Groene John,  Ong Seng,  Feinstein Kate,  Slater Bethany,  Zaritzky Mario

Final Pr. ID: Poster #: EDU-017

Purpose:
A new minimally invasive procedure, the use of magnets (Flourish™) for the treatment of esophageal atresia will be described. The invention’s background, patient selection criteria, procedure details and complications are the subject of this exhibit.

Background:
Esophageal atresia is a rare congenital defect where the proximal esophagus does not connect to the distal esophagus. Classically, this defect has been treated by surgery to reconnect the ends and reestablish esophageal continuity, however a small subset may be treated with a magnetic catheter-based system. The primary goal of this procedure is to form an anastomosis while avoiding a major thoracic surgery and its complications.
The Flourish™ device uses bullet-shaped rare earth magnets which are inserted into the upper esophagus and lower esophagus. Included in these magnets is the rare earth element neodymium, which along with iron and boron create an alloy with a strength of up to 1.2 Tesla.
When the magnets are placed in close proximity at the ends of the esophageal pouches, they will attract over several days, eventually connecting the ends of the esophagus and causing an anastomosis via pressure necrosis.

Criteria:
Selection is based on absence of tracheoesophageal fistula, esophageal gap shorter than 4 cm and a mature gastrostomy tract.

Procedure:
Under fluoroscopy, the gastric catheter is advanced superiorly through the gastrostomy to the most superior end of the distal esophageal pouch. The oral catheter is then advanced in order to bring the magnets to closest proximity. Daily radiographs are obtained to evaluate magnet positions.

Complications/outcomes:
Thirteen patients that have undergone placement of the magnetic catheter-based system at six institutions. Twelve patients had an average time to achieve anastomosis of six days and progressed to full oral feeds. The most common complication was magnetic anastomosis stenosis requiring dilatation. Currently, Flourish is approved as a Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE).
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Authors:  Groene John , Ong Seng , Feinstein Kate , Slater Bethany , Zaritzky Mario

Keywords:  Esophageal Atresia, Atresia, Flourish

Michishita Yukiko,  Miyazaki Osamu,  Imai Ayako,  Okamato Reiko,  Tsutsumi Yoshiyuki,  Miyasaka Mikiko,  Sago Haruhiko,  Kanamori Yutaka,  Nosaka Shunsuke

Final Pr. ID: Poster #: SCI-004

Esophageal atresia (EA) is a relatively rare congenital anomaly. Esophageal pouch (EP) is the only direct sign of EA on fetal MRI, but is not always seen. Distended hypopharynx (DHP) has been reported as a useful prenatal sign of EA, but as EP and DHP are both subjective assessments, the prenatal diagnosis of EA is challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether quantitative measurement of distended pharynx is useful in the diagnosis of EA. Read More

Authors:  Michishita Yukiko , Miyazaki Osamu , Imai Ayako , Okamato Reiko , Tsutsumi Yoshiyuki , Miyasaka Mikiko , Sago Haruhiko , Kanamori Yutaka , Nosaka Shunsuke

Keywords:  Esophageal Atresia, fetal MRI, Quantitative