In 2022, artificial intelligence (AI), robotic-assisted endoscopy, and reimbursement possibilities influenced endoscopy. Infection prevention will continue to be a big concern, and new single-use endoscopes are on the horizon.

The application of artificial intelligence in GI endoscopy has risen to the list of the top ten most significant breakthroughs compiled by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy’s Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Editorial Board.

AI and future innovations in three-dimensional and four-dimensional imaging in robotic endoscopy and revolutionary suturing and dissecting devices will drive significant advances in endoscopic surgery.

Advanced Technologies to Handle the Rising Cases

As a result of population growth and aging, the CDC predicts that the total number of cancer cases in the United States will nearly double by 2050. This will increase the demand for new diagnostic technologies in pathology.

Progress in robotic-assisted endoscopy may provide additional options for patients unable to tolerate conventional endoscopy.

Changing Reimbursement Landscape

According to SMR, the endoscopy devices market was $30.3 billion in 2021 and will reach $56.2 billion at a 7.1% CAGR.

The amount proposed by CMS for POEM is $3,160.76 for hospital outpatient care and $1,848.32 for ASC care.

The proposed CMS payment for colon capsule endoscopy in the hospital outpatient setting is $814.44.

CMS intends to implement changes made by Congress last year to beneficiary cost-sharing obligations when a polyp or other growth is discovered and removed during a screening colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy. Beneficiary coinsurance will be 20% beginning January 1, 2022, gradually decreasing to zero by January 1, 2030. Medicare suggests that providers continue to report the HCPCS modifier “PT” in the OPPS/ASC proposed rule to show that a planned colorectal cancer screening service changed to a diagnostic service during the transition period.

As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released safety communication updates about their use, single-use endoscopes came into the limelight. When there is a higher risk of infection or when treating COVID-19 patients, one advocated switching to partially or entirely disposable duodenoscopes.

The FDA is looking into “numerous” medical device reports describing patient infections and other contamination problems that are related to the use of reprocessed urological endoscopes.

Colorectal cancer, America’s second-deadliest cancer, is considered a preventable disease due to the effectiveness of colonoscopy in detecting and removing precancerous lesions. According to the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), roughly one-third of adults with access to screening do not use it.

Growth of the Endoscopy Industry

Three key catalysts will drive the single-use endoscopy market from $500 million in 2021 to $2.5 billion by 2025:

• Increased emphasis on infection control
• Significant workflow and efficiency advantages
• Rapid technological progress makes single-use more competitive in comparison to reusable

All significant group purchasing organizations (GPOs) will have single-use endoscopy buying categories, making these products available to U.S. hospitals. Ambu intends to enter the branch suite in 2022 with the release of its high-definition scope 5 scopes. By 2022 or 2023, Ambu intends to release 20 single-use flexible endoscopy products on the market.

The endoscopy portfolio of Fujifilm Medical Systems U.S.A. Inc., based in Lexington, Massachusetts, has benefited from the addition of artificial intelligence, cutting-edge image capture, and advanced data processing.

Boston Scientific reported 11.4 percent organic growth in third-quarter net endoscopy sales, increasing from $475 million in 2020 to $533 million in 2021. According to a September Investor Day report, the company expects its endoscopy division to generate more than $3 billion in revenue by 2025.

A rise in the obese population who prefer bariatric surgery for weight loss, rising demand for minimally invasive surgery, and new innovations that offer a wider range of endoscopy applications are some of the factors propelling growth in the endoscopy market.