasound accounted for 20% of total device placements in the Middle East & Africa region in 2024 .

Opportunities are particularly strong in AI and cloud-enabled systems. About 45–55% of newly installed devices in 2024 included wireless connectivity features . With over 5.7 million breast ultrasound images used in AI training datasets by late 2024, startups and established players are enhancing detection algorithms for breast cancer screening . Additionally, robotic ultrasound captured investor attention: research on Robotic Ultrasound Systems (RUSS) has accelerated, supported by machine‑learning-based autonomous operation, positioning it for clinical adoption .

Regulatory shifts support growth. The U.S. FDA’s January 2021 proposal for AI/ML-based medical device frameworks and Europe’s implementation of the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) have clarified pathways to approval en.wikipedia.org. As manufacturers align with these frameworks, investment in regulatory compliance, clinical validation, and product standardization is increasing. For example, Philips deployed 1 500+ AI‑enabled systems by 2023 across 50 countries, indicating confidence in regulatory readiness .

New Product Development

Innovations in ultrasound technology have accelerated between 2023–2024, spanning AI, robotics, wearable formats, and multi-modal imaging. Caption Health’s real-time ultrasound guidance, acquired by GE Healthcare for USD 150 million in 2023, integrates AI models that provide on-screen prompts in procedural workflows, improving novice scanner performance and reducing image-acquisition time by 30% . Similarly, Intelligent Ultrasound’s AI algorithms, acquired by GE in mid‑2024 for USD 51 million, offer cloud-based lesion-detection capabilities with 98% diagnostic accuracy .

Canan Dağdeviren’s team at MIT published proof-of-concept results in July 2023 for a flexible ultrasound “patch” embedded in a bra, capable of detecting breast cysts as small as 0.3 cm . This patch offers automated scanning, daily monitoring, and standardization across breast regions, improving early-detection potential for high-risk women.

Research into teleoperated and autonomous robotic arms now enables reproducible imaging sequences with reduced operator dependency . Autonomous systems trained via machine learning can replicate expert sonographer motions and decisions—critical given the 4.4 full‑time sonographers per site in typical U.S. facilities (2023) .

In January 2024, Canon and Olympus announced a co-developed Endoscopic Ultrasound System combining Olympus’s 4K endoscopy with Canon’s sonography tech . This hybrid system enables simultaneous visual and ultrasound imaging during endoscopic procedures, delivering improved anatomical guidance in GI and pancreatic tumor interventions.

Terason’s uSmart line, built on radar-derived integrated circuits, has shipped thousands of units since 2000; in 2024 it remains the third-largest point-of-care share in the U.S., with ENV needle-visualization and panoramic imaging capabilities . Handheld devices under 1.5 kg now represent 18–20% of new unit sales .

Across manufacturers, device upgrades have emphasized miniaturization: matrix-array transducers now power 85% of new 3D/4D systems, while color Doppler is included in 50% of newly installed systems across Europe and North America . Wireless models supporting tele-ultrasound and DICOM/RIS connectivity now form 45–55% of installations . These innovations demonstrate the trend toward smarter, more portable, multi-modal, and operator-friendly ultrasound systems in clinical practice.

Five Recent Developments

GE Healthcare: acquired Caption Health (2023) for USD 150 million, bringing real-time AI-guided ultrasound to its product lineup, reducing novice scan time by 30% .
GE Healthcare further: acquired Intelligent Ultrasound’s clinical AI business (July 2024) for USD 51 million, significantly expanding its cloud-based lesion detection and AI analytics .
Canon and Olympus: announced a joint Endoscopic Ultrasound System (Jan 2024), merging Olympus’s 4K endoscopic imaging with Canon’s ultrasound expertise to improve GI and pancreatic diagnostics .
MIT team: unveiled a wearable ultrasound patch bra (July 2023) capable of detecting breast cysts as small as 0.3 cm, offering potential for home-based, longitudinal monitoring .
Terason’s uSmart :portable systems onboarded ENV and panoramic imaging, reinforcing its position as the third-largest handheld device provider, with thousands of units deployed across U.S. point-of-care settings .

Report Coverage of Ultrasound Devices Market

The report encompasses a comprehensive examination of the ultrasound devices market, structured to reflect trends, technology, applications, and geographic insights. It outlines product categories—2D, 3D/4D, Doppler, therapeutic, and handheld systems—providing unit installation volumes (e.g., 42,000 portable units sold in 2024) and segment usage rates (e.g., Doppler representing 18–20% of devices) across regions. Portability classification differentiates cart-based consoles (≈67–68% of units) from handheld/tablet systems, noting that 18–20% of new unit sales in 2024 were handheld .

Application coverage spans major specialties: Radiology/Oncology (23% share; 20 million oncology procedures in 2023), Cardiology (15 million echo exams), Obstetrics & Gynecology (30 million fetal scans), Mammography (4 million breast scans), Emergency Medicine (5 million FAST exams), Vascular (3 million duplex studies), and Others (6 million musculoskeletal and neonatal). Each segment includes device counts, exam volumes, and adoption metrics.

Regional analysis details North America’s share (38–44%; 60,000 units in U.S.), Europe’s device counts (18,000 new systems; AI-enabled growth to 25%), Asia-Pacific deployments (12,000 portables; 84% 2D), and Middle East & Africa trends (3,000 units; 50% portable). Country-level insights cover U.S. (2.55 billion market size in 2023), Canada, France, China, UAE, supported by government-funded installations.

Competitive landscape features company profiles: GE Healthcare (>60,000 ultrasound units globally; Bangalore R&D center of USD 50 million), Philips (25% global share; 1,500+ AI-enabled systems), Siemens, Canon, Hitachi, Mindray, Samsung Medison, and others. M&A activities (GE, Canon–Olympus) and alliances are chronicled alongside product innovation initiatives.

Additional sections include investment analysis (USD 200 million VC funding; R&D allocation), regulatory frameworks (FDA AI guidance, EU MDR), and R&D trends (robotic, AI-guided, wearable systems). The report addresses market dynamics—drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges—showing figures like service volumes (90 million scans), device prices (USD 50,000–150,000), and funding amounts.

This coverage makes the report a detailed guide for stakeholders, including technology developers, investors, healthcare providers, and policymakers, supporting strategic decision-making through quantifiable data, regional segmentation, and technology roadmaps.