title: Ultrahigh sensitivity endoscopic camera using a new CMOS image sensor: providing with clear images under low illumination in addition to fluorescent images.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We developed a new ultrahigh-sensitive CMOS camera using a specific sensor that has a wide range of spectral sensitivity characteristics. The objective of this study is to present our updated endoscopic technology that has successfully integrated two innovative functions; ultrasensitive imaging as well as advanced fluorescent viewing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two different experiments were conducted. One was carried out to evaluate the function of the ultrahigh-sensitive camera. The other was to test the availability of the newly developed sensor and its performance as a fluorescence endoscope. In both studies, the distance from the endoscopic tip to the target was varied and those endoscopic images in each setting were taken for further comparison.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the first experiment, the 3-CCD camera failed to display the clear images under low illumination, and the target was hardly seen. In contrast, the CMOS camera was able to display the targets regardless of the camera-target distance under low illumination. Under high illumination, imaging quality given by both cameras was quite alike. In the second experiment as a fluorescence endoscope, the CMOS camera was capable of clearly showing the fluorescent-activated organs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ultrahigh sensitivity CMOS HD endoscopic camera is expected to provide us with clear images under low illumination in addition to the fluorescent images under high illumination in the field of laparoscopic surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, National Hospital Organization Murayama Medical Center, 2-37-1 Gakuen, Musashimurayama, Tokyo, 208-0011, Japan, hisae.aoki.m.d@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Hisae
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aoki
authors.forename: Hiromasa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamashita
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: Tsuneo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fukuyo
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chiba
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D020706:Laparoscopes; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008029:Lighting; D010781:Photography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results