Aspiration prevention mechanism

• US 20080171963A1
• Filed: 10/10/2006
• Published: 07/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Allen Gerber
• Original Assignee: Allen Gerber
• Inventors: Gerber, Allen
• Granted Patent: US 7,833,188 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0003 Nasal or oral feeding-tubes, e.g. tube entering body through nose or mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0015 Gastrostomy feeding-tubes insertion tools or methods A61B17/34
• 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 15/0088 for sensing parameters related to the device
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/70 Audible labels, e.g. for pre-recorded info or messages

Abstract

A patient angle sensor is employed in conjunction with gastric feeding devices to shut off or to reverse the flow of fluid in the tube when the angle of a bed ridden patient becomes sufficient to allow gastric juices to percolate up through the esophagus and into the patient'"'"'s lungs. In this way incidents of aspirational pneumonia in hospitalized patients is significantly reduced or eliminated.

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 stopping flow in said tube.

2. The device of claim 1 in which said circuit is also capable of reversing flow in said tube.

3. The device of claim 1 in which said tube is a gastric feeding tube.

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

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

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

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

8. The device of claim 1 in which said control circuit operates to raise a head portion of said patient'"'"'s bed.

9. The device of claim 1 in which said control circuit operates to raise a foot portion of said patient'"'"'s bed.

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 angular position of said sensor;

an electrical control circuit for receiving said signal and for stopping flow in said tube, as a function of said angular position.

12. A gastric feeding system for a patient, said system comprising:

a nutrient supply;

a pump connected to said supply;

a gastric tube for delivering said nutrient to said patient;

a circuit for controlling said pump;

a sensor affixable to said patient to provide a signal to said control circuit

13. A method for ameliorating the problem of aspiration for a patient being fed or medicated through a gastric tube, said method comprising the step of:

stopping fluid flow through said tube upon detecting that said patient is reclining beyond a predetermined angle.

14. A method for ameliorating the problem of aspiration for a patient being fed or medicated through a gastric tube, said method comprising the step of:

reversing fluid flow through said tube upon detecting that said patient is reclining beyond a predetermined angle.