The global ultrasound gels market size was valued at USD 98.04 million in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 127.92 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 3% during the forecast period (2023–2031).
The use of ultrasound gels will increase because of the rigorous regulations that hospitals must follow regarding the handling and cleaning medical equipment to prevent any potentially contagious epidemic. In all ultrasound operations, ultrasound gel is utilized as a coupling medium to replace air between the transducer and the patient's skin since air makes it difficult for ultrasonic waves to pass through. An aqueous medium must be positioned between the ultrasonic probe and the skin for a clean image. A coupling agent used in these treatments is ultrasound gel, an aqueous medium. Carbopol, propylene glycol, phenoxyethanol, glycerin, colors, scent, and water comprise its constituent parts. Depending on the producer, they are made with various ratios and compositions, and the recipes are secret.
Gels for ultrasonography are necessary while using ultrasound. Therefore, their rising use during scans is projected to increase demand for them in the market. Due to its accessibility, mobility, and affordability, ultrasound is quickly rising to the top of the list of the most widely used and effective cross-sectional imaging modalities. Both diagnostic and therapeutic methods involve ultrasound gels. The use of the imaging modality in point-of-care diagnosis and bedside monitoring has expanded due to its capacity to deliver rapid, safe, and minimally intrusive important clinical information. Due to the global lack of radiologists, non-radiologists, such as qualified nurses or paramedics, also handle ultrasound equipment. As a result of the tremendous benefits ultrasound gels have over other imaging modalities, the frequency of ultrasound scans is predicted to increase exponentially throughout the projection period.
Additionally, ultrasounds are the only reliable diagnostic method for identifying intrauterine growth retardation that has clinically decreased the incidence of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Additionally, as the need for regular fetal health monitoring throughout pregnancy has grown, so too have gynecologist visits, which further increases the need for ultrasound gels.
Cleaning and disinfecting ultrasonic probes are essential during transesophageal, surgical, endovaginal, and endorectal examinations. The risk of cross-contamination increases because substitutes for ultrasound gels, like guar gum and corn starch, are far stickier and more difficult to clean than commercially available ultrasound gels. For instance, if the employed coupling agent is extremely thick or sticky, it will be challenging for the sinologist to clean the probes, and any gel left behind might serve as an infection source.
Additionally, it is anticipated that the use of ultrasound gels will increase because of the rigorous regulations that hospitals must follow regarding the handling and cleaning of medical equipment to prevent any potentially contagious epidemic.
Guar gum, maize starch, glucomannan, xanthan, saline, and water are often used substitutes for commercially supplied ultrasonic gels. The quality of the image created for the sake of its interpretation is the most crucial factor when comparing various options. According to several studies, most of these substitutes deliver ultrasound scans with sufficient image quality.
Additionally, these alternatives have the potential to replace ultrasound gels due to their low cost and ease of procurement. The most closely correlated performance between these alternatives and commercial ultrasound gels, Aquasonic, was found to be xanthan gum, according to a 2018 American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine analysis. This prevented the industry from expanding by making xanthan gum a viable substitute for ultrasonic gels already on the market.
There is a large market opportunity for ultrasound gel due to the rising prevalence of handheld ultrasound devices and the growing number of ultrasound units in clinics. There is a rising need for ultrasound gel to guarantee the best image quality as more clinics and hospitals employ ultrasound technology in their medical procedures. Future market growth is anticipated to be fueled by this trend as demand for ultrasound operations continues to climb around the globe.
| Study Period | 2019-2031 | CAGR | 3% |
| Historical Period | 2019-2021 | Forecast Period | 2023-2031 |
| Base Year | 2022 | Base Year Market Size | USD 98.04 Million |
| Forecast Year | 2031 | Forecast Year Market Size | USD 127.92 Million |
| Largest Market | North America | Fastest Growing Market | Europe |
North America is the most significant global ultrasound gels market shareholder and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 2.6% over the forecast period. This can be linked to elements including the expanding use of ultrasound technology in primary care settings, easier availability of ultrasound gels, and the existence of nations with large healthcare expenditures and effective reimbursement systems—several of the leading market participants, including Parker Laboratories and Eco-med. Headquarters for H.R. Pharmaceuticals and National Therapy Products are located in North American nations. Additionally, the region's growing need for pediatric imaging and the burden of chronic sickness is anticipated to fuel the ultrasound gels market throughout the projection period. Additionally, expanding awareness, escalating the need for various diagnostic techniques, and endorsements by several healthcare organizations are anticipated to drive market expansion in this area.
Europe is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 6.07% over the forecast period. The demand for ultrasound gels in the market is anticipated to increase due to the expanding usage of ultrasound technology in cardiac and prenatal care. Additionally, the growing governmental and private investment in initiatives like creating cutting-edge ultrasound technology, educational initiatives, and teleradiology services will probably support market expansion. The number of ultrasound procedures is rising due to effective reimbursement systems and the growing burden of chronic disease. Additionally, a sizable amount of ultrasound gels are used during testing for abdominal, pelvic, renal, and bladder examinations that general practitioners suggest. Due to the increasing demand for these ultrasound imaging tests, Europe's consumption of ultrasound gels is projected to increase.
The Asia-Pacific market is expected to surge in demand during the forecast period. Its sizeable market share has been influenced by rising hospital admissions for acute stomach discomfort and the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Due to restricted access to CT and MRI imaging modalities, more lung ultrasounds on COVID-19 patients are being conducted, particularly in India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. This has led to the recent expansion of the sterile ultrasound gels market. Most hospitals in Japan are outfitted with the most modern and cutting-edge ultrasound equipment. Over time, the use of ultrasound gels has remained largely constant.
However, the use of ultrasound equipment in primary care clinics and centers has increased recently. This is attributable to the introduction of portable probes at reasonable pricing and rising interest among doctors in early clinical treatments. As a result, demand for packet-sized and bottled ultrasound gels is anticipated, propelling market expansion.
In Latin America, the two ultrasound exams that are carried out most commonly in Latin America are breast and abdominal. An estimated 40% of all radiological imaging procedures in Latin America use abdominal ultrasound scanning. The second-most frequent ultrasound study is a breast ultrasound. More hospital admissions for lower abdominal discomfort each year lead to increased abdominal ultrasonography procedures. The need for ultrasound gels is expected to increase since breast and abdominal ultrasounds require a substantial amount of ultrasound gels. However, factors predicted to restrain the market include a lack of training and a paucity of trained radiologists for operating ultrasound offices in Latin America.
In the Middle East and Africa, compared to other GCC nations, this region has a much higher need for maternity and pediatric healthcare services. The primary application areas for ultrasound equipment are in pediatric and prenatal care. Over the projection period, it is predicted that the availability of required health insurance coverage for lifestyle illnesses and rising private sector involvement in healthcare would lead to a rise in the consumption of ultrasound gels.
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The market is bifurcated into sterile ultrasound gel, non-sterile ultrasound gel. The non-sterile segment dominates the global market and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 2.74% over the forecast period. This is explained by the fact that ultrasonic treatments are frequently carried out on whole or unbroken skin, where sterility is not an issue. The cost-effectiveness of non-sterile gels over sterile ultrasonography drives up its utilization. In addition, the market is anticipated to be driven by the benefits of ultrasonic gels, such as their lack of odor, color, and formaldehyde.
The market is bifurcated into hospitals, diagnostic centers, clinics, and ambulatory centers. The hospital segment owns the global market and is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 2.74% over the forecast period. Compared to other end users, the hospital facility performs a greater quantity and variety of ultrasound investigations. A hospital may need at least three ultrasound scanners for general radiology, obstetrics and gynecology, and heart scanning. As a result, ultrasonography has the biggest market share because of its greater utilization rate and wide patient base. On the other hand, during urgent care visits and bedside monitoring, ultrasonography is quickly rising to the top of the diagnostic toolkit.
As a result, an increase in hospital scans is anticipated throughout the projection period. This will directly impact the expansion of the ultrasonic gels market. The need for ultrasound gel is also anticipated to rise as private hospitals expand to handle the rising burden of chronic sickness.
