Ultrasound and detachable instrument for procedures

An ultrasound assembly comprising:

• an elongated probe extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal end extending from and mounted with respect to a handle member, the elongated probe supporting an ultrasound transducer configured to obtain ultrasound images to determine a location of the elongated probe relative to surrounding anatomical structures or features, the ultrasound transducer including an array of ultrasonic energy generation elements;
• and
• a detachable surgical device positioned proximal to and detachably mounted to an outer periphery of the distal end of the elongated probe, the detachable surgical device including a housing section and a protruding section that extends from a distal end of the housing section, the housing section having:
• (i) a first window member configured to align with and expose the ultrasound transducer when the detachable surgical device is in a first mounted position relative to the elongated probe, and (ii) a second window member configured to align with and expose the ultrasound transducer when the detachable surgical device is in a second mounted position relative to the elongated probe;
• wherein the elongated probe, ultrasound transducer and detachable surgical device are cooperatively configured, oriented and dimensioned to allow an operator to insert the detachable surgical device and the distal end of the elongated probe into a desired anatomical location to permit the operator to:
• (i) perform thereat a surgical procedure of the desired anatomical location by utilizing the detachable surgical device mounted to the outer periphery of the distal end of the elongated probe, and (ii) obtain ultrasound imaging of the desired anatomical location via the exposed ultrasound transducer when the detachable surgical device is in the first or second mounted position relative to the elongated probe;
• wherein when the detachable surgical device is in the first mounted position relative to the elongated probe to align with and expose the ultrasound transducer through the first window member, this thereby allows the operator to utilize the protruding section at a first angle relative to the exposed ultrasound transducer through the first window member;
• wherein when the detachable surgical device is in the second mounted position relative to the elongated probe to align with and expose the ultrasound transducer through the second window member, this thereby allows the operator to utilize the protruding section at a second angle relative to the exposed ultrasound transducer through the second window member;
• wherein the first angle of the utilized protruding section is different than the second angle of the utilized protruding section;
• wherein the protruding section includes a curette member having a tissue cutting element;
• wherein the housing section of the detachable surgical device is hollow and substantially cylindrical, and defines a lumen within the housing section;
• wherein the first and second window members each extend through the housing section to expose the lumen of the housing section;
• wherein the first and second window members are spaced about 180 degrees from each other on the cylindrical housing section;
• wherein after the detachable surgical device is detachably mounted to the distal end of the elongated probe so that first window member is positioned above the ultrasound transducer in the first mounted position relative to the elongated probe for substantially unobstructed ultrasound imaging through the first window member, a user can then circumferentially rotate the detachable surgical device about 180 degrees around the probe until the second window member is positioned above the ultrasound transducer in the second mounted position relative to the elongated probe for substantially unobstructed ultrasound imaging through the second window member;
• wherein the first and second window members each extend from a distal end to a proximal end on the cylindrical housing section;
• and
• wherein the tissue cutting element of the protruding section extends from the housing section at from about a 45 degree angle to about a 90 degree angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the lumen of the housing section.