Tetrad Corporation

Wing K Law

Joseph V Ranalletta

Clyde G Oakley

Stephen J Douglas

Dennis Raymond Dietz

A bendable ultrasonic probe useful in endosurgical operations is provided having a therapy channel with a shape that is substantially unaffected by bending of the probe. The probe can be used to convey substantially nonbendable tools to the vicinity of an ultrasonic device that has been repositioned by bending the probe. A sheath is provided having a rigid, self-supporting body portion that may be used with the bendable ultrasonic probe. The sheath may have a therapy channel for conveying surgical tools. Also, the sheath may have a flexible balloon on one end for accommodating the bendable portion of the probe, which is disposed in the flexible balloon.

Bendable ultrasonic probe and sheath for use therewith

An articulated ultrasonic probe for endoscopic examination comprises a transducer head, for example, having one or more rows of independently actuable transducer elements extending along the surface of the probe, parallel to the axis thereof. The probe comprises an articulable section while the transducer head is journaled for rotation with respect to the tip of the probe. In use the tip of the probe is juxtaposed to a structure to be examined; the articulated section of the probe and the rotation of the transducer are controlled separately, such that the transducer elements can be juxtaposed to the structure to be examined. A series of angularly-spaced images may be formed by rotation of the transducer about its axis after articulation of the probe.

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Denver, CO, United States of America

Wing K Law