DEVICES FOR ULTRASOUND IMAGING

The present invention discloses a medical device comprising: a shaft including a working channel extending from a proximal end of the shaft to a distal end of the shaft, wherein the working channel includes a narrowed portion; an ultrasound sensor disposed radially outward of a distal portion of the working channel such that the ultrasound sensor at least partially surrounds the working channel; an instrument translatable from the proximal end to the distal end of the shaft, wherein a distal end of the instrument has a unique radial location upon exiting the distal end of the shaft, wherein the instrument comprises a flexible material and has a preset curved configuration, such that the distal end of the instrument has a substantially straight configuration within the working channel and the curved configuration outside the working channel; and the shaft including an echogenic area, wherein the echogenic area has a fixed position to the working channel and has an echogenic signature that is distinct from a remainder of the shaft, and wherein the distal end of the instrument comes within a field of view of the ultrasound sensor when the instrument exits the working channel to adopt the preset curved configuration.