Medical camera module achieves fast frame rate at highest resolution

OmniVision Technologies, Inc., a developer of advanced digital imaging solutions, has announced the OC0SA—the latest member of its growing family of CameraCubeChip wafer-level camera modules for medical applications. This module achieves a resolution of 800 x 800 with the highest frame rate of 60 fps, or 400 x 400 resolution at 90 fps, for blur-free images and video.

The OC0SA provides a compact size of 2.6 x 1.6 mm and good raw color imaging performance because it integrates an infrared (IR) cut filter, unlike some competing modules in this class. With 120° and 90° field of view options for diagnosis and therapeutic applications, respectively, this module combines resolution, size and viewing angle for disposable endoscopes, providing medical and industrial applications with high image quality.

“Existing medical cameras are either too large, in the case of reusable cameras, or their disposable counterparts are lacking in resolution for medical procedures such as gastrointestinal, laparoscopy and airway management,” said Aaron Chiang, marketing director at OmniVision, in a statement. “Doctors and clinicians require smaller size and increased resolution during these procedures, for better diagnosis and greater surgical precision. We are building on the success of our widely adopted CameraCubeChip line of wafer-level camera modules by doubling the resolution while maintaining an extremely small form factor, which is essential for these disposable applications.”

An IR cut filter is integrated into the OC0SA, eliminating the chromatic effects from IR light that cause color fidelity loss. This precise color reproduction is crucial for accurately identifying abnormalities within the body.

The OCOSA also provides wide 120° and 90° field of view options, in order to provide doctors with the best possible endoscopic images. To enable use within the body, the OC0SA offers ETO and STERRAD sterilization capabilities, along with waterproofing and biocompatibility. Additionally, it consumes 82.2 mW to reduce heat at the endoscope’s distal tip for enhanced patient comfort. Furthermore, unlike traditional cameras, all CameraCubeChip modules are reflowable, so that they can be automatically attached to a printed circuit board simultaneously with other components.

OmniVision’s PureCel Plus-S stacked pixel technology provides the OC0SA with high sensitivity, high full-well capacity, zero blooming, low noise, stabilized black level and low power consumption. This pixel architecture also includes a buried color filter array for better angular response, a higher chief ray angle and deep trench isolation for reduced crosstalk. These features provide improved image quality over competing architectures.

A 1-lane MIPI / sub-LVDS serial output ensures signal fidelity. In-module horizontal and vertical subsampling capabilities allow doctors to zoom in on specific areas within the body, while the light-source syncing and strobe function enables better control of image brightness. The OC0SA also integrates 2 x 2 binning support, which combines four pixels into one for higher sensitivity while achieving the fastest frame rate of 90 fps.