Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation (Sony) has announced the upcoming release of the IMX742, a compact 1 mm-squareCMOS image sensor with approximately 0.51 effective megapixels designed for medical single-use endoscopes.
According to the company, the sensor is the industry’s first to support digital output and data transmission through a 5-metre cable.
Demand for disposable, single-use endoscopes is growing as healthcare providers seek to reduce infection risks and minimise the burden of endoscope reprocessing and post-use equipment management.
Cameras used in these devices require compact image sensors that can fit into increasingly narrow insertion tubes while delivering high image quality and stable signal transmission.
The IMX742 addresses these requirements through miniaturised peripheral circuits, including an analogue-to-digital (A/D) converter, and Sony’s proprietary bi-directional communication technology that enables control and video signals to be transmitted through the same cable. This allows the sensor to combine approximately 0.51 effective megapixels with a compact 1 mm-square sensor size.
By digitising image signals directly on the sensor, the IMX742 supports low-noise imaging at a frame rate of 60 frames per second (fps), alongside stable signal transmission over a 5-metre cable. These capabilities are designed to provide clear images for endoscopic visualisation.
The sensor is expected to support the development of smaller, higher-performance cameras for thin endoscopes, including bronchoscopes and ureteroscopes.
Comparison of output images
Sony has previously supplied image sensors for reusable endoscopes. With the IMX742, the company is expanding its portfolio to address the growing demand for single-use endoscopic devices.
The development is aimed at supporting endoscope systems designed to reduce invasiveness while improving operability and visibility.
