Patent US 4,286,602

A transillumination system for carrying out breast examination to determine the existence of a carcinoma and other pathological conditions. The system includes a portable light-beam projector in the form of a gun which houses a low-voltage, high wattage lamp whose reflector is sealed to the end of the gun barrel to project a light beam therethrough, the gun grip having a trigger-finger switch for the lamp. The gun operates in conjunction with a camera assembly formed by a tripod-mounted bracket having a camera secured to one end, the camera being trained on a guide fixture attached to the other end. The fixture is adapted to engage the rib cage of the patient just above the breast and to present the breast to the camera lens at a fixed location. The shutter mechanism of the camera is coupled to a remote actuator operable by one hand or foot of the operator. Thus an operator who holds the gun in his hand is able without assistance to orient the light beam relative to the patient's breast and to activate the trigger finger switch to transilluminate and observe the internal structure of interest, the operator also being in a position to take a well-focused picture of the transilluminated breast without having to observe the image through the range finder of the camera.