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A 1.8 mm-Diameter Chip-on-Tip Endoscope with Integrated µLED Illumination for Narrow-Cavity Imaging
Manuela P Sá1, Bernardo S Dores1, José A Rodrigues1,2
1CMEMS-UMinho, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 28, 2026
Summary
This study presents an ultra-compact 1.8 mm endoscope for visualizing narrow human body cavities. This innovation enables direct imaging in previously inaccessible organs, aiding clinical assessment and disease diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Medical Devices
- Microelectronics
- Optical Engineering
Background:
- Current commercial endoscopes (several mm to >1 cm diameter) are too large for delicate anatomical structures like the Fallopian tubes and urethra.
- Miniaturization in microelectronics has enabled development of more compact endoscopic systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce an ultracompact endoscope with a 1.8 mm diameter for accessing ultra-narrow human body cavities.
- To evaluate the optical performance of this novel endoscopic system.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a compact CMOS image sensor (NanEyeM) and a single micro-LED (LTW-FC03DCD5).
- Measured optical parameters including color temperature, color rendering index, resolution, and field-of-view.
Main Results:
- Achieved an endoscope diameter of 1.8 mm, suitable for narrow cavities.
- Optical performance: minimal correlated color temperature of 10,343 K, maximal color rendering index of 73.6.
- Resolution of 83 lp/mm and a diagonal field-of-view of 115.0° ± 2.4°.
Conclusions:
- This 1.8 mm endoscope is the first prototype for direct visual imaging in previously inaccessible human organs.
- It can assist healthcare professionals in clinical assessment and disease diagnosis.
