OmniVision Technologies introduces the new OH0TA OVMed medical image sensor

     OmniVision Technologies has announced the introduction of its new OH0TA OVMed medical image sensor with a package size of just 0.55mm x 0.55mm. Featuring 1.0 micron pixels and 1/31 inch optical format - smaller than the Guinness World Record for "smallest commercially available image sensor" held by its predecessor. OH0TA also quadruples the RGB image resolution to 400×400, or 160Kpixels, at 30 frames per second, while reducing power consumption by 20% to 20mW. This allows designers to add ultra-compact visualization capabilities to disposable and reusable endoscopes, as well as catheters and guides, with outer diameters as small as 1-2 mm. In addition, the unique small size of this sensor gives medical device Oems the flexibility to create a large diameter range with a larger operating channel.

     OH0TA's improved resolution allows higher-quality color images to be captured from the body's smallest organs, enabling medical devices to reach deep into the body for neurological, ophthalmic, ENT, heart, spine, urology, gynecology, and arthroscopy, as well as dental and veterinary diagnostics and surgeries. In addition, the sensor's lower power consumption reduces the heat of the "cutting-edge chip" camera, making the patient more comfortable and the operation longer, while also reducing noise and obtaining clearer images.

     "The trend towards minimally invasive surgery continues to grow due to higher success rates and shorter recovery times for patients. However, for the narrowest anatomical areas, especially in neurological and cardiac surgery, previous sensors did not have the necessary combination of high resolution and extremely small size." Ehsan Ayar, OmniVision's marketing manager for medical products. OH0TA is the first sensor in the world to offer this combination, enabling a significant improvement in endoscopes, especially when compared to traditional video mirrors made with optical fibers, which have limited resolution, poor image quality and high cost."

     Market research and strategy consulting firm Yole Developpement (Yole) expects the CMOS image sensor (CIS) industry to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10.4 percent from 2020 to 2025. The advanced node technology in CIS brings higher resolution, and the innovative stack process helps optimize performance as well as module size, "commented Chenjing Liang, imaging technology and market Analyst at Yole. These state-of-the-art CIS technologies are meeting today's critical endoscopic needs, supporting a physician's diagnostic process or surgical procedure with higher image quality and better contrast while improving patient comfort. They can also provide less invasive imaging techniques for neurological, ENT or pediatric applications without changing image resolution."

     To achieve improved resolution, as well as a smaller pixel size and optical format, OH0TA uses OmniVision's PureCel®Plus-S laminated chip technology. This next-generation pixel technology also delivers higher color fidelity and excellent low light sensitivity of 3600 mV/lux-sec, as well as a high signal-to-noise ratio of 37.5 dB for sharper images. In addition, the PureCel Plus-S enables OH0TA to have a higher full well capacity (FWC), zero bloom, and lower power consumption.

     Other key features include a 15.5 degree primary ray Angle, which allows the use of lenses with a high field of view and a short focal length. In addition, it supports a 4-wire interface as well as raw analog data output, which can be transmitted over a cable up to 4 meters long with minimal signal noise. For backward compatibility and ease of adoption, the sensor interfaces with OmniVision's existing OV426 analog-to-digital conversion bridge chip. In addition, it can be autoclaved to sterilize reusable endoscopes.