Endoscopic Airway Device with Esophageal Cuff
Summary
USPTO published patent application US20260091188A1 for an endoscopic airway device invented by Kevin Chong Kim. The device features an outertube with scope channel, an esophageal cuff for securing the device and preventing gastric reflux, and an inflatable bladder to create an unobstructed air passage to the trachea.
What changed
USPTO published patent application US20260091188A1 on April 2, 2026, for an endoscopic airway device with esophageal cuff invented by Kevin Chong Kim (Application No. 19413748, filed December 9, 2025). The device includes an outertube with a partially enclosed scope channel, where the remaining intraluminal space provides air flow passage. An esophageal cuff positioned distally on the scope channel, when inflated, secures the device in the proximal esophagus and blocks gastric content from entering the larynx. An additional inflatable bladder attached anteriorly between the cuff and distal opening forms a tubular ring to push the epiglottis toward the hypopharynx wall, creating an unhindered tracheal air passage.
This is a patent application publication, not a regulatory action. No compliance deadlines, required actions, or penalties are associated with this document. Medical device manufacturers reviewing this publication may assess the technology for potential product development or freedom-to-operate analysis. The CPC classifications (A61M 16/0463, A61B 1/00135, A61B 1/2736, A61M 16/0436, A61M 16/0488, A61M 16/1005, A61M 2205/3344) indicate relevance to anesthesia respiratory devices and endoscopic instruments.
Archived snapshot
Apr 2, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
METHOD FOR AN ENDOSCOPIC AIRWAY DEVICE
Application US20260091188A1 Kind: A1 Apr 02, 2026
Inventors
Kevin Chong Kim
Abstract
An airway device includes an outertube and a scope channel partially enclosed by the outertube. An intraluminal space in the outertube, not occupied by the scope channel, provides a passageway for air flow to the patient. An esophageal cuff is positioned distally on the scope channel. When inflated, the esophageal cuff secures the airway device in the proximal esophagus of the patient and helps to prevent gastric reflux by mechanically blocking gastric content from entering into the larynx. An inflatable bladder is attached to an anterior surface of the scope channel between the esophageal cuff and a distal opening of the outertube. When inflated, the bladder forms a tubular ring that pushes against the epiglottis and/or other soft tissue towards a wall of the hypopharynx to produce an unhindered air passage into the patient's trachea.
CPC Classifications
A61M 16/0463 A61B 1/00135 A61B 1/2736 A61M 16/0436 A61M 16/0488 A61M 16/1005 A61M 2205/3344
Filing Date
2025-12-09
Application No.
19413748
Named provisions
Related changes
Get daily alerts for ChangeBridge: Patent Apps - Medical Devices (A61M)
Daily digest delivered to your inbox.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Source
About this page
Every important government, regulator, and court update from around the world. One place. Real-time. Free. Our mission
Source document text, dates, docket IDs, and authority are extracted directly from USPTO.
The plain-English summary, classification, and "what to do next" steps are AI-generated from the original text. Cite the source document, not the AI analysis.
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when ChangeBridge: Patent Apps - Medical Devices (A61M) publishes new changes.