Abstract: An endoscope assembly is disclosed herein. The endoscope assembly can include an endoscope, having a proximal and a distal end, and defining a lumen, and having a proximal lumen port, permitting entry of a lengthwise needle or other device into said lumen; and a tubular extension, having a proximal and distal end, and having said distal end affixed to said proximal lumen port, an ultrasound endoscope needle assembly attached to proximal end of said tubular extension and having: a proximal handle; and a needle having a distal end, extending distally out of said handle; and wherein said needle fits through said tubular extension, and through said proximal lumen port into said lumen, and with said needle positioned so that said distal end is within said lumen but can be extended out of said lumen by manipulation of said handle.

Abstract: A method of providing and processing an ultrasound capable endoscope assembly that uses an endoscope having a proximal and a distal end, and that has been used previously. The endoscope is cleansed to a level appropriate for re-use within a human body. The method also uses an unused ultrasound assembly, sealed in antiseptic packaging, and which includes a multiple signal pathway connector; an ultrasound transducer head including an ultrasound transducer; and a set of signal pathways, extending from the ultrasound transducer to the multiconductor electrical connector. In the method, the ultrasound assembly is to the endoscope, so that the set of signal pathways extends along the elongate body of the endoscope and the ultrasound transducer head is attached at the distal end. After use, the ultrasound assembly is detached from the endoscope and permanently disposed.

Abstract: An endoscope add-on assembly adapted to be attached to a target endoscope. The assembly includes an ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, including a communications cable connected to an ultrasound imaging head and an imaging head movement sub-assembly, including a conduit, holding a tension member that is attached to the ultrasound imaging head. Further included are connective elements, adapted to permit the endoscope add-on assembly to be attached to the target endoscope. Finally, the imaging head movement sub-assembly is detachable from the ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, thereby permitting the imaging head movement subassembly to be processed separately from the ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, after use.

Abstract: An endoscope add-on assembly adapted to be attached to a target endoscope. The assembly includes an ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, including a communications cable connected to an ultrasound imaging head and an imaging head movement sub-assembly, including a conduit, holding a tension member that is attached to the ultrasound imaging head. Further included are connective elements, adapted to permit the endoscope add-on assembly to be attached to the target endoscope. Finally, the imaging head movement sub-assembly is detachable from the ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, thereby permitting the imaging head movement subassembly to be processed separately from the ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, after use.

Abstract: An endoscope add-on assembly adapted to be attached to a target endoscope. The assembly includes an ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, including a communications cable connected to an ultrasound imaging head and an imaging head movement sub-assembly, including a conduit, holding a tension member that is attached to the ultrasound imaging head. Further included are connective elements, adapted to permit the endoscope add-on assembly to be attached to the target endoscope. Finally, the imaging head movement sub-assembly is detachable from the ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, thereby permitting the imaging head movement subassembly to be processed separately from the ultrasound imaging sub-assembly, after use.

Abstract: A method of providing and processing an ultrasound capable endoscope assembly that uses an endoscope having a proximal and a distal end, and that has been used previously. The endoscope is cleansed to a level appropriate for re-use within a human body. The method also uses an unused ultrasound assembly, sealed in antiseptic packaging, and which includes a multiple signal pathway connector; an ultrasound transducer head including an ultrasound transducer; and a set of signal pathways, extending from the ultrasound transducer to the multiconductor electrical connector. In the method, the ultrasound assembly is to the endoscope, so that the set of signal pathways extends along the elongate body of the endoscope and the ultrasound transducer head is attached at the distal end. After use, the ultrasound assembly is detached from the endoscope and permanently disposed.

Abstract: An ultrasound assembly adapted to be attached to an endoscope includes a multiconductor electrical connector and a first multiconductor cable connected to the connector. An endoscope attachment element, attached to the multiconductor cable is sized to attach to the distal end of the endoscope and a resiliently deformable neck is connected and extends in a distal manner from the distal end of the first multiconductor cable, and has a distal end. A second multiconductor cable has a proximal end connected to the distal end of the first multiconductor cable. Further, an ultrasound transducer head includes a protective covering, supported by the distal end of the neck, and an ultrasound transducer, inside the protective covering and electrically connected to the distal end of the second multiconductor cable. Finally, a tension member is connected to the ultrasound transducer head and is long enough to extend along the length of the target endoscope.