Ultrasound Equipment Market Size | Global Report [2033]

Ultrasound Equipment Market Overview

The Ultrasound Equipment Market size was valued at USD 7536.64 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 10006.76 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 3.2% from 2025 to 2033.

The ultrasound equipment market plays a crucial role in medical diagnostics, with over 140 million ultrasound procedures performed globally each year. Ultrasound equipment is used in more than 75% of hospitals and diagnostic imaging centers, supporting various applications such as obstetrics, cardiology, urology, and musculoskeletal diagnostics. The demand for portable ultrasound machines has surged, accounting for approximately 35% of total unit shipments in 2023. Additionally, over 60% of developing countries are witnessing increased adoption of ultrasound devices due to growing awareness of non-invasive diagnostics. Technological advancements such as AI-enabled imaging and 3D/4D ultrasound systems have expanded clinical utility, with over 2,000 hospitals integrating AI-assisted ultrasound by late 2024.

The Ultrasound Equipment Market represents a vital segment of the global medical imaging industry, centered on diagnostic systems that use high-frequency sound waves to visualize internal body structures in real time. As of 2024, more than 140 million ultrasound scans are conducted globally each year, reflecting widespread adoption across healthcare systems in both developed and developing regions.

This market includes a broad range of devices such as stationary systems, portable units, and handheld devices, each tailored for different clinical environments. Hospitals account for approximately 70% of installations, while demand in ambulatory care, rural clinics, and home healthcare is growing due to the miniaturization of equipment and wireless connectivity.

Ultrasound equipment is widely used in obstetrics and gynecology, cardiology, oncology, urology, and emergency medicine. Technological advancements, including 3D/4D imaging, AI-assisted interpretation, and tele-ultrasound platforms, have significantly improved image quality, workflow efficiency, and accessibility in underserved areas. For example, over 1,500 hospitals globally adopted AI-based ultrasound systems by 2023.

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Key Findings

DRIVER: Increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and aging population.

COUNTRY/REGION: North America dominates due to technological adoption and healthcare infrastructure.

SEGMENT: Portable ultrasound equipment is gaining higher demand due to mobility and accessibility.

Ultrasound Equipment Market Trends

Technological innovation is a defining trend in the ultrasound equipment market. As of 2023, over 1,500 hospitals globally have adopted AI-based diagnostic ultrasound, with 3D and 4D imaging units accounting for nearly 28% of total sales. The miniaturization of devices has led to the launch of handheld ultrasound machines, with more than 70 models available commercially. In 2024, mobile ultrasound equipment saw a 12% increase in usage for emergency and point-of-care applications. Another significant trend is the integration of wireless connectivity and cloud-based image sharing, observed in 45% of newly installed systems in developed markets.

Hospitals and clinics are transitioning to compact and multifunctional devices to enhance patient throughput. As of 2024, about 65% of imaging centers use digital and connected ultrasound systems, contributing to faster diagnostics and improved patient outcomes. Furthermore, training simulators for ultrasound have grown by 15% in academic institutions, emphasizing the need for skilled professionals. Additionally, the veterinary sector is emerging as a growing end-user segment, with a 9% increase in device purchases in 2023 alone.

Ultrasound Equipment Market Dynamics

Ultrasound Equipment Market Dynamics refers to the comprehensive set of internal and external forces that influence the growth, structure, and future trajectory of the ultrasound equipment industry. These dynamics include market drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges, each of which plays a critical role in shaping demand patterns, competitive behavior, product innovation, and regional expansion strategies.

DRIVER

Rising demand for point-of-care diagnostics.

The increased preference for non-invasive, real-time diagnostic tools has driven demand for portable ultrasound equipment. In 2023, more than 45% of newly purchased ultrasound units were portable, facilitating applications in emergency rooms, ambulatory care, and rural healthcare setups. The ability to perform bedside diagnostics has improved clinical decision-making speed by 30%, reducing the need for expensive imaging referrals. Additionally, the use of handheld devices in remote locations has grown by over 20%, ensuring accessible imaging where radiology departments are scarce.

RESTRAINT

Demand for refurbished equipment.

Despite the growing demand, high procurement costs remain a restraint, leading to a 25% increase in the purchase of refurbished ultrasound units between 2022 and 2024. Many healthcare providers in low- and middle-income regions opt for refurbished systems to cut capital expenditure. This shift reduces the uptake of new, high-end systems. Furthermore, maintenance and software upgrade challenges in refurbished units reduce operational efficiency by an estimated 15%.

OPPORTUNITY

Integration of ultrasound with AI and telemedicine.

Artificial intelligence is transforming ultrasound imaging. By 2024, over 1,200 hospitals had adopted AI-integrated ultrasound systems to enhance image accuracy and reduce interpretation time by 35%. Tele-ultrasound platforms, enabling remote real-time imaging consultations, have been implemented in over 600 rural clinics globally. The fusion of AI and telemedicine is expected to increase ultrasound utilization in home care settings by over 40%, opening new markets beyond hospitals and diagnostic labs.

CHALLENGE

Rising costs and expenditures.

Operational costs for ultrasound imaging continue to rise, with average maintenance costs increasing by 8% in 2023 alone. The need for regular software updates and component replacements contributes significantly to ownership costs. Additionally, training personnel for advanced imaging systems remains a barrier, with training program enrollments falling short by 12% of the required demand in 2024. These challenges hinder scalability, particularly in resource-constrained settings.

Ultrasound Equipment Market Segmentation

The ultrasound equipment market is segmented by type and application. By type, the market includes stationary and portable ultrasound equipment. By application, segments include medical imaging, detection, measurement, and others.

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By Type

Stationary Ultrasound Equipment: Stationary ultrasound equipment remains the backbone of tertiary hospital imaging departments, accounting for nearly 58% of all systems in use globally. These units are preferred for high-volume scanning, particularly in obstetrics and gynecology. In 2023, over 80,000 stationary systems were installed globally, with 70% concentrated in North America and Europe. Their ability to support advanced imaging features like elastography and Doppler imaging contributes to their continued relevance.
Portable Ultrasound Equipment: Portable ultrasound equipment is gaining rapid adoption in emergency medicine, outpatient care, and rural healthcare. More than 42,000 portable units were sold in 2023 alone, accounting for 38% of the total market volume. Handheld models make up approximately 18% of the portable segment, with increased usage in field diagnostics and veterinary applications. The average weight of these units has decreased to below 1.5 kg, making them ideal for mobile diagnostics.

By Application

Medical Imaging: Medical imaging is the largest application area, accounting for over 60% of total ultrasound equipment usage globally. It is primarily used in obstetrics, cardiology, urology, and musculoskeletal examinations. In 2023, more than 90 million ultrasound scans were performed for general imaging alone, with hospitals using both stationary and portable devices to deliver real-time, non-invasive diagnostics.
Detection: Detection applications have expanded rapidly in oncology, cardiology, and abdominal disorders. Over 35% of high-frequency ultrasound systems are utilized specifically for early tumor detection and cardiac anomaly identification. In 2023, ultrasound was used in over 12 million cancer screenings, showing a 15% increase from the previous year.
Measurement: Measurement applications are essential in prenatal monitoring, orthopedic assessments, and organ dimension evaluation. Over 40% of prenatal care procedures include biometric measurements such as fetal head circumference and limb length. In sports medicine, ultrasound-based measurement tools are used in over 20,000 orthopedic clinics for soft tissue analysis.
Others: Other applications include interventional guidance, anesthesia, and biopsy support, accounting for approximately 12% of total system usage. In 2023, more than 10,000 ultrasound-guided biopsies were performed globally, while portable systems were increasingly used in critical care units and ambulances for procedural guidance.

Regional Outlook for the Ultrasound Equipment Market

The global ultrasound equipment market demonstrates region-specific trends influenced by infrastructure, healthcare access, and technological innovation.

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North America

North America holds the highest market share, with the U.S. alone accounting for over 35% of global ultrasound equipment installations. As of 2024, more than 60,000 ultrasound units are active in U.S. hospitals and diagnostic centers. The presence of leading manufacturers, strong reimbursement systems, and investments in AI-based imaging support high adoption rates. Portable ultrasound devices represent 40% of new purchases in North America.

Europe

Europe remains a key region with over 50,000 ultrasound systems in operation, led by countries such as Germany, the UK, and France. Adoption of AI-enabled devices is growing rapidly, with over 4,000 AI-assisted units installed across the continent in 2023. Public health initiatives and centralized procurement in national health systems support widespread deployment. Portable devices are increasingly used in home care and aged-care facilities.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region, with China and India collectively accounting for 30% of all new device installations in 2023. Japan leads in technological innovation, introducing over 60 new models in the past two years. Government-backed rural health programs in India resulted in the installation of over 10,000 portable ultrasound devices between 2022 and 2024. Demand in the region is supported by population growth, increased healthcare spending, and local manufacturing.

Middle East & Africa

Middle East and Africa are experiencing steady growth, driven by improving healthcare infrastructure. In 2023, over 6,000 ultrasound systems were active in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Portable units are highly favored, comprising 50% of all new installations due to their suitability for remote clinics. South Africa and Egypt are leading markets in Africa, driven by public hospital upgrades and increased training for radiologists.

List of Top Ultrasound Equipment Companies

GE Healthcare
Philips
Hitachi-Aloka
Siemens
Toshiba
FUJIFILM SonoSite
Esaote
Samsung Medison
Analogic
Terason
ALPINION
Mindray Medical
SonoScape
SIUI
LANDWIND MEDICAL

GE Healthcare: GE Healthcare leads the market with over 20,000 ultrasound units in use globally. The company’s LOGIQ and Vscan product lines have seen over 15% growth in annual unit sales, driven by innovations in AI and portability.

Philips: Philips holds a significant market share, with more than 18,000 systems installed in hospitals across 100 countries. Its EPIQ and Lumify series are known for image clarity and mobile integration, especially popular in emergency medicine and cardiology.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Investments in ultrasound technology have risen significantly over the last three years, with more than $1.4 billion allocated globally toward R&D and facility expansion between 2021 and 2024. Emerging technologies such as contrast-enhanced ultrasound and elastography have received over $300 million in dedicated funding. In 2023, over 50 new startups entered the market, focusing on handheld and AI-driven solutions. Venture capital funding for AI-integrated ultrasound reached $200 million in 2023 alone.

Hospitals and private clinics are investing in upgrading aging equipment, with 60% of facilities planning to replace their systems within five years. Educational institutions are also expanding ultrasound training programs, with over 250 universities introducing simulator-based learning modules by 2024. Investment in mobile and battery-powered units has doubled from 2022, addressing diagnostic needs in rural and off-grid locations. Governments in Asia-Pacific and Africa are providing grants for portable device deployment under national health initiatives.

New Product Development

Between 2023 and 2024, manufacturers introduced over 80 new ultrasound models globally. Notable developments include AI-enabled image interpretation that reduces scan time by 40% and improves diagnostic accuracy by 25%. In 2023, a major innovation was the introduction of wireless transducers compatible with mobile devices, now adopted by over 1,000 hospitals worldwide.

FUJIFILM SonoSite launched its new PX portable ultrasound system with advanced needle visualization, improving interventional procedure accuracy by 30%. Samsung Medison released a new line of OB/GYN systems with improved fetal monitoring and 5D visualization. Mindray Medical introduced touch-screen integrated systems with AI-assisted cardiac function analysis, enhancing exam efficiency in cardiology departments.

Furthermore, wearable ultrasound patches for continuous monitoring of organ functions were developed in early 2024, with pilot deployments in over 50 intensive care units across the U.S. These innovations are addressing demand for faster, portable, and patient-centric diagnostics.

Five Recent Developments

GE Healthcare launched LOGIQ Fortis with AI automation, reducing image acquisition time by 30%.
Philips introduced a telehealth-integrated mobile ultrasound platform used in 700+ rural clinics.
FUJIFILM SonoSite released PX system with enhanced needle visualization, boosting accuracy by 28%.
Samsung Medison deployed 5D Heart technology for fetal imaging in over 1,200 maternity clinics.
Mindray Medical launched TE9 with AI cardiac analysis, cutting interpretation time by 35%.

Report Coverage of Ultrasound Equipment Market

This report comprehensively covers the ultrasound equipment market, including stationary and portable systems used across medical imaging, detection, and measurement applications. It examines usage across hospitals, outpatient centers, and rural health setups. Over 120 countries were included in regional market assessments. The analysis incorporates quantitative metrics such as total installed units (by country), unit shipments, and average device lifespan (typically 6–9 years).

The report also investigates product development pipelines across major OEMs and startup entrants, evaluating over 80 new models launched in 2023–2024. Data on AI integration, tele-ultrasound adoption, and mobile imaging were included. Market segmentation by device type, clinical application, and region was thoroughly addressed, supported by over 300 charts and data tables.

It also explores government policies on public health imaging programs, including data from more than 40 public procurement projects. Challenges such as equipment maintenance, training deficits, and regulatory delays are also discussed. Strategic insights into investment hotspots, new technologies, and competitive benchmarking complete the report's scope.