Retrofittable aspiration prevention mechanism for patients

• US 20080146994A1
• Filed: 02/19/2008
• Published: 06/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Allen Gerber
• Original Assignee: Allen Gerber
• Inventors: Gerber, Allen
• Application Number:
  US12/070,515
• Publication Number:
  US 20080146994A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/66
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0003 Nasal or oral feeding-tubes, e.g. tube entering body through nose or mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0076 Feeding pumps A61M1/00, A61M5/142, A61M25/1018 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0084 for sensing parameters related to the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/30 Compliance analysis for taking medication
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/70 Audible labels, e.g. for pre-recorded info or messages

Abstract

A retrofittable device is employed to remediate the problem of fluid aspiration in patients being fed through a feeding tube. In one embodiment the feeding pump is plugged into the device which is plugged into a power outlet. A patient angle sensor triggers power cutoff to the pump and stoppage of fluid flow. In another embodiment, the device responds to the angle sensor by actuating a flow limiting device which either pinches the tube closed or actuates a controllable valve disposed within the flow path.

Claims

1. A device to prevent aspiration of gastric fluids in a patient being fed or medicated through a gastric tube, said device comprising:

an angle sensor affixable to said patient, said sensor being capable of providing an electrical signal indicative of the sensor'"'"'s being angularly positioned beyond a threshold angle;

an electrical control circuit for receiving said signal and for cutting off power to a feeding pump causing material to flow in said tube.

2. The device of claim 1 in which said feeding pump is selected from the group consisting of pumps which do not include a battery backup and pumps in which a battery backup is disabled.

3. The device of claim 1 which is pluggable into a wall outlet

4. The device of claim 3 in which said device includes a socket into which a power cord for said pump is pluggable.

5. The device of claim 1 in which said angle sensor includes more than one axis.

6. The device of claim 1 in which said sensor includes means for affixation to said patient.

7. The device of claim 1 in which said control circuit actuates an alarm to alert attending staff.

8. The device of claim 1 in which said control circuit actuates an alarm to alert said patient.

9. The device of claim 1 in which said angular threshold is adjustable.

10. The device of claim 1 in which said sensor includes a wireless transmitter to supply said signal to said control circuit which includes a receiver for said signal.

11. A device to prevent aspiration of gastric fluids in a patient being fed or medicated through a gastric tube, said device comprising:

an angle sensor affixable to said patient, said sensor being capable of providing an electrical signal indicative of the sensor'"'"'s being angularly positioned beyond a threshold angle;

an electrical control circuit for receiving said signal and for actuating a flow limiting device which cuts off flow of fluid within said tube.

12. The device of claim 11 in which said flow limiting device operates to urge a moveable member against said feeding tube to cut off flow of fluid therein.

13. The device of claim 11 in which said flow limiting device is an electrically actuatable valve disposed within the flow path of said tube.

14. The device of claim 11 in which said control circuit and said flow control device are connected wirelessly.