162 results about "Enteral feedings" patented technology

An intubation device is provided for use with a guide apparatus having a track that is adapted to be associated with an endoscope such that bending of the track is substantially decoupled from bending of the endoscope. The intubation device includes an elongated, flexible tube and a mating member attached to the tube and adapted to slidingly engage the track external of the endoscope. The intubation device further includes a tissue bolster disposed on the proximal portion of the tube and changeable between a collapsed and an expanded configuration. The tube is positionable inside the upper gastrointestinal tract of a patient such that the proximal end of the tube is externalized through the gastric and abdominal walls of the patient, and wherein the tissue bolster is securable against the inner gastric wall when the tissue bolster is in the expanded configuration.

A prebiotic, composition comprising a probiotic and prebiotic, and method of delivering a probiotic, prebiotic or composition directly into the intestinal tract of a mammal are disclosed. The probiotic is any beneficial bacteria and the prebiotic is a substance beneficial to a probiotic. Most preferably, the prebiotic includes a mucopolysaccharide. The method preferably involves delivering the prebiotic, probiotic or composition via a delivery tube, such as an enteral feeding tube, directly to a position downstream of the stomach, most preferably to the jejunum.

Lockable enteral feeding adapters are disclosed. A female adapter has a female tapered cavity having a circular sidewall, a tapered inner surface and an external surface. The female tapered cavity has an external opening at a proximal end thereof that does not form a liquid-tight connection with a standard male Luer conical fitting. One or more threads are disposed on the external surface of the tapered cavity. A male adapter has a male tapered cone that is sized to mate with the female tapered cavity. The male tapered cone is too large to form an effective connection with a standard female Luer conical fitting. An internally threaded locking ring is mounted around the male tapered cone. Rotation of the locking ring relative to the one or more threads locks the male adapter to the corresponding female adapter to prevent unintentional disengagement of the male and female adapters.

A connector is provided which includes a body with a conduit therethrough and a protrusion extending from the body. The body has a first end, a second end, an inner surface and an outer surface. The protrusion desirably extends from the outer surface of the body and is desirably configured to be received in a second member so as to allow the connector and the second member to be releasably interconnected. Although a connector in accordance with the present invention may be used with feeding sets, enteral feeding tubes and the like, it is use is not limited thereto, nor is its use limited to use in the medical arts.

Lockable enteral feeding adapters are disclosed. A female adapter has a female tapered cavity having a circular sidewall, a tapered inner surface and an external surface. The female tapered cavity has an external opening at a proximal end thereof that does not form a liquid-tight connection with a standard male Luer conical fitting. One or more threads are disposed on the external surface of the tapered cavity. A male adapter has a male tapered cone is sized to mate with the female tapered cavity. The male tapered cone is too large to form an effective connection with a standard female Luer conical fitting. An internally threaded locking ring is mounted around the male tapered cone. Rotation of the locking ring relative to the one or more threads locks the male adapter to the corresponding female adapter to prevent unintentional disengagement of the male and female adapters.

An enteral feeding unit or system that minimizes the occurrence of gastro-esophogeal-pharynegal reflux during feeding is described. The enteral feeding unit or device includes an automatable feeding pump with a feedback sensor for sensing a relative pressure in a patient's stomach and esophagus, and a regulator system for controlling or monitoring feeding rate to said patient as a function of said relative gastro-esophageal pressure. The system includes a stomach probe that has a fluid-tight closure of the esophagus. The stomach probe, according to the invention, is characterized by a tampon-bladder for watertight closure of the esophagus, in which the tampon-bladder forms from flexible and / or elastic material at least a closed inner cavity for the reception of a fluid medium, through a means (11) of establishing a prescribed pressure for the medium in the tampon-bladder (16) by an inner lumen forming the actual stomach probe, from which an outer hose-like lumen (18) extending to the tampon-bladder (16) is so arranged that between the outer lumen (18) and the inner lumen (17) a channel is formed connected to the inner cavity of the tampon-bladder (16) arranged on the outer lumen (18) by a number of openings (20), whereby the inner cavity of the tampon-bladder (16) is connected via the canal formed between the inner and outer lumina (17, 18) with the means of production of pressure in the tampon-bladder, that is, with a suitably graded reservoir or equalizing vessel (11) for the liquid medium situated above the tampon-bladder and outside the patient.

An enteral feeding tube provides a conduit for the flow of liquid nutritional material. Most of the enteral feeding tube that is external to the patient is generally horizontal when the device is positioned in a stoma of a user lying in a prostrate position. A housing surrounds the horizontal portion enteral feeding tube, provides a low profile, aids in holding the enteral feeding tube in place, and protects the enteral feeding tube. The bottom surface of the housing comprises a resilient material that contacts the skin of the patient. The enteral feeding tube comprises a balloon that is positioned in the stomach to retain the device in the stomach. An air conduit extends generally vertically from an upper portion of the housing and through the enteral feeding tube to communicate with the balloon.

An enteral feeding unit that reduces the occurrence of gastro-esophogeal-pharynegal reflux during feeding includes an automatable feeding pump with a feedback sensor for sensing a relative pressure in a patient's stomach and esophagus, and a regulator system for controlling and monitoring feeding rate to the patient as a function of the relative gastro-esophageal pressure. The system includes a stomach probe that provides a fluid-tight closure of the esophagus. The stomach probe includes a tampon-bladder for watertight closure of the esophagus, in which the tampon-bladder is formed of flexible and / or elastic material. At least an inner cavity of the bladder is provided for the reception of a fluid medium. A prescribed pressure for the medium in the tampon-bladder (53) is maintained by an inner lumen forming the stomach probe, from which an outer hose-like lumen (62) extending to the tampon-bladder (53) is so arranged that between the outer lumen (62) and the inner lumen (61) a channel is formed connected to the inner cavity of the tampon-bladder (53) arranged on the outer lumen (62) by a number of openings (57). The inner cavity (58) of the tampon-bladder (53) is connected via a canal formed between the inner and outer lumina (62) with a suitably graded reservoir or equalizing vessel for the liquid medium situated above the tampon-bladder and outside the patient.