Systems and methods for mechanical displacement of an esophagus

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, a lumen, and a body, wherein the body defines a plurality of vacuum holes spaced circumferentially around the outer tube and one or more internal vacuum passages that extend a distance from the proximal end towards the distal end within the body of the outer tube, wherein the one or more internal vacuum passages are in fluid communication with the plurality of vacuum holes to apply a vacuum to an esophageal wall via the vacuum system;
• 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 handle that is selectively coupleable to the assembly;
• a first segment coupled to the handle;
• a second segment pivotally connected to the first segment via an articulation pivot pin;
• and
• at least one articulation drive cable that pivots the second segment about the first segment between a first position and a second position upon articulation, wherein the first segment has a central axis and the second segment has a distal end, 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 articulation pivot pin in the first position and the second position.

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, a lumen, and a body, wherein the body defines a plurality of vacuum holes spaced circumferentially around the outer tube and one or more internal vacuum passages that extend a distance from the proximal end towards the distal end within the body of the outer tube, wherein the one or more internal vacuum passages are in fluid communication with the plurality of vacuum holes to apply a vacuum to an esophageal wall via the vacuum system;
• 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 handle that is selectively coupleable to the assembly;
• a first segment coupled to the handle;
• a second segment pivotally connected to the first segment;
• and
• at least one articulation drive cable that pivots the second segment about the first segment upon articulation,
• wherein the second segment comprises a distal band laminate assembly, a distal band guard, and a distal pivot retainer, wherein the distal band assembly houses a plurality of distal bands in which 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, 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.

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:
• 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, a lumen, and a body, wherein the body defines a plurality of vacuum holes spaced circumferentially around the outer tube and one or more internal vacuum passages that extend a distance from the proximal end towards the distal end within the body of the outer tube, wherein the one or more internal vacuum passages are in fluid communication with the plurality of vacuum holes to apply a vacuum to an esophageal wall via the vacuum system;
• a vacuum port comprising a vacuum port body, a vacuum line hook up, and a vacuum port cap;
• and
• a tube tip located at the distal end of the outer tube;
• coupling a vacuum system to the vacuum line hook up of the introducer;
• advancing an esophageal positioning device through the outer tube of the introducer, wherein the esophageal positioning device includes a handle, a first segment coupled to the handle, a second segment pivotally connected to the first segment via an articulation pivot pin, and at least one articulation drive cable that pivots the second segment about the first segment between a first position and a second position upon articulation, wherein the first segment has a central axis and the second segment has a distal end, 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 articulation pivot pin in the first position and the second position;
• snapping the handle of the esophageal positioning device to the vacuum port cap of the introducer;
• engaging the vacuum system to adhere a portion of the outer tube to an esophageal wall;
• and
• articulating the at least one articulation drive cable to pivot the second segment about the first segment a selected angle from the first position to the second position.