Add-on video camera arrangement for optical laparoscope

Add-on video camera arrangement to permit on-screen viewing of a target within an enclosed structure using an optical laparoscope of the type comprising an elongated insertion tube containing optical means for conducting an optical image of the target from an objective at a distal end of the insertion tube to an ocular at a proximal end thereof, and light conduit means therein for conducting illumination for a proximal light tube fitting to said distal end of the insertion tube to illuminate said target;

• and a C-mount adaptor which includes a distal end fitting said ocular, a proximal end having a standard male thread for fitting to a camera, and internal focussing means for adjustably focusing the image of said target;
• said add-on camera arrangement comprising:
• a handle unit including an elongated housing having a hollow interior with a camera lens and imager assembly disposed therein, a distal end thereof having a socket with a standard female thread to receive the standard male thread of said adapter;
• and a light conduit port exiting said housing;
• a flexible umbilical tube coupled to said housing and to a connector module and containing conductors for carrying power to said camera lens and imager assembly and conducting therefrom a video signal,
• said connector module insertably fitting a socket of a light unit which contains a light source;
• a fiber optic bundle light conduit having a proximal end carried in said connector module to receive light from said light source, and extending through said umbilical tube and said handle unit housing and exiting said light conduit port;
• and
• a flexible tubular connector extending from said light conduit port and carrying said fiber optic bundle light conduit, and including a coupler device at a distal end of the conduit, in which a distal end of said fiber optic bundle light conduit is disposed, for engaging onto said light tube fitting, such that the flexible tubular connector forms a short loop, from the handle unit to the light tube fitting of the insertion tube, that is sufficiently long to permit rotation of the insertion tube relative to the handle over at least 90 degrees but is short enough so that the loop does not contact the structure being inspected during a procedure.