Patent ID: 8923949

Claim:
An imaging system, comprising: a capsule, configured to enter an esophagus of a patient, comprising an ultrasonic transducer configured to image tissue of the patient, and one or more microelectronic mechanical systems (MEMs), which are configured to position and reorient the ultrasonic transducer so that ultrasound from the transducer is directed towards the tissue of the patient in multiple positions to generate a scanned image of the tissue, and a balloon which is inflatable with a fluid, and is configured to only partially surround the capsule so that the capsule is located asymmetrically within the balloon, and to fix the capsule to the esophagus when the balloon is in an inflated state, the balloon comprising one or more electrodes for recording defibrillation signals; an applicator tube having a central cavity and being configured to enter the esophagus, the tube being attachable to the capsule for positioning the capsule within the esophagus, and being detachable from the capsule after positioning of the capsule so as to permit the tube to be withdrawn from the esophagus while the capsule remains in position in the esophagus; and a controller cable attached to the capsule and slideable within the central cavity, the capsule, applicator tube and controller cable being configured such that the controller cable remains attached to the capsule when the applicator tube is detached and withdrawn from the esophagus.