Endoscopy Industry: Technological Iteration and Domestic Breakthrough Go Hand in Hand

In recent years, with the surge in demand for minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment and technological advancements, the global endoscope market has continued to expand. Data shows that in 2023, the global market size exceeded $20 billion, with China accounting for over 20%, and an annual compound growth rate of more than 10%, making it the most promising incremental market globally.

Technological Innovation Drives Industry UpgradeTraditional optical endoscopes are evolving towards digitalization and intelligence. 4K ultra-high-definition imaging, 3D stereoscopic vision, and AI-assisted diagnostic systems (such as polyp recognition and lesion localization) have significantly improved the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment. The widespread adoption of disposable endoscopes has solved the problem of cross-infection, rapidly penetrating fields such as urology and respiration. In addition, specialized products like capsule endoscopes and ultrasound endoscopes have further expanded clinical application scenarios.

Accelerated Domestic SubstitutionThe high-end market, long monopolized by foreign brands such as Olympus, Fujifilm, and Pentax, is being broken. Domestic companies like Kailu Medical and Aohua Endoscopy have gradually overcome core technologies such as ultra-thin scope bodies and image processing algorithms through independent research and development, increasing the domestic market share of flexible endoscopes from less than 5% to 15%. On the policy front, the "domestic priority" in medical equipment procurement and green channels for innovative medical devices have created development opportunities for local enterprises.

Challenges and Opportunities CoexistDespite the strong momentum of domestic substitution, core components (such as CMOS sensors) still rely on imports, and the penetration rate in the high-end market is less than 10%. The low penetration rate of equipment in primary medical institutions and the shortage of professional physicians also restrict the industry's penetration. In the future, with the integration of technologies such as surgical robot linkage and 5G remote diagnosis and treatment, the endoscope industry will move towards a smarter and more inclusive new stage.