OPTICALLY GUIDED MEDICAL TUBE AND CONTROL UNIT ASSEMBLY AND METHODS OF USE

• US 20120116160A1
• Filed: 12/20/2011
• Published: 05/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Utah (State of Utah)
• Original Assignee: University of Utah (State of Utah)
• Inventors: Perry, Trent J., Nieman, Timothy R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,060,922 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/114
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00052 positioned at proximal end of the endoscope body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0607 for annular illumination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2733 Oesophagoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2736 Gastroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0007 inserted by using a guide-wire guide wires A61M25/09
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0015 Gastrostomy feeding-tubes insertion tools or methods A61B17/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0046 Expandable retainers inside body lumens of the enteral tract, e.g. fixing by radially contacting a lumen wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0049 Inflatable Balloons balloon catheters A61M25/10
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0147 with movable mechanical means, e.g. pull wires

Abstract

An optical medical tube and control unit assembly and methods of using the same are provided. The optical medical tube may include a steering mechanism and an imaging device which provides the user a visual aid when placing a tube in the body of a patient. The optical medical tube may be coupled to a coupling adaptor to enable quick and easy connecting of the imaging device and steering mechanism of the tube with a control unit such that a single control unit may be used to place multiple feeding tubes or confirm that a feeding tube remains in its proper position without the need for lengthy sterilization procedures between uses.

Claims

1. A feeding tube comprising:

an elongate body having a distal end and a proximal end;

an imaging device for viewing an area adjacent the distal end of the elongate body; and

a stylet for receiving the imaging device;

wherein the stylet is removably disposed in the elongate body.

2. The feeding tube according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is removably received by the stylet.

3. The feeding tube according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device comprises an optical fiber and wherein the stylet has an X-shaped cross-section.

4. The feeding tube according to claim 3, wherein the X-shaped cross-section has a central lumen which allows the stylet to receive an optical fiber having an outer diameter of between about 1.8 mm and 2.0 mm.

5. The feeding tube according to claim 1, wherein the elongate body has an inner surface and the stylet has an outer surface, and wherein the inner surface of the elongate body and the outer surface of the stylet form at least one lumen.

6. The feeding tube according to claim 1, further comprising a steering member disposed in communication with the stylet for deflecting the stylet to thereby deflect the distal end of the elongate body.

7. The feeding tube according to claim 6, wherein the stylet comprises at least one cutaway section to facilitate deflection of the distal end of the elongate body.

8. The feeding tube according to claim 1, further comprising a tube tip disposed on the elongate body for aligning the imaging device generally parallel with the center axis of the elongate body.

9. A tube comprising:

an elongate body having a distal end and a proximal end;

a first steering member having a first end and a second end; and

a pivotable member located adjacent the proximal end of the elongate body;

wherein the first end of the first steering member is disposed in communication with the pivotable member and the second end of the first steering member is disposed in the elongate body.

10. The tube according to claim 9, wherein the first steering member comprises a wire.

11. The tube according to claim 9, further comprising a second steering member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second steering member is disposed in communication with the pivotable member.

12. The tube according to claim 11, wherein the first end of the first steering member is connected to the pivotable member such that pivoting the pivotable member in a first direction cause the second end of the first steering member to move towards the proximal end of the elongate body, and wherein the second steering member is connected to the pivotable member such that pivoting the pivotable member in a direction opposite the first direction causes the second end of the second steering member to move towards the proximal end of the elongate body, to thereby provide for multi-directional deflection of the distal end of the elongate body.

13. The tube according to claim 12, wherein the pivotable member is a wheel.

14. The tube according to claim 9, further comprising a coupling adaptor wherein the pivotable member is located in or on the coupling adaptor.

15. The tube according to claim 14, wherein the coupling adaptor is releasably attached to the elongate body of the tube.

16. The tube according to claim 9, further comprising an imaging device disposed at least partially in the elongate body.

17. A medical tube system for releasably connecting to a control unit having an image viewing device, the medical tube system comprising:

an elongate body having a distal end and a proximal end;

an imaging device for viewing an area adjacent the distal end of the elongate body;

a coupling adaptor disposed adjacent the proximal end of the elongate body; and

a mounting structure disposed on the coupling adaptor for aligning the imaging device with the image viewing device.

18. The medical tube system according to claim 17, wherein the imaging device is removably connected to the coupling adaptor.

19. The medical tube system according to claim 17, wherein the mounting structure is disposed in communication with a biasing member.

20. The medical tube system according to claim 19, wherein the biasing member facilitates alignment and seating of the mounting structure to a specified depth for engagement with the imaging device.

21. The medical tube system according to claim 17, further comprising a tube adaptor for operatively connecting the elongate body of the medical tube to a separate tubing section.

22. The medical tube system according to claim 21, wherein the tube connector is in fluid communication with a first lumen located in the elongate body and the flush port is in fluid communication with a second lumen in the elongate body.

25. The medical tube system according to claim 17, wherein the coupling adaptor is small and lightweight.

26. The medical tube system according to claim 17, wherein the coupling adaptor includes one or more channels separately connected to one or more lumens in the elongate body.

27. The medical tube system according to claim 17, further comprising a steering mechanism disposed on the adaptor and at least one wire extending into the elongate body.