OmniVision claims highest-resolution image sensor for endoscopes

OmniVision Technologies, Inc. has expanded its medical-grade OVMed product line with the introduction of the OH0FA image sensor and OAH0428 bridge chip for endoscopes and catheters. The OH0FA is a 0.93 × 0.93-mm sensor in a 1/18-inch optical format.

OH0FA image sensor. Click for a larger image. (Source: OmniVision)

The image sensor’s 1.008-µm pixel size is built on OmniVision’s next-generation PureCel Plus-S pixel technology that is said to provide high color fidelity and signal-to-noise ratio of 37.5 dB for crisper images. In addition, the PureCel Plus-S enables the OH0FA’s high full-well capacity, zero blooming, and lower power consumption. A version of the OCHFA, based on OmniVision’s CameraCubeChip technology, will be launched soon for single-use endoscopes.

The image sensor is designed to have the highest resolution at the best possible frame rate, according to Ehsan Ayar, medical product marketing manager at OmniVision.

OmniVision claims the OH0FA image sensor offers the highest resolution available – 720 × 720 resolution at 30 frames per second (fps) – for ENT, cardiac, arthro, OB-GYN, and utero-renal endoscopes. This is a significant increase over the previous generation image sensor, the OVM6946 at 60 fps. This high resolution enables surgeons to see and diagnose early-stage disease, said the company.

In addition, the OH0FA offers an optional range of resolution and frame rate combinations for different procedure requirements: 720 × 720 at 30 fps, 600 × 600 at 40 fps or 400 × 400 at 60 fps.

OAH0428 bridge chip. Click for a larger image. (Source: OmniVision)

The OAH0428 companion chip is specifically developed for the 720 × 720 resolution compatibility. It enables analog-to-digital conversion with the flexibility for a variety of analog and digital inputs and outputs. It has a proprietary 4-pin analog interface that can transmit up to 4 meters.

Key features of the OAH0428 include HDR, auto-start, pseudo-global shutter, enhanced NIR sensitivity, and security functions. Exposure time and gain settings can be sent from an external SPI control, automatically by the OAH0428 internal AEC/AGC or manually by the host. The device is autoclavable.

The OH0FA image sensor and OAH0428 bridge chip are available for sampling now in OmniVision’s hCSP chip -cale package with 100-micron thick cover glass and an anti-reflective coating. The company also offers an evaluation kit with a pretested OVMed image signal processor. OmniVision will demo its medical-grade products at the following medical shows: MD&M Minneapolis, Nov. 3-4, booth 1639; CompaMed, Nov. 15-18, Hall 14/F40; MD&M East, Dec. 7-9, booth 828.