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Additive tube for enteral nutrition apparatus

  • US 20030006159A1
  • Filed: 07/23/2001
  • Published: 01/09/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1999
  • Status: Abandoned Application
First Claim
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1. A device for adding living cells of a probiotic microorganism to a liquid enteral nutrition product dispensed from an enteral container, said enteral nutrition product being administered to a patient through tubing, said device comprising:

  • (a) a liquid impermeable additive tube having an open bore, said bore being surrounded by an inner tube wall and extending from an open upper end of the tube to an open lower end of the tube;

    (b) a hollow adaptor at the upper open end for connecting the additive tube to tubing attached to the enteral container;

    (c) a hollow adaptor at the lower open end of the additive tube for connecting the additive tube to tubing leading to the patient;

    (d) a coating material on a portion of the inner tube wall, said coating material selected from the group consisting of oils and waxes and holding a suspension of the living cells within the open bore adherent to the inner tube wall; and

    (e) a flexible, essentially water vapor tight envelope enclosing the tube for long-term storage and to protect the living cells of the probiotic microorganism from moisture;

    wherein the living cells of the probiotic microorganism may be removed from the inner tube wall and mixed with the liquid enteral nutrition product by allowing the liquid to flow from the enteral container flow through the tubing connected to the additive tube and through the open bore to the patient.

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