Ureteroscope Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth, and Forecasts for 2025 - 2032

Ureteroscope Market Size and Trends Analysis

The ureteroscope market size is likely to be valued at US$ 1.4 Bn in 2025 and is estimated to reach US$ 1.8 Bn in 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period 2025-2032. The ureterescope market is undergoing a transformative shift, propelled by rising procedural volumes in urolithiasis and urothelial cancer diagnostics. The integration of innovative imaging and laser technologies is also pushing growth. As healthcare systems prioritize minimally invasive solutions, ureteroscopes are becoming standard instruments in endourology suites worldwide. This clinical landscape is spurring investments in novel optics, steerability, and disposable platforms. It is further creating a competitive environment where technological precision and cost-efficiency are significant differentiators.

Key Industry Highlights:

• Increasing preference for outpatient and day-care urology interventions is fueling the adoption of flexible ureteroscopes.
• Customization of ureteroscope platforms based on regional anatomical and procedural nuances is gaining traction.
• Development of scope-leasing models and pay-per-use systems is attracting budget-constrained hospitals.
• Reimbursement policy updates in Europe and North America are creating favorable conditions for outpatient ureteroscopy adoption.
• Integration of artificial intelligence into digital ureteroscopes for real-time tissue recognition is emerging in pilot deployments.
• Superior deflection capabilities allow flexible ureteroscopes to access the entire renal collecting system, including upper pole calyces.
• Urolithiasis will likely hold approximately 55.6% share in 2025 as miniaturized scopes and high-powered lasers have made ureteroscopy the preferred treatment.

Global Market Attribute	Key Insights
Ureteroscope Market Size (2025E)	US$ 1.4 Bn
Market Value Forecast (2032F)	US$ 1.8 Bn
Projected Growth (CAGR 2025 to 2032)	5.7%
Historical Market Growth (CAGR 2019 to 2024)	4.2%

Market Dynamics

Driver - Rise in Cases of Kidney Stone in Adults, Propel Demand

Increasing prevalence of kidney stones in the adults is directly propelling the ureteroscope market growth with high demand for flexible and disposable variants. It is attributed to their effectiveness in endoscopic stone removal procedures such as ureteroscopy. Worldwide, kidney stone disease affects around 10 to 15% of the population, with recurrence rates exceeding 50% within a decade, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In the U.S. alone, the number of annual emergency department visits for kidney stones exceeded 1.3 Mn in 2023.

The surge is translating into a rising number of endoscopic interventions, positioning ureteroscopy as a preferred treatment method over shock wave lithotripsy and open surgery. Countries with rapid urbanization and dietary shifts are witnessing an increase in stone disease burden. In North India, for example, the prevalence of urolithiasis has crossed 15% in certain states, significantly increasing the procedural load on hospitals and specialty clinics. Hence, flexible kidney stone removal scopes are in high demand to accommodate the rise in lower pole and mid-ureter stone cases that require complex navigation and precision.

Restraint - Infection and Injury Concerns Hinder Wide Adoption

Despite the adoption of ureteroscopes for stone removal procedures, concerns around postoperative complications such as infection, bleeding, and injury to the urinary tract continue to act as deterrents. A 2023 multicenter study published in The Journal of Urology found that postoperative infection rates following ureteroscopy ranged from 3.5% to 6.2%. The risk increased significantly in patients with pre-existing urinary tract infections or indwelling catheters. Infections not only lead to extended hospitalization and increased antibiotic use but also raise concerns about the spread of resistant uropathogens.

Bleeding complications, though generally rare, are more common in patients with coagulopathies or those undergoing stone fragmentation. According to a 2024 retrospective cohort analysis from South Korea’s Asan Medical Center, around 1.4% of ureteroscopy cases experienced clinically significant hematuria requiring intervention. Injury to the urinary tract is another hindrance to wide adoption. A 2023 European Urology report noted that ureteral perforation occurred in 0.5 to 1.3% of ureteroscopy procedures, with a higher incidence observed in rigid scope use.

Opportunity - Laser Innovations Create New Clinical Possibilities

The emergence of enhanced laser technologies, specifically Thulium Fiber Lasers (TFL), has extended the utility of ureteroscopes in endourological stone treatment. TFL offers low pulse energy with a high frequency, which enables fine stone dusting and reduces retropulsion. This results in short procedure times and complete stone clearance. In 2023, a clinical comparison published in the Journal of Endourology involving 348 patients found that TFL-assisted ureteroscopy achieved a 94% stone-free rate, compared to 83% with Holmium:YAG laser.

The technological leap is impactful for the management of multiple or complex renal calculi. Urologists now pair flexible digital ureteroscopes with laser systems that allow simultaneous fragmentation and real-time visualization. The combination of enhanced lasers and single-use ureteroscopes is also opening new clinical and business models. The role of laser innovations in reducing thermal injury during lithotripsy is creating avenues.

Category-wise Analysis

Product Type Insights

Based on product type, the market is trifurcated into flexible, semi-flexible, and rigid. Among these, flexible ureteroscopes are anticipated to hold around 57.1% of the ureteroscope market share in 2025 owing to their superior deflection capabilities, which enable urologists to access all parts of the upper urinary tract. Increasing integration of digital imaging into flexible ureteroscopes is another significant factor boosting their use. Modern digital models feature chip-on-tip cameras with high-definition visualization that help improve intraoperative accuracy. These digital scopes also enhance the identification of stone fragments, mucosal abnormalities, and small tumors.

Semi-flexible urinary endoscopic devices are gaining impetus because of their ability to balance maneuverability with structural stability. This makes them ideal for mid-ureteral stone removal and diagnostic procedures in resource-constrained settings. These models further provide a cost-effective alternative with sufficient deflection to access most of the ureter. Increasing durability compared to fully flexible devices is another key factor augmenting their adoption.

Application Insights

In terms of application, the market is divided into urolithiasis, urothelial cancer, and others. Out of these, urolithiasis will likely account for nearly 55.6% of the share in 2025 owing to its high global prevalence and the procedural efficacy of ureteroscopy in managing renal and ureteral calculi. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study 2024, urolithiasis affected over 85 Mn individuals worldwide. This surging prevalence has accelerated the demand for minimally invasive treatment methods. Hence, ureteroscopy has emerged as a preferred approach owing to its high stone clearance rates and low morbidity.

Urothelial cancer is considered a key application due to the rising incidence of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinomas (UTUCs), especially among aging populations in developed countries. Flexible ureteroscopy allows direct visualization, biopsy, and even laser ablation of tumors located in the renal pelvis and ureter. This makes it indispensable for diagnosis and treatment in patients who are poor candidates for radical surgery. Another driver is the shift toward kidney-sparing approaches in low-grade, non-invasive UTUC cases.

 

Regional Insights

North America Ureteroscope Market Trends

In 2025, North America is poised to account for approximately 37.2% of the share owing to the increasing prevalence of urolithiasis and surging preference for minimally invasive procedures. As per the National Kidney Foundation, nearly 1 in 10 individuals in the U.S. will experience kidney stones in their lifetime, with recurrence rates as high as 50% within 5 to 7 years, directly fueling procedural volume. The U.S. ureteroscope market remains the dominant contributor in the region, supported by favorable reimbursement models.

Technological innovation continues to redefine clinical practice across the country. Boston Scientific’s LithoVue Elite, launched in 2023, integrates real-time intrarenal pressure monitoring and digital visualization. It enables urologists to manage intrapelvic pressure during procedures, which is a significant step toward reducing postoperative complications. Outpatient Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) are also becoming key growth hubs due to fast patient turnaround and cost-efficiency, with ureteroscopy now being one of the most commonly performed urology procedures in ASCs.

Europe Ureteroscope Market Trends

Europe is experiencing a gradual shift toward single-use devices, bolstered by rising infection control requirements and hospitals preference for minimally invasive solutions. Flexible disposable ureteroscopes are gaining impetus in the region owing to increasing concerns over cross-contamination across hospitals. Germany is predicted to dominate the market as it serves as a regional innovation hub, with domestic players such as KARL STORZ and Richard Wolf consistently launching new models.

Despite technological progress, the adoption of disposable scopes varies significantly across countries due to differences in reimbursement policies. Public hospitals in Italy and France are slow to transition due to the high per-case cost of single-use scopes, that reaches around €1,000 per procedure, compared to €500 to 600 with reusable systems. However, the gap is narrowing as clinical trials and hospital data increasingly validate the long-term cost benefits of disposables in terms of reduced reprocessing and equipment damage.

Asia Pacific Ureteroscope Market Trends

Asia Pacific is currently undergoing rapid expansion, spurred by rising urolithiasis prevalence, increasing access to healthcare infrastructure, and a strong push toward minimally invasive urological procedures. Flexible single-use ureteroscopes dominate owing to their clinical efficiency, maneuverability, and low cross-contamination risk. While total adoption is still lower than in North America or Europe, year-on-year growth in procedural volumes is outpacing global averages, mainly in India, Japan, and Southeast Asia.

One of the defining characteristics of Asia Pacific is the rise of ambulatory surgical centers and specialized urology clinics. They are adopting single-use scopes to manage patient throughput and reduce sterilization downtime. Hospitals still account for most procedures, but day-care facilities are exhibiting a prominent growth rate in device procurement. Japan and South Korea, with their established outpatient systems, are conducive to this transition.

Competitive Landscape

The global ureteroscope market houses several medtech giants and specialized endoscopy manufacturers. Key companies are dominating with broad product portfolios, research and development investments, and well-established distribution networks. They continue to refine digital flexible endoscopes for urology with features such as single-use designs, enhanced optics, and improved deflection capabilities. Small-scale players are entering the market with cost-effective alternatives and gaining traction in price-sensitive countries across Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. They often leverage government contracts or public hospital networks to establish a foothold.

Key Industry Developments

• In July 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted 510(k) clearance to Ambu’s ureteroscopy solution. It consists of a single-use digital flexible ureteroscope named aScope 5 Uretero and a full-HD endoscopy system called aBox 2.
• In May 2024, Cook Medical introduced its Ascend Single-use Flexible Ureteroscope in the U.S. and Canada. The launch enabled the company to better serve a wide base of urology customers with a complete portfolio of stone management products.

Companies Covered in Ureteroscope Market

• Stryker
• Richard Wolf GmbH
• PENTAX Medical
• Olympus Corporation
• KARL STORZ
• AED.MD
• Elmed Electronics & Medical Industry & Trade Inc.
• Clarion Medical Technologies
• Shanghai SeeGen Photoelectric Technology Co., Ltd.
• Advin Health Care
• Innovex Medical Co., Ltd.
• Others