The camera is the second generation of the disposable video camera in the endoscopy market. Diameter: 0.99 mm
The "Medigos" company announces a new camera, the smallest in the world in the endoscopy market. The camera is the second generation of the disposable video camera in medical fields. The camera contains an image sensor based on Tower-Jazz's advanced CIS technology. The image sensor has high performance and low cost, which combines excellent sensitivity, high resolution and dynamism and is therefore suitable for use in various medical procedures in the human body.
The camera is intended to be mounted on extremely tiny single-use endoscope tools, which are used to perform diagnostic and surgical procedures in body parts where larger endoscopes cannot be inserted. The applications in which these tiny tools are needed are, among others, in the fields of cardiology, bronchoscopy, orthopedics, gastroenterology, gynecology, otolaryngology, and robotic surgery. The use of disposable tools eliminates the need for sterilization procedures that involve considerable cost, time, skill, and exposure to infections.
In the second generation camera, advanced technologies are applied, first of all a "through silicon via" (TSV) packaging method in which the electrical connection is installed vertically through the detector. This method allows the minimization of the camera dimensions as well as the cheapening of the production process in large quantities. The diameter of the second generation camera is only 0.99 mm, and is the smallest in the world. Image resolution continues to be high, using a detector with approximately 45,000 pixels.
The second generation camera includes a dedicated detector based on CMOS technology measuring 0.66x 0.66 mm, which was developed in cooperation between Medigus and Tower-Jazz with the support of the "Magnet" project of the Office of the Chief Scientist at the Ministry of Defense, and is manufactured by Tower-G 'So.
According to professional publications, the miniature camera market is characterized by a transition from outdated fiber optic technology to advanced video technology. The global market for tiny cameras for disposable endoscopes is expected to reach 4 million units in 2011 and reach 7 million units in 2015, when according to the camera price range known today, the financial scope of that market in 2011 is expected to be over 500 million US dollars B.
Medigus is expected to start providing samples of the second generation camera to companies in the field of cardiology in Japan and the USA in the coming weeks.
The second generation camera is based on advanced technologies developed at "Madigos" and primarily a "through silicon via" (TSV) packaging method in which the electrical connection is installed vertically through the detector. This method allows the minimization of the dimensions of the camera as well as the cheapening of its production process in large quantities. The diameter of the second generation camera is only 0.99 mm and is the first in the world whose diameter is smaller than 1 mm. The image resolution is high, using a detector with approximately 45,000 pixels, and the transmission format at the output of the video processor is of the HDMI type.
The camera includes a dedicated detector based on 0.66x 0.66 mm CMOS technology, which was developed in cooperation between the company and Tower Semiconductor Ltd. and is manufactured by Tower Semiconductor Ltd. The development of the camera and its manufacture was done in part within the activity of the two companies in Magnat Magnat "Medical Biophotonics".
The materials from which the camera is made are suitable for use in medical procedures in the human body, and are designed to be mounted on extremely tiny single-use endoscope tools, which are used to perform diagnostic and surgical procedures in body organs where larger endoscopes cannot be inserted.
The applications in which these tiny tools are needed are, among others, in the fields of cardiology, bronchoscopy, orthopedics, gastroenterology, gynecology, otolaryngology and robotic surgery. The use of disposable tools eliminates the need for sterilization procedures that involve considerable cost, time, skill, and exposure to infections.
The company intends to provide samples of the second generation camera already in the coming weeks to companies in the field of cardiology in Japan and the USA. Also, it intends to immediately integrate the second generation camera into endoscopic tools that it develops and manufactures, as well as act to sell the cameras to other manufacturers within the framework of supply agreements. The tiny cameras offered by the company are supported by digital video processing systems also produced by the company.
Dr. Elazar Sonnenshein, CEO of "Medigos" said in this context: "We are excited to announce the second generation biodegradable camera, with advanced features that enable development and progress in the field of medical endoscopy. Following our collaboration with 'Tower Semiconductor', we managed to produce the smallest camera in the world. The camera makes it possible to carry out medical procedures that were impossible before. In addition, our groundbreaking technology provides the medical community and its patients with quality and affordable medical diagnoses."
Dr. Avi Shtarum, Vice President of "Tower Semiconductor": "We are proud to work together with 'Medigos' and produce together such an important tool for the medical market. By using our advanced sensor technology combined with Medigos' experience in medical device visualization, we have created not only the smallest camera in the world but also the highest performing biodegradable camera."
It should be noted that according to professional publications, the tiny camera market is characterized by a transition between outdated fiber optic technology and advanced video technology. The financial scope of the tiny camera market for disposable endoscopes is expected to be over 500 million dollars in the US.
Medigos was established in 2000, located in Omer and Lod, and is headed by the company's CEO, Dr. Elazar Sonnenshein, and the company's chairman is Yair Rabinowitz. The company specializes in developing medical devices for endoscopic procedures.
The company's technological platform includes the development of various types of CCD and CMOS cameras developed by Medigos, tissue clamps, ultrasound systems, steering and more. One of the company's biggest deals is for $6.5 million with the American company VOYAGE MEDICAL.
Today, the company operates with international markets in Europe, the USA and Japan. These days, the company is preparing to submit applications to market the systems in the US in the abbreviated regulatory track, 510k.
