Tower Semiconductor, Ltd., a leading global specialty foundry and Medigus Ltd., a leading developer of endoscopic and visualization medical devices, successfully launched a new CMOS imager that will serve in Medigus' line of disposable miniature cameras and its new medical devices camera - the smallest of its kind in the world.

"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," said Dr. Elazar Sonnenschein, CEO for Medigus Ltd. " Medigus' innovative cameras will support an important unmet market need, giving both physicians and patients the most cost-effective level of technology, without compromising the quality of treatment which they deserve."

The imager is designated to be incorporated into disposable endoscopes or used in various diagnostic and surgical medical applications. First product samples have been shipped to end customers and mass production of the camera is expected to commence in mid-2010. The camera sensor will be manufactured in Tower's Fab2 in Migdal Ha'Emek in Israel using its 0.18-micron CMOS image sensor process and will be integrated into the camera which will be produced in Medigus' manufacturing facilities.

The CMOS imager offers a high performance product at a low cost and combines superb sensitivity, resolution and dynamic versatility, allowing customers a variety of potential medical applications in growing markets such as Gastroenterology, Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopy Surgery, Bronchoscopy, Orthopedics and ENT. The new camera encompasses tiny electronics and objective lenses developed by Medigus, along with Tower's CMOS imager measuring only 700 x 700 microns.

The imager was developed using Tower's advanced sensor design and production technologies, while the camera was developed using Medigus' electronic, optic and integration platform technologies. The camera features dedicated bio-compatible components suitable for medical device applications and will enable new medical diagnostic and therapeutic markets in which the use of current video cameras is not feasible due to their size. The miniature camera's outer diameter size, which includes a special housing, is only 1.2 mm x 5 mm long. In addition, it is completely disposable, eliminating the very costly sterilization process commonly associated with endoscopic procedures.