Patent ID: 7780599

Claim:
An ultrasonic imaging system, comprising an ultrasound endoscope device for scanning a patient's organs and a transmission device defining a transmission path for sound waves originating from the endoscope device, the transmission device being formed by a distensible balloon member connected to a supply line to permit fluid entry to the balloon member, wherein the balloon member and supply line are shaped and dimensioned so as to be inserted into the patient's trachea, thus forming an intra-tracheal transmission device, wherein the endoscope device is arranged spatially separated from the balloon member and is shaped and dimensioned so as to be inserted into the patient's esophagus, thus forming an intra-esophageal endoscope device, the balloon member adapted to occlude the trachea when inserted in the trachea and filled with a sound transmission fluid, so as to form a sound wave path for waves originating from the endoscope when positioned in the esophagus, which allows the ultrasonic imaging system to be used in transesophageal echocardiography to view structures through the trachea.