8Mpixel image sensors are for single-use and reusable endoscopes
Two CMOS image sensors, the OH08A and OH08B are claimed to be the first 8Mpixel resolution sensors for single-use and reusable endoscopes. The OH08B is the first medical-grade image sensor to use OmniVision’s Nyxel near-infra red (NIR) imaging technology.
The medical-grade OH08A image sensor has a 1/2.5-inch optical format, incorporates 1.4 micron PureCel Plus-S pixel technology and offers 4k2k resolution in a small 7.1 x 4.6mm package, which is designed for chip-on-tip endoscopes. The OH08B has a 1/1.8-inch optical format, uses a larger 2.0 micron PureCel pixel in a 8.9 x 6.3mm package and features OmniVision’s Nyxel technology, which allows enhanced visualisation in NIR spectral range.
The image sensors are intended for endoscopes with a 10 to 12mm outer diameter, such as gastroscopes, duodenoscopes, amnioscopes, laparoscopes and colonoscopes. They deliver image quality, up to 4K2K resolution at 60 frames per second which improves the doctor’s ability to visualise the human anatomy, said Richard Yang, senior staff product marketing manager at OmniVision.
The OH08B’s Nyxel technology offers better performance in colour and IR sensitivity, enabling doctors to see sharper video during NIR, fluorescence, chromo-endoscopy and virtual endoscopy procedures, he continued. “Higher sensitivity results in less illumination, thus reducing the heat at the tip of the endoscope,” he added.
The OH08A is built on OmniVision’s PureCel Plus-S stacked die technology. The sensor utilises this proprietary pixel technology to improve image quality by reducing or eliminating fixed pattern noise, as well as providing high full well capacity (improving dynamic range), excellent low light sensitivity, zero blooming and lower power consumption. The high frame rate reduces smearing to produce a crisp, stable image, says the company.
The OH08A offers high quality 8Mpixel Bayer still frame or 4K video in real time. It features four-cell three-exposure high dynamic range (HDR) with tone mapping for improved HDR output at 1080p60 or native 4K2Kp60 resolution and two-exposure staggered HDR support.
The OH08B is a larger, higher performance device based on OmniVision’s industry-leading Nyxel technology which provides three times quantum efficiency (QE) improvement at both the 850nm and 940nm NIR wavelengths. The QE also allows the use of lower power IR illumination, resulting in significantly reduced chip-on-tip power consumption, says Omnivision.
Other key features include a 15.5 degree chief ray angle (CRA) for the OH08A and 11 degree CRA for the OH08B, enabling the use of lenses with large field of view and short focus distance; pulse width modulation output LED drivers. There is also a four-lane MIPI output with raw data. These sensors are stereo ready with frame synchronisation to support a host of depth perception applications. Additionally, they are autoclavable for reusable endoscope sterilization.
The OH08A/B image sensors are available for sampling now in a chip scale package.
