US Patent 11877751 Methods and devices configured to prevent aspiration

The devices and methods can prevent pulmonary aspiration thereby allowing for procedures, such as an endoscopic procedure, to be performed under sedation without general anesthesia. The device may include a first end, a second end, and a length therebetween. The body may have a central lumen along the length. The device may include a first base member fixedly disposed at the first end and a second base member fixedly disposed at the second end. The device may also include an expandable assembly movable along the length of the body with respect to the first base member. The expandable assembly may be configured to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The expandable assembly may also be configured to expand radially with respect to the body when in the expanded configuration.