Ultrasound Gels Market Is Growing with Increasing Procedural Volume of Ultrasound

 

Ultrasound gel is a conductive medium that creates a bond between the skin and the ultrasound transducer. Diagnostic ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the internal body parts and soft tissues. But sound waves do not travel very well in the air, thus, some ultrasound gel is needed. Ultrasound gels prevent any extra air space between the probe and the skin to create a clear image of the fetus. Its compositions are Carbopol, phenoxyethanol, propylene glycol, glycerin, perfume, dyes, and water. Moreover, ultrasound gels play a vital role in ultrasound scans, and thus their demand from healthcare facilities is increasing.

Thus, the increasing procedural volume of ultrasound worldwide, driving the growth of the ultrasound gels market. According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2018 statistics, during pregnancy, diagnostic ultrasound is used to diagnose problems related to fetal growth and other clinical complications, such as the presence of a genetic condition. Ultrasound is also used to detect problems that may not be apparent, such as placenta previa, malpresentation, multiple pregnancies, congenital anomalies, and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). SCAN Ultrasound Gel, Polysonic Ultrasound Lotion, and EcoVue ultrasound gel are some common examples of ultrasound gel.

Moreover, the advent of quality ultrasound gel with improved features such as formaldehyde-free, colorless, odorless, and glycerin-free is expected to augment the growth of the ultrasound gels market. For example, Aquasonic Clear Ultrasound gel launched by Parker Laboratories is an odorless and colorless ultrasound gel with high coupling productivity. An ultrasound is the most widely used medical imaging method for viewing the fetus during pregnancy. The test uses sound waves to create a picture of tissues, organs, and other structures inside the body. Unlike X-rays, ultrasounds do not use any radiation. Thus, there is an increasing demand for this type of imaging technique.

According to the National Health Service (NHS), in 2019, more than 9.0 million ultrasound procedures were performed in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, growth of the ultrasound gels market is driven by the increasing prevalence of cancer worldwide. According to the National Cancer Institute, in 2020, around 1,806,590 new cases of cancer were expected to be diagnosed in the United States and 606,520 people were expected to die from the disease. However, the availability of substitutes or increasing utilization of surgical lube, guar gum, betadine, gelatin, lotion, cornstarch slurry, shampoo, and hand sanitizer (alternative to ultrasound gel) is expected to restrain the growth of the ultrasound gels market.