62 affixed to the end of a connector 70 and the distal end 66 of the probe contains the ultrasound transducer 68 to use the probe the actuator assembly 80 and the transducer assembly 60 are connected together by mating the first connector 90 with the second connector 70 the distal end 68 is then manipulated into position in the esophagus the transducer assembly 60 includes a bending mechanism that is actuatable by the actuator 82 when the actuator assembly 80 and the transducer assembly 60 are connected together this causes the bending section 64 of the probe to bend to provide an end result that is similar to the bending achieved in the unitary probe described above in connection with fig1 now when it becomes necessary to move the patient the transducer assembly 60 is disconnected from the actuator assembly 80 at the connectors 70 90 so that the only parts that remain protruding from the patient will be the proximal end of the shaft 62 and the connector 70 since those portions are relatively small and light compared to the handle 104 and cable 106 of the probe 100 depicted in fig1 it becomes much easier to leave the distal end of the probe in the patient when the patient has to be moved.