1374 results about "Gastric tube feeding" patented technology

A medical apparatus and method useful for positioning one or more members within the gastrointestinal tract is disclosed. The medical apparatus can include a track supported on a sheath sized to receive an endoscope, and a carrier slidable with respect to the track. A feeding tube accessory adapted to slidably engage the carrier is disclosed.

An atomic layer deposition (ALD) apparatus is, suitable for thermal ALD and plasma-enhanced ALD of conductive and non-conductive films. The ALD apparatus can maintain electrical insulation of a gas dispersion structure, such as a showerhead assembly, which acts as an RF electrode to generate plasma inside a reaction chamber while depositing electrically conductive films in the reaction chamber. Fine tubules of micro-feeding tube assembly prevents plasma generation in them and reactive gases each have separate flow paths through the micro-feeding tube assembly. Process gases out of the micro-feeding tube assembly enter narrow grooves of a helical flow inducing plate and form helical flows which mix well each other. Symmetrically mounted pads on showerhead assembly and flow guiding plate maintain a symmetrical gap through which an inert gas flows continuously to keep reactive gases outside the gap and unwanted film deposition in the gap. Longer operating time before maintenance (cleaning) and thus higher productivity can be achieved.

A gastro-occlusive device, comprising a balloon disposable in a stomach cavity of a patient, and inflatable therein to occlude a portion of the volume of the stomach cavity, a gas flow tube coupled at a distal end thereof with the balloon and extending outwardly through a stomach wall for coupling with a gas source for selectively inflating the balloon, to occlude at least a portion of the volume of the stomach cavity. The gastro-occlusive device may be employed in combination with a feeding tube unit, a drain unit or other ancillary apparatus, and is useful for treatment of morbid obesity and various eating disorders.

A method for aerosolizing a powdered medicament comprises coupling a powder inlet end of a feed tube with a penetration in a receptacle containing the powder. Powder is drawn upward through the tube and dispersed in a high pressure gas stream flowing past a portion of the feed tube. Apparatus comprise the feed tube mounted within a base enclosure proximate a holder for one or more receptacles, which may be in the form of a cartridge containing a plurality of receptacles formed in a continuous web. The cartridge may be reciprocated relative to the feed tube and a separate piercing mechanism in order to sequentially piercing the receptacle and thereafter couple the feed tube through the resulting penetration for extracting the powder. Alternatively, penetration(s) through the receptacle may be formed as the feed tube is coupled, or some penetrations formed prior to coupling with other penetrations formed at the time of coupling.

The invention discloses an efficient paraffin sweatbox. The sweatbox comprises an inner cavity, a heating layer, a heating tube, an outer water inlet tube, a feeding tube, an inner water inlet tube, an inner water outlet tube, an outer water outlet tube and a discharging tube, wherein a heating tube which is arranged in a rotating mode is arranged inside the inner cavity; the feeding tube is arranged on the upper part of the inner cavity; the discharging tube is arranged on the lower part of the inner cavity; the heating layer is arranged outside the inner cavity; the external water inlet tube is arranged on the upper part of the heating layer; the outer water outlet tube is arranged on the lower part of the heating layer; the inner water inlet tube connected to the outer side of the inner cavity is arranged on the upper part of the heating tube; and the inner water outlet tube connected to the outer side of the inner cavity is arranged at the lower side of the heating tube. The heating tube which is extended like a spring in a rotating mode is arranged inside the effective paraffin sweatbox, so that the paraffin is heated uniformly; and the efficient paraffin sweatbox is used in the industry.

A flexible medical intubation instrument provided for placement into an animal or human patient comprises a catheter with at least a pair of longitudinally extending lumens or channels including a sensor and/or actuator channel and a working channel. In the sensor/actuator channel is provided a fixed or slideably removable sensor cable having a sensor for sensing a characteristic or condition including any of the following: a visual sensor for optical viewing, a chemical sensor, a pH sensor, a pressure sensor, an infection sensor, an audio sensor, or a temperature sensor. The sensors are coupled by the sensor/actuator cable through light transmission, electric current, or radio transmission to a viewing instrument or other output device such as a meter or video screen for displaying the condition that is sensed within the body of the patient while the flexibility of the composite structure comprising the catheter and cable enable the entire instrument to flex laterally as it moves through curved passages or around obstructions during insertion or removal. While making observations through the sensor channel, the working channel simultaneously functions as a drain or an irrigation duct, a feeding tube, or to provide a passage for the insertion of one or a succession of surgical devices such that the catheter serves as a protective artificial tract or liner as surgical devices are inserted and removed through it in succession so as to minimize tissue trauma, infection, and pain experienced by the patient. The instrument can be used in urology, as well as a visually directed nasogastric tube, as a visually directed external gastrostomy tube, or as a visually directed internal gastric tube or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube and in other applications.

A hands-free personal hydration delivery system has a tubing assembly that has one end that detachably connects to a feed tube for a container of fluid worn on the back or torso of a user. The other end of the tubing assembly is coupled to a bite valve which is opened when manipulated by the user's mouth to allow fluid to be drawn by suction applied by the user, and is closed when not being manipulated so as to cut off fluid flow in an air-tight condition. An intermediate portion of the tubing assembly is mounted on the user's head or to the user's headgear at a position of higher elevation than the user's mouth. This allows fluid to be drawn to the elevated position and flow downward from there to the user's mouth by gravity feed. The fluid flow can then continue with little suction effort due to the gravity feed and siphoning effect of fluid from the container. The tubing can be mounted using retainer loops or other type of fasteners attached to a helmet, sports cap, head band bracket, headphone bracket, headband, or an earpiece worn by the user. The hydration delivery system is especially useful for bicycling, canoeing, mountain biking, kayaking, canoe paddling, and rowing environments.

A feeding tube apparatus, a kit containing the feed tube apparatus and method for intubating a patient to deliver the feeding tube apparatus to the desired location for delivering nutrients and/or medication are described herein. The feeding tube apparatus (10) contains at least a catheter (20) and a removable stylet (30), where the removable stylet contains one or more magnetic materials (32a-j). In one embodiment, the stylet contains more than one magnetic material in the form of a magnet stack (33). The feeding tube apparatus is used in combination with a suitable external magnet (40) which a medical practitioner can use to guide the feeding tube apparatus (10) through the intestinal tract. Optionally, the feeding tube apparatus contains additional components, such as a spring wire guide. The feeding tube apparatus is inserted into the patient's body and the external magnet (40) is applied to the patient's body within the minimum distance required to create a magnetic field between the external magnet (40) and the magnetic material(s) (32) located at the distal end (34) of the stylet (30) that is sufficiently strong to allow the external magnet to guide the catheter and stylet through the intestinal tract, and into the distal duodenum (470) of the small intestine. Once the catheter is placed in the desired location, the stylet is removed, thereby removing the magnetic material(s) from the feeding tube apparatus. This allows for the catheter to remain in place while the patient undergoes diagnostic testing, such as magnetic resonance imaging.

A flexible medical intubation instrument provided for placement into an animal or human patient comprises a catheter with at least one longitudinally extending lumen or channel. A fixed or slideably removable sensor cable is at least partially contained within the channel, having a sensor for sensing a characteristic or condition. While enabling observations through the sensor channel, the working channel may simultaneously function as a drain or an irrigation duct, a feeding tube, or to provide a passage for the insertion of one or a succession of surgical devices such that the catheter serves as a protective artificial tract or liner as surgical devices are inserted and removed through it in succession so as to minimize tissue trauma.

A ventilation or CPAP interface system adapted to be inserted into a nares of a user to secure the interface. A cannula adapted to be connected to a source of ventilation gas forms a first portion of an input gas flow passage to supply the ventilation gas to the user. A nasal insert adapted to be inserted the nares of the user forms a second portion of the input gas flow passage from the cannula to a distal end of the nasal insert. A seal portion adapted to engage a portion of the first naris is provided adjacent the distal end of the nasal insert. Ventilation interface system may optionally include feed tubes, y-connector, tube holder, and headgear.

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.

Combination of an endoscope and a sheath for covering an inserting tube of the endoscope, the sheath includes an elastic tubular member having an open proximal end and a closed distal end, and the endoscope is provided with an air feeding tube for feeding air from a distal end of the inserting tube to inflate the tubular member when the inserting tube is inserted into the tubular member to be covered therewith.

An adaptive, force-fed paintball loading device capable of delivering paintballs to a paintball marker against the force of gravity is disclosed. The paintball loading device preferably includes a refillable compartment that is generally an oblong elliptical container holding a plurality of paintballs. Paintballs are able to flow through an opening in the lower portion of the compartment and in between two synchronously geared counter-rotating helical augers. The geometry of flutes on the counter-rotating augers causes the paintballs in the lower portion of the container to be engaged between the augers and then pushed along a channel between the augers and out through a feed tube, which is attached to a paintball marker. A DC electric motor is used to drive the augers. A speed reduction unit is employed to reduce the motor shaft speed to a level practicably used by the synchronously geared augers. A feedback control loop and dynamic coupling element are also employed to enhance the response of the loading system to changing rates of fire of the attached paintball marker. Input signals from sensors on the paintball marker and the paintball loading device may also be employed to enhance the responsiveness of the paintball loading device to the demands of the paintball marker.

A ventilation interface and system is described which can be adapted to be connected to a source of ventilation. The ventilation interface and system may include variable exhaust ports. The ventilation interface system may optionally include feed tubes, y-connector, tube holder, and headgear.

A multi-function bundle having all of the basic support functions integrated therein can be used as a basic building block component, for example, in a fuel cell engine. The multi-function bundle is modular, easy to assemble, and able to withstand the physical and thermal shocks encountered in mobile applications. The multi-function bundle utilizes fully distributed fuel and oxidant supply systems which help to reduce temperature gradients throughout the array of fuel cells. The multi-function bundle may be comprised of a plurality of fuel cells, an oxidant supply system, a fuel supply system and a support structure which integrates the fuel cells, oxidant supply system, and fuel supply system into a single unit. The oxidant and fuel supply systems may be fully distributed. The fuel supply system may include one or more fuel feed tube assemblies which allow distributed internal fuel reformation and reduce temperature gradients throughout the array of fuel cells.

In an economical and efficient process and apparatus for producing biofuel from waste oil, such as vegetable oils and animal fats, waste oil is esterified with alcohols to produce alcohol esters and the by-products of the transesterification reaction are recovered. Static pressure may be used as well as continuous flow-through reaction vessels and separation tanks without the need for additional pumps. There may also be specialized reaction tanks that have vertical rotating feed tubes having separators and inlet and outlet openings. The method and device achieves efficient production of biofuel while employing reaction and mixing tanks having a limited size, which in turn permits a smaller plant layout or “footprint”. For example, the largest tank may be in a size of about 36/100,000 times the desired plant output in gallons per year. The benefits of the process and apparatus include minimal space for a plant; minimal on-site feedstock needed therefore minimal on-site storage is needed; minimal capital costs to build a plant e.g., reduction by about fifty to sixty five percent (50 to 65%); reduction in construction time from typically over one year to under three months in many plants; minimal energy usage, e.g., reduction by about sixty percent (60%); minimal labor costs due to the automatic continuous flow; minimal pumps needed thereby reducing pump operation and maintenance costs; environmentally friendlier and safer plant design; and due to smaller plant footprint, lower capital cost and minimal construction time enables site selection much nearer to the raw material supplies, thereby minimizing or even eliminating transportation costs for yellow grease or vegetable oil.

An antenna including a feed tube with radial fins and circular plates at the ends of the tube and fins thereby forming a boundary for a plurality of resonant cavities. Curved plates, connected to the tube by switches of a switching system, partially encompass and subtend to the length of the tube. Interior to the tube, a transmission line from an end plate terminus conducts radio-frequency energy from the terminus to a hub and onto a switch of the switching system in which the switch is mechanically reactive to and actuated by a righting action of the curved plates when the curved plates encounter a sea state. When actuated, energy from the switch distributes to a proximate resonant cavity and curved plate to form a radiation pattern based on the difference in phase of the resonant cavity and curved plate.

There is provided a juicer for extracting juice from fruits and vegetables comprising a lower base, an upper base, a top cover with a hollow cylindrical feeding tube, a grating-disk and mesh filter assembly, a pulp collector, and a pusher. The upper base is mounted on a lower base and receives the grating-disk and mesh filter assembly. The grating disk is a concave shape and tooth-like cutters are arranged into rows on an inclined surface of the grating disk. The top cover is fitted on the upper base and houses a hollow cylindrical feeding tube. Inside the feeding tube is an anti-rotation protrusion, located at the bottom of the feeding tube made an integral part of the feeding tube to prevent the food from spinning inside the tube. The pusher is inserted into the feeding tube and contains a opening that matches the anti-rotation protrusion and into which rests the anti-rotation protrusion. The bottom of the pusher is convex-shaped and matches the concave grating disk. The pusher forces the fruit or vegetable through the bore of the feeding tube onto the grating disk.

The invention relates to systems for securing a tube (e.g. feeding tube) and/or a patient interface or a dermal patch to a user. One embodiment comprises a holder, an interface side of the holder attachable to the patient interface or the dermal patch for securing a feeding tube to the patient interface or the patch, the holder comprising at least a first channel or recess for receiving the feeding tube to couple the feeding tube to the patient interface. Another embodiment comprises a patient interface itself comprising a backing for positioning on a patient's face, a dermal patch having a patient side and an interface side, the patient side of the patch attachable to the user, the patch comprising at least a first flap portion attachable to the tube for affixing the tube to the patch, a two-part releasable connection arrangement for releasably securing the patient interface to the patch.

The invention relates to a bacterial culture fermentation tank device and a fermentation technology thereof. The bacterial culture fermentation tank device is characterized in that the top of the fermentation tank is provided with a cleaning and disinfecting charging tube, a feeding tube and an air input tube; the fermentation tank is controlled by a PLC controller, and the input end of the PLC controller is connected with a temperature sensor, a pH value sensor, a dissolved oxygen value sensor and a stirring speed sensor which are arranged in the tank body; the lower side of the fermentationtank body is provided with a dumping tube; the cleaning and disinfecting charging tube is communicated with a pure steam input tube, an input tube of water for injection, an acid-base lotion input tube, a purified water input tube and a drinking water input tube, wherein the bypass direction of the pure steam input tube is provided with the air intake tube of the air filter; and the air intake tube extends to the bottom of the fermentation tank. The device has good online cleaning, online sterilization and heat preservation effect and is favourable for culturing and fermenting bacteria.

An enteral feeding device and methods of using such device to unclog a feeding tube are described herein, wherein the device includes a first tube having a distal end and a proximal end. The first tube defines a feeding lumen that extends longitudinally through at least a portion of the first tube. The first tube has at least one distal opening capable of allowing introduction of nutrients and/or medicaments from within the feeding lumen through the opening into a gastrointestinal area of a patient when the enteral feeding tube is implanted in a patient. The device also has a wall having a distal end and a proximal end, which extends longitudinally within at least a portion of the first tube. The wall has an exterior surface and an interior surface. At least a portion of the exterior surface of the wall contacts the feeding lumen. The interior surface of the wall and/or the first tube define an inflatable lumen having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the inflatable lumen extends longitudinally through at least a portion of the feeding lumen, and wherein the wall is capable of changing a volume of the feeding lumen by allowing for deflation of the inflatable lumen through removal of a fluid from the inflatable lumen and/or inflation of the inflatable lumen through introduction of a fluid into the inflatable lumen.

A medical apparatus and method useful for positioning a tubular member such as a feeding tube, is disclosed. In one application, the method can include providing a flexible element releasably coupled to the feeding tube, positioning the endoscope within the patient's body, positioning the feeding tube at a desired location in the patient's body; and retracting the flexible element and the endoscope from the patient's body while maintaining the feeding tube in the desired location.

Systems and methods are provided for detecting the position of a feeding tube in a patient's body. A feeding tube having a light source sensor is inserted into a patient. A light is generated over the body of a patient. When the light source sensor detects the presence of the light, a signal is generated. In certain embodiments, the signal may be based upon the intensity of the light perceived at the light source sensor. Certain embodiments provide systems and methods comprising a feeding tube having a proximity sensor target. A detector having a proximity sensor is moved externally about a patient's body such that, when the sensor detects the proximity sensor target of the feeding tube, the proximity sensor produces an indication signal.

Endoscopes, particularly videoscopes, of small size and profile are applied to various medical devices such as intravascular catheters and feeding tubes. The endoscopes are of high flexibility, good resolution and low cost so as to be disposable after use.

A pneumatic or hydraulic massage sock comprised of a unitary molded insole formed with one or more internal pump chambers for generating fluid pressure throughout the user's gait, and a plurality of interconnected compression pads each containing an array of fluid feed tubes. The compression pads fold up and around the foot and calf substantially enveloping them in a low-profile sock-like configuration, and an outer shell is worn overtop to maintain the compression pads against the user's calf. The fluid feed tubes in the compression pads are in fluid communication with the pump insole to provide a self-compressive non-constricting and yet deep-kneading, non-constricting undulating (wavelike) pattern massage action up the leg in accordance with the full-length heel-to-ball-to-toe foot plant. The outer shell hides the pump insole and compression pads and looks like a conventional sock, such that the combination can be worn with virtually any conventional pair of shoes. This provides effective relief for individuals with circulatory disabilities, diabetes, arthritis, etc.

Apparatus and methods for extending a tube, the apparatus including a foldable tube having a folded portion inside an unfolded portion of the tube, and a source of fluid coupled to the unfolded portion for providing fluid into the unfolded portion to unfold and extend the folded portion out of the unfolded portion to become an extension of the unfolded portion. The apparatus and methods are useful, inter alia, for cleansing the colon in the normal direction, that is, from the cecum to the anus, using an apparatus that is introduced via the anus. A washing liquid is supplied deep into the colon via the soft feed tube that is inserted via the anus and is extended into the colon by inflation. The washing liquid is then drained out via the anus through a drainage channel.

A squeezer can be used to produce a pulp contained juice instead of the conventional squeezer only provided juice. The squeezer comprises a motor base, a rotary disk, a bowl, a cutter disk, a mask, an upper lid and a feed tube passed through a receiving opening of the upper lid. In which, a circular lid is introduced between the bottom end of a receiving opening and the cutter disk. The cutter disk has a ring type press plate relative to the cutter disk in an up and down relationship. A gap kept between the ring type plate and the cutter disk allows shredded fruits to be macerated to form pulp contained juice and then drained out. The mask is composed of a support frame and a watertight base. Because the mask has no meshes, the pulp contained juice can be led into the bowl.

A baby bottle feeding apparatus and method for assisting the feeding of a nursing infant by a bottle attached to an elongated feeding tube with pacifier end. The apparatus and method can include a pivotable connector such as a ball and socket connected between an elongated tube and the pacifier that can be rotated to selected positions without pinching off the tube for allowing ease of use by the nursing infant. The apparatus and methods can include additional assists such as allowing the liquid contents of the bottle to become more easily moveable by gravity flow. One embodiment can have a stand that orients the bottle up to approximately ninety degrees which can include forty five degrees when positioning the bottle on a support surface. Another embodiment allows for an interior wall inside the bottle to have a sloped portion so that laying the bottle on its side in a horizontal position still allows gravity to assist moving liquid contents within the bottle to the feeding infant.

A liquid dispensing device, includes a container for holding a supply of a liquid to be dispensed; a liquid feed tube having one end exposed to the interior of one end of the container for feeding liquid by gravity through the opposite end of the liquid feed tube when the container is inverted with the one end of the container facing downwardly and the opposite end of the liquid feed tube located at a lower elevation than the level of the liquid in the container; an air inlet leading from the atmosphere into the interior of the one end of the container so as to be immersed by the liquid therein when the container is filled with a liquid and inverted; and an air inlet control device effective, when the container is inverted, to block the outflow of liquid from the interior of the container via the air inlet, but to permit atmospheric air to enter, via the air inlet into the interior of the container at a very slow rate and to bubble through the liquid within the container, whereby dispensing of the liquid from the container via the liquid feed tube is also effected at a very slow rate.

An endoscopic flow-passage confluent structure that connects a gas-feed tube and a liquid-feed tube provided in an endoscope to a confluent tube communicating with an ejection nozzle arranged at a tip of an insertion portion of the endoscope and for ejecting a cleaning fluid toward a viewing window of the endoscope, the structure comprising: (i) a passage connection member having one end opened with two upstream-passage receiving bores in which the gas-feed and liquid-feed tubes are respectively inserted and fixed, other end opened with one downstream-passage receiving bore, and an intermediate region that communicates the upstream-passage receiving bores with downstream-passage receiving bore and comprises a passage confluent space having a diameter increasing in a taper-form in a direction of from the downstream-passage receiving bore toward the upstream-passage receiving bores; and (ii) a coupler pipe having one end connected to the downstream-passage receiving bore and other end connected with a base of the confluent tube.