Feeding tube stylet

• US 4,496,347 A
• Filed: 09/24/1982
• Issued: 01/29/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Viridian, Inc. (Nutrien Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Viridian, Inc. (Nutrien Ltd.)
• Inventors: Edwards, Robert B. II, MacLean, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Stephen C.
• Application Number:
  US06/422,564
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 604/164-170, 604/280, 128/672, 128/657
• US Class Current: 600/585
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0007 inserted by using a guide-wire guide wires A61M25/09

Abstract

A stylet to be used in combination with a feeding tube assembly for administration or aspiration of fluids to a patient comprising a wire with an elongated loop of variable length and width at its distal end. The width of the loop may be adjusted so as to be greater than the diameter of any apertures in feeding tubes thereby preventing the stylet from exiting the tube assembly and minimizing the possibility of injury to a patient during stylet intubation.

Claims

1. A wire stylet for use with a feeding tube assembly for selective enteric administration and aspiration of fluids to and from the gastrointestinal tract of a patient, the assembly including a flexible tube for conducting fluids having at least one aperture in the tube wall near the distal end of said tube;

and having a weighted guide tip on the distal end of said tube;

said stylet including a single strand of wire insertable into said tube for aiding the insertion of said feeding tube assembly into said patient and extendable throughout the length of said tube, said wire being bent upon itself and having its two resulting ends twisted about each other simultaneously forming a double helix configuration and an elongated continuing loop at its distal end, the width of said elongated loop being slightly less than the diameter of said tube but greater than the major diameter of said apertures, whereby said loop is inhibited from exiting said apertures when guiding the tube internally, while allowing for the free flow of fluids from said tube even though said stylet remains inserted into said tube.

2. A wire stylet for use with a feeding tube assembly for selective enteric administration and aspiration of fluids to and from the gastrointestinal tract of a patient, the assembly including a flexible tube for conducting fluids;

a non-collapsable contoured bolus positioned at the distal end of said tube, said bolus having a diameter greater than the diameter of said tube, said bolus having a first internal channel, said first channel being in fluid communication with said tube, said bolus having a second internal channel extending transversely to and in fluid communication with said first channel, said first channel terminating in said second channel, said second channel having oppositely faced external openings;

a weighted guide tip located distal to said bolus;

said stylet including a single strand of wire insertable into said tube for aiding the insertion of said feeding tube assembly into said patient and extendable throughout the length of said tube, said wire being bent upon itself and having its two resulting ends twisted about each other simultaneously forming a double helix configuration and an elongated continuing loop at its distal end, said elongated loop having its minor diameter slightly less than the diameter of said tube, said loop forming a stiffening structure of wire and having its major diameter larger than the diameter of said channels whereby said loop is inhibited from exiting said second channel, while allowing for the free flow of fluids from said bolus even though said stylet remains inserted into said bolus.