Articulation activation wire stress relief for an ultrasound imaging probe

An elongate ultrasound imaging probe, comprising:

• a flexor configured to flex a tip of the probe, where the tip of the probe houses a transducer array;
• a flexor control system configured to control the flexor to flex the tip in one of a plurality of different directions through pulling and pushing on guides affixed to the flexor;
• and
• a flexor actuator configured to actuate the flexor control system to selectively pull and push on the guides.

An ultrasound imaging system, comprising:

• a probe, including:
• a probe head with a transducer array;
• a shaft;
• an articulating member disposed between the probe head and the shaft;
• an articulating member actuator configured to control the articulating member through guide wires, wherein the articulating member reduces stress in the guide wires through a structural elements that slack off at least one of a pushed guide wire or a non-activated guide wire in response to at least one pulled guide wire;
• and
• a console interface;
• a console, including:
• ultrasound imaging components;
• and a probe interface,
• wherein the console and probe interfaces are complementary interfaces, providing an electrical communications path between the probe and the console.