Imaging probe with rotatable core

An imaging probe comprising:

• an elongate sheath comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface defining a primary lumen;
• a rotatable conduit extending within the primary lumen, wherein a proximal end of said rotatable conduit is connectable to a rotational drive mechanism for imparting rotation to said rotatable conduit;
• an imaging assembly mechanically coupled to said rotatable conduit at a location remote from said proximal end of said rotatable conduit, said imaging assembly being connectable to external control and image processing hardware via an imaging signal delivery conduit extending through said rotatable conduit;
• a pose detection component, wherein at least a portion of the pose detection component resides within said elongate sheath between said inner surface and said outer surface;
• and
• a rotary encoder comprising a distal rotary encoder interface configured to facilitate a determination of an angular orientation of said imaging assembly relative to said elongate sheath, said rotary encoder being connectable to the external control and image processing hardware via a rotary encoder signal delivery conduit;
• wherein a lateral extent of said imaging assembly exceeds a diameter of the primary lumen of said elongate sheath, such that said imaging assembly resides distal beyond a distal end of said elongate sheath;
• said imaging probe further comprising a distal tip housing said imaging assembly, wherein a proximal portion of said distal tip is bonded to and overlaps with a distal portion of said elongate sheath;
• and
• wherein said distal rotary encoder interface resides between said distal end of said elongate sheath and a proximal end of said imaging assembly.