Apparatus and method for relieving gastric pressure during enteral feeding

• US 6,482,170 B1
• Filed: 09/18/2000
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avent Incorporated (Avanos Medical, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Corpak Inc (Avanos Medical, Inc.)
• Inventors: Andersen, Erik
• Primary Examiner(s): JIANG, CHEN WEN
• Application Number:
  US09/665,194
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 604/19, 604/27, 604/48, 604/93.01, 604/100.01, 604/99.01
• US Class Current: 604/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0096 Provisions for venting
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2200/76 for fluid level

Abstract

A gastric pressure relief apparatus for incorporation within an enteral feeding system, including an enteral feeding container, an administrative tube and an enteral feeding tube. The apparatus comprises a gas and liquid-receiving reservoir with a gas vent to ambient atmosphere, a length of tube secured to the reservoir at one end and joined to the enteral feeding tube at another end and connector means for joining the administrative tube to the length of tube to be oriented at a point below that of an enterally-fed patient'"'"'s stomach. The length of tube includes volumetric indicia to allow for measurement of refluxed fluid and subsequent adjustment of fluid administration.

Claims

1. In an apparatus for relieving gastric pressure during enteral feeding of neonatal and pediatric patients, the apparatus being interposed between a fluid nutrient source and an enteral feeding tube, the apparatus having gastric relief tubing for collecting reflux fluids from the patients stomach, a proximal end of the tubing being in fluid communication with ambient atmosphere, a distal end of the tubing being coupled to a proximal end of the enteral feeding tube, the apparatus further including connector means for fluid communicatively coupling the fluid nutrient source with the tubing, the connector means being interposed along the length of the tubing, the improvement comprising:

the gastric relief tubing having volumetric markings selected to measure quantities of fluid periodically refluxed during enteral feeding of neonatal and pediatric patients.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the volumetric markings are in increments of one milliliter.

3. A gastric pressure relief device for use in neonatal and pediatric enteral feeding systems, the device interposed between a source of enteral nutrient and an enteral feeding tube for enteral nutrient delivery into a patient, the device comprising:

a gastric relief tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and having volumetric indicia thereon, the distal end in fluid communication with a proximal end of the enteral feeding tube, the gastric relief tube further in fluid communication with ambient atmosphere;

a reservoir in fluid communication with the proximal end of the gastric relief tube, the reservoir vented to ambient atmosphere and adapted to collect reflux fluids from the patient'"'"'s stomach; and

a connector adapted to connect the source of enteral nutrient with the gastric relief tubing and selectively positionable with respect to the gastric relief tubing,

such that when the connector is oriented below the patient'"'"'s stomach and the reservoir is oriented above the patient'"'"'s stomach, excess gastric pressure is relieved from the patient by reflux of fluid through the enteral feeding tube and into the gastric relief tube for collection within the reservoir;

the volumetric indicia of the gastric relief tube allowing measurement of the refluxed fluid within the gastric relief tube.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the volumetric markings are in increments of one milliliter.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the connector is a generally Y-shaped tubular connector.

6. A method for enterally feeding neonatal and pediatric patients a selected volume of fluid nutrient for a selected duration comprising the steps of:

interposing between a fluid nutrient source and an enteral feeding tube an apparatus having a selected length of gastric relief tubing for collecting reflux fluids, a proximal end of the tubing being in fluid communication with ambient atmosphere, a distal end of the tubing being coupled to a proximal end of the enteral feeding tube, the tubing having volumetric markings along the preselected length; and

assessing periodically the quantity of fluid refluxed during enteral feeding.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of adjusting the duration of enteral feeding.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of adjusting the volume of fluid nutrient.

9. A method for enterally administering a selected volume of fluid nutrient to neonatal and pediatric patients for a selected duration, the method comprising the steps of:

interposing between a fluid nutrient source and an enteral feeding tube an apparatus having a selected length of gastric relief tubing for collecting reflux fluids, said gastric relief tubing having volumetric markings along said preselected length, a proximal end of the tubing being in fluid communication with ambient atmosphere, a distal end of the tubing being coupled to a proximal end of the enteral feeding tube; and

measuring the volume of fluid refluxed into the gastric relief tubing during enteral feeding via the volumetric markings.

10. A gastric pressure relief device for use in conjunction with at least one feeding fluid container and a feeding tube received by a patient, the gastric pressure relief device comprising:

a relief tube in fluid communication with the feeding fluid container and the feeding tube, the relief tube capable of holding a known volume of fluid along a selected length, a plurality of measurement markings along the selected length of the relief tube; and

a reservoir in fluid communication with the relief tube, the reservoir vented to atmosphere.

11. The gastric pressure relief device of claim 10, which includes a connector connected to the relief tube, said connector bringing the relief tube in fluid communication with the feeding fluid container.

12. The gastric pressure relief device of claim 11, wherein the feeding fluid container has a position above the patient'"'"'s stomach.

13. The gastric pressure relief device of claim 11, wherein the reservoir has a position above the patient'"'"'s stomach.

14. The gastric pressure relief device of claim 11, wherein the patient comprises a child.

15. An enteral feeding system for use in conjunction with a feeding tube received by a patient, the enteral feeding system comprising:

at least one feeding fluid container supported by at least one support member; and

a gastric pressure relief device in fluid communication with said feeding fluid container, said gastric pressure relief device including a relief tube having a first end and a second end, the first end in fluid communication with a reservoir, said reservoir vented to atmosphere, the second end of the relief tube adapted to be connected to the feeding tube, the relief tube capable of holding a known volume of fluid along a selected length, a plurality of measurement markings along the selected length of the relief tube.

18. The enteral feeding system of claim 15, wherein the reservoir has a position above the patient'"'"'s stomach.

19. The enteral feeding system of claim 15, wherein the patient comprises a child.

16. The enteral feeding system of claim 16, wherein the gastric pressure relief device includes a connector connected to the relief tube, said connector bringing the relief tube in fluid communication with the feeding fluid container.

17. The enteral feeding system of claim 16, wherein the feeding fluid container has a position above the patient'"'"'s stomach.