Method for placing a feeding tube inside a gastro-intestinal tract
First Claim
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.
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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.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method for placing a feeding tube inside a gastro-intestinal tract, comprising:
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(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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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.
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Specification