Abstract: An optical diagnostic system for use within a convention physician-patient examining distance, not exceeding the manual reach of the doctor, including an ergonomic, hand-held, non-surgical, optical diagnostic medical instrument having a light image input-to-output pathway corresponding to an axis of examination, the instrument including an integral gripping assembly for gripping by the physician, and the instrument also including a light source from the pathway and power supply, a light-tight optical coupling for re-directing light received from the light pathway along the axis of examination to a pathway substantially normal thereto, that pathway defining an axis of manipulation and, in optical communication with the coupling, a micro-video camera for generating an electronic signal corresponding to the re-directed light image from the coupling, the micro-video camera including an exterior housing defining, in combination with the gripping assembly of the medical instrument, an axis of manipulation substanti

Abstract: There is provided a video monitoring, recording and transmission elements for use in combination with a hand-held medical opto-diagnostic office-use instrument such as an otoscope and an ophthalmoscope. The adaptor, beam splitter and video camera head portions of the system are proportioned in physical size to about the same size as an existing hand-held, office-use, examination instrument of the physician. The components of the system may be selectably coupled and de-coupled with an otherwise conventional otoscope or ophthalmoscope.

Abstract: A system for positioning a camera relative to a work area including a clamp means situated outside of the work area, and extension and support element which operates to maintain a given position thereof. The system further includes camera mechanically held within a socket at an end of said position retention element. A high resolution solid state and miniature video TV camera serves as said camera. The system offers a simple, convenient method of close-up monitoring or video taping in which the video camera can be positioned directly over the area of surgical operation or industrial inspection. The camera can be easily moved and rotated to any position offering extreme macro close-ups, which close-ups can be video taped for later use in educational and quality control processes.