Probe for medical imaging and therapy using ultrasound

摘要

A probe for inspecting and treating an internal organ of a patient. The probe includes a tube having a proximal end and a distal end. The tube has a flexible portion near the distal end. A head is coupled to the flexible portion at the distal end of the tube. The head includes a HIFU transducer. The probe also includes a mechanism for positioning the probe responsive to manipulation by a user. The probe may optionally include a direct viewing mechanism for viewing the area adjacent to the head, a ultrasound system for generating ultrasound images of the area adjacent to the head, and a lighting mechanism for illuminating the area adjacent to the head. The probe may be employed as an endoscope for applying HIFU therapy to internal organs of a patient.