METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE DETERMINATION OF RESIDUAL VOLUME IN PATIENTS HAVING AN ENTERAL FEEDING TUBE

• US 20100137746A1
• Filed: 12/05/2008
• Published: 06/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Holtech Medical
• Original Assignee: Holtech Medical
• Inventors: Holte, Bo
• Granted Patent: US 8,529,471 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/584
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/107 Measuring physical dimensions, e.g. size of the entire body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4261 Evaluating exocrine secretion production A61B3/101 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6871 Stomach
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0482 Enteral feeding product

Abstract

A method and system for determining the residual volume within a patient having a naso-enteral feeding tube. A collection container is coupled to the naso-enteral feeding tube and a physical force is applied to the collection container to prevent stomach fluid from flowing into the collection container. The physical force is removed from the collection container and the stomach fluid is allowed to flow into the collection container. The volume of fluid within the collection container is determined, which represents the gastric residual volume of the patient. At least a portion of the collected volume of stomach fluid is returned to the patient from the collection container.

Claims

1. A method of measuring a gastric residual volume in a patient having a naso-gastric feeding tube, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning a collection container in fluid communication with the naso-gastric feeding tube;

applying a physical force to the collection container to prevent the flow of stomach fluid from the patient into the collection container;

removing the physical force applied to the collection container such that the stomach fluid from within the patient'"'"'s stomach flows into the collection container; and

measuring the volume of the stomach fluid in the collection container to determine the gastric residual volume of the patient.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the physical force applied to the collection container is the force of gravity created by raising the collection container above the patient and the physical force is removed from the collection container by lowering the collection container below the patient.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the collection container includes a series of volume markings to provide an indication of the volume of stomach fluid in the collection container.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the physical force applied to the collection container is a pressurized supply of air surrounding the collection container.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the physical force applied to the collection container is removed by venting the pressurized supply of air to atmosphere.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the collection container is coupled to the naso-gastric tube through a collection conduit, wherein the collection conduit includes a series of pressure markings.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of re-applying the physical force to the collection container to return the collected volume of the patient'"'"'s stomach fluid from the collection container to the stomach of the patient.

8. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of re-applying the physical force to the collection container to return at least a portion of the collected volume of the patient'"'"'s stomach fluid from the collection container to the stomach of the patient.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of re-applying the physical force to the collection container comprises elevating the collection container above the patient.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein the series of pressure markings includes a zero marking, further comprising the steps of:

elevating the collection container above the patient such that the force of gravity creates the physical force applied to the collection container, wherein the collection container is elevated such that the zero marking is aligned with a mid-axillary line of the patient; and

comparing the level of the fluid within the collection conduit to one of the series of pressure markings to determine the intra-gastric pressure of the patient.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the collection container is coupled to the naso-gastric tube through a collection conduit, wherein the collection conduit includes a zero marking, further comprising the steps of:

elevating the collection container above the patient such that the zero marking is aligned with a mid-axillary line of the patient;

measuring the level of the fluid within the collection conduit using a printed scale having a series of pressure marking, wherein the printed scale is positioned adjacent to the collection conduit.

12. A method of measuring the gastric residual volume of a patient having a naso-gastric feeding tube, the method comprising the steps of:

connecting a collection container to the naso-gastric feeding tube;

elevating the collection container above the patient to prevent the flow of stomach fluid into the collection container;

lowering the collection container below the patient to allow stomach fluid to flow into the collection container;

measuring the volume of stomach fluid in the collection container to determine the gastric residual volume of the patient; and

elevating the collection container above the patient to return at least a portion of the collected stomach fluid to the patient.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the collection container includes a series of volume markings to provide an indication of the volume of stomach fluid in the collection container.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the collection container is coupled to the naso-gastric tube through a collection conduit, wherein the collection conduit includes a series of pressure markings.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of flowing a supply of feeding solution into the patient through the naso-gastric tube, wherein the collection chamber is lowered below the patient to collect the stomach fluid from the patient following the supply of the feeding solution to the patient.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the collection conduit includes a zero marking, further comprising the steps of:

positioning the collection container above the patient such that the zero marking is aligned with a mid-axillary line of the patient;

determining the level of fluid within the collection conduit relative to the series of pressure markings; and

determining the intra-gastric pressure (IGP) of the patient based upon the level of the fluid and the determined pressure marking.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the collection container is coupled to the naso-gastric tube through a collection conduit, wherein the collection conduit includes a zero marking, further comprising the steps of:

elevating the collection container above the patient such that the zero marking is aligned with a mid-axillary line of the patient;

measuring the level of the fluid within the collection conduit using a printed scale having a series of pressure marking, wherein the printed scale is positioned adjacent to the collection conduit.

18. A system for measuring the gastric residual volume of a patient having a naso-gastric feeding tube, the system comprising:

a collection container in fluid communication with the naso-gastric feeding tube through a collection conduit;

a pressurizing chamber surrounding the collection container;

a source of pressurized air in fluid communication with the open interior of the pressure chamber, wherein the source of pressurized air can be introduced into the open interior of the pressure chamber to pressurize the pressure chamber;

a pressure transducer positioned to determine the pressure within the pressure chamber; and

a flow meter in fluid communication with the pressure chamber, wherein the pressurized air within the open interior of the pressure chamber is vented to atmosphere through the flow meter.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the pressure chamber and collection container are generally aligned with a mid-axillary line of the patient.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the source of pressurized air is supplied to the pressure chamber to pressurize the chamber above the intra-gastric pressure (IGP) of the patient to prevent the flow of stomach fluid into the collection container and a valve in the flow meter is open to depressurize the pressure chamber.

21. A system for measuring the gastric residual volume of a patient having a naso-gastric feeding tube, the system comprising:

a collection container in fluid communication with the naso-gastric feeding tube through a collection conduit, wherein the collection container includes a open interior to receive stomach fluid from the patient;

a series of volumetric markings included on the collection container to measure the collected volume of stomach fluid from the patient; and

a drainage valve in fluid communication with the collection container, wherein the drainage valve is selectively opened to drain at least a portion of the stomach fluid from the open interior.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the collection conduit includes a series of pressure markings.