Camera sensor targets medical & industrial applications

24th July 2015

Omnivision

Siobhan O'Gorman

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A camera sensor for medical and industrial applications has been introduced by OmniVision Technologies. The 1/18" OV6946 CameraChip captures 400x400 pixel resolution images and video with outstanding colour fidelity in a compact 0.9x0.9mm package that consumes low power, making it a suitable camera solution for minimally-invasive, reusable endoscopy.

Utilising an advanced 1.75µm OmniBSI+ pixel, the camera sensor captures high quality 400x400 resolution images and video at 30fps. The OV6946 enables minimally invasive endoscope module designs with a width of 1.65mm and height of 5mm. Additionally, the sensor's reduced pinout and basic ISP functionality offer extremely easy integration.

"To reduce patient trauma and shorten recovery time, doctors are turning to smaller, reusable endoscopes to deliver the images and video required during a medical procedure," said Tehzeeb Gunja, Senior Marketing and Business Development Manager, OmniVision. "Currently, there are no other image sensors available that offer the level of high performance and image quality in such a compact and power efficient form factor."

"Our research group has developed numerous endoscope prototypes based on OmniVision's OV6946 sensor, and we are encouraged by the initial evaluations," commented Mr. Dahong Qian, Professor at the Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University. "This prototype is the smallest endoscope system at this resolution to date, with many potential applications such as hysteroscopes, cystoscopes, falloposcopes, oledochoscopes and bronchoscopes, among others."

The OV6946 is currently available for sampling and is expected to enter volume production in the third quarter of 2015.