An endoscopic imaging system with solid state variable direction of view (SS-VDOV) navigation features, the system comprising: a deployable endoscopic imaging module including a housing , a wide-angle lens disposed in the housing , a solid state imager disposed in the housing , wherein the solid state imager captures a field of view , and a light source disposed in the housing ; a camera control unit in communication with the endoscopic imaging module , wherein the camera control unit includes solid state variable direction of view (SS-VDOV) image navigation software in communication with the solid state imager ; an interface module ; and an input device that allows a user to select a portion of said field of view corresponding to a region of interest of said field of view ; wherein the endoscopic imaging module includes a first magnet disposed in the housing ; wherein the housing is covered by a hermetic sleeve that forms a hermetic barrier to protect the housing and components disposed therein from operational environments; wherein the endoscopic imaging system comprises a second magnet configured to deploy the endoscopic imaging module to a position underneath a patient's skin, the position remotely located relative to an opening in the patient's skin through which the endoscopic imaging module is inserted, and wherein the second magnet is configured to maintain the endoscopic imaging module in the position; wherein the endoscopic imaging module is configured to be coupled to the interface module via a coupling mechanism, wherein the coupling mechanism is arranged to decouple the deployable endoscopic imaging module from the interface module ; and wherein the endoscopic imaging module is connected to the interface module via a cable . a deployable endoscopic imaging module including a housing , a wide-angle lens disposed in the housing , a solid state imager disposed in the housing , wherein the solid state imager captures a field of view , and a light source disposed in the housing ; a camera control unit in communication with the endoscopic imaging module , wherein the camera control unit includes solid state variable direction of view (SS-VDOV) image navigation software in communication with the solid state imager ; an interface module ; and an input device that allows a user to select a portion of said field of view corresponding to a region of interest of said field of view ; wherein the endoscopic imaging module includes a first magnet disposed in the housing ; wherein the housing is covered by a hermetic sleeve that forms a hermetic barrier to protect the housing and components disposed therein from operational environments; wherein the endoscopic imaging system comprises a second magnet configured to deploy the endoscopic imaging module to a position underneath a patient's skin, the position remotely located relative to an opening in the patient's skin through which the endoscopic imaging module is inserted, and wherein the second magnet is configured to maintain the endoscopic imaging module in the position; wherein the endoscopic imaging module is configured to be coupled to the interface module via a coupling mechanism, wherein the coupling mechanism is arranged to decouple the deployable endoscopic imaging module from the interface module ; and wherein the endoscopic imaging module is connected to the interface module via a cable . <EOS>