Use of handheld ultrasounds on the rise in China

It found importance in treating patients in rural areas.

The necessity to screen and monitor functionality of the lungs and heart of COVID-19 patients and to limit the exposure of frontline staff to infection during treatment is driving the demand for handheld ultrasound (HHU) devices in China, according to a GlobalData report.

The HHU devices market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% between 2020 and 2025. Patient’s preference for minimally invasive procedures and faster ways to assess the respiratory status of COVID-19 patients is driving the market in China, the report noted.

“Physicians in emergency departments and in intensive care units are preferring to use HHU devices in order to make faster and accurate diagnosis of lung damage, cardiac and kidney abnormalities,” GlobalData’s medical devices analyst Gundreddy Gopinadh.

The HHU device is battery operated and can be used outside hospitals and clinics. Since the device is non-invasive and does not require highly skilled professionals to operate it, it has found importance in treating patients in rural areas and mobile healthcare facilities.

“Additionally, a shifting trend towards home healthcare and remote patient monitoring is expected to boost the HHU devices market in China,” Gopinadh added.