# US 11,077,029 B2 · Interactive NGT system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,077,029 B2 - Document ID: US11077029B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/383,837 - Filed: 2019-04-15 - Published: 2019-08-08 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2007-03-02 - Assignees: ART MEDICAL Ltd. - Applicants: ART MEDICAL Ltd. - Inventors: Liron Elia - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077029B2 ## CPC - A61J 15/00: Feeding-tubes for therapeutic purposes - A61B 5/0084: {for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters (A61B5/1459 takes precedence)} - A61B 5/01: Measuring temperature of body parts {; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue} (clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20) - A61B 5/037: {Measuring oesophageal pressure} - A61B 5/0538: invasively, e.g. using a catheter - A61B 5/14539: {for measuring pH} - A61B 5/4233: {oesophagus} - A61B 5/4238: {stomach} - A61B 5/4836: {Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods (A61B5/0036 takes precedence)} - A61J 15/0003: {Nasal or oral feeding-tubes, e.g. tube entering body through nose or mouth} - A61J 15/0073: {Multi-lumen tubes} - A61J 15/0076: {Feeding pumps (A61M1/00, A61M5/142, A61M25/1018 take precedence)} - A61J 15/008: {Sensor means, e.g. for sensing reflux, acidity or pressure (sensors for diagnostic purposes A61B5/00; sensors for inflation control A61M25/1018)} - A61J 15/0084: {for sensing parameters related to the patient} - A61J 15/0088: {for sensing parameters related to the device} - A61M 1/73: {comprising sensors or indicators for physical values} - A61M 1/80: {Suction pumps (A61M1/64, A61M1/71, A61M60/00 take precedence)} - A61B 5/145: Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration or pH-value {; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid or cerebral tissue} (non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06) - A61M 2205/3317: Electromagnetic, inductive or dielectric measuring means - A61M 2205/3324: PH measuring means - A61M 2205/3344: Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site - A61M 2205/3368: Temperature - A61M 2210/1053: Stomach - A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract Disclosed is an NGT system, the system comprises a nasogastric tube having a diameter and length configured to pass through an esophagus such that the lumen of the NGT maintains fluid communication with a portion of the digestive tract, and a digestive tract sensor operatively associated with the NGT, the digestive tract sensor configured to sense from inside the body and transmit signals in response to one or both of conditions relating to nourishment states of the digestive tract, and positioning of the NGT. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A gastric feeding tube system, comprising: a gastric feeding tube having a diameter and length configured to pass through an esophagus; at least one sensor positioned on the gastric feeding tube and located to be inside the body of a patient when the gastric feeding tube is in an operative position for feeding the patient; a controller adapted for: performing an analysis of signals from the at least one sensor, and scheduling, according to an outcome of the analysis, feeding of the patient with nourishments via the gastric feeding tube; and a calorie counter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is adapted to identify when nourishment is not passing through the gastric feeding tube and generate an alert signal for presentation to an operator. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller tracks an amount of nourishment provided to the patient via the gastric feeding tube and performs the scheduling accordingly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller instructs stopping the feeding of the patient when a reflux is detected based on outputs of the at least one sensor. ### Claim 5 A gastric feeding tube system, comprising: a gastric feeding tube having a diameter and length configured to pass through an esophagus; at least one sensor positioned on the gastric feeding tube and located to be inside the body of a patient when the gastric feeding tube is in an operative position for feeding the patient; a controller adapted for: performing an analysis of signals from the at least one sensor, and scheduling, according to an outcome of the analysis, feeding of the patient with nourishments via the gastric feeding tube wherein the controller counts calories of nourishment dispensed via the gastric feeding tube and performs the scheduling accordingly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller instructs modifying the nourishments according to the outcome of the analysis. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller changes a feeding rate via the gastric feeding tube according to the outcome of the analysis. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller activates an electronically controlled fluid switch according to the outcome of the analysis for selecting a source for providing the nourishments. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8, wherein the source are selected from a group consisting of a medicament source, a food source; and a vitamin supplement source. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller activates a suction source for sucking up gastric fluid via a suction sleeve in the gastric feeding tube according to the outcome of the analysis. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller performs the scheduling by activating an actuator to control a flow through the gastric feeding tube. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor measures electrical resistance and/or impedance in the digestive tract. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is programmable to perform the scheduling according to a nourishment plan for the patient. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, including a nourishment pump operatively associated with the controller and connected to a lumen of the feeding tube, wherein the controller performs the scheduling by controlling the movement of nourishment through the nourishment pump. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller performs the scheduling according to historic patient information. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller performs the scheduling according to real time patient information. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller performs the scheduling according to physiological information. ### Claim 18 A method of operating a gastric feeding tube system, comprising: performing an analysis of signals at least one sensor positioned on a gastric feeding tube having a diameter and length configured to pass through an esophagus when the feeding tube is located inside the body of a patient in an operative position for feeding the patient; counting calories of nourishment dispensed via the gastric feeding tube; and scheduling, according to an outcome of the analysis and the counted calories, feeding of the patient with nourishments via the gastric feeding tube. ### Claim 19 A gastric feeding tube system, comprising: a gastric feeding tube having a diameter and length configured to pass through an esophagus; a calorie counter; a controller adapted for: performing an analysis of outputs of the calorie counter, and scheduling, according to an outcome of the analysis, feeding of the patient with nourishments via the gastric feeding tube. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system according to claim 19, wherein the controller performs the scheduling according to historic patient information. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The system according to claim 19, wherein the controller performs the scheduling according to real time patient information. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller performs the scheduling according to a caloric allotment to the patient. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller performs the scheduling by instructing an operation of a feeding machine providing the nourishments.