What factors hinder the ICP monitoring devices market?

Over 300,000 devices are expected to be used this year.

Limited innovation and traditional clinical preferences are slowing down expansion for the global intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring devices market, which is projected to grow 2.4% annually from $75.5m to $84.5m by 2030, according to GlobalData.

External ventricular drains continue to dominate the invasive monitoring segment, accounting for more than 80% of devices used. Meanwhile, over 300,000 ICP devices are expected to be used globally this year.

Despite their clinical importance, the market remains defined more by inertia and preference than by active competition or innovation.

Moreover, clinical developments have focused on refining insertion techniques, workflow integration, and training tools, according to Ashley Clarke, Senior Medical Analyst at GlobalData.

“These procedural challenges, rather than device technical limitations, are a major barrier to increasing adoption and accessibility,” Clarke said.

Furthermore, inconsistent infrastructure, staffing limitations, and reporting gaps—particularly in smaller or rural facilities—continue to restrict the use of ICP monitoring.