Global Urology Guidewire Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Material (Nitinol Guidewires, Stainless Steel Guidewires), By Tip Shape (Straight Tip, Angled Tip), By End User (Hospitals & Clinics), By Region- Global Industry Analysis, Share, Growth, Regional Outlook and Forecasts, 2024-2033

The global urology guidewires market size was exhibited at USD 475.00 million in 2023 and is projected to hit around USD 882.47 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 6.39% during the forecast period of 2024 to 2033.

Key Takeaways:

• North America dominated the market, with the highest share of more than 38.0% in 2023.
• Based on material, the stainless steel guidewires segment captured the largest market share with around 42.2% in 2023
• The straight tip segment dominated the market with around 49.9% of the revenue share. 
• The hospital & clinic segment dominated the market with a revenue share of over 63.0% in 2023.

Urology Guidewires Market Report Scope

The growth of the market is primarily driven by the increasing prevalence of urological disorders such as Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), kidney and ureteral stones; the rising preference for minimally invasive surgeries; and the rising geriatric population in the Asia Pacific region, especially in countries such as Japan, India, and China.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a short-term impact on the urology guidewires market and is expected to create potential opportunities for market players during the forecast period. The short-term impact is due to the number factors such as the number of beds available for urological patients had to be reduced to devote beds and personnel to the new COVID-19 wards, there was a need to avoid infecting elective patients through hospital contamination, and the newly constituted COVID-19 ward, 30% of the remaining urology medical personnel became entirely dedicated to managing the infected patients.

According to the African Journal of Urology in 2023, all types of elective urological procedures have decreased significantly. In particular, ureteroscopic lithotripsy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, transurethral resection of the prostate, urethroplasty, and renal transplant had the highest cut-down. For instance, according to early urologic recommendations issued in April 2023, from weeks 8–9 to weeks 11–13, the trend for 2023 urologic activity dropped steadily (Average weekly % age changes range -41 % to -29.9 %; p 0.001). Additionally, as per the same source mentioned above, one-third of uro-oncologic procedures may have been postponed. As a result, due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2023, sales of urological guidewires dropped dramatically.

However, in phase 2 of the pandemic, the market is expected to grow and rebound over the forecast period. Most governments around the world have begun to ease lockdown restrictions and recommence some elective surgeries. Key players intend to expand their enterprises regionally, build new warehouses in new places, and run their operations through multiple channels in the worst-affected areas. For instance, in February 2023, Integer Holdings Corporation announced that it has finalized the acquisition of Inomec, establishing its presence in Israel. With the acquisition, Integer will be able to develop a regional R&D and sales center, as well as add critical catheter design, clinical, and pilot production skills to its extensive portfolio, enhancing its position as a preferred partner for new medical solutions. Additionally, rerouting logistics, sourcing from additional partners, and air freight delivery are among the strategies companies are employing to deal with supply chain interruptions. These characteristics are projected to generate lucrative market growth prospects.

The increasing prevalence of kidney stone disease, cystitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and other urinary tract disorders are expected to drive the urology guidewires market during the forecast period. According Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences in 2023, kidney stones are one of the most excruciating urological conditions. It has recently become extremely common worldwide (7–13 % in North America, 5–9% in Europe, and 1–5% in Asia). Kidney stones also increase the risk of chronic kidney disease by 60% and end-stage renal disease by 40%, which is predicted to drive market expansion in the near future.

Over the past decade, the demand for Minimally Invasive Surgeries (MIS) is increasing. According to The Mount Sinai Hospital in 2023, novel diagnostic techniques and less invasive therapies for prostate, kidney, and bladder malignancies, as well as a wide range of urologic illnesses, are becoming more widely used. Furthermore, between 2022 and 2023, there was a 50% increase in the number of procedures for advanced bladder cancer, a 20% increase in procedure volume for the kidney cancer program, and a 34% increase in volume for the prostate cancer program, all of which are expected to boost the market growth in the near future.

Research results published by manufacturers (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.) suggest that minimally invasive surgeries are rapidly replacing invasive surgeries owing to the following factors such as higher patient satisfaction owing to lesser incision wounds, involve a relatively lesser number of hospital stays, and therefore are economically viable and involve a lesser number of postsurgical complications and lower mortality rates. Guidewires are used in minimally invasive procedures, thus the rising demand for minimally invasive surgeries is expected to boost the market during the forecast period.

Along with the above factors, the global urology guidewires market is consolidating due to the rising popularity of medical equipment and along with increased research collaboration and agreements between diverse manufacturers. For instance, in February 2023, the acquisition of an Israeli medical equipment firm by Olympus Corporation has been completed. Olympus increases its business line by delivering in-office treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is expected to boost the market growth in the forthcoming years.

Technological advancements and product launches to streamline the procedures and make them safer & more cost-effective are among the key factors contributing to market growth. For instance, in February 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an expanded indication for Teleflex Incorporated's coronary guidewires and specialty catheters for use in crossing percutaneous coronary interventions, chronic total occlusion (PCI, CTO), which is expected to boost the market growth in the near future

Segments Insights:

Material Insights

Based on material, the stainless steel guidewires segment captured the largest market share with around 42.2% in 2023. Stainless steel is a highly preferred raw material owing to its characteristics such as high corrosion resistance coupled with antibacterial, non-magnetic, and non-staining properties. Guidewire stainless steel is used to prepare the core that extends through the shaft of the wire and travels the entire length of the wire which is expected to boost the segment growth.

Stainless steel provides good support, push force transmission, and torque specifications; these wires possess the appreciable shape-changing ability as compared to other newer core materials like nitinol which is anticipated to spur the segment growth.

The Nitinol guidewires segment captured the second largest market share in 2023. One of the main reasons is the growing demand for nitinol over other raw materials such as stainless steel due to its advantages such as higher flexibility and kink resistance. Additionally, nitinol-based products can resist deformations in convoluted anatomies as compared to stainless steel materials, which is expected to increase the segment growth.

Moreover, strategic collaborations and new product launches are among the key strategies adopted by the key players to remain competitive which is expected to spur the segment growth. For instance, in January 2017, the guidewire named hybrid Motion 2-in-1 from Cook Medical is ideal for urological procedures. The newly released device includes a nitinol access guidewire and a Teflon fixed core safety guidewire. As a result, the combined guidewires enable doctors to "streamline" their treatments by lowering the total number of guidewires required, which is predicted to boost the market growth.

Tip Shape Insights

The straight tip segment dominated the market with around 49.9% of the revenue share. Unlike other needle types, healthcare professionals prefer straight tips for urology surgeries as they have flexible tips. The risk of trauma to the blood vessel, with a straight tip, is very less. The flexible tip of the guidewire at the proximal end has a bent tip at the distal end, which provides even more flexibility and protection for the vessel during insertion. Hence, the demand for these guidewires is expected to increase the sales in the market.

Moreover, the segment's quick rise can be linked to the increasing popularity of urology surgical procedures across hospitals and urology surgical centers along with technological advancements. Additionally, the growing geriatric population, shifting preference for less time consuming along with the low cost of the product will continue to boost the sales in the segment.

The J-shaped tip segment captured the second largest market share in 2023. J-shaped tip provides more flexibility and protection for the vessel during insertion as compared to other tips. Additionally, despite extremely tight flexion angles, J-shaped guidewires were able to pass through smoothly without hitting anything, allowing insertion along the main pancreatic duct without any inadvertent insertion into branches.

Additionally, these types of tips decrease the adverse events, such as perforation, bleeding and post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) along with that J-shaped tips offer many advantages such as fewer complications, less pain, better clinical outcomes, and faster recovery times as compared to other shape tip guidewire. Thus, this is expected to boost the segment growth.

End-user Insights

The hospital & clinic segment dominated the market with a revenue share of over 63.0% in 2023. This segment's growth is mostly due to an increase in the number of patients suffering from various urological diseases, which has increased by surgical treatments. Hospitals see a substantially higher inflow of patients for urological procedures or other treatments than other healthcare settings, owing to the simplicity of managing any emergencies that may develop during surgical procedures and the availability of a wide range of treatment alternatives. As a result, the hospital segment is likely to be driven by the aforementioned variables.

The urology surgery centers segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The lucrative expansion of this market is due to an increase in the adoption of minimally invasive surgeries, a high desire for outpatient surgeries, and the cost-effectiveness of urology surgery centers-based urology procedures. Lower postsurgical complications in minimally invasive urology surgery, on the other hand, are predicted to boost demand for urology surgery centers.

In comparison to hospitals, they provide patients with various benefits, including same-day release and faster procedure times. As a result of the factors discussed above, the urology surgery centers segment is expected to rise rapidly over the forecast period.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the market with the highest share of more than 38.0% in 2023. The increasing incidence of Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD) along with the rising aging population in the developed economies is driving the demand for guidewires for endourological procedures. For instance, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2023, CKD was more common in those aged 65 and up (38%) than in those aged 18–44 years (6%), or 45–64 years (4%). CKD is significantly more common among women (14%) than men (12%). This is predicted to boost growth in the near future.

Among all, the U.S. dominated the market with the highest shares. This can be attributed due to the growing prevalence of urological disorders, the presence of a large number of urologists in the country, and the rising preference for minimally invasive surgeries. According to the American Urological Association (AUA) in 2023, the U.S. urologist population consists of a total of 13,352 practicing urologists, an increase of 2.4 % from 13,044 practicing urologists in 2022. Thus, this is expected to boost market growth.

The growth of the market in the developed regions is primarily due to technological advancements in minimally invasive techniques. Rising price pressures and lower reimbursement are projected to stifle the overall increase in demand for these devices, particularly in developed regions such as Europe and North America. Furthermore, rising healthcare spending in the U.S. may encourage both new and old competitors to enter the market. According to the Centers for the Medicaid and Medicare Services, healthcare spending in the U.S. would increase by 9.7% to USD 4.1 trillion in 2023, accounting for around 19.7% of GDP.

Asia Pacific is expected to register the fastest CAGR from 2022 to 2030. This can be attributed to the presence of a large population suffering from kidney & cardiovascular diseases, improvement in medical facilities, and availability of insurance policies. Moreover, the presence of a large patient pool and the growing need for technologically advanced & cost-efficient healthcare solutions are expected to present significant regional growth opportunities in the market. For instance, according to The Japan Times Ltd in September 2023, the number of people aged 65 and up in Japan had reached a new high of 36.4 million, resulting in hospitalization. The demand for urology guidewires in the country is likely to increase as a result of this.

Some of the prominent players in the urology guidewires market include:

• Boston Scientific Corporation
• Integer Holdings Corporation
• Advin Health Care
• Cook Medical
• Olympus America
• Teleflex Incorporated
• MEDpro Medical B.V.  
• ACE Medical Devices& Others

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2023 to 2033. For this study, Nova one advisor, Inc. has segmented the global urology guidewires market.

Material

• Nitinol Guidewires
• Stainless Steel Guidewires
• PTEE Guidewires
• Others

Tip Shape

• Straight Tip
• Angled Tip
• J-Shaped Tip
• Others

End-user

• Hospitals & Clinics
• Urology Surgery Centers
• Ambulatory Surgery Centers

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa (MEA)