STEERABLE ULTRASOUND ATTACHMENT FOR ENDOSCOPE

Abstract An ultrasonic endoscope assembly, comprising: a) an endoscope defining one or more lumens, and a needle that can be pushed forward out of a said lumen, to collect a biopsy specimen; b) an ultrasound sub assembly, attached to said endoscope and including: i) a communications cable including a set of conductors, having a distal end; ii) an ultrasound imaging head connected to said distal end of said cable; c) an imaging head movement sub-assembly, including a conduit that is releasably connected to said endoscope, said conduit containing a tension member that is releasably connected to said ultrasound imaging head; and d) whereby said imaging head movement sub-assembly can be released from said endoscope and said imaging head, enabling processing of said endoscope and ultrasound sub-assembly separately, between different uses. CN? CN? coo