APPARATUS AND THE METHOD OF INTERNAL EXAMINATION OF THE GASTRO INTESTINAL TRACT AND ADJACENT ORGANS

摘要

A B S T R A C TA probe for use in internally examining a gastro intestinaltract and adjacent organs includes a head connected to anelongate body portion. A plurality of ultrasonic crystals arespaced around the periphery of the head and the crystals arecontrolled to produce a real time scan of the tract which may beviewed or recorded. Fluid is delivered through lumens in thebody portion to the external surface of the head to coupleacoustically the crystals and wall of the tract. A see-aheadcrystal array is provided on the probe to enable the head to bemanoeuvered within the tract. The probe is used to provide amethod of internal examination which includes inserting theprobe into the tract, energizing the crystals and acousticallycoupling the crystals to the tract by supplying a fluid to thetract in the region of the head of the probe.