University of California

Peter C Belafsky

Joel G Delman

John B Freese

Robert J Stinauer

An apparatus for dilating an upper esophageal sphincter. The apparatus includes an elongated expandable member having a cross-section shaped to support a natural shape of an upper esophageal sphincter. A catheter extends from the elongated inflatable member.

Upper esophageal sphincter dilator

Methods and devices are disclosed for opening a passageway of a patient. The device includes a base plate for attachment to cricoid cartilage of the patient. A post extends from the base plate through the patient's skin. The post is pulled via a force to manually open the passageway.

Swallow expansion device

An endoscope collar for use with an endoscope. The endoscope collar comprising a main portion comprising a proximal end that detachably couples to an end of the endoscope and a collar protrusion extending from the main portion. The collar protrusion is configured to be removably located within the aperture of a tube (e.g., a feeding tube).

Feeding tube system

An apparatus is disclosed. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises an endoscope comprising a first distal end portion, and a tube comprising a second distal end portion, wherein the endoscope and the tube are in a side-by-side relationship and are coupled at distal end portions of the endoscope and the tube using a single coupling device.

Endoscopic tube delivery system

A method for opening a portion of a passageway of a patient is disclosed. The patient has a first metallic structure attached to a portion of the patient's neck. The method includes obtaining a second magnetic structure, placing the second magnetic structure proximate the first metallic structure attached to the portion of the patient's neck, and pulling the second magnetic structure away from the patient's neck to thereby open the passageway.

Growing community of inventors

Davis, CA, United States of America

Peter C Belafsky