US 12,268,631 B2
Devices and methods for protecting esophageal tissue from thermal injury
Erik Kulstad, Dallas, TX (US); and Hugh Patrick Caherty, Canton, MI (US)
Assigned to Advanced Cooling Therapy, Inc., Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by Advanced Cooling Therapy, Inc., Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Mar. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/183,308.
Application 18/183,308 is a continuation of application No. 16/896,075, filed on Jun. 8, 2020, granted, now 11,633,299.
Application 16/896,075 is a continuation of application No. 14/982,340, filed on Dec. 29, 2015, granted, now 10,716,703, issued on Jul. 21, 2020.
Application 14/982,340 is a continuation of application No. 13/768,752, filed on Feb. 15, 2013, granted, now 9,301,871, issued on Apr. 5, 2016.
Application 13/768,752 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/609,624, filed on Sep. 11, 2012, granted, now 9,326,890, issued on May 3, 2016.
Application 13/609,624 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/482,581, filed on May 29, 2012, granted, now 9,622,909, issued on Apr. 18, 2017.
Application 13/482,581 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/021,828, filed on Feb. 7, 2011, granted, now 8,696,725, issued on May 21, 2013.
Application 13/482,581 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/021,820, filed on Feb. 7, 2011, granted, now 8,523,929, issued on Sep. 3, 2013.
Application 13/482,581 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/021,805, filed on Feb. 7, 2011, granted, now 8,444,684, issued on Apr. 15, 2014.
Application 13/021,828 is a continuation of application No. 12/713,644, filed on Feb. 26, 2010, granted, now 8,231,664, issued on Jul. 31, 2012.
Application 13/021,820 is a continuation of application No. 12/713,644, filed on Feb. 26, 2010, granted, now 8,231,664, issued on Jul. 31, 2012.
Application 13/021,828 is a continuation of application No. 12/713,644, filed on Feb. 26, 2010, granted, now 8,231,664, issued on Jul. 31, 2012.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/155,876, filed on Feb. 26, 2009.
Prior Publication US 2023/0218435 A1, Jul. 13, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61F 7/12 (2006.01); A61F 7/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01)
CPC A61F 7/12 (2013.01) [A61F 7/123 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00084 (2013.01); A61B 2090/064 (2016.02); A61F 2007/0054 (2013.01); A61F 2007/0095 (2013.01); A61F 2007/126 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for protecting an esophagus of a patient from thermal injury during a thermal ablation procedure, the method comprising:
nasally or orally inserting a heat transfer device into the patient, wherein the heat transfer device comprises
a distal end configured for insertion into a nostril or mouth of the patient;
a heat transfer medium supply tube that defines an inflow lumen and forms a heat transfer region, wherein the heat transfer region is configured to transfer heat to or extract heat from the esophagus when a heat transfer medium flows through the inflow lumen;
a heat transfer medium return tube that defines an outflow lumen;
an input port for receiving the heat transfer medium from a source, wherein said input port is connected to the heat transfer medium supply tube; and
an output port connected to the heat transfer medium return tube;
wherein the heat transfer region is not inflatable;
wherein the heat transfer medium return tube is not positioned within the heat transfer medium supply tube; and
wherein the heat transfer medium supply tube and the heat transfer medium return tube have substantially equal cross-sectional areas; and
initiating flow of the heat transfer medium through the inflow lumen.