Market Trends of United Kingdom General Surgical Devices Industry
Handheld Devices Expected to Witness Market Growth During the Forecast Period
Handheld surgical devices refer to hand-manipulated tools, such as scalpels, forceps, and retractors, designed for various general surgical procedures. The development of advanced devices, including robotic handheld surgical devices, has significantly enhanced surgeons’ dexterity. Needle holders, similar in shape to hemostats and featuring jaws and handles, allow needles to be locked in place for sutures in various tissue types. The market for handheld surgical devices is growing due to the rising number of minimally invasive surgical procedures and an increase in the number of outpatient surgeries.
The increasing number of surgeries in the United Kingdom has resulted in higher demand for handheld surgical devices. For example, according to the National Obesity Audit—Bariatric Surgical Procedures 2022 update, 4,035 bariatric surgeries were conducted in England during the financial year 2021-2022. Due to the growing number of surgical procedures, the demand for handheld devices will likely increase shortly.
The market segment's growth is also driven by the launches of new handheld surgical devices. For instance, in April 2023, Smith+Nephew unveiled its latest innovation, the handheld CORI Digital Tensioner, in London. This cutting-edge device empowers surgeons by enabling them to accurately gauge ligament tension in a patient's knee before any bone cuts are made. Thus, due to the rise in surgeries and the launch of new handheld device products, the segment is expected to witness significant growth in the market over the forecast period.
Cardiology Segment Anticipated to Observe Notable Market Growth Over the Forecast Period
The cardiology segment is expected to hold a significant market share in the United Kingdom, driven by several factors, including the rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and technological advancements in medical devices. For instance, according to the British Heart Foundation's 2022 fact sheet, approximately 7.6 million people in the United Kingdom lived with heart and circulatory diseases, 4 million of whom were male, while 3.6 million were female.
This source also reported that in 2022, twice as many people were living with heart and circulatory diseases in the United Kingdom than with cancer and Alzheimer's disease combined. Therefore, an increase in the incidence of cardiac diseases is expected to drive the demand for surgical interventions based on the severity of the diseases, ultimately fueling market growth over the forecast period.
Furthermore, financial assistance from the government in the form of grants promotes industry expansion over time. For example, in July 2022, the BHF awarded EUR 30 million (USD 36 million) to an international team over five years to develop gene-editing treatments for these deadly diseases. Thus, given the rise in the incidence of cardiac diseases and the increasing government investments in cardiology, the cardiology segment is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period.
