Abstract: In a device for transoesophagal echocardiography, an ultrasound transformer (1) is used to make a sequence of layer images for a plurality of parallel sectional planes with the aid of an ultrasonic diagnostic device (8). The layer images made during one cardiac cycle with the image repetition rate of the ultrasonic diagnostic device (8) are stored in a buffer store (34) and transferred to a main store (48) with the aid of a selection stage (49) to generate three-dimensional sets of images only when a locating device (13), and ECG device (24) and a respiration detector (54) generate release signals which are allocated to a constant spatial probe position, a constant R--R interval distance and a constant respiratory state. The content of the main store (48) is evaluated with the aid of an image processing system (56), whereby sectional images may be calculated, especially for any sectional plane, and displayed on a monitor (31).

Abstract: An ultrasonic endoscope device for scanning a patient's organ is constructed using a mobile ultrasonic transducer probe on a carriage housed in a distal and section of the device, within a guide channel formed by a plurality of axially aligned rigid guide links having hollow spaces opened to one side and pivotable by means of a tension wire running through the links. A flexible hose in conjunction with a balloon envelope surround the end section and serves as a water supply path. The device is especially useful for transeophaged echocardiographic scanning.