APPARATUS AND METHOD USED WITH GUIDANCE SYSTEM FOR FEEDING AND SUCTIONING

• US 20130245542A1
• Filed: 09/07/2012
• Published: 09/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avent Incorporated (Avanos Medical, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CORPAK MedSystems, Inc. (Avanos Medical, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kuhn, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 9,028,441 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/28
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/062 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0003 Nasal or oral feeding-tubes, e.g. tube entering body through nose or mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0069 Tubes feeding directly to the intestines, e.g. to the jejunum
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0088 for sensing parameters related to the device
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/76 for fluid level
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/00 General identification or selection means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0127 Magnetic means; Magnetic markers

Abstract

In one example embodiment, the tube assembly is configured to be used in conjunction with a tube assembly guidance system. The tube assembly includes a first connector, a feeding tube connected to the first connector, a second connector connected to the feeding tube, and a suctioning tube connected to the second connector. The suctioning tube is configured to receive the feeding tube. The feeding tube is configured to allow enteral feeding while the suctioning tube is configured to allow suctioning or decompression of a patient'"'"'s stomach.

Claims

1. A tube assembly for:

(a) enteral feeding; and

(b) gastric suctioning or decompression, the tube assembly configured to be used in conjunction with a tube assembly guidance system, the tube assembly comprising;

a first connector;

a feeding tube having;

(a) a first end connected to the first connector; and

(b) a second end configured to allow enteral feeding;

a second connector connected to the feeding tube;

a suctioning tube configured to receive the feeding tube, the suctioning tube having;

(a) a third end connected to the second connector; and

(b) a portion configured to be placed through a patient'"'"'s nare, the portion including a fourth end configured to allow suctioning or decompression of the patient'"'"'s stomach.

2. The tube assembly of claim 1, which includes a magnetic field generator.

3. The tube assembly of claim 1, wherein the second end and the fourth end are configured to be simultaneously advanced into the patient'"'"'s stomach.

4. The tube assembly of claim 1, wherein after the second end and the fourth end are placed into the patient'"'"'s stomach:

(a) feeding can be achieved using the feeding tube; and

(b) suctioning can be achieved using the tube.

5. The tube assembly of claim 1, wherein the second connector is releaseably connected to the feeding tube such that, after the second end the fourth end are placed into the patient'"'"'s stomach, the second end is configured to be advanced from the patient'"'"'s stomach into a small bowel of the patient while the fourth end remains in the patient'"'"'s stomach.

6. The tube assembly of claim 1, which includes a sleeve configured to secure the third end to the second connector.

7. The tube assembly of claim 1, which includes a plug configured to stabilize a position of the feeding tube relative to the suctioning tube.

8. The tube assembly of claim 1, wherein:

(a) the first connector includes a first y-port connector; and

(b) the second connector includes a second y-port connector.

9. A method of tracking a first end of a feeding tube and a second end of a suctioning tube which in configured to receive the feeding tube, the method comprising:

(a) causing a processor to execute instructions to operate with a display device to display a reference image;

(b) causing the processor to execute the instructions to, using a magnetic field generator, operate with the display device to display a first position of the first end and the second end; and

(c) thereafter, causing the processor to execute the instructions to operate with the display device to display a second position of the first end, the second position being different from the first position based on the first end being advanced into a lower intestine of the patient, the second end remaining at the first position.