Mass Production of OmniVision OVM6948 Miniature Module: Disposable Endoscope Cameras Enter the Sub-Millimeter Era

The OVM6948 endoscope camera module launched by OmniVision provides the global endoscope industry with an innovative solution featuring "ultra-small size + high reliability + low-cost adaptation" through its sub-millimeter miniaturization breakthrough and mature commercial capabilities. With the Guinness-certified miniature sensor as its core, this module accurately addresses the core needs for device miniaturization and safety in minimally invasive surgery, and is expected to accelerate the technological upgrading and market penetration of disposable endoscope camera modules.

Currently, endoscope camera modules face structural bottlenecks in medical scenarios: First, the inspection of narrow human lumens (such as blood vessels and spinal canals) requires the module diameter to be controlled within 1mm. However, traditional modules are limited by sensor size (mostly ≥1.5mm), making it difficult to access fine anatomical structures, resulting in insufficient detection rate of early lesions. Second, reusable endoscopes require complex sterilization processes but still carry a 0.3%-0.5% risk of cross-infection. Meanwhile, existing disposable endoscopes are hard to popularize due to high module costs (over $200 per unit) and poor imaging quality (resolution mostly <100×100). Third, prolonged surgery easily causes module heating (power consumption of traditional products >50mW), posing a risk of tissue burns to patients and limiting the operation window. According to data from Medical Device Market Observer, globally, 17% of early vascular lesions are not detected due to the size limitation of endoscopes, and medical disputes related to cross-infection increase by 12% annually.

Through sensor integration and process optimization, the OVM6948 module achieves three core breakthroughs, reshaping the design logic of endoscope cameras:

Based on the OV6948 sensor (0.575×0.575×0.232mm), the module adopts wafer-level packaging technology, compressing the overall size to 0.65×0.65mm. This represents a volume reduction of over 60% compared to traditional similar products, allowing direct integration into guidewires or endoscope catheters with a diameter of 1mm. It realizes visual observation of ultra-narrow spaces such as human capillaries and fundus microvessels for the first time. Equipped with a 120° wide-angle lens and a depth of field range of 3-30mm, a single module can cover local anatomical structures without the need for repeated adjustment of the probe position, increasing surgical efficiency by 40%.

Relying on OmniBSI+ backside-illuminated pixel technology, the module achieves a high sensitivity of 1000mV/lux-sec under ultra-low power consumption of 25mW. Its low-light imaging brightness is 3 times higher than that of traditional front-illuminated sensors, which can reduce the LED illumination power at the endoscope tip, controlling the probe surface temperature below 37℃ to avoid the risk of tissue burns and support surgeries lasting over 2 hours. At the same time, the combination of 30fps frame rate and 200×200 resolution can clearly capture fine structures such as vascular plaques and nerve fibers, meeting the accuracy requirements of clinical diagnosis.

The module uses corrosion-resistant packaging materials and supports high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization, which not only adapts to the disinfection process of reusable endoscopes but also optimizes costs for disposable scenarios. The wafer-level mass production process reduces the cost of a single module by more than 50% compared to traditional solutions. Combined with the simplified 4-pin analog interface design, equipment OEMs can quickly integrate it, shortening the product launch cycle by 3-6 months. In addition, the 4-meter long-distance signal transmission capability solves the problem of signal attenuation between the miniature probe and the host, adapting to various operating table layouts.

Currently, the OVM6948 module has achieved mass sample supply, widely adapting to high-end minimally invasive surgical equipment such as neurointervention, ophthalmic vitrectomy, and cardiac catheters. Some cooperative manufacturers' disposable vascular endoscope products have entered the FDA certification stage. From an industry perspective, the technological breakthrough of this module will bring three major transformations: