Patent ID: 11890406
Assignee: OHIO STATE INNOVATION FOUNDATION
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 13:
14. A mechanical esophageal displacement system comprising:
an assembly that is to be operatively coupled to a vacuum system, the assembly comprising:
an introducer sized to receive an esophageal positioning device, the introducer comprising:
a soft outer tube sized to pass through a mouth or nasal passage into an esophagus, the soft outer tube comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a body, wherein the body defines a plurality of radial vacuum holes spaced circumferentially around the soft outer tube, wherein the plurality of vacuum holes are in fluid communication with the vacuum system to apply a vacuum to an esophageal wall; and
a tube tip located at the distal end of the outer tube; and

the esophageal positioning device, wherein the esophageal positioning device includes:
a first segment; and
a second segment having a central axis, 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 second segment comprises a distal band laminate assembly housing a plurality of distal bands in which the distal ends of the bands are slidable along the central axis relative to each other,
wherein the esophageal positioning device further comprises a handle selectively couplable to the assembly and the first segment and at least one articulation drive cable,
wherein the at least one articulation drive cable pivots the second segment about the first segment,
wherein the second segment comprises a distal band guard and a distal pivot retainer,
wherein all but one of the bands has a slot at a distal end of the plurality of distal bands,
wherein the one band has a hole rather than a slot at the distal end, and
wherein the distal band guard retains the distal band assembly by a pin that passes through the plurality of distal bands, and wherein the distal guard has a rounded tip.