The US Hydrocephalus Shunts market size is expected to reach US$ 146.24 million by 2030 from US$ 109.61 million in 2022. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.7% from 2022 to 2030.

Market Insights and Analyst View:

Hydrocephalus is a condition characterized by the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, resulting in elevated intracranial pressure. Hydrocephalus shunts, typically implanted via surgical procedures, consist of tube and valve systems that divert excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain's ventricles to another part of the body, often the abdominal cavity, where it can be reabsorbed. The surging prevalence of hydrocephalus and advancements in hydrocephalus management devices are the key factors driving the market in the US. However, the high cost of treatments and a need for revised surgeries hamper the US hydrocephalus shunts market progress.

In the United States, treatment options for hydrocephalus typically include: Shunt Placement: Shunt systems are commonly used to treat hydrocephalus. A neurosurgeon surgically implants a shunt, which is a device consisting of a tube and a valve, to divert excess cerebrospinal fluid away from the brain to another part of the body where it can be absorbed or reabsorbed.

Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV): ETV is another surgical procedure involves creating a small hole in the floor of the third ventricle of the brain to allow cerebrospinal fluid to flow out and be absorbed. ETV is primarily used for certain types of non-communicating hydrocephalus. Ventriculostomy with Catheter: Another surgical option involves inserting a catheter directly into the brain's ventricles to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid.

Revision Surgery: Sometimes, patients with shunts may require revision surgeries to address issues such as blockages, infections, or malfunctions of the shunt system.

Minimally Invasive Techniques: Advancements in minimally invasive procedures, such as endoscopy, have allowed for more precise diagnosis and treatment of hydrocephalus.

Intraventricular Endoscopy: This procedure uses endoscopy to view and treat problems within the ventricular system of the brain.

Monitoring and Adjustments: Regular monitoring of shunt function and intracranial pressure is important. Adjustments to shunt settings may be made to optimize treatment.

Experimental and Research-Based Treatments: In some cases, patients may have the option to participate in clinical trials or experimental treatments being investigated by medical researchers. It's important to note that the choice of treatment depends on various factors, including the type of hydrocephalus, the patient's age, overall health, and individual circumstances. Treatment decisions are typically made in consultation with neurosurgeons and other medical specialists who specialize in the management of hydrocephalus.

Growth Drivers and Challenges:

Hydrocephalus is a chronic neurological disease caused by an abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) deposition in the cavities (ventricles) of the brain. According to the Hydrocephalus Association, over 1 million people in the US are likely to live with hydrocephalus by 2023, while 1 in 770 babies would develop hydrocephalus yearly. Similarly, as per the article "Navigating the Ventricles: New Insights into the Pathogenesis of Hydrocephalus," published in Elsevier, congenital hydrocephalus occurs in 1 in 500–1,000 babies born in the US. Stroke, intraventricular and subarachnoid hemorrhage, brain tumors, traumatic brain injury, and craniectomy can lead to acquired hydrocephalus. According to a study titled “Management of Hydrocephalus in Children: Anatomic Imaging Appearances of CSF Shunts and Their Complications,” published in the American Journal of Roentgenology in 2020, hydrocephalus affects approximately 1–2% of the US population and results in 70,000 hospitalizations, with the placement of 18,000–33,000 CSF shunts. The annual healthcare expenditures in the country are approximately US$ 2 billion.

The treatment method of hydrocephalus mainly focuses on managing CSF through shunts. There are several forms of treatment for removing excess CSF; the placement of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is a common method. The shunts help in removing excess CSF from the brain and then divert it to the other parts of the body, wherein it is absorbed during the circulatory process. According to a study titled “Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts in the Emergency Department,” published in the National Library of Medicine, ~30,000 VP shunt procedures are performed annually in the US. An article published on hydrocephalus and shunts in Ausmed Education states that 33,000 people are implanted with shunts annually in this country. Thus, the high incidence of hydrocephalus drives the demand for hydrocephalus shunts in the US, thereby boosting the US hydrocephalus shunts market growth in this country.

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US Hydrocephalus Shunts Market: Strategic Insights

Market Size Value in	US$ 109.61 million in 2022
Market Size Value by	US$ 146.24 million by 2030
Growth rate	CAGR of 3.7% from 2022 to 2030
Forecast Period	2022-2030
Base Year	2022

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Report Segmentation and Scope:

The US hydrocephalus shunts market growth is segmented into product, type, age group, and end user. Based on product, the market is segmented into hydrocephalus valves, hydrocephalus catheters, neuronavigation systems, and others. The hydrocephalus valves are further segregated into adjustable pressure valves and fixed pressure valves. In terms of type, the US hydrocephalus shunts market is segmented into is segmented into ventriculoperitoneal, ventriculoatrial, ventriculopleural, and lumboperitoneal. The US hydrocephalus shunts market, by age group, is segmented into pediatric and adults. The US hydrocephalus shunts market, by end user, is segmented into hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and others.

Segmental Analysis:

The US hydrocephalus shunts market, by product, is segmented into hydrocephalus valves, hydrocephalus catheters, neuronavigation systems, and others. The hydrocephalus valves are further segmented into adjustable and fixed pressure valves. The hydrocephalus valves segment held the largest market share in 2022 and is expected to record a CAGR of 3.9% during 2022-2030.

Access Data

Adjustable or programmable valves regulate intracranial pressure (ICP) based on pressure settings adjusted by a doctor using an external adjustment tool placed outside the body. The settings are changed based on changes needed in CSF draining. Adjustable pressure valves allow professionals to noninvasively change or program valve pressure settings, a major advantage of these valves. A few of these valves are susceptible to adjustment by environmentally solid magnetic fields. These valves ensure greater efficiency in any distribution system via which fluids circulate.

As per a research study published in November 2020 in ScienceDirect, adjustable pressure valves are a valuable option for treating aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (ASAH) patients undergoing ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) implantation to reduce the need for revision surgery for over or underdrainage. Examples of known adjustable pressure valves include Aesculap, Inc.’s M.blue Adjustable Valve, Codman Certas Plus valve, Integra’s OSV II Flow Regulating Valve, Medtronic plc’s Strata Adjustable Valve, and Sophysa’s Polaris Adjustable Valve.

The US hydrocephalus shunts market, by type, is segmented into ventriculoperitoneal, ventriculoatrial, ventriculopleural, and lumboperitoneal. The ventriculoperitoneal segment held a larger market share in 2022 and the same segment is anticipated to register a higher CAGR during the forecast period. A ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt allows the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the cerebral ventricular system to the atrium of the heart. In the early days, VA shunts were the main treatment for hydrocephalus. Risks associated with VA shunts include thromboembolism, pulmonary hypertension, and shunt nephritis. Another drawback is that its excess catheter tubing cannot be used in the heart as the distal catheter length is fixed. These shunts are also associated with cardiovascular complications. As a result of the abovementioned shortcomings, VA shunts are employed only when all other techniques have failed or are contraindicated.

The US hydrocephalus shunts market, by age group, is segmented into pediatric and adults. The pediatric segment held a largest market share in 2022 and the same segment is anticipated to register a highest CAGR during 2022-2030. The Hydrocephalus Association (HA) estimates that in the US and Canada, 700,000 adults have normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), but it is usually misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. Less than 20% of individuals with the disease are properly diagnosed. As per the studies published in Mayfield Brain & Spine, some adult patients treated with a shunt experience a dramatic relief in symptoms, and ~50–80% of patients could expect an improvement in their symptoms in the first 2–3 years post procedure. The Adult Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network (AHCRN) takes the initiative to create awareness and understanding, accelerate research, and improve treatments for adults with hydrocephalus, thereby contributing to the prevention and cure of hydrocephalus.

The US hydrocephalus shunts market, by end user, is segmented into hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, others. The hospitals segment held a largest market share in 2022 and the same segment is anticipated to register a highest CAGR during 2022-2030. Ambulatory surgical centers are outpatient or same-day surgery centers where a surgical procedure does not require an overnight stay in the facility, as the procedures performed in these facilities are generally less complicated. The purpose of outpatient surgeries is to save the patient time and keep hospital costs down.

Country Analysis:

The US hydrocephalus shunts market growth is attributed to the surging prevalence of hydrocephalus and advancements in hydrocephalus management devices. Hydrocephalus is a prime cause of morbidity, affecting over 1 million people in the US. The estimated incidence of hydrocephalus is 0.2–0.8 per 1,000 live births. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the condition is assumed to affect approximately 1–2 in every 1,000 children born in the US. According to the Los Angeles Health Organization, the University of California, ~125,000 people in the country live with cerebrospinal fluid shunts.

Most hydrocephalus cases are often diagnosed before birth, during delivery or in early childhood. The US hospitals discharge approximately 69,000 patients annually with a primary diagnosis of hydrocephalus, half of which undergo placement of a new shunt. Over half of these admissions were classified as emergent or urgent, and the average cost of treatment was found to be US$ 35,816 per case. The article “Hydrocephalus and Shunts,” published by Ausmed, estimates that 33,000 people undergo shunt placement procedures yearly in the US; CSF diversion surgery and shunt revision surgery account for nearly one-third of all neurosurgical procedures annually in the country.

Competitive Landscape and Key Companies:

Various companies in the US hydrocephalus shunts market focus on organic growth strategies such as launches, expansions, enhancements, and relocations. Inorganic growth strategies in the market were mergers & acquisitions, partnerships, and collaborations. These activities have paved the way for the expansion of businesses and customer base of the US hydrocephalus shunts market players. The companies have maximized their growth with the help of several inorganic strategies to enhance the value and position in the hydrocephalus shunt market.

• In June 2022, CereVasc, Inc. raised US$ 43.9 million in series A financing to support the human trial of the eShunt system.
• In June 2023, Anuncia Medical Inc. announced the successful US commercial launch of the ReFlow Mini Flusher device. This launch has provided neurosurgeons in the US (and soon from other countries) with a new option to reduce the impact of hydrocephalus by providing better access to potentially life-saving therapy for patients suffering from this neurological disorder.
• In May 2020, Aesculap, Inc. launched the M.blue valve, the latest generation of hydrocephalus valve technology. The unique gravitational technology is integrated with a fixed differential pressure unit in one valve, allowing for a simple, position-dependent solution.
• In August 2021, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) granted US$ 14 million to researchers at the Johns Hopkins Cerebral Fluid Center, the Department of Neurosurgery, for hydrocephalus treatment studies. The Johns Hopkins Cerebral Fluid Center is conducting the research in partnership with the Adult Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network (AHCRN). It is coordinated by the Hydrocephalus Association, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness and supports hydrocephalus research. Similarly, in September 2023,  Carolyn Harris, associate professor of chemical engineering and materials science at Wayne State University, received a renewal of a research project (RO1) grant totaling $2,666,756 from the National Institutes of Health. The total amount for the entire RO1, from 2016-27, will accumulate to $5,345,009.
• In July 2020, MIT researchers proposed a design to overcome a significant challenge in hydrocephalus catheters — clogging — by leveraging catheter geometry. MIT researchers published their study in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface that proposes and validates a new design for hydrocephalus catheters that pursues to overcome a central challenge of clogging in the design of these devices. 

Competitive Landscape

• B. Braun SE           
• Sophysa SA           
• Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp          
• KANEKA MEDIX CORP.       
• Medtronic Plc          
• Natus Medical Inc    
• Anuncia Inc.           
• Desu Medical