Key Takeaways

• Medical endoscope micro lenses are the core optical component of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) endoscopes, enabling real-time HD imaging in ultra-small surgical spaces.
• Low distortion, miniaturization, high resolution and IR compatibility are the four core performance requirements for medical endoscope micro lenses.
• Medical-grade micro lens materials must comply with ISO 10993 biocompatibility standards and support high-temperature, EO and UV sterilization.
• TOWIN’s low-distortion micro lenses feature M2.6/M3.5/M4/M5 small mounts, 0.65mm-2.4mm ultra-short focal lengths and 71°-115° FOV, fully adapting to MIS endoscope probe design.
• TOWIN offers OEM/ODM customization for medical endoscope micro lenses, including focal length, FOV and IR filter integration, matching personalized endoscope needs.

Introduction

Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) has become the mainstream of modern surgical treatment with its advantages of small incisions, fast recovery and low trauma. The core of MIS is the medical endoscope—and the endoscope probe’s “eye” is the ultra-miniature optical lens assembly.

Medical endoscope micro lenses need to achieve high-definition, distortion-free imaging in a space of only a few millimeters, while meeting strict medical standards such as biocompatibility and sterilization resistance. As a professional optical lens supplier with rich experience in miniaturized lens R&D and production, TOWIN has launched a series of low-distortion micro lenses for MIS endoscopes. These lenses feature small mount sizes, ultra-compact TTL (Total Track Length) and IR compatibility, perfectly matching the design requirements of various endoscope probes (gastroscope, laparoscope, rhinoscope, etc.).

Basic Concepts & Classification

Basic Concept

Medical endoscope micro lenses are ultra-miniature optical lens assemblies designed for endoscope probes. They collect and transmit optical signals from the surgical site, convert them into real-time visual images through the camera sensor, and help surgeons complete precise operations in tiny spaces. The core design principles are miniaturization, low distortion and high light transmittance.

Classification

TOWIN classifies medical endoscope micro lenses according to four core application dimensions, covering all MIS endoscope design needs:

• By Field of View (FOV)
  • Standard wide angle: 71°-78° (for laparoscope, hysteroscope)
  • Ultra-wide angle: 115° (for gastroscope, colonoscope)
• By Resolution
  • Low pixel: 0.3MP/1MP (for basic observation endoscopes)
  • High pixel: 5MP (for high-definition surgical endoscopes)
• By Optical Structure
  • 3P pure optical group (basic imaging)
  • 3P+IRCF/3P+IR (IR filter built-in, for low-light surgical imaging)
• By Mount Size
  • Ultra-small mount: M2.6×0.1 (for ultra-thin endoscope probes)
  • Small mounts: M3.5×0.2 / M4×0.25 / M5×0.25/M5×0.35 (for standard endoscope probes)

Key Technical Parameters & Performance Indicators

The performance of medical endoscope micro lenses directly determines the imaging quality of the endoscope and the safety of MIS. Below are the core technical parameters and their practical significance in surgery, with TOWIN’s product design standards as the reference:

Core Performance Highlight: TOWIN’s medical endoscope micro lenses achieve TV distortion <1% for most models, which is the strictest standard for medical imaging lenses, completely avoiding image deformation in surgical observation.

Core Application Scenarios in Minimally Invasive Surgery

TOWIN’s low-distortion micro lenses cover all mainstream MIS departments, with different specifications matching the unique design needs of various endoscopes. Each scenario is equipped with customized lens parameters to ensure optimal imaging:

• General Surgery (Laparoscope)
  • Requirement: 5MP high resolution, <1% low distortion, 71°-77° standard wide angle
  • TOWIN Matching Model: M502415006022F (5MP, M5 mount) / M402315006522R (5MP, M5 mount)
• Gastroenterology (Gastroscope/Colonoscope)
  • Requirement: 115° ultra-wide angle, 0.65mm ultra-short focal length, M3.5 small mount
  • TOWIN Matching Model: M300611108824F (115° FOV, ultra-wide angle)
• Urology (Cystoscope/Ureteroscope)
  • Requirement: Ultra-small mount (M2.6), 1.8mm ultra-compact TTL, IR compatibility
  • TOWIN Matching Model: M201319007020F (M2.6 mount, 3P+IRCF)
• Otolaryngology (Rhinoscope/Laryngoscope)
  • Requirement: 78° wide angle, F2.0 large aperture, low-light IR imaging
  • TOWIN Matching Model: M401916006520 (78° FOV, 3P pure optical group)
• Gynecology (Hysteroscope)
  • Requirement: 5MP high resolution, ≤30° low CRA, M5 mount
  • TOWIN Matching Model: M502415006022F (≤30° CRA, 3P+IRCF)

Core Composition & Component Analysis

Medical endoscope micro lenses are high-precision optical assemblies, and each component is designed for medical-grade performance and miniaturization. TOWIN’s lenses adopt a modular design, with 5 core components and clear division of labor:

• 1. 3P Optical Lens Group
  • The core imaging component, composed of 3 high-precision optical glass lenses;
  • TOWIN’s exclusive grinding process ensures low distortion and high light transmittance, and the 3P structure balances optical performance and miniaturization.
• 2. IR Filter (IRCF/IR)
  • Two types: 3P+IRCF (built-in IR filter) / 3P+IR (IR capability);
  • Eliminates infrared light interference, improves imaging contrast, and ensures clear observation in low-light surgical environments (e.g., abdominal cavity, digestive tract).
• 3. Small Mount Interface
  • Precision-threaded metal interface (M2.6/M3.5/M4/M5);
  • High wear resistance and connection stability, avoiding lens loosening during surgical probe movement.
• 4. Lens Holder
  • Ultra-compact plastic/metal holder (e.g., 4.6×2.9mm for M201319007020F);
  • Fixes the optical group, ensures coaxiality, and adapts to the limited internal space of the endoscope probe.
• 5. Anti-Reflective Coating
  • Coated on the surface of optical lenses;
  • Reduces light reflection, improves light transmittance (R.I. ≥33%), and avoids glare in surgical imaging.

Material Selection & Biocompatibility Standards

Material Selection Principles

Medical endoscope micro lenses are in contact with human tissues/body fluids (or close to the surgical site), so materials must meet three core requirements: biocompatibility, sterilization resistance and mechanical strength. TOWIN’s material selection for medical-grade lenses is strictly in accordance with medical standards:

• Optical Lens Material: Special medical optical glass
  • High light transmittance, scratch resistance and high-temperature resistance;
  • No chemical reaction with disinfectants (ethanol, glutaraldehyde).
• Structural Material (Holder/Mount): Medical-grade engineering plastic / 304 stainless steel
  • Lightweight (adapts to miniaturized probes) and corrosion-resistant;
  • No metal ion precipitation, avoiding human tissue irritation.
• Coating Material: Medical-grade anti-reflective & antibacterial coating
  • Food-grade safe material, no toxic and side effects;
  • Antibacterial rate ≥99%, preventing bacterial breeding on the lens surface.

Biocompatibility & Sterilization Standards

All TOWIN medical endoscope micro lenses comply with the ISO 10993 international medical device biocompatibility standard (the core standard for medical materials). The key test items are as follows:

Sterilization Resistance: TOWIN’s medical micro lenses support all mainstream medical sterilization methods for repeated use (≥100 times):

• High-temperature and high-pressure sterilization (121℃, 0.1MPa, 30min);
• EO (ethylene oxide) sterilization;
• UV sterilization (254nm ultraviolet light).

TOWIN Medical Endoscope Micro Lenses

As a professional optical lens supplier with rich experience in miniaturized lens R&D, TOWIN has launched a series of low-distortion micro lenses for MIS endoscopes, covering M2.6-M5 mounts, 0.65mm-2.4mm focal lengths and 71°-115° FOV. All lenses adopt ultra-compact design and medical-grade materials, perfectly matching the design needs of various endoscope probes.

TOWIN Medical Endoscope Micro Lens Full Specification Table

Model Core Advantages

• M201319007020F: The ultra-small mount model of TOWIN, M2.6×0.1 is the smallest mount in the series, 1.78mm TTL is suitable for ultra-thin endoscope probes (e.g., ureteroscope) with strict space requirements.
• M502415006022F: The flagship high-definition model of TOWIN, 5MP high resolution + <1% ultra-low distortion + IR built-in, is the best choice for high-precision MIS (e.g., laparoscopic tumor resection).
• M300611108824F: The ultra-wide angle model of TOWIN, 115° diagonal FOV can capture the maximum surgical site range, reducing the movement of the gastroscope/colonoscope probe and avoiding damage to the digestive tract mucosa.
• M401916006520: The cost-effective basic model of TOWIN, 78° wide angle + F2.0 large aperture, meets the basic observation needs of otolaryngology endoscopes with high cost performance.

FAQs

Q1: What are the key factors to consider when selecting medical endoscope micro lenses for MIS?

A: The core selection factors are matching the endoscope probe size (mount/TTL), adapting to the surgical scenario (FOV/resolution), and meeting medical standards (biocompatibility/sterilization resistance). TOWIN’s sales team will provide one-to-one matching solutions according to your probe design parameters.

Q2: Why is low TV distortion the most important performance index for medical endoscope micro lenses?

A: In MIS, surgeons judge the size, position and shape of lesions through endoscope images. If the lens has high distortion, the lesion image will be deformed, leading to surgical misjudgment (e.g., overestimation/underestimation of tumor size). TOWIN’s <1% ultra-low distortion completely avoids this problem.

Q3: Can TOWIN customize medical endoscope micro lenses for non-standard endoscope probe designs?

A: Yes. TOWIN provides OEM/ODM full customization service for medical endoscope micro lenses, including:

• Custom focal length/FOV/mount size;
• IR filter addition/removal;
• TTL shortening/lengthening;
• Special coating customization (e.g., anti-fog coating for laparoscopic lenses).

Q4: What is the delivery time of TOWIN’s standard and customized medical endoscope micro lenses?

A: Standard models: In stock, delivery time is 3-5 working days; Custom models: According to the customization difficulty, the delivery time is 15-30 working days (including sample testing and mass production).

Conclusion

Minimally invasive surgery is the inevitable trend of modern medical development, and the miniaturization and high-definition of endoscopes are the core direction of technological upgrading—while the key to this upgrade is the medical endoscope micro lens.

TOWIN, as a professional optical lens supplier, has focused on the R&D and production of low-distortion miniaturized lenses for many years. Our medical endoscope micro lens series has the advantages of small mount, ultra-compact TTL, low distortion and IR compatibility, and all products comply with ISO 10993 biocompatibility standards. The full range of specifications covers all mainstream MIS scenarios, and OEM/ODM customization is supported to meet personalized endoscope probe design needs.

TOWIN adheres to the concept of PROFESSIONAL-ALL-EASY-FAST, and provides one-stop optical solutions from lens selection, customization to mass production for global medical device manufacturers. If you have any needs for medical endoscope micro lenses, please contact us at info@towin-elec.com—our professional optical engineers will provide you with the most suitable solution!

TOWIN Optics: Your reliable partner for medical endoscope micro lenses!