Brainvision Inc.
Japanese RIKEN-origin venture that develops high-speed fluorescence imaging systems, CMOS sensors, and analysis software for neuroscience and cardiac research.
Last updated September 26, 2026
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Overview
Brainvision Inc. is a Japanese technology company specializing in high-speed optical imaging systems for the life sciences. Founded in May 1998 as the first official venture company spun out of RIKEN's Brain Science Institute, the company was established to commercialize an ultra-high-speed real-time imaging system developed by its president, Michimichi Ichikawa, during his neuroscience research. The system was designed to capture the propagation of neural excitation in the brain with temporal precision approaching that of electrode methods. Brainvision's core product line, the MiCAM series, combines custom CMOS image sensors with wide-field microscopes and dedicated software to visualize weak light signals from biological samples. These systems measure membrane potential, intracellular calcium concentration, cellular metabolism, and oxygen consumption. The company's flagship offerings include the MiCAM05-N256, capable of imaging at up to 1,923 frames per second with 256x256 pixels and supporting up to four synchronized cameras; the MiCAM03-N256, a standard high-speed system; and the MiCAM03-C35IR, which uses a large 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor for ultra-high sensitivity and wide-field imaging. Brainvision also produces the BV Workbench analysis software, the THT Mesoscope macro fluorescence microscope, LEX series high-intensity LED light sources, electrical stimulators such as the ESTM10A, and the CIOS8 label-free cardiac cell activity measurement device. According to the company, its systems have been used in over 230 universities, research institutions, and companies, with 430 units delivered over 27 years and 952 academic papers citing its products. While its primary market is academic and institutional research in neuroscience and cardiology, Brainvision's technology has also found applications in industrial inspection, including delivery to liquid crystal display manufacturers. The company is headquartered in Itabashi, Tokyo, with a research laboratory in Kanda-Ogawamachi, Chiyoda, Tokyo. It remains a privately held company with capital of 20 million yen and a small team of eight employees.
History
Brainvision Inc. was founded in May 1998 as the first official venture company to emerge from RIKEN's Brain Science Institute (RIKEN BSI). The company's origins lie in the neuroscience research of its president, Michimichi Ichikawa, who developed an ultra-high-speed real-time imaging system to capture neural excitation in the brain. This system, commercialized as the MiCAM01 brain activity real-time imaging device, became the foundation of the company. In 2003, Brainvision released the MiCAM ULTIMA imaging system, followed by the MiCAM02 imaging system in 2004. In 2005, the company received the 4th Japan Bio Venture Award (Osaka Machinery Association Prize), and a joint proposal with Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. for an imaging sensor development theme was accepted for a NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization) commissioned research project. In 2006, Brainvision opened a research laboratory in Kanda-Ogawamachi, Chiyoda, Tokyo. The following year, it was selected for the Optoelectronic Industry and Technology Development Association's (OITDA) 2006 project on development of optical technology application equipment and systems. In 2008, it was selected as a subcontractor for NEDO's FY2008 SBIR technological innovation program (development of rapid and simple quantification method for specific food allergens) for a feasibility study. In 2011, Brainvision requested and received approval from the RIKEN Board of Directors to release its RIKEN venture certification, becoming the first RIKEN venture to do so in a developmental manner. In 2013, the company launched the BV-TOF-A compact distance image sensor evaluation kit. In 2014, it was selected by NEDO for the "Development of cell manufacturing and measurement technology for establishing cardiotoxicity evaluation method for international standardization" project. In 2015, the multifunctional high-speed imaging system MiCAM05 was released, followed by the MiCAM03 high-speed imaging system in 2017. In 2018, the company held a celebration for its 20th anniversary. In 2021, it developed the C35IR ultra-high sensitivity, high-resolution camera head equipped with a large 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor. In 2023, the high-intensity LED system LEX9 was launched, and in 2024, the multi-device synchronization device ESTM10 was released. Throughout its history, Brainvision has expanded its applications from basic neuroscience to cardiac research, drug safety evaluation (cardiotoxicity), and industrial inspection, including delivery of its systems to liquid crystal display manufacturers. The company remains privately held and continues to develop advanced imaging technologies from its headquarters in Itabashi, Tokyo.
- 2024
Released ESTM10 multi-device synchronization device.
- 2023
Launched LEX9 high-intensity LED system.
- 2021
Developed C35IR ultra-high sensitivity, high-resolution camera head with large 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor.
- 2018
Held 20th anniversary celebration.
- 2017
Released MiCAM03 high-speed imaging system.
- 2015
Released MiCAM05 multifunctional high-speed imaging system.
- 2014
Selected by NEDO for project on cell manufacturing and measurement technology for cardiotoxicity evaluation method for international standardization.
- 2013
Launched BV-TOF-A compact distance image sensor evaluation kit.
- 2011
RIKEN venture certification released upon request, first such developmental release.
- 2008
Selected as subcontractor for NEDO FY2008 SBIR technological innovation program (rapid and simple quantification of specific food allergens) for feasibility study.
Products and positioning
Provider of turnkey, high-speed, high-sensitivity optical imaging solutions for neuroscience and cardiac research, leveraging custom CMOS sensors and decades of experience.
MiCAM05-N256
Multifunctional high-speed imaging system with 256x256 pixels, up to 1,923 fps, supports up to 4 synchronized cameras.
MiCAM03-N256
High-speed imaging system with 256x256 pixels, up to 1,000 fps (optional 1,923 fps), supports up to 2 synchronized cameras.
MiCAM03-C35IR
Ultra-high sensitivity wide-field imaging system with 2,160x1,280 pixel 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor.
BV-XB2
All-in-one basic system for optical mapping, enabling high-speed measurement to data analysis and map creation at low cost.
BV Workbench
Software for analysis of optical measurement data such as neural and cardiac activity.
THT Mesoscope
Large-aperture tandem-lens low-magnification macro fluorescence microscope designed to detect minute fluorescence changes.
LEX5
High-intensity, high-stability LED light source system with wavelengths from UV to infrared.
LEX9
High-intensity, high-stability multi-LED light source system, can house up to 2 LED units, suitable for excitation in fast fluorescence imaging.
ESTM10A
Multifunctional electrical stimulator with built-in isolator, integrating stimulus output, camera timing control, LED control, and biological signal recording.
BVISO100
Stimulus isolator with basic functions for electrophysiology, automatic calibration, and capacitance compensation.
CIOS8
Label-free, non-invasive measurement device for cultured cardiomyocyte activity, automatically detecting beat period and contraction time.
BV-TOF-A
Compact TOF (Time-of-Flight) distance image camera for short-range measurement.
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