Specialty foundry Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (Nasdaq: TSEM; TASE: TSEM) and endoscope maker Medigus Ltd. (TASE:MDGS) have successfully developed a new CMOS imager that Medigus will use in its disposable miniature cameras. The imager will also be used in Medigus's new medical device camera, the smallest of its kind in the world, is designed for disposable endoscopes and diagnostic and surgical devices.
The companies have already shipped the first product samples to customers and plan to begin mass production in mid-2010.
The new camera measures only 700 x 700 microns. Medigus developed the miniature electronics and objective lenses, and its casing is 1.2 mm wide by 5 mm long.
Tower will produce the camera sensors at its Fab 2 in Migdal Ha'Emek, using its 0.18-micron CMOS image sensor process. Medigus will manufacture the endoscopes at its facility in Omer, outside Beersheva. Because the camera is completely disposable, there is no need for very costly sterilization.
The CMOS imager can be used for gastroenterology, natural orifice transluminal endoscopy surgery, bronchoscopy, orthopedics and ENT.
Medigus CEO Dr. Elazar Sonnenschein said, "The new camera and its unique imager represent a dramatic breakthrough in the endoscopic medical field; it opens a wide hatch to new markets, medical applications and customers, and at the smallest size ever accessible, it will allow procedures not previously achievable."
Tower's share closed at $0.59 on Nasdaq yesterday. The share rose 14.3% by midday on the TASE to NIS 2.82, and Medigus jumped 36.9% to NIS 2.60
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 3, 2009
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2009