According to a recent market research study, more than 5 million units of airway clearance devices were sold in 2018. The sales will reportedly increase by a robust 7.7% in 2019, as per the Y-o-Y growth calculated in the report. A majority of the demand for airway clearance devices is accounted by home care settings, followed by hospitals.

HFCWO & OPEP Mucus Clearance Devices Selling Prominently

Consistently increasing prevalence of cystic fibrosis and COPD is a key factor responsible for the robust growth of the airway clearance devices market. As per analysis, cystic fibrosis generates the largest patient pool raising the demand for airway clearance devices, accounting for almost half of the total sales. COPD also accounts for a significant volume share that roughly equates just-under a third of the mucus clearance devices market volume.

The demand for HFCWO (high-frequency chest wall oscillation) devices, which is more prominent in home care settings and hospitals, currently accounts for more than 1/3rd of the total market volume. The report also highlights a notable share of the sales accounted by OPEP (oscillating positive expiratory pressure) devices, i.e. over 1/4th of the total sales.

On other hand, stringent regulatory guideline by FDA for the approval of medical devices is likely to act as roadblock for the airway clearance devices market. In addition, lack of awareness about the symptoms of cystic fibrosis and COPD in developing economies is another factor that is likely to hamper the growth of the mucus clearance devices market. Furthermore, the treatment rate for respiratory disorders is much lesser in low- and middle-income countries, which is also hampering the growth of the airway clearance devices market.

North America is the most prominent region in the global mucus clearance devices market, with over 2/5th of the total market volume. North America’s market for airway clearance devices is followed by Europe and East Asia, and the report points to attractive opportunities residing in India, Brazil, and South Africa.

Key Players in Airway Clearance Devices Market Focusing on Online Distribution Channels

Leading distributers and suppliers operating in the global airway clearance devices market are eyeing opportunities in the E-commerce sector. Online introduction and sales of innovative airway clearance devices is being practiced by several companies to minimize costs associated with supply, distribution, and operation. Online availability also tends to attract a wider consumer base as it enables products comparison, according to research.

The rising focus of the leading medical device manufactures to launch novel airway clearance devices such as SmartVest is expected to lead to the robust growth of the mucus clearance devices market. Smart airway clearance devices that are being developed on a similar line of SmartVest have the smartphone-connectivity feature that allows doctors and respective hospitals to have ready access to real-time data, which can be further provided to telemedicine service providers. According to the report, such advanced technology enabled innovations will play a crucial role in boosting demand for airway clearance devices in the near future.