Method of inserting a feeding tube

• US 20060258903A1
• Filed: 05/13/2005
• Published: 11/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Faigel, Douglas O., Stefanchik, David
• Application Number:
  US11/128,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20060258903A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/106
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00073 with externally grooved shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2736 Gastroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0003 Nasal or oral feeding-tubes, e.g. tube entering body through nose or mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0019 inserted by using a pull-wire
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0023 inserted by using a sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/003 Means for fixing the tube inside the body, e.g. balloons, retaining means holding devices holding in the body A61M25/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0034 Retainers adjacent to a body opening to prevent that the tube slips through, e.g. bolsters
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0069 Tubes feeding directly to the intestines, e.g. to the jejunum
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0073 Multi-lumen tubes

Abstract

A medical apparatus and method useful for positioning one or more members within the gastro-intestinal tract is disclosed. The medical apparatus can include a track supported on a sheath sized to receive an endoscope, and a carrier slidable with respect to the track. A feeding tube accessory adapted to slidably engage the carrier is disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of inserting a feeding tube into a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning an endoscope in the gastro-intestinal tract such that the distal end of the scope is positioned distally of the gastro-esophageal junction; and

advancing a feeding tube along the outside of the endoscope after the step of positioning the endoscope in the gastro-intestinal tract.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the feeding tube is advanced by pushing the feeding tube from a point outside of the patient.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of advancing the feeding tube comprises advancing the feeding tube along a track extending along the length of the endoscope.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of advancing the feeding tube comprises advancing a portion of the feeding tube into the small intestine.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of withdrawing the endoscope after the feeding tube is positioned in a desired position.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of advancing a member behind the feeding tube to prevent proximal migration of the feeding tube during withdrawal of the endoscope from the body.

7. A method of inserting a feeding tube into a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a track extending from a position outside the patient'"'"'s body to a position inside the patients body;

providing a feed tube carrier, the feed tube carrier adapted to releasably engage the feed tube and the track;

advancing the feeding tube and carrier along the track to position the feeding tube in a desired position.

8. The method of claim 7 comprising the step of positioning the feeding tube on the carrier prior to inserting the feeding tube and carrier into the patient.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of removing the track and the carrier from the body without removing the feeding tube.

10. A method of positioning a feeding tube in a patient comprising the steps of:

providing and endoscope;

providing a flexible sheath sized to receive the endscope;

providing a track along an outer surface of the flexible sheath;

providing a feeding tube carrier, the carrier adapted to slidably engage the track;

providing a feeding tube, the feeding tube adapted to slidably engage the carrier.

positioning the sheath on the endoscope;

positioning the sheath and endoscope in the patient'"'"'s GI tract;

advancing the feeding tube and carrier together along the track; and

positioning the distal end of the feeding tube at a desire location within the body.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of removing the track and the carrier from the body.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of blocking proximal movement of the feeding tube during removal of the track and the carrier from the body.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of blocking proximal movement of the feeding tube comprises advancing a member along the carrier behind the feeding tube to prevent the feeding tube from moving proximally with the carrier.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of advancing the feeding tube comprises advancing a portion of the feeding tube at least to the stomach.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of advancing the feeding tube comprises advancing the feeding tube at least to the small intestine.