Abstract: A microendoscope with a distal probe tip which has, in particular, a diameter of up to approximately 1 mm is provided and inside of which an optical subassembly at least provided with a micro-objective and with an image transmitting element is accommodated. An image transmitting system is connected to the optical subassembly. An image-enlarging coupling element is provided between the optical subassembly of the probe tip and the image transmitting system connected thereto. The image transmitting system connected to the coupling element has a larger active diameter than the optical subassembly that is provided with the distal objective. As a result, the distal probe tip on a handgrip has the necessary small working diameter over the entire working length, and at the beginning or inside the handgrip, the optical coupling element is coupled to an image guide or to an image transmitting system or the like having a higher pixel count and thus a larger active diameter and, therefore, a larger outside diameter.

Abstract: The invention describes an adapter for coupling an optical system, such as an endoscope, to a videophone, for example a mobile telephone having a camera By coupling an endoscope to a videophone, an image can be transmitted directly to a remote observer. If the videophone has a screen, the image can also be viewed by the user on the screen without having to make use of an image processing system with a conventional screen. The adapter makes possible a simple and inexpensive method for viewing and transmitting an image of a part of an object.