An intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheter or wire for imaging body tissue, including a catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end opposite thereto, and an outer surface having a plurality of ultrasound transducers operatively attached thereto that provide real-time and continuous imaging of the body tissue along an entire length of the body tissue. A method of using an IVUS catheter or wire for imaging tissue in real-time, by inserting an IVUS catheter in the body of an individual, wherein the IVUS catheter includes a catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end opposite thereto, and an outer surface having a plurality of ultrasound transducers, and providing real-time and simultaneous imaging of tissue with the plurality of ultrasound transducers. Methods of performing trans cardiac echocardiography, trans esophageal echocardiograph, imaging the bladder and prostate, and imaging the gastrointestinal system.
