World’s Smallest Video Camera In The Size of a Grain of Sand

The world is constantly evolving, and technological advancements are a big part of this evolution. In recent years, there have been numerous innovations that have taken the world by storm, and the world’s smallest video camera is one such innovation.

Developed by researchers at the University of Washington and brought to life by OmniVision Technologies, this little camera is so tiny that it could easily get lost in your pocket lint. In fact, it measures a mere 0.65 x 0.65 x 1.158 mm in size, which is about the size of a grain of sand. While it may not be suitable for a day out at the beach, this camera packs some serious punch.

The camera is built on a metasurface made up of over 1.6 million cylindrical posts that act as a camera sensor. Each post works as an optical antenna, receiving light and shaping the optical wavefront, which is truly next-level stuff. Despite its minuscule size, this camera can capture images at a resolution of 200 x 200 (that’s 40,000 pixels) at 30 frames per second. To put that in perspective, that’s even better than a Gameboy screen, and it’s in full color too!

Although it may not be high definition, this camera was not designed for entertainment purposes. The camera’s primary objective is to assist doctors with diagnosis and surgery by fitting inside human veins, which is a remarkable feat in itself. It’s amazing what technology can do these days, and this camera is a testament to the power of innovation and creativity.

It is worth noting that this tiny camera has also earned a place in the Guinness World Records as the “Smallest Commercially Available Image Sensor.” This recognition is a testament to the groundbreaking technology that has been developed by the researchers at the University of Washington and the team at OmniVision Technologies.

In conclusion, the world’s smallest video camera is an incredible innovation that demonstrates the capabilities of technology today. With its tiny size and impressive features, this camera has the potential to revolutionize the medical field and change the way doctors diagnose and treat patients. It’s exciting to think about what other amazing innovations the future holds.

OMNIVISION’s OVM6948 CameraCubeChip®® is a fully packaged, wafer-level camera module measuring 0.65 mm x 0.65 mm, with a z-height of just 1.158 mm, ideal for disposable devices operating from the smallest part of the anatomy. The camera module is derived from an ultra small image sensor, the OV6948, winner of the Guinness World Record for “The Smallest Commercially Available Image Sensor*,” with its size of 0.575 mm x 0.575 mm. This complete module can be integrated into a disposable guidewire, catheter or endoscope with a diameter as small as 1.0 mm. With this camera’s small size and high 200 x 200, or 40 KPixel backside-illuminated resolution, high quality images can be captured from within the body’s narrowest blood vessels for neuro, ophthalmic, ENT, cardiac, spinal, urology, gynecology and arthroscopy procedures.

The OVM6948 is the only ultra small “chip on tip” camera with backside illumination, which provides excellent image quality and better low-light performance to help reduce LED heat, along with improved sensitivity. It offers a compact, high quality solution for disposable guidewires, catheters and endoscopes, which are experiencing growing demand because of their ability to reduce cross-contamination risks, downtime inefficiencies and costs associated with the repairs, preprocedural testing and sterilization of reusable endoscopes. Benefiting from the sensor’s low power consumption of a mere 25 mW, less heat is generated for better patient comfort and flexible procedure durations.

Other key features of this camera module include a wide 120-degree field of view and an extended focus range of 3 mm to 30 mm. Its image array is capable of capturing 200 x 200 resolution images and video at up to 30 frames per second, and its analog output that can transmit over 4 meters with minimal noise.

* Current Guinness World record title issued to OMNIVISION Technologies, Inc.: Smallest Commercially Available Image Sensor. The smallest commercially available image sensor is the OV6948, measuring 0.575 mm x 0.575 mm x 0.232 mm, made by OMNIVISION Technologies, Inc. (USA). The record is based on product testing and market research carried out by Transparency Market Research in Pune, India, on 10 April 2019.