Micro-Endoscopes |
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Endoscope design and manufacturing involves a juggling act between scope diameter and image quality; in general, the smaller the scope diameter, the less light it can carry, and the poorer the quality of the image. At medium-to-large diameters (3mm and above), a variety of manufacturers can provide scopes with fair-to-excellent image quality. But image quality becomes a major problem for traditional endoscope manufacturers at micro-sizes (1.5mm and below). And yet it is these very small-bore endoscopes that make endoluminal and minimally invasive procedures possible and effective.
BioVision uses an innovative combination of custom-designed image fibers, together with micro-lenses and micro-prisms manufactured using proprietary processes that drastically reduce lens costs, while maintaining the high image quality expected of conventional lenses. BioVision's micro-endoscope capabilities extend to very high unit volumes, beyond the reach of shops which may be able to hand-build a few small-gauge scopes. At very small scope diameters, traditional endoscope manufacturers can not compare with us in volume manufacturing at any performance or price level. BioVision's most recent development is a 30° direction of view objective for small fiber-scopes (patent pending). This opens many applications that have never been possible before in micro-endoscope size ranges. There are, no doubt, many untapped applications for this exciting optical development. The best news is that this feature adds only nominal cost to a standard endoscope. In sum, BioVision offers a clear, sharp image down to diameters as small as 0.4mm – small enough to insert via an artery, or to do surgery inside an eye, and in volumes and at prices that allow for meaningful commercialization of technology.
By contrast with BioVision technology, most endoscope manufacturers use SELFOC™ GRIN lens technology for ease of manufacturing at small diameters. There are two problems with this: first, GRIN technology is an extremely limited technology, meaning that GRIN-based scopes will only be available in a narrow performance envelope. Second, GRIN technology image quality suffers in comparison to traditional lens systems due to chromatic aberrations that cannot be controlled, and due to inability to control the aperture(F/#). High quality small fiber-scopes require tip lenses in the 0.3-1.0 mm diameter range. These lenses can be very expensive, up to $100.00 per endoscope. GRIN lenses are lower in cost at about $25.00 per endoscope. BioVision's lens technology closes the cost gap while maintaining the performance superiority of conventional lenses. Back |
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| Visualizing better care today; enabling the procedures of tomorrow |
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Content Copyright 2007 BioVision Technologies, LLC Content may not be reproduced without written permission. |
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