Chip-On-Tip-Design and 3D Optical System Design Services

Lighthouse Imaging pioneered the field of 3D stereoscopic endoscopy and we continue to lead the industry in custom development and manufacturing of advanced 3D optical systems. Through advanced technologies, proven processes, and a passion to create amazing products, we enable a superior experience for our clients and the end user.

3D endoscopic systems have historically been quite expensive, but with the proper application of technology, manufacturers can produce devices at a great cost advantage in addition to next-generation capability. In the case of 3D visualization systems, the advancement lies in the utilization of miniature image sensors to create medical-grade devices that meet performance and cost objectives.

Stereoscopic 3D systems require precise alignment of two lenses and two image sensors to mimic eyeballs. Despite an immediate ‘wow’ factor, improperly designed or manufactured stereoscopic endoscopes may cause surgeon eye strain and fatigue during prolonged usage, which ultimately limits adoption. A focus on making products as optically and mechanically perfect as possible is essential. New technology is always exciting, but the lasting positive effects lie in the subtleties. It’s imperative that the technology is capable of being implemented repeatedly and reproducibly. With the latest visualization system, the two cameras that simulate eyes and provide surgeons with true depth of field, add a completely new element to minimally invasive surgery. The technology offers a more natural feeling and assists surgeons in understanding where they are in the body. Standard 2D technology can be very disorienting, and there was an apparent need for an improved surgical method.

Solving this critical customer need is a huge stepping stone in the industry. Each time a new design begins, the project is built upon a platform developed from previous successes and they are merged. The real work comes in linking them together in a unique or custom fashion that innovators have requested. By using solid building blocks, manufacturers can come to a solution more quickly than if they were starting from scratch. Innovators bring true intellectual property or patentable technology to the process and the manufacturers assure the optimal capabilities.