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.

Abstract: A system for clearing a blockage in a patient can include a tubular member that defines a channel and is insertable into an esophagus of the patient. The system can include a catheter assembly that includes a catheter tube defining a length greater than a length of the tubular member and being passable through the channel of the tubular member. The catheter tube can include a distal tip that defines a cutting element to core the blockage positioned in the esophagus. The catheter assembly can further include a catheter hub fixedly secured to the catheter tube and couplable with a vacuum line such that, when suction is provided via the vacuum line, advancement of the catheter tube into contact with the blockage cores a piece from the blockage that is passed through the catheter tube.

Abstract: A system for clearing a blockage from an esophagus of a patient can include a sheath assembly that includes a sheath configured for insertion into the esophagus and an imaging device coupled to a distal end of the sheath. The sheath can have a sufficient length to be advanced sufficiently far through the esophagus to permit the imaging device to detect the blockage. The sheath assembly can further include a positioning element that is capable of transitioning from an undeployed state to a deployed state to contact the esophagus to space the lumen from the esophagus. The system can further include a catheter assembly that includes a catheter sized to pass through the lumen of the sheath and a cutting tip for cutting a morsel from the blockage as suction is applied to the blockage via the lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: A method can include introducing a device into a lung of a patient to a site of a material lodged in the lung. The device can include a distal end configured to core the material, a proximal end, and a tube that includes a hollow interior. The method can further include coring from the material a piece that is sized to pass through the hollow interior of the tube using the distal end of the device. The method can further include applying suction to the proximal end of the device to pass the piece through the hollow interior of the tube and out of the device through the proximal end. Other and further methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device is configured to clear a bolus of food impacted within an esophagus, the device including a catheter tube having a hollow interior and a distal end configured to core the bolus of food and a proximal end configured to be coupled to a source of suction to clear the core.