Ambulatory Enteral Feeding System

• US 20120150112A1
• Filed: 12/14/2010
• Published: 06/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avent Incorporated (Avanos Medical, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Avent Incorporated (Avanos Medical, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hershey, Adrienne A., Bagwell, Alison S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,777,900 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/134
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0015 Gastrostomy feeding-tubes insertion tools or methods A61B17/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0096 Provisions for venting
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/085 external enteral feeding tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14232 Roller pumps

Abstract

There is provided a venting system for enteral feeding having a reflux bag in fluid communication with an enteral feeding site on a patient. The bag has a vent that relieves enteral pressure from the patient and is located within a bellows that compresses the refluc bag after the vent relieves. The system does not rely on gravity to urge the liquid in the reflux bag back to the patient so it may be used by sleeping patients who change positions. It may also be placed in a backpack so that the patient may be freed from having to remain seated or prone for long periods of time and can instead lead a more normal lifestyle.

Claims

1. A venting system for enteral feeding comprising a bag in fluid communication with an enteral feeding site on a patient, said bag having a vent that relieves enteral pressure from said patient, said bag located within a bellows that compresses said bag after said vent relieves.

2. The venting system of claim 1 wherein said vent relieves at a pressure of between1.4 and 5.5 kPa.

3. The venting system of claim 1 wherein said vent relieves at a pressure of about 3.48 kPa.

4. The venting system of claim 1 wherein said bag is made from a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyesters, acrylics, mylar, and PTFE.

5. The venting system of claim 1 wherein said vent comprises a slit or hole in said bag and said slit or hole is covered with a nonwoven fabric that is a microporous membrane material.

6. An enteral feeding system comprising a nutrient source in fluid communication with a nutrient pump that discharges to an enteral feeding site on a patient;

and,

a bag also in fluid communication with said enteral feeding site, said bag having a vent that relieves enteral pressure from said patient, said bag located within a bellows that compresses said bag after said vent relieves.

7. A venting system for enteral feeding comprising a bag in fluid communication with an enteral feeding site on a patient, said bag having a vent that relieves enteral pressure from said patient, said bag located within a means for compressing said bag after said vent relieves.

8. The venting system of claim 7 wherein said means for compressing comprises a rigid case to enclose the bag with compression or torsion springs within said case to apply pressure to the bag.

9. The venting system of claim 7 wherein said means for compressing comprises an inflatable cuff used to apply hydraulic or pneumatic pressure to the bag.

10. The venting system of claim 7 wherein said means for compressing comprises a semi-rigid or rigid case for the bag having a foam material that acts as a spring.

11. The venting system of claim 7 wherein said means for compressing comprises an elastic material that encloses the bag at least partly and applies pressure to said bag.

12. The venting system of claim 7 wherein said vent relieves at a pressure of between 1.4 and 5.5 kPa.

13. The venting system of claim 7 wherein said vent relieves at a pressure of about 3.48 kPa.

14. The venting system of claim 7 that system relieves gas pressure regardless of patient positioning or orientation.

15. The venting system of claim 7 wherein said system relieves gas pressure without human interaction to cause venting.