Self-illuminating endogastric tubes and method of placing endogastric tubes

Abstract

A self-illuminating endogastric tube which simplifies the correct placement of the distal end of the endogastric tube within the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. A self-illuminating stylet which simplifies the correct placement of the distal end of an endogastric tube within the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. A method of placing the distal end of an endogastric tube within the gastrointestinal tract of a patient that does not expose the patient to radiation, or that limits the amount of radiation exposure to less than the amount associated with standard methods of placing the distal end of an endogastric tube within the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. A method of confirming the correct placement of an endogastric tube that does not expose the patient to radiation, or that limits the amount of radiation exposure to less than the amount associated with standard methods of placing an endogastric tube.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present Application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13 / 350,687, titled “Self-Illuminating Endogastric Tubes and Method of Placing Endogastric Tubes,” filed Jan. 13, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 432,947, titled “Self-Illuminating Endogastric Tubes and Method of Placing Endogastric Tubes,” filed Jan. 14, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated in this disclosure by reference in their entirety.[0002]Endogastric tubes, such as for example nasogastric tubes and orogastric tubes, are placed through the nasal passage or oral cavity, respectively, and into the gastrointestinal tract of a patient as a conduit for introducing or removing substances into or from the gastrointestinal tract of the patient. Endogastric tubes are particularly useful in the treatment of patients who cannot take nutrition orally such as patients with compromised mentation or defects in swallowing.BACKG...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a self-illuminating endogastric tube and a self-illuminating stylet for placing the tube. The endogastric tube has a tubular body with a proximal end and a distal end, and a light transmitting element within the tubular body that extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The light transmitting element is a one or more than one light transmitting element, such as an optical fiber or cable of optic fibers, that allows light to pass through the tubular body. The tubular body has a transparent or translucent wall that allows light to pass through. The self-illuminating endogastric tube and stylet can be used with a light supplying source and are useful for medical procedures such as gastric tubulation.

Problems solved by technology

While generally effective, this method of placing an endogastric tube is disadvantageously associated with various complications, including incorrect placement of the distal end of the endogastric tube into the trachea or bronchial tree with the development of hemothorax, pneumonia or pneumothorax, penetration of the esophagus, or incorrect placement of the distal end of the endogastric tube into the cranial cavity (when placement is associated with basal skull fractures) and mediastinitis.

Additionally, determination of correct placement or incorrect placement by radiography exposes the patient to significant radiation with the inherent long-term risks of radiation exposure.

Therefore, repeated radiographic confirmation of the placement of the distal end of the endogastric tube is required, increasing the amount of radiation exposure and inherent long-term risks of radiation exposure.

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