US 12,471,925 B2
Systems and methods for mechanical displacement of an esophagus
Emile Daoud, Chagrin Falls, OH (US); and William Fuller, Chagrin Falls, OH (US)
Assigned to Ohio State Innovation Foundation, Columbus, OH (US); and S4 Medical Corp, Chagrin Falls, OH (US)
Filed by Ohio State Innovation Foundation, Columbus, OH (US); and S4 Medical Corp, Chagrin Falls, OH (US)
Filed on Jun. 24, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/752,221.
Application 18/752,221 is a division of application No. 17/859,694, filed on Jul. 7, 2022, granted, now 12,016,567.
Application 17/859,694 is a division of application No. 16/847,958, filed on Apr. 14, 2020, granted, now 11,382,631, issued on Jul. 12, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0341767 A1, Oct. 17, 2024
Int. Cl. A61B 17/12 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/02 (2006.01); A61B 17/34 (2006.01); A61B 34/00 (2016.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 17/12104 (2013.01) [A61B 17/00234 (2013.01); A61B 17/0218 (2013.01); A61B 17/12136 (2013.01); A61B 17/3431 (2013.01); A61B 34/70 (2016.02); A61B 2017/00243 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00292 (2013.01); A61B 2017/003 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00336 (2013.01); A61B 2017/345 (2013.01); A61B 2017/348 (2013.01); A61B 2017/3488 (2013.01); A61B 2090/0427 (2016.02); A61B 2217/005 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of using a mechanical esophageal displacement system, the method comprising:
inserting an assembly into an esophagus of a patient via a mouth or nasal passage, wherein the assembly includes:
an introducer comprising:
an articulatable esophageal positioning device including a first segment coupled to a second segment via a pivotal connection, wherein the first segment has a central axis, wherein the second segment has a proximal end pivotally connected to the first segment and a distal end opposite and spaced apart from the proximal end, the second segment being pivotable about the first segment between a first position and a second position upon articulation, wherein the distal end of the second segment is disposed along the central axis in the first position and the distal end of the second segment is displaced from the central axis in the second position, wherein the distal end of the second segment remains a same distance from the proximal end of the second segment in the first position and the second position; and
a soft outer tube sized to pass through the mouth or nasal passage into the esophagus, the soft outer tube defining a longitudinal axis, a tube distal end, and a tube proximal end, the soft outer tube including a body, the body defining
an end portion between the pivotal connection and the tube distal end,
a gap portion between the distal end of the second segment and the tube distal end, and
radial vacuum holes positioned in the gap portion and spaced circumferentially around the longitudinal axis,
a tube tip coupled to the tube distal end and
a vacuum port comprising a vacuum port body, a vacuum line hook up, and a vacuum port cap; and
coupling a vacuum system to the vacuum line hook up of the introducer;
advancing the articulatable esophageal positioning device through the soft outer tube of the introducer;
engaging the vacuum system to adhere a portion of the soft outer tube to an esophageal wall; and
articulating the second segment about the first segment at a selected angle from the first position to the second position.