Medical Endoscopy Using CMOS Image Sensors

Endoscopy is a medical procedure in which the physician looks inside a patient’s body using an instrument called an endoscope. The technique has been around for more than a century, and is aimed at reaching places in the body where otherwise dangerous major surgery would be required. The first endoscopes were linear optical instruments, but later evolved into flexible lengths with the invention of fiber optics. Most recently, endoscopes have incorporated miniature video cameras to provide maximum flexibility in how the systems are deployed within the body. The very small diameter of the endoscope probe tip defines the space that often must be shared by the camera, light source, air/water nozzle and a biopsy/suction channel. For such systems, Forza Silicon creates highly-miniaturized image sensors using the very latest CMOS fabrication processes. These unique Forza devices not only enable a very small camera footprint, but their low pin count helps keep the entire endoscope assembly compact. Images are typically displayed on HDTV monitors in the examination room.

Another endoscopy approach is Capsule Endoscopy. Taking advantage of the constantly declining size of electronics, a camera can fit into a swallowable capsule. Complete with lighting, recording and transmitting capabilities, these devices pass through the entire digestive tract in about a day, allowing full monitoring of the tract as the capsule advances. These fantastic devices are made possible by CMOS image sensors.

Forza Silicon is the logical choice for endoscopy cameras due to its proven expertise in extremely miniature CMOS image sensor designs. By partnering with the most advanced CMOS fabricators, Forza is able to take advantage of the latest CMOS processes to create designs to meet increasing surgical demands, such as higher resolution, 3D imaging and precision manipulation.

Related Websites:

Understanding Capsule Endoscopy