Method and system for the determination of residual volume in patients having an enteral feeding tube

• US 8,529,471 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2008
• Issued: 09/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Holtech Medical
• Original Assignee: Holtech Medical
• Inventors: Holte, Bo
• Primary Examiner(s): Dougherty, Sean
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stout, Michael C
• Application Number:
  US12/329,258
• Publication Number:
  US 20100137746A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,740 Days
• Field of Search: 600/561, 600/573, 600/581, 600/583, 600/301, 60/28, 609/10, 604/03, 604/28, 604/910, 604/403
• 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 and an intra-gastric pressure (IGP) in a patient receiving a feeding solution through a naso-gastric feeding tube, the method comprising the steps of:

positioning a collection container in fluid communication with the naso-gastric feeding tube, the collection container being sized to collect and measure a volume of stomach fluid from the patient anywhere within a critical range of at least 100 ml and up to 499 ml;

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

lowering the empty collection container below the patient such that the stomach fluid from within the patient'"'"'s stomach flows into the collection container;

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

elevating the collection container including the collected stomach fluid above the patient to return the stomach fluid to the patient; and

determining the intra-gastric pressure of the patient based upon the completed return of the stomach fluid to the patient.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the series of pressure markings includes a zero marking, further comprising the steps of:

elevating the collection container above the patient to return the stomach fluid to the patient, wherein the collection container is elevated such that the zero marking on the collection conduit 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.

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

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

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

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining the intra-gastric pressure includes utilizing a pressure sensor.

6. A method of measuring the gastric residual volume and intra-gastric pressure of a patient receiving a feeding solution through a naso-gastric feeding tube, the method comprising the steps of:

connecting a collection container to the naso-gastric feeding tube through a collection conduit, wherein the collection conduit includes a series of pressure markings;

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

lowering the empty collection container below the patient following the supply of the feeding solution to 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;

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

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

determining intra-gastric pressure of the patient based on the level of fluid within the collection conduit relative to at least one pressure marking.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the collection container includes a series of volume markings to provide an indication of the volume of stomach fluid in the collection container,

8. A system for measuring the gastric residual volume and intra-gastric pressure of a patient receiving enteral feeding through a naso-gastric feeding tube, the system comprising:

a transparent collection container in fluid communication with the naso-gastric feeding tube through a transparent collection conduit, wherein the collection container includes an open interior sized to collect and measure volumes of stomach fluid from the patient anywhere within a critical range of at least 100 ml and up to 499 ml to temporarily receive a gastric residual volume of stomach fluid from the patient;

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

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; and

a series of pressure markings including a zero marking printed on the collection conduit, wherein the height of the stomach fluid in the collection conduit relative to the pressure marking indicates the intra-gastric pressure of the patient when the zero marking is aligned with a mid- axillary line of the patient.