Intra-esophageal balloon system

1. A method of moving a human esophagus, comprising the steps of:

inserting an uninflated selectively inflatable balloon into a patient's esophagus, the balloon being coupled to a distal end of a tube;

inflating the balloon;

deflecting a deflecting member located at least in part in the balloon, thereby deflecting at least the balloon to cause the balloon to bend or bow so as to move at least a portion of the esophagus away from an initial position thereof;

ablating tissue of the patient's heart; then

deflating the balloon and returning the deflecting member to its original shape; and then

removing the balloon from the esophagus.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein, when the balloon is inserted into the esophagus, a first portion of the balloon is positioned closer to the patient's heart than a second portion, wherein the second portion is more flexible than the first portion, and wherein the at least a portion of the esophagus moves away from the patient's heart as a result of balloon inflation.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first portion comprises a strip of material that extends longitudinally of the balloon and that is located on or in a sidewall of the balloon.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of inflating the balloon is accomplished by pumping a pressurized liquid into the balloon.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the step of inflating is performed with a cold or warmed liquid that serves to provide the esophagus with a heat sink such that the esophagus is further protected against injury during the ablating step.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein, at a maximum point of distortion thereof, the esophagus moves at least 5 mm laterally away from its initial position as a result of balloon inflation.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein, at the maximum point of distortion thereof, the esophagus moves at least 20 mm laterally away from its initial position as a result of balloon inflation.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the deflecting member comprises at least one of:

(A) a strip made of a shape memory material that is responsive to the receipt of a stimulus to deflect to a predetermined shape,

(B) a strip that is made of or contains a ferrous material and that deflects in response to the presence of a magnetic field, and

(C) a selectively tensionable cable, wire, or string.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the deflecting member comprises a strip that is made of a shape memory material, and further comprising applying a stimulus to the shape memory material to deflect the deflecting member to a predetermined shape.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the deflecting member extends along at least one of 1) at least a distal end portion of the tube, and 2) at least a majority of a longitudinal extent of the balloon.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising a stiffening strip that is located in the balloon and that extends longitudinally of the balloon, wherein the stiffening strip distorts less than the surrounding portions of the balloon during balloon inflation so that the balloon as a whole expands asymmetrically about a longitudinal centerline thereof to deflect the esophagus away from the ablation site.

12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the stiffening strip is positioned on a common side of the balloon as the deflecting member and is in alignment with the deflecting member.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the stiffening strip is located at least generally diametrically opposite the deflecting member.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein, when inflated, the balloon is 4-7 cm long.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein, when inflated, the balloon has a maximum diameter of less than 3.0 cm.

16. A method of moving a human esophagus, comprising the steps of:

inserting an uninflated selectively inflatable balloon into a patient's esophagus, the balloon being coupled to a distal end of a tube;

inflating the balloon;

using a deflecting member located in at least one of the tube and the balloon, deflecting at least one of the balloon and the tube to cause the balloon to move at least a portion of the esophagus away from an initial position thereof;

ablating tissue of the patient's heart; then

deflating the balloon and returning the deflecting member to its original shape; and then removing the balloon from the esophagus, wherein

the deflecting member comprises a strip that is made of a shape memory material, and further comprising applying a stimulus to the shape memory material to deflect the deflecting member to a predetermined shape, and wherein

applying a stimulus comprises heating or cooling the deflecting member.

17. A method of moving a human esophagus, comprising the steps of:

inserting an uninflated selectively inflatable balloon into a patient's esophagus, the balloon being coupled to a distal end of a tube;

inflating the balloon;

heating or cooling a shape-memory deflecting member located in at least one of the tube and the balloon to cause the deflecting member to deflect at least one of the balloon and the tube to cause the balloon to move at least a portion of the esophagus away from an initial position thereof relatively proximal the patient's heart to a deflected position relatively remote from the patient's heart;

ablating tissue of the patient's heart; then

deflating the balloon and returning the deflecting member to its original shape; and then

removing the balloon from the esophagus.