Patent ID: 8801617

Claim:
An ultrasound imaging device adapted for insertion within a body, comprising: an elongate housing having a longitudinal axis, a proximal section, a distal section, a first acoustic window extending circumferentially about the housing, a second acoustic window defining a distal tip of the housing, and an interior space within the housing extending from the proximal section to the distal section, the proximal section connected to a proximal hub that is proximal of the proximal section; a first ultrasonic sensor configured to operate in alternating pulsing and sensing modes, the first ultrasonic sensor disposed within the distal section of the housing and configured to transmit substantially side-directed ultrasonic waves through the first acoustic window at a first frequency for acquiring far-field images within the body; second ultrasonic sensor disposed on the longitudinal axis configured to operate in alternating pulsing and sensing modes, the second ultrasonic sensor disposed within a distal tip of the housing and configured to transmit substantially forward-directed ultrasonic waves through the second acoustic window at a second frequency greater than the first frequency for acquiring near-field images within the body; a drive motor proximal of the proximal hub; and a drive shaft extending through the proximal hub and further extending within the interior space of the housing from the proximal section to the distal section, the drive shaft rotatable by the drive motor, each of the first and ultrasonic sensors connected to the drive shaft such that the first and second ultrasonic sensors rotate with the drive shaft relative to the housing and the first and second acoustic windows.