Spring-Loaded Gastrostomy Feeding Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gastrostomy feeding devices require frequent replacement due to changes in gastrostomy tract length caused by weight fluctuations or inflammation, leading to complications like Buried Bumper Syndrome, leakage, and gastrointestinal issues.
Innovation Solution
A gastrostomy feeding apparatus with a force-generating device comprising axially expansible and contractible spring members that automatically adjust to maintain pressure contact with the stomach wall, eliminating the need for manual adjustments or replacements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional SLD with fixed shaft length is used, then the device is simple in structure and easy to manufacture, but it requires replacement when gastrostomy tract length changes due to weight fluctuations or inflammation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the fixed shaft with a spring member that can dynamically adjust its length. The spring member expands and contracts in response to changes in gastrostomy tract length, maintaining continuous pressure contact between the internal bolster and stomach wall without requiring device replacement or manual adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the elastic properties of the spring member to change its length parameter. The spring member's length varies automatically in response to tract length changes, allowing the device to adapt to different physiological states (weight gain/loss, inflammation) while maintaining reliable pressure contact.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the SLD shaft length is increased to accommodate weight gain, then Buried Bumper Syndrome is prevented, but if the patient loses weight the tract length decreases and gastric content leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the spring member to automatically adjust its own length in response to tract length changes. The spring member expands when the tract lengthens (weight gain) and contracts when the tract shortens (weight loss), eliminating the need for manual adjustment or professional intervention while adapting to patient condition changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic nature of the spring member allows it to automatically respond to and adapt to changing tract lengths caused by weight fluctuations, providing continuous pressure contact without requiring manual adjustment of the device length.
3Reliability
If manual adjustment methods like shims or spring clips are used, then tract length changes can be accommodated, but these require manual intervention and are only useful for one-time or limited adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member serves itself by automatically adjusting its length based on the tract length changes. It continuously maintains pressure contact without requiring manual intervention, making the adjustment process fully automatic and ongoing rather than one-time or limited.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring member provides continuous automatic adjustment throughout the device's service life, maintaining pressure contact as the tract length changes over time. This eliminates the need for periodic manual adjustments with shims or spring clips, providing uninterrupted adaptive functionality.
4Reliability
If the SLD is replaced frequently to accommodate tract length changes, then proper fit is maintained, but this increases loss of time and requires repeated manual interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The spring member automatically maintains proper fit through continuous self-adjustment, eliminating the need for repeated device replacements. The device adapts to tract length changes on its own, saving significant time and avoiding the need for repeated clinical interventions.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic spring member allows the device to maintain proper fit throughout its service life by adapting to tract length changes, eliminating the need for frequent replacements and reducing the time lost to repeated installation procedures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus maintains consistent pressure contact with the stomach wall regardless of gastrostomy tract length changes, preventing complications and reducing the need for frequent replacements or manual interventions, thus ensuring safe and effective enteral nutrition delivery.
Implementation Method 1
A force-generating device is operable when the internal bolster is positioned against a stomach wall to exert a force in an axial direction with respect to the tube. The force-generating device comprises a pair of spring members connected to said external bolster
Implementation Method 2
each spring member comprises an axially expansible and contractible spring portion... each spring member having a length in said axial direction which varies automatically in response to a change in the length of the gastrostomy tract to maintain said pressure contact
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for direct gastric feeding via a gastrostomy tract formed in a patient. The apparatus includes a tube, an internal bolster, an external bolster, and a force-generating device. The force-generating device may include a pair of automatically adjustable spring members on the external bolster. The spring members are responsive to changes in the length of the gastrostomy tract and eliminate the need for periodic adjustment or replacement of the apparatus.