Intubation device for enteral feeding

• US 20070225694A1
• Filed: 03/22/2006
• Published: 09/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Stefanchik, David, Vakharia, Omar, Spivey, James, Kuhns, Jesse, Applegate, Rick
• Granted Patent: US 7,771,396 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/13
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00073 with externally grooved shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0014 Fastening element for attaching accessories to the outside of an endoscope, e.g. clips, clamps or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2736 Gastroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3415 for introducing tubes or catheters, e.g. gastrostomy tubes, drain catheters A61B17/3417 takes precedence; body piercing catheter guide needles A61M25/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0007 inserted by using a guide-wire guide wires A61M25/09
• 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 15/0038 expandable, e.g. umbrella type
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0061 fixing at an intermediate position on the tube, i.e. tube protruding the fixing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0069 Tubes feeding directly to the intestines, e.g. to the jejunum

Abstract

An intubation device is provided for use with a guide apparatus having a track that is adapted to be associated with an endoscope such that bending of the track is substantially decoupled from bending of the endoscope. The intubation device includes an elongated, flexible tube and a mating member attached to the tube and adapted to slidingly engage the track external of the endoscope. The intubation device further includes a tissue bolster disposed on the proximal portion of the tube and changeable between a collapsed and an expanded configuration. The tube is positionable inside the upper gastrointestinal tract of a patient such that the proximal end of the tube is externalized through the gastric and abdominal walls of the patient, and wherein the tissue bolster is securable against the inner gastric wall when the tissue bolster is in the expanded configuration.

Claims

1. An intubation device for use with a guide apparatus having an elongated track disposed thereon, said intubation device comprising:

a generally flexible tube having an elongated channel extending therethrough;

a rail connected to said tube, wherein said rail is generally aligned with said elongated channel; and

a tissue bolster disposed on said tube and changeable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.

2. The intubation device of claim 1 wherein said tissue bolster is in said expanded configuration when said tissue bolster is positioned against an inner gastric wall of a patient.

3. The intubation device of claim 1 wherein said rail is adapted to slideably engage said elongated track of said guide apparatus.

4. The intubation device of claim 1 further comprising a trailing filament connected to said tube.

5. The intubation device of claim 1 wherein said tube includes a closed tapered tip on a distal end thereof.

6. The intubation device of claim 1 further comprising a positioning device having a first coupling member releaseably connectable to said tube, wherein said positioning device includes a positioning rail is adapted to slideably engage said elongated track of said guide apparatus.

7. The intubation device of claim 6 wherein said positioning device is adapted to disconnect from said tube while inside a patient'"'"'s body.

8. The intubation device of claim 1 wherein said tissue bolster includes a first end, a second end and a plurality of arms peripherally spaced about said tube and connecting said first and second ends, and wherein said first end is attached to said tube and said second end is slidably retained over said tube and proximal to said first end.

9. The intubation device of claim 8 wherein said plurality of arms are generally flat relative to said tube when said tissue bolster is in said collapsed configuration and said arms are generally bend and extend radially from said tube when said tissue bolster is in said expanded configuration.

10. The intubation device of claim 1 wherein the tissue bolster is formed from a polymeric tube.

11. The intubation device of claim 1 further comprising an extension sheath positioned over said tube and having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is operatively connected to said tissue bolster and said second end is externalizable through the gastric and abdominal walls of a patient, wherein a physician may move said second end relative to said tube, thereby moving said tissue bolster from said collapsed configuration to said expanded configuration.

12. The intubation device of claim 1 further comprising a locking element disposed on said tube and operatively associated with said tissue bolster, wherein said locking element is adapted to lock said tissue bolster in said expanded configuration.

13. The intubation device of claim 12 wherein said locking element is releasable.

14. An intubation system comprising:

a guide apparatus having an elongated track disposed thereon;

a generally flexible tube having an elongated channel extending therethrough and a rail connected thereto, wherein said rail is generally aligned with said elongated channel and adapted to slideably engage said elongated track; and

a tissue bolster disposed on said tube and changeable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.

15. A method for securing an intubation tube in a body wall of a patient comprising the steps of:

providing a tissue bolster attached to said tube, said tissue bolster changeable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration;

positioning said tube through said body wall when said tissue bolster is in said collapsed configuration such that said tube includes an internal portion and an external portion relative to said body wall; and

moving said tissue bolster from said collapsed configuration to said expanded configuration.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising securing said external portion of said tube against said patient, thereby holding said tissue bolster in said expanded configuration.