Method for placing a feeding tube inside a gastro-intestinal tract

• US 6,322,495 B1
• Filed: 10/15/1999
• Issued: 11/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Phalen, Michael P., Snow, Todd H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P.
• Application Number:
  US09/419,398
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 600/114, 600/115, 600/120, 600/138, 600/139, 600/153, 600/156, 604/264, 604/280, 604/104, 604/117, 604/96, 606/191, 606/192, 606/198
• US Class Current: 600/114
• 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 gastrointestinal 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. The method for placing the feeding tube involves passing the feeding tube through an opening in the abdominal wall and into a gastro-intestinal tract while observing a passageway ahead of the feeding tube.

Claims

1. A method for placing a feeding tube inside a gastro-intestinal tract, comprising:

(a) inserting a distal end of the feeding tube into an opening which extends through an abdominal wall into a stomach cavity, the feeding tube comprising an elongated sheath having a first lumen for delivering nutrients and a second lumen, and an imaging device disposed in the second lumen;

(b) passing the feeding tube through the opening into a gastro-intestinal tract while observing a passageway ahead of the feeding tube by looking into a proximal end of the imaging device; and

(c) positioning the distal end of the feeding tube at a desired location within the gastro-intestinal tract.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising activating a retention device to retain the feeding tube at the desired location.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein activating the retention device comprises inflating a balloon disposed at the distal end of the elongated sheath.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) comprises positioning the distal end of the feeding tube in the stomach cavity.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) comprises positioning the distal end of the feeding tube in a jejunum.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises deflecting the distal end of the feeding tube to accommodate a curvature of the gastrointestinal tract.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

making an opening through the abdominal wall into the stomach cavity;

advancing a guide wire through the opening;

passing an introducer with a sheath over the guide wire;

and wherein step (a) comprises inserting the feeding tube through the sheath.