Disclosed is an imaging probe which includes a hollow shaft and an imaging conduit extending through the hollow shaft. The imaging conduit is connectable at a proximal end to an image processing system. The imaging conduit has a fiber optic. A proximal end of the fiber optic is connectable to a source of light. The imaging conduit includes an electrical conductor. A proximal end of the electrical conductor is connectable to an ultrasound signal generator. An imaging assembly is attached to a portion of the imaging conduit away from the proximal end. The imaging assembly includes an optical emitter/collector with an optical deflecting element. The optical deflecting element is in optical communication with a distal end of the fiber optic for directing light imaging energy into and out of the distal end of the fiber optic. An ultrasound transducer for emitting ultrasound imaging energy and receiving reflected ultrasound imaging energy signals. The ultrasound transducer is connected to the electrical conductor. The optical deflecting element is recessed within the ultrasound transducer. The imaging assembly is configured to deliver the light imaging energy from the optical emitter/collector and the ultrasound imaging energy from the ultrasound transducer directly out of the hollow shaft. The ultrasound transducer and the optical deflecting element are positioned and oriented relative to each other to enable co-registration of the reflected light energy signals and the reflected ultrasound imaging energy signals during scanning of a region of interest.
