Patent ID: 8636649

Claim:
An electronic probe for use within a human being for diagnosis of internal disorders of one or more organs of said human being, said probe comprising: a substantially elongated cylindrical housing, said housing being formed of a material that is substantially resistant to dissolution by gastric fluids of said being; at least one transducer disposed substantially proximate a first end of said housing and configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves; logic in operative communication with said transducer and configured to facilitate generation of at least one ultrasonic image; a lens disposed substantially proximate a second end of said housing and configured to receive light energy via at least one substantially translucent covering; at least one substantially translucent covering disposed proximate said lens at only one end of said housing; a semiconductor-based imaging device adapted to receive light energy via said lens, said semiconductor-based imaging device comprising anti-blooming apparatus and having a video rate in excess of 7 MHz; at least one illuminating light-emitting diode (LED) disposed within said housing and configured to transmit light energy external to said probe via at least said substantially translucent covering; an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) in operative communication with said imaging device, said ASIC comprising and integrated therein: (i) a ball grid array (BGA) interface; (ii) a digital processor; (iii) a flash data memory; and (iv) a sample-and-hold circuit; at least one circuit board received within said housing and having a plurality of electronic components disposed thereon, including said ASIC, said at least one circuit board being disposed transverse to a longitudinal axis of said probe, said at least one circuit board comprising a multilayer board having a plurality of circuit traces, vias, and contact pads disposed therein to facilitate electrical interconnection; and a battery power supply configured to provide electrical power to components of said probe; wherein said probe housing and said at least one substantially translucent covering are sealed so as to substantially frustrate the ingress of gastric fluids into said housing; and wherein said probe housing has a diameter less than 12 mm.