Endoscope imaging apparatus, including an endoscope, which is configured to be inserted into a body cavity of a patient and an image sensor configured by means of the endoscope to form an image of the body cavity, and to transmit image signals in response to the image formed. The apparatus further includes an optical transmitter, physically connected to the endoscope, and configured to receive the image signals, to encode the image signals, and to transmit optical radiation comprising the encoded image signals. An optical receiver with a mounting fixture is configured for connection to a light boom, and is also configured to receive the optical radiation, to decode the optical radiation to recover the image signals, and to transmit the recovered image signals. A camera control unit is configured to receive the recovered image signals and in response to display the image on a screen.