Market Trends of South Africa Ultrasound Devices Industry
3D and 4D Ultrasound Imaging segment is Expected to Hold a Significant Market Share Over the Forecast Period
The segment includes ultrasound imaging with three dimensions and four dimensions. 3D ultrasound imaging consists of taking several 2D ultrasounds from various angles and pieced together to form a three-dimensional image. In 4D ultrasound imaging, 3D ultrasound imaging is developed with time to produce a live-streaming video of the images. The 4D ultrasounds enable live-streaming video of the images, offering the visualization of the motion of the fetal heart valves and walls, as well as the current blood through various vessels.
Several studies performed by South African researchers have highlighted the emerging use of 3D and 4D ultrasound imaging, which has demonstrated the emerging use of 3D and 4D ultrasound and their efficacy and safety for the diagnosis and visualization of the fetus and monitoring of the pregnancy. The rising use of 3D and 4D ultrasound imaging of fetuses will increase the demand for 3D and 4D ultrasound devices, which will bolster the segment's growth in the coming years. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine in January 2022 demonstrated the use of 3D ultrasound volumes to establish reference standards for 23 facial measurements during pregnancy to analyze the fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, which is a biomarker of dysmorphic facial features in the fetus. Thus, such studies highlight the potential use of 3D ultrasound for diagnosing fetal diseases, which can be prevented early, and it is expected to tap more patient base and boost the segment's growth.
Furthermore, the key developments by the market players are expected to increase the adoption of 3D and 4D ultrasound devices in the coming years and boost the segment's growth with more demands. For instance, in March 2022, Butterfly Network, Inc. received a grant of USD 5 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to improve maternal and fetal health by providing its portable 3D ultrasound devices to over 1,000 medical workers in Sub-Saharan Africa. The device is the only handheld and whole-body point-of-care ultrasound probe in the world.
Therefore, the 3D and 4D ultrasound segment is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period due to the advancing research in 3D and 4D ultrasound imaging and the key developments by the market players.
Portable Segment is Expected to Hold a Significant Market Share Over the Forecast Period
The segment includes portable ultrasound machines, which are compact-sized mobile ultrasound systems designed to fit in small spaces, at a patient's bedside, or in the field. Portable ultrasound devices are used to diagnose a wide variety of chronic conditions, as well as in emergency medical services.
The segment is expected to grow during the forecast period owing to the increasing demand for portable ultrasound devices and the recent developments by the market players.
Research studies conducted by South African researchers have highlighted the efficacy of portable ultrasound devices that can lead to higher adoption of these devices in healthcare, home-based and on-field settings, which are projected to boost the segment's growth. For instance, a study published in the journal Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation in February 2021 demonstrated that portable continuous wave Doppler ultrasound technology showed safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness in primary healthcare in South Africa. The study stated that the portable continuous wave Doppler ultrasound enabled the routine antenatal diagnosis of pregnant women in primary healthcare centers, which can help medical practitioners to control the high burden of Unexplained fetal mortality in South Africa. Thus, such studies underline the vast application of portable ultrasound devices in various healthcare settings, which is expected to tap more patients and boost the segment's growth in the coming years.
Furthermore, the market players have made strategic decisions to increase the penetration of portable ultrasound devices in the South Africa market, which is anticipated to boost the segment's growth. For instance, in January 2023, Abdul Latif Jameel Health signed a new distribution agreement with iSono Health. Under the distribution agreement, Abdul Latif Jameel Health became the exclusive distributor of AI-driven portable 3D iSono Health's ATUSA scanner in the Global South region and countries including South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, South Asia, and Southeast Asian territories. The company stated that it is expected to supply an additional 500 portable ultrasound devices, Butterfly iQ+, to healthcare practitioners in South Africa after the launch of the second phase of its deployment under the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant in the first half of 2023. Thus, with such developments, the availability of portable ultrasound devices in South Africa will enable the market to penetrate the country further and boost its growth rate.
Therefore, the portable ultrasound segment is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period due to its increasing demand and the recent developments by the market players.
