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Abstract

A highly compact focusable video camera for use in medical and surgical procedures in conjunction with an endoscope is shown. The focusable video camera includes a body having a front end and sidewalls which define a cavity, an adjusting element having an optical aperture positioned external of the body forward of the front end, an extension element integral to the adjusting element extending through and movable relative to the aperture in the front end portion which defines an optical path from the optical aperture of the adjusting element into the cavity, and an optical system aligned with the optical aperture in the optical path to define optical axes extending through the optical system and outside the body for receiving and transmitting an optical endoscope image. The optical system includes a forward portion mounted in the extension element for forward and rearward movement, a rearward portion fixably mounted in the cavity, a sensor-converter operatively placed inside the cavity to receive the optical image passing through the optical system for converting the optical image to an unprocessed video signal, a video electronic processing circuit located in the cavity extending around the outside of the rearward portion of the optical system, and a releasable holding member for selectively fixing the position of the forward portion of the optical system relative to the rearward portion of the optical system.

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First Claim