A holder has a first aperture and a second aperture adapted to receive a light source and a wand of a mirror assembly, respectively. The holder positions the light source and the mirror assembly so that light from the light source is received by a mirror of the mirror assembly. Suitable manipulation of the holder enables the mirror assembly to be positioned so that a user can indirectly visualize an object in the presence of light from the light source reflected off the mirror.

A convertible laryngoscope includes a deployable integral mirror to allow the doctor to clearly view the larynx and more easily insert an endotracheal tube. In many patients, due to injury, deformation, or an existing medical condition, the introduction of the endotracheal tube can be a prolonged and difficult affair, the doctor being forced to work blind when they cannot gain an unobstructed view of the larynx and the path that the cannula or tube needs to travel during intubation. The present invention addresses this problem by providing the above mentioned mirror, which is disposed in a first position proximate the laryngoscope blade during the initial introduction of the blade into the patient's mouth. Once the base of the tongue is reached and depressed, the user may deploy the mirror into a second position extending towards the soft palate that allows a reflected view towards the larynx and epiglottis. This allows the person intubating the patient to clearly see the path that the cannula needs to take, preventing inadvertent damage to the soft tissue of the mouth and throat. A fixed integral light source is included that is directed towards the deployed mirror position to illuminate the proposed path.

A small, lightweight, high intensity illumination assembly for use in dental and medical applications. The illumination assembly includes attachment means for removable attachment to headgear such as eyeglasses, face shields, or headbands, and lenses, loupes, and binoculars associated with such headgear. The illumination assembly is able to achieve extremely light weight by using only a single optical element therein, e.g., an aspheric condensing lens, binary optical element, or holographic optical means, and by piping illumination to the optical element from a remote light source by use of a flexible light guide, e.g., a fiberoptic bundle.

A self-contained and convertible dental instrument system includes both a lighted mirror and a direct illuminator. A hand piece has a handle section, including a battery in a housing, and a dual attachment section to receive a mirror and a light source. The illumination can be by reflection by said mirror or directly upon removal of the mirror from alignment with the light source. The handle and attachment sections preferably form a Y with the handle section reduced in size for balance and enhanced manipulation. The light source is an LED, is connected through wires in the hand piece to the battery and is controlled by a switch on the battery housing. A lens for the LED is attached by a snap-on adapter. For close contact illumination in the dental cavity, the lens includes a translucent rod, also attached by an adapter. The mirror and rod are rotatable for angular positioning to improve the illumination and the viewing.