Abstract: A probe including a body having a main chamber receiving an assembly for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave. The assembly is mounted on a frame driven in reciprocating motion by a driving motor. The chamber is closed by a probe tip having a slot made of a liquid impermeable solid element which is permeable to the acoustic wave transmitted by the acoustic transducer and toward the acoustic transducer. A reciprocating motion of the acoustic transducer is a translating movement parallel to the slot such that the ultrasonic beam is normal at the slot.

Abstract: The endoscopic probe, more especially for medical use, comprises a tubular member insertable in a cavity to be explored, having a flexible part ending in an endmost section able to be orientated by means of mechanical control means disposed inside the flexible section. The section carries optical illumination and image return means and an ultrasonic electro-acoustic translater. This translator comprises a fixed curved linear array of piezoelectric elements, the convexity of the curve being directed outwardly. The array is associated with an electronic circuit for energizing the elements according to a sectorial sweep sequence in an angular field overlapping with the field of view of the optical means.