Blockage clearing devices, systems, and methods

Abstract

A system can include a tubular member to be inserted into an esophagus of a patient and a catheter assembly that includes a catheter tube that defines a length greater than a length of the tubular member and is configured to pass through a channel of the tubular member such that a distal tip of the catheter tube extends distally past the distal tip of the tubular member while the tubular member is positioned in the esophagus of the patient. The distal tip of the catheter tube defines a cutting element to core a blockage positioned in the esophagus of the patient. Advancement of the distal tip of the catheter tube into contact with the blockage can core a piece from the blockage that is passed through the catheter tube.

1 . A system comprising:
 a tubular member that defines a channel and comprises a distal tip, the tubular member configured to be inserted into an esophagus of the patient; and   a catheter assembly comprising:
 a catheter tube that defines a length greater than a length of the tubular member and is configured to pass through the channel of the tubular member such that a distal tip of the catheter tube extends distally past the distal tip of the tubular member while the tubular member is positioned in the esophagus of the patient, the distal tip of the catheter tube defining a cutting element configured to core a blockage positioned in the esophagus of the patient; and 
 a catheter hub fixedly secured to a proximal end of the catheter tube, the catheter hub comprising a connector configured to couple with a vacuum line such that, when suction is provided via the vacuum line, advancement of the distal tip of the catheter tube into contact with the blockage cores a piece from the blockage that is passed through the catheter tube. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter tube comprises an inner surface that is coated with a lubricious material to encourage passage of the piece from the blockage through the catheter tube. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter tube comprises a thin-walled extrusion. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the catheter tube comprises extruded nylon 12. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the proximal end of the catheter assembly comprises a tapered portion for coupling with the vacuum line. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular member comprises an endoscope and the channel comprises a working channel of the endoscope. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a sheath assembly comprises the tubular member. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the sheath assembly further comprises a positioning element coupled with the tubular member, the positioning element being configured to transition from an undeployed state to permit the tubular member to be inserted into the esophagus of the patient and a deployed state in which the positioning element contacts the esophagus to substantially center the channel of the tubular member relative to the esophagus. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the positioning element comprises a balloon. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the sheath assembly further comprises a pressure regulation valve in fluid communication with the balloon to ensure that a pressure within the balloon does not exceed a predetermined limit.