8-MP CMOS image sensors target single-use and reusable endoscopes

OmniVision Technologies, Inc. has claimed the industry’s first 8 megapixel (MP) resolution sensors – the OH08A and OH08B – for single-use and reusable endoscopes. The OH08B also is the first medical-grade image sensor to use OmniVision’ Nyxel near-infrared (NIR) technology.

The OH08A/B 8-MP image sensors target endoscopes with a 10- to 12-mm outer diameter, such as gastroscopes, duodenoscopes, amnioscopes, laparoscopes and colonoscopes, delivering higher image quality, up to 4K2K resolution at 60 fps. The OH08B with Nyxel technology is said to deliver better performance in color and IR sensitivity for sharper video during NIR, fluorescence, chromo-endoscopy and virtual endoscopy procedures.

The medical-grade OH08A image sensor features a 1/2.5-inch optical format and the company’s 1.4 µm PureCelPlus-S pixel technology that enables high functionality in the smallest possible die size. It offers 4K2K resolution in a small 7.1 × 4.6 mm package, making it suited for chip-on-tip endoscopes. Offering high quality 8MP Bayer still frame or 4K video in real time, the OH08A features 4-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 has a 1/1.8-inch optical format and uses a larger 2.0 µm PureCel pixel in a 8.9 x 6.3 mm package, along with the Nyxel technology, which delivers enhanced visualization in the NIR spectral range. Nyxel technology provides 3× quantum efficiency (QE) improvement at both the 850 nm and 940 nm NIR wavelengths, said OmniVision, which also allows the use of lower-power IR illumination for significantly reduced chip-on-tip power consumption.

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Other key features include a 15.5 degree chief ray angle (CRA) for the OH08A and 11 degree CRA for the OH08B. This enables the use of lenses with large field of view and short focus distance. The CMOS image sensors also include pulse width modulation output LED drivers and 4 lane MIPI output with raw data.

The sensors are stereo ready with frame synchronization to support depth perception applications and are autoclavable for reusable endoscope sterilization. Both sensors are sampling now in a chip scale package.