Valens Semiconductor Brings Automotive-Grade Connectivity to Next-Gen Medical Imaging

• Valens Semiconductor confirms three OEMs will launch next-generation endoscopes built on its VA7000 automotive-grade chipset.
• New devices include a 4K single-use colonoscope, a 3D laparoscopic imaging system, and robotic surgery video solutions.
• The VA7000 offers multi-gig bandwidth, electrosurgical noise cancellation, and ultra-thin cable support, improving flexibility and image clarity.

Valens Semiconductor has officially entered the medical industry with the announcement that three major OEMs will launch next-generation endoscopes powered by the company’s VA7000 chipset. Originally built for automotive in-vehicle connectivity, the VA7000 is now  positioned as a breakthrough solution for medical imaging, surgical robotics, and 4K endoscope design.

According to Valens, three OEM partners are preparing to release devices that integrate the chipset:

• A 4K single-use colonoscope
• A 3D laparoscopic system
• A robotic-surgery imaging platform

These categories align with three growth areas in the global endoscopy market: disposable scopes, minimally invasive surgery, and robotics-assisted procedures.

Why the VA7000 Matters to Medical Device Designers

The VA7000 was originally designed for tough automotive environments built to survive intense EMI, temperature variation, vibration, and long-distance data transmission. Those challenges also appear inside operating rooms particularly when surgeons use electrosurgical instruments.

Key performance benefits include:

• Electrosurgical noise cancellation to keep imaging stable during procedures
• Multi-gig connectivity for 4K and 3D video
• Ultra-thin coax or UTP cable support, improving endoscope flexibility and ergonomics
• MIPI A-PHY compliance, an emerging standard for long-reach imaging links

A 4K single-use colonoscope powered by thinner, more flexible cabling could improve both clinical handling and infection-control protocols. Meanwhile, 3D laparoscopes and robotic systems demand consistent, high-bandwidth connectivity where the VA7000’s EMI resilience gives it a competitive edge.

Demand for higher-resolution medical imaging has been growing fast, especially in:

• Gastroenterology (GI)
• Minimally invasive surgery (MIS)
• Robotic surgical systems
• Single-use endoscope programs

US and EU Markets Are the First Strategic Targets

Valens will showcase these technologies at MEDICA in Düsseldorf, the largest global medical trade fair, highlighting their intent to target European device makers and US imaging manufacturers early.

The three OEMs behind the upcoming products were not publicly named, but Valens confirmed the launches are part of a larger expansion strategy into medical, industrial, and machine-vision markets.