Anti-aspiration feeding auxiliary device for patients with dysphagia

Abstract

The invention discloses a mistaken-suction-preventing feeding auxiliary device for a patient with dysphagia. The mistaken-suction-preventing feeding auxiliary device comprises a food storage box and a feeding device. The food storage box is provided with a containing cavity used for containing dysphagia food. The feeding device comprises a metering cylinder, a piston and a feeding pipe, the metering cylinder is provided with a temporary storage cavity, and the metering cylinder is connected with the food storage box through a feeding pipe; the piston is movably sleeved in the metering cylinder; one end of the feeding pipe is connected with the metering cylinder, and a food outlet is formed in the other end of the feeding pipe. The metering cylinder is matched with the piston, so that the volume of food entering the temporary storage cavity each time can be quantified, and it is ensured that each fed food ball has the stable and consistent volume. When the piston moves forwards, the speed of extruding food can be controlled by adjusting the moving speed of the piston, so that food balls enter the feeding pipe at a slow and uniform flow speed, and the phenomenon that the food balls directly flow into the pharyngeal cavity due to too fast delivery is prevented. The feeding pipe enables the food balls to cross a sensitive area in the front middle of the oral cavity and a complex pushing process and directly reach a starting area of swallowing reflex.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of assistive feeding devices, and more particularly to an assistive feeding device for preventing aspiration in patients with swallowing disorders. Background Technology

[0002] When patients with dysphagia eat, due to impaired muscle control or coordination of the swallowing tract, they have difficulty safely and effectively transferring the food bolus to the stomach. This directly leads to a serious risk of incomplete airway protection and abnormal airway closure during eating, making it extremely easy for food or liquids to enter the airway, which may lead to life-threatening consequences such as aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, dehydration, or even suffocation.

[0003] In clinical practice, patients with swallowing dysfunction are routinely fed using a regular spoon. However, this feeding method cannot precisely control the volume of the food bolus, the delivery rate, and the specific position and depth of placement in the mouth each time. This not only easily causes choking but also results in some food bolus falling directly into the airway that has not closed completely in time, significantly increasing the risk of aspiration. Aspiration can cause food or liquid to enter the airway, leading to aspiration pneumonia, airway obstruction, or even suffocation. Furthermore, the feeding dysfunction can lead to malnutrition and dehydration, which can directly endanger the patient's life in severe cases. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide a feeding assistance device for patients with swallowing disorders to prevent aspiration, which solves the problem of aspiration during the eating process.

[0005] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0006] A feeding aid for patients with swallowing disorders to prevent aspiration includes:

[0007] A food storage box having a receiving cavity for containing food with dysphagia.

[0008] A feeding device includes a measuring cylinder, a piston, and a feeding tube. The measuring cylinder has a temporary storage chamber for holding dysphagia-prone food to be fed. The measuring cylinder is connected to a food storage box via a feeding tube, so that the holding chamber communicates with the temporary storage chamber. The piston is movably fitted inside the measuring cylinder and is used to move along the axis of the measuring cylinder to draw in or expel dysphagia-prone food. One end of the feeding tube is connected to the measuring cylinder, and the other end of the feeding tube forms a feeding outlet, which is placed at the base of the patient's tongue to deliver the dysphagia-prone food in the temporary storage chamber to the base of the tongue.

[0009] Furthermore, the measuring cylinder is provided with a handle, and a through space is formed between the handle and the measuring cylinder, the through space being for a person to pass through and hold the measuring cylinder or the handle.

[0010] Furthermore, the axis of the grip is parallel to the axis of the measuring cylinder. The grip has a damping cavity for containing non-Newtonian fluid. A damping rod is movably sleeved within the damping cavity. The piston has a piston rod with an end extending out of the measuring cylinder. The damping rod is connected to the end. The other end of the damping rod is provided with a damping plate, which is slidably sleeved with the damping cavity. The damping plate is provided with multiple liquid passage holes for allowing non-Newtonian fluid to pass through.

[0011] Furthermore, there are two grips, which are positioned opposite each other on opposite sides of the measuring cylinder.

[0012] Furthermore, the feed tube is provided with a first one-way valve, and the feeding tube is provided with a second one-way valve. The first one-way valve is used to prevent dysphagia-prone food from entering the receiving cavity in the temporary storage cavity, and the second one-way valve is used to prevent dysphagia-prone food from entering the temporary storage cavity in the feeding tube.

[0013] Furthermore, both the first one-way valve and the second one-way valve are composed of multiple valves, which are arranged to form a conical structure, and the tip of the conical structure can open in the direction of liquid flow.

[0014] Furthermore, the feeding tube is provided with a limiting member on its outer periphery. The cross-section of the limiting member is larger than the diameter of the feeding tube. The limiting member is used to press against the outside of the patient's lips or gums when the feeding tube is inserted into the patient's mouth, so as to prevent the feeding outlet from extending excessively into the patient's mouth.

[0015] Furthermore, the measuring cylinder is provided with a viewing window and a scale. The viewing window extends along the axial direction of the measuring cylinder and is used to observe the inside of the measuring cylinder. The scale is located on one side of the viewing window.

[0016] Furthermore, the piston has a positioning hole on its side wall, and an elastic element and a positioning block are provided in the positioning hole. The elastic element abuts against the bottom of the positioning hole and the positioning block respectively, so that the positioning block has a tendency to move away from the bottom of the positioning hole. The inner wall of the measuring cylinder has a plurality of grooves for the positioning block to be embedded. The plurality of grooves are spaced apart along the axial direction of the measuring cylinder and correspond to the scale.

[0017] Furthermore, the food storage box is equipped with a stirring rod and a heating element. The stirring rod is located inside the receiving cavity and is used to stir the food with dysphagia. The heating element is used to keep the food with dysphagia warm.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0019] 1. The food storage box has a receiving cavity for holding foods with dysphagia. The receiving cavity of the food storage box centrally stores foods with dysphagia, so that the food bolus is in a cohesive state before entering the delivery path, avoiding difficulties in retrieval and dosage deviation caused by loose or flowing food.

[0020] 2. The feeding device includes a measuring cylinder, a piston, and a feeding tube. The measuring cylinder has a temporary storage chamber for holding dysphagia-prone food to be fed. The measuring cylinder is connected to the food storage box via a feed tube, allowing the storage chamber to communicate with the temporary storage chamber. The piston is movably fitted inside the measuring cylinder and moves along the axis of the measuring cylinder to suction or discharge dysphagia-prone food. The cooperation between the measuring cylinder and the piston allows for precise control of the suction volume through the piston's backward displacement stroke, quantifying the volume of food entering the temporary storage chamber each time. This ensures that each feeding bolus has a stable and consistent volume, preventing dysphagia caused by boluses that are too large or too small. Adjusting the piston's forward movement speed controls the rate at which food is expelled, allowing the bolus to enter the feeding tube at a slow and uniform flow rate, preventing the bolus from rushing directly into the pharynx due to excessive delivery.

[0021] 3. One end of the feeding tube is connected to the measuring cylinder, and the other end forms a feeding outlet. This outlet is placed at the base of the patient's tongue to deliver the dysphagia-prone food from the temporary storage cavity to the base of the tongue. The extension of the feeding tube guides the precise placement of the feeding outlet at the base of the tongue, allowing the food bolus to bypass the sensitive area and complex pushing process in the anterior middle part of the oral cavity and directly reach the initiation zone of the swallowing reflex, shortening the uncontrollable movement path of the food bolus within the oral cavity. This device, through limiting the volume of suction, controlling the flow rate of the pushing speed, and precisely positioning the feeding outlet, structurally solves the shortcomings of traditional feeding methods where the volume, delivery speed, and placement position of the food bolus cannot be precisely controlled. This allows patients with dysphagia to complete swallowing preparations in an orderly manner before the food bolus reaches the pharynx, fundamentally reducing the risk of aspiration caused by uncontrolled food entering the airway, and simultaneously reducing the probability of complications such as aspiration pneumonia, airway obstruction, and secondary malnutrition caused by aspiration. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the feeding aid device for preventing aspiration in patients with swallowing disorders according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The sectional view shown;

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The cross-sectional view of the measuring cylinder shown.

[0025] In the diagram: 1. Food storage box; 2. Receiving cavity; 3. Measuring cylinder; 4. Piston; 5. Feeding tube; 6. Temporary storage cavity; 7. Feed inlet tube; 8. Feed outlet; 9. Handle; 10. Damping cavity; 11. Damping rod; 12. Piston rod; 13. Damping plate; 14. Liquid passage hole; 15. First one-way valve; 16. Second one-way valve; 17. Limiting element; 18. Viewing window; 19. Scale; 20. Positioning hole; 21. Elastic element; 22. Positioning block; 23. Groove; 24. Stirring rod. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The present invention will now be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that, without conflict, the various embodiments or technical features described below can be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments.

[0027] It should be noted that when an element is described as being "fixed to" another element, it can be directly attached to the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is described as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementations.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein in the description of the invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0029] See Figures 1-3 A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a feeding aid device for preventing aspiration in patients with swallowing disorders, comprising: a food storage box 1 and a feeding device.

[0030] The food storage box 1 has a receiving cavity 2 for holding dysphagia-inducing foods. As the direct carrier structure for these foods, the receiving cavity 2 primarily functions to store the food and provide a stable and controllable bolus source for subsequent feeding devices. Through the constraints of its internal volume and geometry, the receiving cavity 2 maintains the relatively aggregated state of the placed dysphagia-inducing foods while awaiting retrieval or transport, preventing the bolus from loosening, flowing, or deforming due to gravity or external disturbances. When the feeding device retrieves the bolus from the receiving cavity 2, the bolus has already undergone preliminary shaping within the cavity and is in appropriate contact with the cavity wall, making the retrieval process smoother and reducing the likelihood of breakage or residue. This ensures that each bolus delivered to the oral cavity has a relatively consistent volume and shape. Through the effective temporary storage and orderly supply of dysphagia-inducing foods, the receiving cavity 2 provides a reliable guarantee for the stable and safe transport of boluses by subsequent feeding devices.

[0031] The feeding device includes a measuring cylinder 3, a piston 4, and a feeding tube 5. The measuring cylinder 3 has a temporary storage chamber 6 for holding dysphagia-inducing food. The measuring cylinder 3 is connected to the food storage box 1 via an inlet tube 7, so that the receiving chamber 2 is connected to the temporary storage chamber 6. The piston 4 is movably fitted inside the measuring cylinder 3 and is used to move along the axis of the measuring cylinder 3 to draw in or expel dysphagia-inducing food. One end of the feeding tube 5 is connected to the measuring cylinder 3, and the other end forms an outlet 8, which is placed at the base of the patient's tongue to deliver the dysphagia-inducing food in the temporary storage chamber 6 to the base of the tongue. The measuring cylinder 3 is kept in communication with the food storage box 1 via the inlet tube 7, allowing dysphagia-inducing food to be continuously delivered from the receiving chamber 2 to the temporary storage chamber 6 of the measuring cylinder 3. Piston 4 is movably fitted into measuring cylinder 3, and achieves two actions—suction and pushing—by moving along its axis: during suction, piston 4 moves backward to draw food from storage box 1 into temporary storage chamber 6 through feed tube 7; during pushing, piston 4 moves forward to expel a measured amount of food from temporary storage chamber 6 into feeding tube 5. One end of feeding tube 5 is connected to measuring cylinder 3, and the outlet 8 at the other end is placed at the base of the patient's tongue, allowing food to be directly delivered to the key area for initiating swallowing. By controlling the displacement stroke of piston 4 within measuring cylinder 3, the volume of the food bolus delivered each time can be precisely adjusted; by controlling the movement rate of piston 4, the delivery speed of the food can be adjusted to avoid excessively fast delivery that could spray into the patient's throat and cause choking. Through the extension and guidance of feeding tube 5, the outlet 8 can be stably positioned at the base of the tongue, allowing the food bolus to pass over the front middle of the oral cavity and directly reach the vicinity of the pharyngeal entrance. This feeding device achieves precise control over the volume, delivery speed, and placement of the food bolus through the synergistic action of suction, metering, and directional delivery. This allows patients with swallowing disorders to prepare for swallowing before the food bolus reaches the pharynx, thereby effectively reducing the risk of aspiration.

[0032] Working principle: The food storage box 1 collects dysphagia-inducing food through its receiving cavity 2 and is connected to the temporary storage cavity 6 of the measuring cylinder 3 via the feeding pipe 7, forming the initial path for food delivery. The measuring cylinder 3, as the core measuring unit, has a piston 4 inside, which can reciprocate along the axis of the measuring cylinder 3. When the piston 4 moves backward, a negative pressure is formed in the temporary storage cavity 6, drawing the dysphagia-inducing food from the food storage box 1 into the temporary storage cavity 6 through the feeding pipe 7. The displacement stroke of the piston 4 is controlled to precisely control the suction volume, thus quantifying the volume of food entering the temporary storage cavity 6. When the piston 4 moves forward, the mechanical thrust forces the quantified amount of food in the temporary storage cavity 6 to the feeding tube 5. One end of the feeding tube 5 is fixedly connected to the outlet of the measuring cylinder 3, and the other end extends into the patient's oral cavity. The feeding outlet 8 at the end is precisely placed at the base of the patient's tongue, so that the food passes through the front middle of the oral cavity and directly reaches the area where the swallowing reflex is activated. This allows the patient to complete the swallowing preparation in an orderly manner before the food bolus reaches the pharynx, thereby avoiding the risk of aspiration caused by the food bolus falling uncontrollably into the airway at the structural level.

[0033] Clearly, the receiving cavity 2 of the food storage box 1 centrally stores food for those with swallowing difficulties, ensuring the food bolus is in a cohesive state before entering the delivery pathway. This avoids difficulties in retrieval and dosage deviations caused by loose or flowing food. The cooperation between the measuring cylinder 3 and the piston 4 allows for precise control of the suction volume through the backward displacement stroke of the piston 4. This ensures that the volume of food entering the temporary storage cavity 6 each time is quantified, guaranteeing that each feeding bolus has a stable and consistent volume and preventing swallowing difficulties caused by boluses that are too large or too small. By adjusting the forward movement rate of the piston 4, the speed at which the food is squeezed out can be controlled, allowing the bolus to enter the feeding tube 5 at a slow and uniform flow rate, preventing the bolus from rushing directly into the pharynx due to excessive delivery. The extension and guidance of the feeding tube 5 precisely positions the outlet 8 at the base of the tongue, allowing the bolus to bypass the sensitive area and complex pushing process in the anterior middle part of the oral cavity and directly reach the initiation zone of the swallowing reflex, shortening the uncontrollable movement path of the bolus within the oral cavity. This device addresses the structural limitations of traditional feeding methods, which cannot precisely control the volume, delivery speed, and placement of the food bolus, by limiting the volume of suction, regulating the flow rate of the push, and accurately positioning the feeding port 8. This allows patients with dysphagia to complete swallowing preparations in an orderly manner before the food bolus reaches the pharynx, thereby fundamentally reducing the risk of aspiration caused by uncontrolled food bolus falling into the airway. It also reduces the probability of complications such as aspiration pneumonia, airway obstruction, and secondary malnutrition caused by aspiration.

[0034] In this embodiment, preferably, the measuring cylinder 3 is provided with a handle 9, and a through-space is formed between the handle 9 and the measuring cylinder 3. The through-space allows a hand to pass through and hold either the measuring cylinder 3 or the handle 9. During operation, the user can insert their fingers into this space and choose to hold either the measuring cylinder 3 or the handle 9 according to their operating habits. This structure allows the operator to hold the device in a more natural and effortless posture, without having to exert extra force to control the measuring cylinder 3 when pushing the piston 4 or adjusting the angle, thus allowing the operator to concentrate on the precise control of the pushing speed and the position of the feeding port 8. Because the operator's grip is stable, the device's position in the patient's mouth remains fixed, and the feeding port 8 will not move unnecessarily. Therefore, the patient does not need to be distracted by observing or worrying about the shaking of the feeding device, and can concentrate all their attention on sensing the arrival of the food bolus and completing the swallowing action. When feeding for a long time, the through-space can accommodate multiple fingers, so that the weight of the device is evenly distributed in the palm, avoiding instability due to hand fatigue. When the feeding port 8 needs to be precisely placed at the base of the tongue, the operator can hold the measuring cylinder 3 with one hand and freely adjust the angle and depth of the feeding tube 5 with the other hand. The handle 9 and the space for insertion allow the operator to stably control the measuring cylinder 3, creating conditions for the patient to concentrate on swallowing, thereby further reducing the risk of aspiration caused by operational interference or patient distraction.

[0035] In this embodiment, preferably, the axis of the handle 9 is parallel to the axis of the metering cylinder 3. The handle 9 has a damping cavity 10 for containing non-Newtonian fluid. A damping rod 11 is movably sleeved within the damping cavity 10. The piston 4 has a piston rod 12 with an end extending beyond the metering cylinder 3. The damping rod 11 is connected to the end of the piston rod 12. The other end of the damping rod 11 is provided with a damping plate 13, which is slidably sleeved with the damping cavity 10. The damping plate 13 has multiple liquid passage holes 14 for allowing non-Newtonian fluid to pass through. When the operator pushes the piston 4 forward, the piston rod 12 drives the damping rod 11 and the damping plate 13 to move synchronously within the damping cavity 10. The damping plate 13 compresses the non-Newtonian fluid within the damping cavity 10, causing it to flow from one side of the damping plate 13 to the other side through each liquid passage hole 14. The viscosity of a non-Newtonian fluid changes in real time with the shear rate it experiences: when the operator pushes the piston 4 too quickly, the damping plate 13 rapidly compresses the fluid, increasing its apparent viscosity due to the increased shear rate and significantly raising the flow resistance. This makes it difficult for the fluid to pass quickly through the liquid passage 14, thus strongly inhibiting the movement of the damping plate 13. This resistance is transmitted to the piston rod 12 via the damping rod 11, preventing the piston 4 from being suddenly and rapidly advanced. This avoids the swallowing food in the temporary storage chamber 6 being ejected due to instantaneous pressure and directly entering the patient's airway. When the operator pushes the piston 4 at a slow and steady speed, the fluid experiences a lower shear rate and has a lower apparent viscosity, allowing it to easily pass through the liquid passage 14. The damping plate 13 experiences only slight resistance as it moves, and the piston 4 can still be advanced smoothly, allowing the food to flow slowly and evenly through the feeding tube 5 from the outlet 8 to the base of the patient's tongue. Through the synergistic effect of the damping cavity 10, damping rod 11, damping plate 13 and non-Newtonian fluid, this structure establishes a dynamic relationship between the thrust speed of piston 4 and damping force, so that the delivery rate of the food bolus can remain relatively stable even when the operator applies uneven force. It provides an automatic adjustment mechanism for the delivery speed of the food bolus from a physical level, further reducing the risk of aspiration caused by the food bolus being delivered too quickly.

[0036] In this embodiment, preferably, two handles 9 are provided, which are arranged opposite each other on opposite sides of the measuring cylinder 3. When the operator uses both hands to hold the cylinder, they can insert their fingers into the spaces of the two handles 9 respectively, and choose to hold the handle 9 or the cylinder wall of the measuring cylinder 3 according to the operational needs. This symmetrical double-handle structure allows the operator to apply force with both hands in coordination when pushing the piston 4 or sucking up the food bolus, effectively avoiding device deflection or shaking caused by uneven force application when operating with one hand. When pushing the piston 4, both hands apply axial force simultaneously, so that the force direction of the piston rod 12 and the damping rod 11 is always consistent with the axis of the measuring cylinder 3. The rods will not be deflected due to force application on one side, thereby avoiding additional frictional resistance caused by biased force. Since the piston rod 12 and the damping rod 11 always remain aligned during the movement, the contact between the two and their respective mating hole walls is more uniform and smooth, the stability of the piston 4 movement is improved, and the flow rate of the food bolus being squeezed out is more uniform and controllable. During suction, the piston rod 12 and handle 9 can be gripped with both hands respectively for pulling. The use of opposing fulcrums on both sides makes the piston 4's backward movement more effortless and smooth. Because the gripping with both hands distributes the load evenly, the operator's hands are less prone to fatigue, allowing for sustained control of the device. This symmetrical handle 9 layout improves the reliability of bolus delivery control from both operational stability and mechanical smoothness perspectives, enabling the operator to focus more on observing and cooperating with the patient's swallowing.

[0037] In this embodiment, preferably, the feed tube 7 is equipped with a first one-way valve 15, and the feeding tube 5 is equipped with a second one-way valve 16. The first one-way valve 15 is used to prevent dysphagia-prone food in the temporary storage chamber 6 from entering the receiving chamber 2, and the second one-way valve 16 is used to prevent dysphagia-prone food in the feeding tube 5 from entering the temporary storage chamber 6. When the piston 4 moves backward to perform suction, a negative pressure is formed in the temporary storage chamber 6. The first one-way valve 15 opens, allowing food in the receiving chamber 2 to enter the temporary storage chamber 6 through the feed tube 7. At this time, the second one-way valve 16 remains closed due to the reverse pressure difference, which can prevent air or food residue in the feeding tube 5 from being sucked into the temporary storage chamber 6, ensuring that the suction volume each time comes only from the receiving chamber 2. When the piston 4 moves forward to perform pushing, the pressure in the temporary storage chamber 6 increases, and the second one-way valve 16 opens, allowing food to be transported to the feeding port 8 through the feeding tube 5. At this time, the first one-way valve 15 remains closed due to the reverse pressure difference, which can prevent food from being pushed back into the feed tube 7 under pressure, ensuring that all the pushed food boluses enter the feeding tube 5. By cooperating with the first one-way valve 15 and the second one-way valve 16, this structure directionally constrains the flow path of the food during the suction and pushing strokes, ensuring that the food bolus is always transported in an orderly manner along a single direction from the food storage box 1 to the temporary storage chamber 6 and then to the feeding tube 5. This not only ensures the accuracy of the suction and pushing volume each time, but also avoids dosage deviation and cross-contamination that may be caused by bidirectional flow of the food bolus in the pipeline, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of food bolus delivery from the perspective of flow control.

[0038] In this embodiment, preferably, both the first one-way valve 15 and the second one-way valve 16 are composed of multiple valves, which together form a conical structure. The tip of the conical structure can open in the direction of liquid flow. When fluid flows in the forward direction, the multiple valves expand outward under force, and the tip of the cone opens to form a flow channel. When the fluid flows in the reverse direction or is in a static state, the valves return to the closed position due to their own elasticity, and the tip of the cone fits tightly to achieve a seal. When the piston 4 moves backward to draw in fluid, the valve of the first one-way valve 15 opens under negative pressure to allow the food bolus to enter the temporary storage chamber 6, and the valve of the second one-way valve 16 closes due to the reverse pressure difference, ensuring that the suction volume comes only from the food storage box 1. When the piston 4 moves forward to push the feed, the valve of the second one-way valve 16 opens under positive pressure to allow the food bolus to enter the feeding tube 5, and the valve of the first one-way valve 15 closes to prevent the food bolus from flowing back. This valve-type one-way valve structure achieves low-resistance conduction of forward flow and reliable cut-off of reverse flow through the elastic deformation and automatic reset of the valve. This ensures that the bolus is always transported in an orderly manner in one direction during both the suction and push strokes, guaranteeing the accuracy of each delivery and avoiding bolus leakage and dosage deviation caused by insensitive valve opening and closing or poor sealing.

[0039] Understandably, as a superior implementation, the one-way valve structure is formed by multiple valves directly enclosing each other, eliminating the need for springs, balls, or additional seals. Its overall construction is simple and reliable, and it can be integrated low-cost into the feed tube 7 and feeding tube 5. This allows the tubing section containing the one-way valve to be separated from the main body of the device and used as a disposable consumable. In clinical applications, each patient can use an independent set of tubing with valves, which is discarded after use. This avoids the risk of cross-infection caused by reuse and eliminates the cumbersome operation of disassembling and cleaning the one-way valve.

[0040] In this embodiment, preferably, a limiting member 17 is provided on the outer periphery of the feeding tube 5. The cross-section of the limiting member 17 is larger than the diameter of the feeding tube 5. The limiting member 17 is used to abut against the outside of the patient's lips or gums when the feeding tube 5 is inserted into the patient's mouth, so as to prevent the feeding outlet 8 from extending excessively into the patient's mouth. When the feeding tube 5 is inserted into the patient's mouth, the limiting member 17 can abut against the outside of the patient's lips or gums, thereby physically limiting the insertion depth of the feeding tube 5. This limiting structure allows the feeding outlet 8 to be accurately positioned at the base of the tongue, preventing the feeding outlet 8 from touching the posterior pharyngeal wall or entering the laryngeal vestibule due to excessive insertion, which could trigger a gag reflex or aspiration. For patients with dull oral sensation or weak swallowing reflex, the limiting member 17 can prevent the feeding tube 5 from continuing to penetrate deeper without their awareness; for patients with poor cooperation or those whose heads are easily moved, the limiting member 17 can keep the position of the feeding outlet 8 relatively fixed when they move, preventing the food bolus from deviating from the base of the tongue due to fluctuations in insertion depth. The limiting component 17 also provides the operator with a clear indication of the insertion depth, allowing them to quickly place the feeding port 8 into position without relying on visual inspection or experience. This enables the operator to focus their attention on controlling the pushing speed and observing the patient's swallowing status. Through the physical constraint of the insertion depth by the limiting component 17, this structure improves the accuracy and stability of the positioning of the feeding port 8 during placement, allowing the food bolus to be delivered to the base of the tongue in a controllable manner, further reducing the risk of aspiration caused by excessive insertion or positional deviation.

[0041] It is understood that, as a preferred implementation, the limiting member 17 can be adjusted and moved axially along the feeding tube 5. When the feeding tube 5 is inserted into the patient's mouth, the limiting member 17 can abut against the outside of the patient's lips or gums. Through its adjustable positioning function, it can adapt to the oral anatomy of different patients, so that the feeding opening 8 can be accurately positioned at the base of the tongue, preventing nausea or aspiration caused by excessive insertion that touches the posterior pharyngeal wall or laryngeal vestibule.

[0042] In this embodiment, preferably, the measuring cylinder 3 is provided with a viewing window 18 and a scale 19. The viewing window 18 extends along the axial direction of the measuring cylinder 3 and is used to observe the inside of the measuring cylinder 3. The scale 19 is located on one side of the viewing window 18. The operator can directly observe the real-time status of the dysphagia food in the temporary storage cavity 6 through the viewing window 18, including the degree of fullness of the food, changes in shape, and the presence of air bubbles or gaps. The scale 19 serves as a quantitative reference, indicating the volume position of the food in the temporary storage cavity 6. When the piston 4 aspirates, the operator can judge whether the aspiration is smooth based on the rise of the food interface in the viewing window 18 and confirm whether the aspiration volume has reached the preset value by referring to the scale 19. When the piston 4 pushes, the operator can observe the descent of the food interface and control the start and stop positions of the push in conjunction with the scale 19 to keep the volume of the extruded food bolus stable each time. For scenarios requiring multiple feedings, the operator can use the viewing window 18 and scale 19 to divide the food in the temporary storage chamber 6 into multiple feeding units, ensuring a uniform feeding amount each time. Through the visual pathway provided by the viewing window 18 and the quantitative indication provided by the scale 19, this structure allows the operator to monitor and adjust the bolus volume in real time in an intuitive and precise manner, thereby improving the accuracy and controllability of bolus delivery from both visual feedback and quantitative control perspectives.

[0043] In this embodiment, preferably, the side wall of the piston 4 is provided with a positioning hole 20, and an elastic element 21 and a positioning block 22 are provided in the positioning hole 20. The elastic element 21 abuts against the bottom of the positioning hole 20 and the positioning block 22 respectively, so that the positioning block 22 has a tendency to move away from the bottom of the positioning hole 20. The inner wall of the measuring cylinder 3 is provided with a plurality of grooves 23, which are used for the positioning block 22 to be inserted. The plurality of grooves 23 are spaced apart along the axial direction of the measuring cylinder 3 and correspond to the scale 19. When the piston 4 moves in the measuring cylinder 3, the positioning block 22 abuts against the inner wall of the measuring cylinder 3 under the push of the elastic element 21, and is inserted into the groove 23 when it moves to the position of the groove 23. When the positioning block 22 is inserted into the groove 23, a perceptible change in resistance and a slight jamming sensation will be generated. The operator can judge by touch whether the piston 4 has reached the volume position corresponding to the scale 19. If the piston 4 needs to be moved further, the operator can apply a slightly larger axial force to compress the elastic element 21 of the positioning block 22 and disengage it from the groove 23, allowing it to enter an adjacent groove 23 or a smooth section. This positioning structure provides the operator with tactile feedback that matches the scale 19, enabling them to perceive the volume position of the piston 4 without constantly looking at the scale 19. When the operator needs to extract a fixed amount of food from the temporary storage chamber 6, they can sense the number of times the positioning block 22 is inserted into each groove 23 during the extraction process, thereby confirming whether the extraction volume has reached the target scale 19. When it is necessary to push the food bolus in multiple times, the operator can divide the food in the temporary storage chamber 6 into multiple feeding units based on the feel of the positioning block 22 being inserted into the groove 23, ensuring that the amount pushed each time is uniform. Through the cooperation of the positioning block 22 and the groove 23, this structure provides a graded positioning and position confirmation function for the axial movement of the piston 4 from a tactile perspective, making the adjustment and control of the food bolus volume more intuitive and reliable, and further improving the applicability and measurement accuracy of the device under diverse operating conditions.

[0044] In this embodiment, preferably, the food storage box 1 is equipped with a stirring rod 24 and a heating element. The stirring rod 24 is disposed within the receiving cavity 2. The stirring rod 24 is used to stir the food for dysphagia, and the heating element is used to keep the food warm. When the stirring rod 24 rotates within the receiving cavity 2, it can continuously or intermittently agitate the food for dysphagia, maintaining a uniform texture and stable rheological properties, and preventing sedimentation, stratification, or surface crusting caused by standing. The heating element applies gentle heat to the food within the receiving cavity 2, maintaining its temperature within a suitable range for swallowing, and preventing the food from becoming more viscous or the oil from solidifying due to cooling. When the food is a paste containing starch, the stirring rod 24 prevents starch from settling at the bottom of the receiving cavity 2, which would result in inconsistent consistency between the upper and lower layers. The heating element prevents the paste from forming a gel-like mass that is difficult to push after cooling. When the food is a liquid with added thickener, the stirring rod 24 ensures that the thickener is evenly dispersed in the liquid phase, guaranteeing consistent flowability for each batch of food. The heating element maintains the stability of the thickener at a suitable temperature, preventing excessive thickening due to temperature drops. Through the continuous homogenization of the food by the stirring rod 24 and the temperature maintenance by the heating element, this structure ensures that the dysphagia-prone food in the receiving cavity 2 maintains stable properties and a suitable temperature throughout the feeding process. This provides a source of uniform food boluses for subsequent metering and transportation, thereby improving the controllability and safety of the feeding process from the perspective of food pretreatment.

[0045] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of those different embodiments or examples.

[0046] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0047] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various variations or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application, and these should all be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An anti-aspiration eating aid for a patient with dysphagia, characterized by, include: A food storage box (1) having a receiving cavity (2) for containing food with dysphagia; The feeding device includes a measuring cylinder (3), a piston (4), and a feeding tube (5). The measuring cylinder (3) has a temporary storage cavity (6) for holding dysphagia food to be fed. The measuring cylinder (3) is connected to the food storage box (1) through a feeding tube (7) so that the receiving cavity (2) is connected to the temporary storage cavity (6). The piston (4) is movably fitted inside the measuring cylinder (3) and is used to move along the axis of the measuring cylinder (3) to suck or discharge dysphagia food. One end of the feeding tube (5) is connected to the measuring cylinder (3), and the other end of the feeding tube (5) forms an outlet (8). The outlet (8) is placed at the base of the patient's tongue to deliver the dysphagia food in the temporary storage cavity (6) to the base of the tongue.

2. The anti-aspiration eating aid of claim 1, wherein, The measuring cylinder (3) is provided with a handle (9), and a through space is formed between the handle (9) and the measuring cylinder (3), which allows a person to pass through and hold the measuring cylinder (3) or the handle (9).

3. A misuse-aspiration-preventing eating aid for a patient with a swallowing disorder according to claim 2, characterized in that The axis of the handle (9) is parallel to the axis of the measuring cylinder (3). The handle (9) has a damping cavity (10) for containing non-Newtonian fluid. A damping rod (11) is movably sleeved in the damping cavity (10). The piston (4) has a piston rod (12) with an end extending out of the measuring cylinder (3). The damping rod (11) is connected to the end. The other end of the damping rod (11) is provided with a damping plate (13). The damping plate (13) is slidably sleeved with the damping cavity (10). The damping plate (13) is provided with a plurality of liquid passage holes (14) for non-Newtonian fluid to pass through.

4. A feeding aid for patients with dysphagia according to claim 3, characterized in that, Two grips (9) are provided, and the two grips (9) are arranged opposite each other on opposite sides of the measuring cylinder (3).

5. A feeding aid for patients with dysphagia according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feed tube (7) is provided with a first one-way valve (15), and the feeding tube (5) is provided with a second one-way valve (16). The first one-way valve (15) is used to prevent the dysphagia food in the temporary storage cavity (6) from entering the receiving cavity (2), and the second one-way valve (16) is used to prevent the dysphagia food in the feeding tube (5) from entering the temporary storage cavity (6).

6. A feeding aid for patients with dysphagia according to claim 5, characterized in that, Both the first one-way valve (15) and the second one-way valve (16) are composed of multiple valves, which are arranged to form a conical structure. The tip of the conical structure can open in the direction of liquid flow.

7. A feeding aid for patients with dysphagia according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding tube (5) is provided with a limiting member (17) on its outer periphery. The cross section of the limiting member (17) is larger than the diameter of the feeding tube (5). The limiting member (17) is used to block the outside of the patient's lips or gums when the feeding tube (5) is inserted into the patient's mouth, so as to prevent the feeding outlet (8) from being inserted too far into the patient's mouth.

8. A feeding aid for patients with dysphagia according to claim 1, characterized in that, The measuring cylinder (3) is provided with a viewing window (18) and a scale (19). The viewing window (18) extends along the axial direction of the measuring cylinder (3) and is used to observe the inside of the measuring cylinder (3). The scale (19) is located on one side of the viewing window (18).

9. A feeding aid for patients with dysphagia according to claim 8, characterized in that, The piston (4) has a positioning hole (20) on its side wall. The positioning hole (20) is provided with an elastic element (21) and a positioning block (22). The elastic element (21) abuts against the bottom of the positioning hole (20) and the positioning block (22) respectively, so that the positioning block (22) has a tendency to move away from the bottom of the positioning hole (20). The inner wall of the measuring cylinder (3) is provided with a plurality of grooves (23). The grooves (23) are used for the positioning block (22) to be embedded. The plurality of grooves (23) are distributed at intervals along the axial direction of the measuring cylinder (3) and correspond to the scale (19).

10. A feeding aid for patients with dysphagia according to claim 1, characterized in that, The food storage box (1) is equipped with a stirring rod (24) and a heating element. The stirring rod (24) is located in the receiving cavity (2). The stirring rod (24) is used to stir the food with dysphagia, and the heating element is used to keep the food with dysphagia warm.

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