Abstract: In the present invention, an easily assembled, reliable bending neck is formed for use with invasive medical devices. The bending neck comprises a series of pivotally hinged segments, each having a central lumen. The segments are positioned end-to-end, while the lumens collectively provide a shaft to accommodate delicate interconnections to a head assembly attached to the bending neck. Separate from the lumen are channels formed in each segment. The channels, combined from each segment, run the length of the bending neck and are aligned to accommodate cables used to articulate the bending neck. The separation of the lumen from the channels isolates the delicate interconnections from the motion of the cables as the bending neck is articulated.The cables and the separated lumen and channels form a bending neck having high reliability, that is easy to assemble, for use with invasive medical devices.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer assembly includes an ultrasound transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasound energy and one or more interface elements for conducting transmitted ultrasound energy from the transducer to a patient's body and for conducting received ultrasound energy from the patient's body to the transducer. At least one ultrasound-transmissive interface element is fabricated of a polymeric material. The material preferably has a sound speed that approximately matches the speed of sound in human tissue. The material comprises at least one primary rigid component material and at least one secondary component material, and has a Shore D durometer hardness value of greater than about 60D, and a sound speed of between about 1,450 meters/second and about 1,700 meters/second. The ultrasound-transmissive element fabricated of a polymeric material can be a protective lens cover, an ultrasound lens or lens element, an ultrasound-transmissive window or a sound pipe.

Abstract: An endoscope ultrasound probe for use with an ultrasound imaging system in transesophageal echo cardiography comprises a motorized positioning system which provides for automated control of an ultrasound transducer array. The positioning system employs an electric motor for rotating the array which is positioned in the distal end of the probe. A switch mechanism may be manipulated to provide power to actuate the motor. The motor is mechanically coupled to the array providing the capability to rotate the array to any angular position to provide a plurality of scan planes for obtaining a plurality of corresponding two-dimensional cross-sectional images. Further, the positioning system may comprise a position feedback mechanism coupled to the array for providing remote imaging system electronics with array position indications corresponding to each of a plurality of corresponding two-dimensional cross-sectional images.