An ultrasound system has a catheter including an elongate flexible catheter body having a main lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The catheter further includes an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the main lumen of the catheter body, the ultrasound transmission member having a proximal end connectable to an ultrasound generating device and a distal end coupled to the distal end of the catheter body. The catheter further includes a bent distal head or shaped a distal end of the catheter body to improve steerability.