Enteral feeding tube for feeding patients such as newborn babies, in particular premature babies

Abstract

The invention relates to a tube (1) for the enteral feeding of premature newborn babies comprising: - a first lumen (2) having a proximal end (2a) and a distal end (2b) to be housed in the digestive tract, - a second lumen (3) having a proximal end (3a) and a distal end (3b) protruding from the distal end (3b) of this lumen (3), - an inflatable / deflatable balloon (5), the balloon (5) being positioned around a portion of the distal end (2b), the tube (1) comprising a third lumen (4) having a distal end (4b) connected to the balloon (5) and a proximal end (4a) that can be connected to inflation / deflation means, - the tube (1) being able to be inserted into the digestive tract, the distal end (2b) being housed in the stomach, the inflated balloon (5) being able to be positioned in abutment against the cardia, so as to close the stomach, the distal end (3b) of the second lumen (3) being positioned in the oesophagus before the cardia.

Description

Enteral feeding tube for feeding patients such as newborns, especially premature babies

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical device for enteral feeding of a patient, in particular an enteral feeding tube for feeding patients such as newborns, in particular premature babies.

[0002] In the field of neonatology, there has been an increase in the number of so-called premature births, i.e., births before 37 completed weeks of amenorrhea (WA), which in 2010 represented 11% of live births. Among these premature births, 85% of prematurity is between 32 and 33 WA or between 34 and 36 WA, and 5% is very prematurity at less than 28 WA. Thus, in France, 60,000 newborns are born prematurely each year, including 12,000 before 32 WA.

[0003] Neonatology is a relatively new specialty in which advances in recent years have reduced the mortality and morbidity rate associated with prematurity.

[0004] The most essential needs of premature babies are: - respiratory: requiring respiratory assistance - nutritional: requiring the provision of enteral nutrition by gastric tube or parenteral nutrition by intravenous.

[0005] However, this type of respiratory or nutritional assistance requires care that can be invasive for the premature baby, causing discomfort. Progress has led to great advances in less invasive and personalized care.

[0006] Thus, at the respiratory level, in the case of intubation and ventilation, we seek to limit the duration of this mechanical and invasive procedure, by favoring non-invasive ventilation as soon as possible by blowing air or O2 into the nostrils at different pressures according to the needs of the newborn, in order to transmit it indirectly to the still immature lungs. Such a system is therefore less invasive but not airtight; as a result, there is a more or less significant leakage of gas flow through the mouth to the outside but also to the stomach and abdomen of the patient.

[0007] Therefore, non-invasive ventilation has significant side effects such as: gastric and abdominal air distension, air accumulating in the stomach and esophagus, which is known as "CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) Belly Syndrome" since, at this age, the oropharyngeal structures and the gastric sphincter are soft and loose structures; poor digestive tolerance to milk administered through the gastric tube; compression of the lungs due to abdominal distension and less effective ventilation which requires an increase in ventilation pressures.

[0008] This results in major discomfort for the newborn, which can lead to frequent ailments and the start of a vicious circle.

[0009] To remedy these drawbacks, we reduce the diet, which is a bad solution for a false problem since we then prolong parenteral nutrition, for example intravenously, which increases the risk of infection.

[0010] The ventilation level can also be reduced, which can have respiratory consequences, as respiratory assistance is then less, or even barely, effective. In order to limit the effects of a "bloated" stomach, the air can also be removed manually by massage or by suction through a gastric tube, for example.

[0011] It is therefore important to be able to implement non-invasive ventilation safely while allowing safe enteral feeding using an enteral feeding tube.

[0012] Indeed, enteral nutrition is the most "natural" method of artificial nutrition because it utilizes a large part of the digestive system. Nutrients are thus delivered directly to the stomach or jejunum by various medical devices. The nutrients are then transformed for absorption in the intestine. Enteral nutrition is a treatment in its own right and requires rigorous hygiene.

[0013] A small tube is inserted through the nose or mouth and passed directly into the newborn's stomach. Small amounts of expressed breast milk or formula are then slowly injected into the stomach. If the baby responds well to this feeding, the dose is gradually increased. This method is therefore less invasive than parenteral feeding.

[0014] Among the gastric tubes used for enteral feeding, document WO-A-2018 / 009662, proposes a feeding tube comprising: a main tube, which can be adapted to the nose or in the mouth of a patient, the distal end of the main tube being intended to be positioned at the level of the pylorus of the patient and having an inflatable balloon. This feeding device comprises a secondary tube which extends through the main tube and whose distal end extends beyond the distal end of the main tube into the jejunum. Once introduced into the stomach, the main tube is guided to the pylorus, so that the secondary tube which is used for feeding extends protruding into the jejunum. The balloon is then inflated to engage the pylorus and close it. The main tube has suction ports for sucking fluids present in the stomach into a suction tube.

[0015] Such a tube thus allows for safe feeding. However, it does not solve the problem of air entering the stomach when the premature baby is on non-invasive respiratory assistance. In addition, it does not promote the digestive activity of the stomach.

[0016] The invention therefore aims to propose a probe for the enteral feeding of patients, in particular premature newborns, comprising:- a first lumen constituting a feeding tube having a proximal end and a distal end intended to be housed in the digestive system of the patient,- a second lumen having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the feeding lumen extending projecting relative to the distal end of this second lumen,- an inflatable and deflatable balloon, characterized in that the balloon is positioned around a portion of the distal end of the feeding lumen,- the probe further comprising a third lumen having a distal end which is connected to the balloon and a proximal end connectable to means for inflating and deflating the balloon,- the probe being sized to be inserted into the patient's digestive system so that the distal end of the feeding lumen is housed in the stomach, the balloon once inflated being positionable in abutment against the cardia, to close the stomach while the distal end of the second lumen is positioned in the esophagus before the cardia.,

[0017] Thus, advantageously, the feeding tube according to the invention makes it possible to feed the premature newborn while closing the stomach at the level of the cardia or gastric sphincter, which blocks the entry of air when the premature newborn is also under non-invasive ventilation. A lumen is understood to mean a conduit or channel allowing the circulation of a fluid such as food or air.

[0018] Advantageously, the second lumen comprises at its distal end at least one orifice formed in its cylindrical wall while its proximal end is connected to suction means, said second lumen constituting a tube for suctioning the air contained in the esophagus.

[0019] Thus, the orifice(s) provided at the distal end of the second lumen allow the air contained in the esophagus to be sucked out, which also prevents esophageal distension linked to the accumulation of air or O2 from non-invasive ventilation.

[0020] The feeding tube according to the invention makes it possible to avoid gastric and abdominal air distension linked to non-invasive ventilation while allowing effective feeding. In particular, this prevents the accumulation of air in the stomach from pushing back the diaphragm, which then risks acting on the lungs by compressing them. This improves the well-being and digestive and respiratory comfort of the premature baby, thus providing conditions that improve its growth.

[0021] The feeding tube according to the invention can also be used for other children or adult patients, for example those suffering from neuromuscular diseases, who, when fed enterally and under non-invasive ventilation, may suffer from gastric and abdominal distension, due to air accumulating in the stomach and esophagus.

[0022] According to a first embodiment, the medical device according to the invention is therefore made up of a so-called tri-lumen (lumen) feeding probe made up of three independent tubes defining the three lumens. Each tube is preferably a long, thin tube made of biocompatible material such as polyurethane, silicone, rubber or any other suitable material. The probe according to the invention is therefore simple to implement.

[0023] The first tube constituting a feeding tube has a proximal end and a distal end intended to be housed in the digestive system of the patient, and is housed in a second tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the feeding tube extending projecting from the distal end of this second tube. This second tube preferably forms the suction tube (lumen).

[0024] Advantageously, the third tube, called the inflation / deflation tube, is preferably also housed in the second tube. The feed tube and the third tube connected to the balloon thus extend adjacent over a large part of their length inside the second tube, however each proximal end of these tubes projects from the second tube to allow their respective connection to the different feed and inflation / deflation means, while the proximal end of the second tube can be shaped to be connected to suction means.

[0025] The second tube or suction tube containing the other two tubes is, for example, a silicone tube whose distal end has in its cylindrical wall over a length of 5 cm for example, at least one orifice, preferably five, and whose proximal end can be connected to suction means such as a wall suction.

[0026] Inside this tube are housed the other two tubes. One of the tubes is the feeding tube, and for newborn patients, silicone tubes or probes are generally used, ranging in size from 6 to 14 Fr, preferably 6 Fr. The French unit (Fr) for the diameters of this type of tube is 0.3 millimeters. The open distal end of this tube allows nutrition to be delivered to the stomach. Additional holes can also be provided in the cylindrical wall of this end of the feeding tube.

[0027] The third tube or inflation / deflation lumen allows air to be inflated towards the balloon and extends into the second tube along the feeding tube. A tube such as a pediatric silicone urinary catheter, preferably sized 6Fr, can be used.

[0028] The inflatable and deflatable balloon is positioned around a portion of the distal end of the feeding tube that projects from the second tube, while the third tube has a distal end that is connected to the balloon and a proximal end that is connectable to means for inflating and deflating the balloon.

[0029] The balloon consists of at least one flexible wall, for example tubular, positioned around the distal end portion of the feeding tube which projects relative to the second tube. The balloon, the ends of which are fixed to the feeding tube at the distal end thereof, is thus positioned after the distal end of the second tube. The balloon can be inflated to seal the cardia. Preferably, the proximal end of the balloon can be shaped to fit at the cardia without exerting too much pressure on the stomach, preferably having an end of a shape complementary to the cardia.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the balloon has a shape having at least two parts, the flexible wall being shaped to define a part of mainly spherical shape and a proximal end part of elongated shape having a wall of concave shape, extending in the extension of the wall of the spherical part, when the balloon is inflated.

[0031] Preferably, the wall of the balloon also defines an elongated distal end portion having a concave-shaped wall. The central portion is thus constituted by a spherical segment, corresponding to the central portion of a sphere and each end portion has a concave-shaped wall. The shape of this balloon, particularly at the proximal end, is thus complementary to the shape of the cardia and thus allows appropriate closure of the cardia.

[0032] According to a second embodiment, the medical device according to the invention consists of a so-called tri-lumen (lumen) feeding probe which consists of a single tube in which three conduits or channels are arranged forming the three lumens defining the three feeding, suction and inflation / deflation tubes. This tube is a long tube made of biocompatible material such as polyurethane, silicone, rubber or any other suitable material.

[0033] In this tube, the first lumen-forming duct or feeding tube projects beyond the second lumen-forming duct or suction tube, the latter being closed, while the lumen-forming duct or inflation / deflation tube opens at the balloon mounted around the tube. The feeding lumen-forming duct opens into the stomach.

[0034] The invention also relates to a method for placing a probe according to the invention in the digestive system of a patient, in which the distal end of the probe is inserted through the patient's mouth or nose until the distal end of the feeding tube comprising the balloon is housed in the stomach, the balloon is inflated and a withdrawal traction is exerted on the probe until the balloon is in abutment against the cardia of the stomach and the probe is fixed in position.

[0035] Advantageously, the probe according to the invention is used when the patient is under non-invasive ventilation, by feeding the patient through the feeding tube and sucking the air in the esophagus through the orifices provided at the distal end of the suction tube, the proximal end of which is connected to suction means. Such a probe can of course also be used when the patient is not under non-invasive ventilation.

[0036] To remove this probe, the balloon is deflated and the probe is removed.

[0037] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawing in which the figures represent:

[0038] an elevational view of a probe according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0039] a cross-sectional view of the probe according to section AA;

[0040] a schematic sectional view of a patient equipped with non-invasive ventilation and a probe according to the invention;

[0041] an elevational view of a second embodiment of a probe according to the invention;

[0042] a cross-sectional view of the probe according to section BB;

[0043] a side perspective view of the balloon; and

[0044] ] a perspective view from above of the balloon of the.

[0045] An enteral feeding tube 1 according to the invention is intended to feed premature newborns in order to allow them to be fed while they are under non-invasive ventilation.

[0046] Non-invasive ventilation involves injecting air or oxygen into the patient's lungs using a mask placed over the nose or oxygen goggles.

[0047] The air thus ventilated enters the lungs but also reaches the digestive system, which risks causing gastric distension.

[0048] A feeding tube 1 is then used according to the invention. This tube 1 according to a first embodiment is made up of three tubes forming three lumens. The first tube 2 has a proximal end 2a and an opposite distal end 2b, the distal end 2b being the end allowing the delivery of food into the digestive system while the proximal end 2a is connectable to means containing the food such as a bag of breast milk or infant formula. This feeding tube 2 is housed in a second tube 3 forming a lumen of larger diameter, the feeding tube 2 extends through this second tube 3 and has a length greater than that of the second tube 3 so that the distal end 2b of the feeding tube 2 projects from the distal end 3b of the second tube 3.

[0049] The probe of the invention further comprises an inflatable and deflatable balloon 5. This balloon 5 consists of at least one flexible tubular wall positioned around the distal end portion 2b of the feeding tube 2 which projects from the second tube 3, the balloon 5, the ends of which are fixed to the feeding tube 2 at the distal end 2b thereof, is thus positioned after the distal end 3b of said tube 3. The balloon 5 can thus be positioned at approximately a distance d of 4 cm from the end of the distal end 2b of the feeding tube 2. Once inflated, the balloon 9 can then have an elongated shape, for example an ovoid, spherical, elongated spherical, spherical with a conical end, etc.

[0050] A third tube 4 is housed in the tube 3 (cf.), and has a distal end which is connected to the balloon 5 while its proximal end 4a is connected to means for inflating and deflating the balloon 5. The enclosure defined by the flexible wall of the balloon 5 fills with air which inflates the balloon 5 (visible on the where the wall is shown in a rounded shape once the balloon is inflated (bold line).

[0051] The tubes 2 and 4 extend over a large part of their length inside the tube 3 but each proximal end 2a and 4a projects from the tube 3 to allow their respective connection to the different supply and inflation means, the proximal end 3a of the tube 3 being shaped to be connected to the suction means.

[0052] Thus, the probe 1 is inserted into the patient's digestive system. The length of the feeding tube 2 is suitable to extend into the patient's stomach while the length of the second tube 3 is shorter and extends mainly into the esophagus. The distal end 2b may have additional holes 21 in the cylindrical wall of this end of the feeding tube 2 to facilitate the delivery of nutrition.

[0053] Once the probe 1 is inserted into the digestive tract, until the distal end of the first tube 2 is inside the stomach. The balloon 5 is then inflated. The probe 1 can then be pulled until the balloon 5 comes into contact with the cardia and thus closes the stomach, blocking the access of air from non-invasive ventilation. The balloon 5 therefore ensures a seal between the stomach and the patient's esophagus, thus preventing the entry of air from non-invasive ventilation and therefore abdominal distension.

[0054] The balloon 5 is then advantageously located between the distal end of the second tube 3, which extends into the esophagus and the distal end of the first tube 2 which is located in the stomach.

[0055] The second tube 3 comprises at its distal end 3b orifices 31 formed in the cylindrical wall of said tube 3 while its proximal end 3a is connected to suction means. In this way, the air coming from non-invasive ventilation and located in the esophagus can also be sucked through the orifices 31 of said tube 3 which then constitutes a suction tube. It can be provided that five orifices 31 extend over a length of L of 5 cm from the end of the distal end 3b.

[0056] Thus, the probe 1 being insertable into the stomach so that the distal end of the feeding tube 2 is housed in the stomach, the balloon 5 once inflated makes it possible to close the cardia of the stomach preventing the entry of air coming from non-invasive ventilation 6 while the suction orifices 31 of the distal end 3b of the suction tube 3 are positioned in the esophagus and evacuate the air from said esophagus (cf.).

[0057] A la is shown a second embodiment of the probe according to the invention. The probe 10 shown in la is made up of a tube T comprising three lumens 20, 30, 40 formed by three conduits or channels arranged in the tube T. The first lumen 20 has a proximal end 20a and an opposite distal end 20b, the distal end 20b being the end opening into the digestive system and allowing the delivery of food into the digestive system while the proximal end 20a is connectable to means containing the food such as a bag of breast milk or infant formula. The distal end 20b may comprise additional orifices 210 in the cylindrical wall of this end to facilitate the delivery of food.

[0058] In this tube T, the first conduit forming the lumen or feeding tube 20 projects in relation to the second conduit forming the second lumen or suction tube 30, the latter being closed while the conduit forming the lumen or inflation / deflation tube 40 opens at the level of the balloon, mounted around the tube T. The conduit forming the feeding lumen opens into the stomach.

[0059] The second lumen (channel) 30 thus comprises at its distal end orifices 310 formed in the cylindrical wall of said lumen 30, extending above a balloon 50 positioned around the distal end of the tube T and intended to close the stomach, while its proximal end 30a is connected to suction means. In this way, the air coming from non-invasive ventilation and located in the esophagus can also be sucked through the orifices 310 of said lumen 30 which then constitutes a suction tube. Up to five orifices 310 can be provided extending over a length of L of 5 cm from the end of the distal end.

[0060] The third lumen 40 has a distal end which is connected to the balloon 50 while its proximal end 40a is connected to balloon inflation and deflation means 50.

[0061] The proximal ends 20a, 30a, 40a of the three lumens 20, 30, 40 preferably comprise tips allowing their connection to the various supply, suction and inflation / deflation means.

[0062] In Figures 6 and 7 is shown a variant of balloon 50 which comprises at least one flexible wall 51 intended to be positioned around a portion of the distal end of the tube T or of the tube 2 in the first embodiment. This wall 51 is shaped to define a mainly spherical shape 50a and an elongated proximal end portion having a concave-shaped wall 50b, extending in the extension of the wall of the spherical portion 50a, when the balloon 50 is inflated. Preferably, the wall 51 of the balloon 50 defines an elongated distal end portion having a concave-shaped wall 50c.

[0063] Such a shape allows for advantageous adaptation at the level of the cardia to close the stomach.

Claims

A probe (1, 10) for enteral feeding of patients, in particular premature newborns, comprising:- a first lumen constituting a feeding tube (2, 20) having a proximal end (2a, 20a) and a distal end (2b, 20b) intended to be housed in the digestive system of the patient,- a second lumen (3, 30) having a proximal end (3a, 30a) and a distal end (3b, 30b), the distal end (2b, 20b) of the feeding lumen (2, 20) extending projecting relative to the distal end (3b, 30b) of this second lumen (3, 30),- an inflatable and deflatable balloon (5, 50), characterized in that the balloon (5, 50) is positioned around a portion of the distal end (2b, 20b) of the supply lumen (2, 20), - the probe (1, 10) further comprising a third lumen (4, 40) having a distal end (4b, 40b) which is connected to the balloon (5, 50) and a proximal end (4a,40a) connectable to means for inflating and deflating the balloon (5, 50), constituting a tube for inflating / deflating the balloon (5, 50) - the probe (1, 10) being sized to be inserted into the patient's digestive system so that the distal end (2b, 20b) of the supply lumen (2, 20) is housed in the stomach, the balloon (5, 50) once inflated being positionable in abutment against the cardia, to close the stomach while the distal end (3b, 20b) of the second lumen (3, 30) is positioned in the esophagus before the cardia., Probe (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second lumen (3, 30) comprises at its distal end (3a, 30a) at least one orifice (31, 310) formed in its cylindrical wall while its proximal end (3a, 30a) is connectable to suction means, said second lumen (3, 30) constituting a tube for suctioning the air contained in the esophagus. Probe (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the three lumens consist of three independent tubes, - a first tube constituting the feeding tube (2) having a proximal end (2a) and a distal end (2b) intended to be housed in the digestive system of the patient, - this feeding tube (2) being housed in a second tube (3) having a proximal end (3a) and a distal end (3b), the distal end (2b) of the feeding tube (2) extending projecting from the distal end (3b) of this second tube (3), this second tube (3) constituting the tube for suctioning the air contained in the esophagus - the third tube (4) having a distal end (4b) which is connected to the balloon (5) and a proximal end (4a) connectable to means for inflating and deflating the balloon (5),the inflatable and deflatable balloon (5) being positioned around a portion of the distal end of the feeding tube (2) which projects from the second tube (3)., Probe (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the third tube (4) is housed in the second tube (3). Probe (1) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that each tube (2, 3, 4) is a long, thin tube made of biocompatible material such as polyurethane, silicone, rubber or any other suitable material. Probe (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it consists of a single tube (T) in which three conduits are provided forming the three lumens (20, 30, 40). Probe (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that, in this tube (T), the lumen forming the supply tube (20) projects relative to the lumen forming the second suction tube (30), the latter being closed while the lumen forming the third tube (40) opens at the level of the balloon (50), mounted around the tube (T). Probe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the balloon (5, 50) comprises at least one flexible tubular wall (5a, 51a) positioned around a part of the distal end (2b, 20b) of the supply tube (2, 20) which projects from the second tube (3, 30). Probe (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the proximal end of the balloon (5, 50) is shaped to be housed at the level of the cardia without exerting too much pressure. Probe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the balloon (50) comprises at least one flexible wall (50a) positioned around a portion of the distal end (20b) of the supply tube (20) which projects from the second tube (30), said wall (51) defining a spherical shape (50a) and an elongated proximal end portion having a concave-shaped wall (50b). Probe (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the wall of the balloon (51) defines an elongated distal end portion having a concave-shaped wall (50c).

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