3D medical image signal processors for endoscopes & catheters

OmniVision Technologies, Inc. announced at the MD&M West trade show a major expansion of its OVMed medical image signal processor (ISP) family, designed to pair with its high-performance medical image sensors for quick integration into single-use and reusable endoscopes as well as catheters. Building on the success of OmniVision’s versatile OVMed ISPs introduced in 2018, these five new processors provide device designers with even more flexibility, creating additional options for resolution, frame rate and output, along with the best-in-class feature set.

“By expanding our OVMed family to nine different ISPs, we are providing the industry’s largest set of medical design options, catering to customers new to CMOS imaging as well as those wanting to speed development for their latest medical devices,” said Tehzeeb Gunja, principal marketing and business development manager at OmniVision. “One size and price do not fit all; hence we offer a range of ISP solutions with differentiated size, price, feature set and outputs. We are now adding stereoscopic 3D imaging and the best-in-class, professional ISPs to our growing OVMed family, enabling innovative, state-of-the-art product concepts.”

The OVMed product line includes three classes of ISPs:

• Mini for the smallest and most cost-effective option to integrate into an endoscope handle
• Advanced for higher image quality while fitting easily inside a camera control unit (CCU)
• Pro for the highest image quality and feature set that can also fit inside a CCU

The newly introduced Pro line provides best-in-class resolution of up to 4K2K, while supporting streaming video at 60 frames per second, along with high-end ISP functions that enable superior noise reduction and color accuracy for the highest level of image quality. Products in the Pro line accept up to 4-lane digital MIPI/sub-LVDS input. Additionally, they can connect to image sensors via longer input cables of up to five meters. The Pro ISPs also feature dynamic shading control, distortion correction, advanced backlight compensation, an automatic exposure and gain control window, exposure weighting and compensation, advanced auto white balance, color enhancement, hue, halation, contrast adjustment/enhancement/curve, high dynamic range, crop/digital zoom, resize, frame-rate control, freeze, time lapse, dual image display, illumination control, RAW 8/10/12 image output, and RGB565/888 bypass mode.

These features make the Pro line ideal for use in medical endoscopes for gastrointestinal and airway-management applications.

Two new ISPs (Mini and Pro) in the OVMed family offer dual-channel processing that supports 3D stereoscopic imaging. This feature allows an ISP to take input from two image sensors and process it in parallel, providing surgeons with the ability to perceive depth during surgical procedures. The result is improved patient outcomes and reduced risk for endoscopic surgery, as well as better diagnostic accuracy.