MEDICAL DEVICE FOR TREATING ESOPHAGEAL ATRESIA

Abstract

A medical device includes a handle, an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle, the elongate shaft configured to extend through a mouth of a patient and into an upper esophageal pouch of the patient, the elongate shaft having a distal end configured to engage the upper esophageal pouch, and a force absorbing member permitting the elongate shaft to translate axially relative to the handle. The force absorbing member is configured to exert a force along the elongate shaft to apply the force to the upper esophageal pouch. Another medical device includes a tubular member configured to extend through the mouth and into the upper esophageal pouch, a shaft extending distally from the tubular member, and an inflatable member fixedly attached to a distal end of the shaft. The inflatable member is configured to apply a force to the upper esophageal pouch in an inflated configuration.

Description

Claims

1. A medical device for treating esophageal atresia, comprising: a handle;an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle, the elongate shaft configured to extend through a mouth of a patient and into an upper esophageal pouch of the patient, the elongate shaft having a distal end configured to engage a distal end of the upper esophageal pouch; anda force absorbing member disposed within the handle, the force absorbing member permitting the elongate shaft to translate axially relative to the handle, wherein the force absorbing member is configured to exert a force along the elongate shaft to apply the force to the distal end of the upper esophageal pouch.

2. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the force applied to the distal end of the upper esophageal pouch by the force absorbing member.

3. The medical device of claim 2, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to axially translate the force absorbing member within the handle.

4. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising a position sensor disposed within the handle, the position sensor being configured to detect an axial position of the elongate shaft relative to the handle.

5. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the elongate shaft is fixedly secured relative to a distal end of the force absorbing member.

6. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the elongate shaft extends axially through the handle and engages with a longitudinal advancement-retraction mechanism disposed proximal of the handle.

7. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the force absorbing member is a spring.

8. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes: a knob disposed proximate a proximal end of the handle; anda threaded shaft extending distally from the knob within the handle;wherein a distal portion of the threaded shaft includes a first flange abutting a proximal end of the spring and rotation of the knob relative to the handle translates the first flange axially within the handle.

9. The medical device of claim 8, wherein the elongate shaft extends axially through the knob and is movable with respect to the knob.

10. A medical device for treating esophageal atresia, comprising: an elongate tubular member configured to extend through a mouth of a patient and into an upper esophageal pouch of the patient;an elongate shaft extending distally from the elongate tubular member; andan inflatable member fixedly attached to a distal end of the elongate shaft, the inflatable member being configured to shift between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration;wherein the inflatable member is configured to apply a force to a distal end of the upper esophageal pouch in the inflated configuration;wherein the elongate shaft includes an inflation lumen in fluid communication with the inflatable member;wherein the elongate tubular member includes an irrigation lumen extending therethrough and at least one suction lumen extending therethrough.

11. The medical device of claim 10, wherein the inflatable member is spaced apart a fixed distance from a distal end of the elongate tubular member.

12. The medical device of claim 10, wherein the inflatable member is configured to expand in a longitudinal direction when shifting toward the inflated configuration while maintaining an outer diameter that is substantially constant.

13. The medical device of claim 10, further comprising a pressure regulator in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, the pressure regulator being responsive to sensed pressure within the inflatable member.

14. The medical device of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the inflatable member is radiopaque.

15. A method of treating esophageal atresia, comprising: inserting a medical device for treating esophageal atresia into a mouth and esophagus of a patient, the medical device comprising: a handle including an adjustment mechanism;an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle, the elongate shaft having a distal end configured to engage a distal end of an upper esophageal pouch of the patient; anda force absorbing member disposed within the handle and configured to exert a force along the elongate shaft to apply the force to the distal end of the upper esophageal pouch;positioning the distal end of the elongate shaft against the distal end of the upper esophageal pouch;fixing the medical device in place relative to the distal end of the upper esophageal pouch;actuating the adjustment mechanism to adjust the force applied to the distal end of the upper esophageal pouch by the force absorbing member;wherein the force absorbing member is configured to permit the elongate shaft to translate axially relative to the handle while maintaining the force against the distal end of the upper esophageal pouch.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the force is applied constantly to the distal end of the upper esophageal pouch.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the force is applied cyclically the distal end of the upper esophageal pouch.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the force is no more than 0.8 pounds of force.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising: monitoring the force applied to the distal end of the upper esophageal pouch over time;monitoring axial translation of the elongate shaft over time; andactuating the adjustment mechanism to increase the force when the force drops below a predetermined force threshold or when axial translation of the elongate shaft reaches a predetermined translation threshold.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein a pressure sensor is disposed within the distal end of the elongate shaft, the pressure sensor being configured to measure the force applied to the distal end of the upper esophageal pouch.