Wang Dali asked a crucial question.
Optical imaging technology is crucial to image brightness and clarity and is the most basic entry barrier for endoscope products.
Mainstream endoscopes use CCD, CMOS is not used much, and it is rarely used in high-end equipment.
Everyone knows that CCD is easy to use. The problem is that if you want a high-end CCD image chip, there is no place to buy it.
The most suitable components are naturally found in Olympus. They use a large amount of CCD chips and customize them specifically for medical endoscopes. Not only do they consume low power, they are also very powerful and have very high pixels.
However, people will definitely not sell such components.
Secondly, there are the camera companies.
Sakura Country's cameras are world-famous, and the CCD chips are almost controlled by several giants.
Especially in the medical and scientific research fields, Nikon's electron microscopes, Hamamatsu's digital slice scanning equipment, and Fujifilm and Pentax's endoscopes have a monopoly position because of the high-end technology of CCD.
Under such a situation, it is extremely difficult for domestic endoscopes to win in the competition.
However, CCD is not the only choice for image sensors.
The rise of CMOS has caused image sensing technology to switch to another route, thus bringing opportunities to break the Japanese monopoly and overtake in detours.
Both CCD and CMOS are semiconductor image chips. Their main function is to convert optical image signals into digital electrical signals through photosensitive elements.
Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. CCD has high pixels, low noise, and high sensitivity, but it is large, expensive, complex in process, consumes power, generates heat, and is slow.
Except for low pixels and high noise, CMOS has all other advantages. It is not only small in size, highly integrated, low in cost, low in energy consumption, but also fast.
This is a great advantage in the civilian field with low requirements. Therefore, the civilian field has been completely occupied by CMOS chips. For example, mobile phones and digital cameras all use CMOS.
However, endoscopes have extremely high requirements for image quality, and also have high standards for image fineness and color reproduction.
Usually endoscope manufacturers combine hardware and software. They not only use high-end CCD chips, but also unique software technology to process sensor data to provide 4K high-definition images.
Just like mobile phone lenses require software debugging and filters rely entirely on algorithms, the same is true for endoscopes.
When a doctor operates an endoscope, moving the endoscope will produce blurry images. The noise reduction algorithm can keep the image clean and clear.
In addition, there are filtering technologies, edge enhancement technologies, etc., which can process images to obtain special images of diseased tissues, thereby achieving quantitative analysis and diagnosis of lesions.
Lu Tingfeng thought for a moment and had to admit that it might not be easy to find a camera company to buy chips.
"Dali, what do you think? Can CMOS chips make high-end endoscopes?"
Wang Dali said confidently: "The capsule endoscope uses a CMOS image chip, which uses a unique algorithm and image processing technology, so the image is relatively clear. However, due to volume limitations, we did not use high-end chips. Can we achieve 4K imaging?" , we still need to try it first.”
"In fact, I prefer to use CMOS chips, because there are about a dozen mainstream manufacturers in the world, with many choices and wide applications, so you won't get stuck."
"The most important thing is that the domestic industrial supply chain is very complete, and there are ready-made CMOS chip suppliers. Although the high-end products are not as good as Sony, the market prospects are here, and the future is promising. There is no need to worry about supply issues."
Lu Tingfeng was still hesitant: "But our capsule endoscope currently uses Sony CMOS, and domestic endoscope manufacturers also purchase components from abroad. Are there any domestic suppliers of high-end medical imaging chips?"
An imaging engineer raised his hand weakly: "Domestic CMOS chip shipments are already very high, and the global market share currently exceeds 40%. However, they are mainly leading in the low-end fields of mobile phones, security, and vehicles, and the high-end ones are not yet there. It becomes a climate.”
"However, Kewei is one of the three giants of CMOS sensors and has the strongest technical strength. They have a medical imaging product line. Last year, they also released an 8-megapixel resolution sensor that can be used in endoscopes. It is said that it can reach 4k/ 2k and 60 frames/second high resolution, we’re not sure yet because we haven’t tested it ourselves.”
Lu Tingfeng said in surprise: "It sounds pretty good, you can try it."
Wang Dali also nodded: "I will contact the manufacturer right away. Since they have ready-made medical image chips, they can order a batch of samples for testing first."
"However, if we want to go high-end, we must carry out in-depth customization. Fortunately, we are very strong in software, noise reduction algorithms, imaging technology, and dyeing technology. If these can be combined with hardware, it will definitely be worthy of Olympus. "
"In addition, the development trend of endoscopes is to integrate more additional functions and integrate with 3D imaging, ultrasound probes, AI diagnosis, and emerging robotic technologies in the future."
"Domestic brands have natural advantages in this regard. Not only can they connect the entire upstream and downstream industry chain, they can also integrate the most functions at low cost at the application level, easily defeating Japanese brands. This has long been proven in the field of consumer electronics."
At this point, he suddenly laughed out loud: "When it comes to ultrasound and AI diagnosis, I have the advantage."
Lu Tingfeng glared at him and said expressionlessly.
"Now we have capsule endoscopes for the digestive tract, but there are no related products for the respiratory and urinary tracts such as laryngoscopes and bronchoscopes. Therefore, after rigid tube endoscopes, we need to continue to develop flexible endoscopes. Let's do some calculations. Just a project."
"Endoscopy is a large market worth tens of billions. If we can make high-end equipment and crack this big piece of meat, we will completely gain a foothold in the field of medical devices."
"This is a crucial war, so we must win the fruits of victory at all costs."
He looked around and said decisively: "Since we are going to go to war with the top three powers of Sakura Country, we must cultivate our own core domestic suppliers for key components."
"Let's start with capsule endoscopy. We strive to use not only Sony's CMOS but also domestic CMOS during mass production."
"We are not the only ones involved in this war. Believe me, mobile phone manufacturers are definitely happy to see the results. They have long hoped to find alternatives to Sony in the high-end field."
After hearing this, everyone looked at each other, a rush of blood instantly surged up, and they nodded excitedly.
****
Naturally, it is impossible for Lu Tingfeng to make the decision on cultivating suppliers alone.
He quickly reported the entire incident to Wei Kang.
"Mr. Wei, I have thought about it carefully and found that the CCD route is blocked by three mountains. We can only place our hope on another route."
"If CMOS chips are used, not only can the cost be greatly reduced, but it can also get rid of dependence on the core technology and raw materials of Sakura Country image sensors and improve independent research and development capabilities."
Wei Kang deeply agreed, nodded and said: "Yes, your idea coincides with mine."
"The global medical device market is worth more than 500 billion U.S. dollars. It is a vast ocean, and the road to domestic production has just begun. If we jump in now, we won't be able to make much of a splash."
“To be a medical device giant, we must occupy the technological peaks in some key fields.”
"Medical imaging is the biggest highland occupied by foreign investment. Our offensive in this area has already begun. Color Doppler ultrasound, endoscopy, and CT and MRI will be next, one by one, step by step."
Having said this, he looked at his subordinates and smiled lightly.
"Lao Lu, regarding cultivating suppliers, we can actually go one step further and learn from the giants in the consumer electronics field."
"Think more broadly. In fact, many problems can be solved with money."
"As for Sanqing, they happen to have enough money, so what if they buy out the supply chain?"
"Even if we spend money, we will create a Chinese version of Sony."
****
Haishi, Kewei Semiconductor Company.
The boss, Zhao Xing, was staring at the computer screen, his chest rising and falling, and he was obviously emotionally unstable.
"Fuck, you're sick. It's none of my business if the stock price doesn't rise, so you just scold me!"
After watching for a long time, his face turned red and he couldn't help but curse.
"I see you scolding me every day, every month, can you make the stock price go up? Humph!"
It turned out that he was looking at the stock price, and accidentally clicked on a link and saw his company's stock bar page.
So out of curiosity, I clicked in and took a look.
You don’t know if you don’t look at it, but you will be furious when you look at it.
There are hundreds of posts inside, all of them scolding him.
"Real trash, shame on semiconductor chips, Zhao Xing comes out and takes a few steps!"
"If you look at the value of the stock, you know this company is garbage."
"Other semiconductors are continuing to rise sharply, but this garbage is not moving at all, not even a little bit worse."
"Daxiang, lie down, lie down, lie down every day."
"Can you please give me a little face?"
"The company is rubbish and the market is rubbish. It's really disgusting."
"Chip stocks have risen a lot, but you are the only one who is losing weight every day."
"The first science and technology stock I bought was you, but with this kind of virtue, you left, never to be seen again."
"Kewei, the grandson of the semiconductor sector."
"I had to work hard to get a 2 cent increase today. It's so damn ridiculous."
"A good store that sells snacks is ten times better than trash like you."
The more Zhao Xing looked at it, the more he felt his blood pressure rising, and he almost spit out a mouthful of old blood.
boom!
He shut down his computer abruptly and walked around the office angrily.
Oh my god, the company's performance is obviously not bad. Although it makes low-end CMOS chips, its shipments are large, comparable to Sony.
And he is also working hard to move into the mid-to-high end, spending huge sums of money to build his own wafer factory. This is the only one among chip manufacturers, which is really rare.
It is even exploring markets in other directions and has developed a medical image chip.
Although no customers have been found for the time being, at least it has achieved results, which proves that the R&D department is not freeloaders and is full of sincerity.
After the announcement of the results, the stock price was as calm as a dead man's electrocardiogram.
How infuriating!
Why don't investors buy it?
Is low-end the original sin?
Domestic products just don’t work?
He wanted to look up to the sky and scream, "I don't accept it!"
Who doesn’t work slowly from the low end to the high end? You have to eat one bite at a time. If you can’t do the low end well, how can you climb up?
Thinking of this, he turned and walked towards the door, intending to visit the newly built wafer factory.
Before taking two steps, I heard rapid footsteps coming from outside.
The sales director rushed in with a happy face and shouted loudly.
"Mr. Zhao, great news, our medical CMOS has finally found a customer."
Zhao Xing paused, with a look of disbelief on his face: "What? There is an order for medical image chips?"
The sales director shook his head like a rattle: "No, a customer came to the door and wanted a batch of samples for testing."
Zhao Xing lost interest in an instant: "It's not like he's just buying chips for free again, right?"
The sales director shook his head again: "The customer said they want to customize the chip, but they don't know what our current level is, so they have to test the sample first. If they are satisfied, they will work together to develop high-end CMOS chips."
Zhao Xing couldn't help laughing, and said with a look of disdain: "Which domestic equipment factory also has high-end CMOS chips? It's nonsense, and they are jointly developed together. Does it have the strength? Even if we develop it, it can be used ?"
The sales director's face suddenly burst into laughter: "It's Sanqing. That's a big customer, one of the world's top 500 companies, and the rising star of domestic equipment. No one is more powerful than it."
Zhao Xing was stunned for a moment, and after a while he said ecstatically: "No way, it's really Sanqing. What did they say specifically?"
"I wonder if you paid attention to the medical expo a few days ago. Sanqing launched a magnetically controlled capsule endoscope that can be recycled and can also perform internal biopsies. It can be said that it stole the show and overshadowed other peers."
"With this product, Sanqing has officially entered the endoscope market. Maybe they have tasted the benefits, but they also want to continue to develop rigid tube endoscope products, so they seek cooperation with domestic CMOS manufacturers, and they come to their doorstep. coming."
Zhao Xing's eyes lit up and he said: "Endoscope? Sanqing wants to make an endoscope? This is a market worth tens of billions. Although it is not as niche as mobile phones, it is a bit niche, but with policy support, the demand is very stable. And it has been growing at a rapid rate, so it belongs to the blue ocean market, which is different from the red ocean like mobile phones. It really has a lot of potential."
"They want to come and have a detailed discussion in a few days and visit the fab by the way. What time do you think is suitable?" the sales director asked respectfully.
"The sooner the better, no, we have to give the factory some time to prepare. Let's make an appointment the day after tomorrow."
Zhao Xing was so excited that he walked back and forth in the room several times before he was sure.
"Okay, I'll reply right away."
Three days later, Kewei Factory in Lingang District, Haishi.
Early in the morning, Lu Tingfeng arrived with Wang Dali and his entourage as scheduled.
Zhao Xing was already waiting at the door and greeted him enthusiastically.
"Hello, Mr. Lu, nice to meet you, nice to meet you."
The two parties shook hands and exchanged greetings, and soon arrived at a luxurious conference room.
After sitting down, Lu Tingfeng asked straight to the point: "Mr. Zhao, I heard that the parameters of your newly developed medical CMOS chip seem to be pretty good. Can you introduce it in detail?"
Zhao Xing laughed, took out the information he had prepared and handed it over, and then introduced it nonstop.
"Our medical-grade image sensor uses a 1/1.8-inch optical format, offers a larger 2.0 micron in an 8.9x6.3mm package, and features exclusive technology that enhances visualization in the near-infrared spectral range."
"Samples of chip-scale packaging are currently available, which can be used for endoscopes with an outer diameter of 10-12 mm, such as gastroscopes, duodenoscopes, amnioscopes, laparoscopes and colonoscopes, capable of providing 2k high resolution, It greatly improves doctors’ visualization capabilities during important surgeries.”
“Not only does it utilize proprietary pixel technology to improve image quality by reducing or eliminating fixed pattern noise, it also increases dynamic range, provides excellent low-light sensitivity, and achieves zero halo and low power consumption.”
"The high frame rate of 60 frames per second can reduce smearing and ensure clear and stable images."
"Additionally, higher sensitivity allows for lower illumination and thus less heat at the endoscope tip..."
Wang Dali flipped through the information and couldn't help but ask: "Didn't the news say that it can reach 4k resolution?"
Zhao Xing paused and showed a smile that "everyone knows": "The yield rate of 4k resolution chips is very low and is still being solved. Currently, only 2k resolution chips have stable production capacity."
"Oh, the yield rate is very low, I understand." Wang Dali asked again: "Is your 2k resolution the effect of hardware level or software blessing?"
The smile on Zhao Xing's face froze and he said slowly: "According to industry standards, it must be a combination of soft and hard."
"Okay, I probably understand." Wang Dali nodded and stopped talking.
Lu Tingfeng laughed and said with a smile: "This is our hardware technical manager. Technical talents are like this. You know, they are more straight-tempered, haha."
"It's okay, it's okay. If there's anything else you want to know, just ask." Zhao Xing waved his hand and asked sincerely.
"Mr. Zhao, let's not do those silly things, let's get straight to the point."
"Let's take a look at the samples in the morning, then visit the fab, and then discuss cooperation in the afternoon. What do you think?" Lu Tingfeng thought for a while and said directly.
Zhao Xing laughed and stood up, reaching out his hand towards the door.
"Haha, Mr. Lu is such a cheerful person, so please come with me."
In the real world, there are actually two domestic CMOS chip companies, Haowei and Gekewei, both of which are doing well. I directly merged them into one for the sake of the plot.
(End of chapter)
