THE PRESENT INVENTION IS DIRECTED TO A FEEDING TUBE IN PARTICULAR FOR TOTAL PARENTAL NUTRITION AND/OR MEDICINE DOSING

• US 20100087715A1
• Filed: 11/09/2007
• Published: 04/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Van Bommel, Marcus Jozef, Elevelt, Aaldert
• Granted Patent: US 8,285,399 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/285 Endotracheal, oesophageal or gastric probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/287 Holders for multiple electrodes, e.g. electrode catheters for electrophysiological study [EPS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0003 Nasal or oral feeding-tubes, e.g. tube entering body through nose or mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0084 for sensing parameters related to the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0088 for sensing parameters related to the device

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a feeding tube in particular for total parental nutrition and/or medicine dosing. The feeding tube functionality is combined with internal monitoring of vital functions, such as ECG, PH, etc. The position of the electrodes is essential for measuring the optimal signal. In this invention the optimal position is determined by measuring the inversion point of the ECG signal. During insertion of the catheter or modified feeding tube the ECG signal is continuously monitored. Via an acoustic signal the strength of the signal is notable. This enables the nursing staff a simple control of the insertion process.

Claims

1. A feeding tube in particular for total parental nutrition and/or medicine dosing including at least one sensing means for internal monitoring of a patient'"'"'s vital functions wherein one of the sensing means is an ECG signal monitoring device continuously monitoring a patient'"'"'s ECG signal, wherein the feeding tube comprises an assisting means, the assisting means using the ECG signal for placing the feeding tube in a patient'"'"'s esophagus in an optimal position, wherein the ECG signal is measured as a function of the position of the feeding tube, wherein an inversion of the ECG signal indicates a position, which acts as a reference position from which the feeding tube is moved a pre specified distance within the patient'"'"'s esophagus to reach an optimal position.

3. A feeding tube according to claim 1, wherein the ECG signal monitoring device comprises at least two electrodes being placed near a distal end of the feeding tube.

4. A feeding tube according to claim 3, wherein the two electrodes are spaced from each other with a distance of 0.5 cm to 5 cm, preferably 1 cm to 4 cm, more preferably 1 cm to 2 cm.

5. A feeding tube according to claim 4, wherein the distance between the distal end of the feeding tube and the electrode facing the distal end of the feeding tube is chosen depending on the size of the patient to be monitored.

6. A feeding tube according to claim 1, wherein variations of the ECG signal detected by the sensing means indicate a displacement of the feeding tube within the patient'"'"'s esophagus.

7. A feeding tube according to claim 6, wherein upon detection of a displacement of the feeding tube within the esophagus a signal is generated by a warning means.

8. A non-invasive patient assessment and monitoring system in particular for total parental nutrition and/or medicine dosing comprising:

a feeding tube according to any preceding claim;

an electronic system adapted to receive data from the at least one sensing means including as a positioning assisting means a monitor and/or an acoustic signal generator,

wherein while placing the feeding tube into a patient'"'"'s esophagus the ECG signal is displayed at the monitor and/or a sound is generated by the electronic system which changes if the ECG signal monitoring device reaches an inversion point of the ECG-signal.

9. A non-invasive patient assessment and monitoring system according to claim 8, wherein the feeding tube includes a plurality of sensors interconnected to said feeding tube, said sensors including at least a thermistor, a plurality of electrodes in particular for an impedance measurement, a pH sensor and an ultrasound sensor, wherein the feeding tube is interconnected to the electronic system adapted to receive data from said sensors relating to at least one of a body temperature, blood flow, heart rate, respiration, and PH sensor and assign a score reflective of the patient'"'"'s vital condition.

10. A non-invasive patient assessment and monitoring system according to claim 8, wherein it further comprises an algorithm adapted to monitor and/or indicate the onset of changes in the patient'"'"'s condition and/or predict changes in the patient'"'"'s condition.

2. (canceled)