New image sensor for revolutionary
swallowable camera
17 January 2005
BOISE, Idaho, USA. Micron Technology, Inc., (NYSE:MU) today announced
that design enhancements have led to the introduction of a new product from
the global leader in patient-friendly solutions for the gastrointestinal
community — Given Imaging. Given's PillCam(TM) ESO, the swallowable
diagnostic device which takes high-quality, high-speed photos as it passes
through a patient's esophagus, has been granted FDA approval and will be
making its way into use in medical centers immediately.
Micron's new CMOS sensor, embedded in the PillCam, features a higher
frame-rate than the original PillCam SB design. With one sensor at either
end, and a frame rate 7-times that of the SB version, the new PillCam ESO
(for ESOphagus) transmits 14 pictures-per-second to a receiver worn by the
patient. The added capabilities dramatically increase the system performance
and will enable medical professionals to diagnose throat disease and related
ailments in the esophageal passage.
Micron is the exclusive provider of the CMOS image sensors inside both of
the PillCam designs. Working closely on performance specifications, Micron
and Given engineers were able to increase the imager frame-rate, maintain
low-power operations and develop a proprietary ALC (Automatic Lighting
Control), thus enabling the new PillCam ESO.
Given's revolutionary PillCam SB (for small bowel), was first introduced
in 2001 and was universally applauded as the first non-invasive method for
direct visualization of the entire small intestine. Last month, that device
was the recipient of the Wall Street Journal's Silver Award for Technology
Innovation, and won First Place in the competition's Medical Category.
Curtis Stith, Micron Imaging's Marketing Director for Emerging Markets,
credits close collaboration with Given to enable these medical advancements.
"This effort exemplifies Micron's commitment to innovation and technological
improvement. It's a prime example of working closely with a customer to
create advanced products that enable new applications. We're very excited
that Given's PillCam products have received such prestigious recognition,
and that they've received approvals for their next generation of product,"
he remarked.
Micron engineers and Given Imaging first started working together to
develop the imaging technology inside Given's PillCam more than five years
ago.
Websites:
www.givenimaging.com
www.micron.com
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