Optical gastrostomy and jejunostomy

• US 5,989,231 A
• Filed: 01/15/1998
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Phalen, Michael P., Snow, Todd H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coggins, Wynn Wood
• Assistant Examiner(s): Blyveis, Deborah
• Application Number:
  US09/007,500
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 604/264, 604/280, 604/96, 604/117, 604/104, 604/270, 606/191, 606/192, 606/198, 600/120, 600/114, 600/115, 600/116, 600/139, 600/146, 600/156
• US Class Current: 604/264
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00082 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/2736 Gastroscopes

Abstract

An optical feeding tube includes an elongated sheath having a first lumen for delivering nutrients to a gastro-intestinal tract and an imaging device disposed in a second lumen. The imaging device provides visualization of an area adjacent a distal end of the elongated sheath. The imaging device can be an optical fiber extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the elongated sheath. The optical feeding tube can also include a retention device.

Claims

1. An optical feeding tube, comprising:

an elongated sheath including a first lumen for delivering nutrients to a gastro-intestinal tract and a second lumen;

an imaging device disposed in the second lumen; and

a retention device slidably mounted on the elongated sheath.

2. The optical feeding tube of claim 1 wherein the imaging device provides visualization of an area adjacent a distal end of the elongated sheath.

3. The optical feeding tube of claim 1 wherein the imaging device comprises at least one optical fiber extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the elongated sheath.

4. The optical feeding tube of claim 3 wherein the at least one optical fiber is coextruded in the second lumen.

5. The optical feeding tube of claim 1 further comprising a second retention device disposed at a distal end of the elongated sheath.

6. The optical feeding tube of claim 5 wherein the second retention device comprises a balloon.

7. The optical feeding tube of claim 6 wherein the elongated sheath includes a third lumen for transporting a fluid to and from the balloon.

8. The optical feeding tube of claim 5 wherein the second retention device comprises a bolster.

9. The optical feeding tube of claim 1 wherein the elongated sheath is deflectable.

10. The optical feeding tube of claim 9 further comprising a stylet having a deflecting wire disposed in the first lumen.

11. The optical feeding tube of claim 9 wherein the elongated sheath is deflectable in two directions.

12. The optical feeding tube of claim 1 further comprising a feeding port in communication with a proximal end of the first lumen and an eye piece connector in communication with a proximal end of the second lumen.

13. The optical feeding tube of claim 1 wherein the retention device comprises an external bolster.