New OH08B image sensor transforms endoscope technology

OmniVision a developer of advanced digital imaging solutions, and Diaspective Vision GmbH a developer of hyperspectral and multispectral camera systems for medical applications, have announced their partnership in the development of a new type of endoscopic camera, the MALYNA system, which is based on proprietary multispectral imaging technology.

MALYNA not only provides indocyanine green (ICG) based perfusion visualisation, but also serves as a platform to adapt further algorithms for quantified perfusion and tissue categorisation without the need of color agent injection. The system augments a 4K live video stream with physiological information to provide surgeons with objective decision-making support. It is applicable in laparoscopy, robotic surgery, and diagnostic endoscopy with the goal of intraoperative risk structure and potentially tumor detection.

“Known as the fifth dimension of medical imaging, the MALYNA is set to become a standard diagnostics tool like ultrasound, MRI and CT scans,” said Dr. Axel Kulcke, CEO, Diaspective Vision. “It provides live imaging in addition to hyperspectral and multispectral imaging, which show the different perfusion parameters and risk structures of the tissue, as well as ICG imaging for cancer detection. This combination of different imaging procedures maximises productivity during endoscopy, and would not be possible without the availability of OmniVision’s new high performance image sensors.” 

The MALYNA camera uses OmniVision’s recently launched OH08B CMOS image sensor. Diaspective Vision will be adding a second OH08B sensor to the MALYNA and the sensors will be synchronised to provide a 3D stereoscopy image. The OH08B is the first 8 megapixel (MP) resolution medical-grade image sensor to use OmniVision’s award-winning Nyxel near-infrared (NIR) technology, bringing revolutionary imaging capabilities beyond the visible spectrum to the medical industry. The 1/1.8” optical format, 2.0µm PureCel Plus-S pixel image sensor offers 4K2K resolution at 60 frame rates per second (fps) with high color fidelity, supports high dynamic range (HDR) and is available in a hCSP package. The image sensor is suitable to be used in gastroscopes, duodenoscopes, amnioscopes, laparoscopes and colonoscopes.

“Imaging is a critical element for smooth and effective endoscopy procedures and surgeries,” said Tehzeeb Gunja, Director of Medical Marketing at OmniVision. “Multi-modal information leads to greater certainty in diagnosis and decision-making. High resolution, fast frame rate, high NIR sensitivity, excellent image quality and medically qualified imager sensor are the key improvements that help to achieve this goal. We are pleased to partner with Diaspective Vision to integrate our flagship medical image sensor with their innovative multispectral camera technology to enable dramatically new approaches to medical imaging.”

The OH08B with Nyxel technology offers the best image quality in both color and IR imaging. Nyxel technology provides 3x quantum efficiency (QE) improvement at both the 850nm and 940nm NIR wavelengths. The excellent QE also allows the use of lower-power IR illumination, resulting in significantly reduced chip-on-tip power consumption, thus offering greater patient comfort during long procedures and surgeries. Additionally, the OH08B is autoclavable for reusable endoscope sterilisation.