Connector for a gastrostomy device

A feeding extension set comprising:

• an enteral feeding solution supply tube,
• a connector configured for rotatably coupling the enteral feeding solution tube to a circular port of a gastrostomy device, the connector comprising:
• a fluid conduit having a first end configured for connection with an orifice defined in the circular port to supply the enteral feeding solution to the gastrostomy device, and a second end configured for connection to the enteral feeding solution supply tube,
• a pair of arms circumferentially arranged around an outer wall of the first end of the fluid conduit, each arm including a first free end and a second free end, wherein the second free end includes a catch configured to releasably engage with a circumferential rim on the circular port, and
• a flexible bridge extending substantially perpendicularly from the outer wall of the first end of the fluid conduit and connecting each arm to the first end of the fluid conduit and about which the first and second ends of each arm can be pivoted,
• wherein the connector is couplable to and decouplable from the circular port by pivoting the first and second ends of each arm at the flexible bridge such that the catch on the second free end of each arm is radially displaced into engagement or out of engagement with the circumferential rim,
• wherein the outer wall of the first end of the fluid conduit and an inner wall of each arm are substantially parallel;
• wherein the catch is a ledge located on the inner wall of the arm that projects inwardly towards the first end of the fluid conduit, wherein the ledge has a rim contacting surface configured to releasably engage with a ledge contacting surface of the circumferential rim, wherein the ledge contacting surface of the rim is a sloped surface and the rim contacting surface of the ledge has a complementary sloped surface;
• and
• wherein the connector is moulded as a unitary component from a plastic.

A method of delivering an enteral fluid to a patient comprising the steps of:

• using a connector, the connector comprising:
• a fluid conduit having a first end configured for connection with an orifice defined in the circular port to supply the enteral feeding solution to the gastrostomy device, and a second end configured for connection to the enteral feeding solution supply tube,
• a pair of arms circumferentially arranged around an outer wall of the first end of the fluid conduit, each arm including a first free end and a second free end, wherein the second free end includes a catch configured to releasably engage with a circumferential rim on the circular port, and
• a flexible bridge extending substantially perpendicularly from the outer wall of the first end of the fluid conduit and connecting each arm to the first end of the fluid conduit and about which the first and second ends of each arm can be pivoted,
• wherein the connector is couplable to and decouplable from the circular port by pivoting the first and second ends of each arm at the flexible bridge such that the catch on the second free end of each arm is radially displaced into engagement or out of engagement with the circumferential rim,
• wherein the outer wall of the first end of the fluid conduit and an inner wall of each arm are substantially parallel;
• wherein the catch is a ledge located on the inner wall of the arm that projects inwardly towards the first end of the fluid conduit, wherein the ledge has a rim contacting surface configured to releasably engage with a ledge contacting surface of the circumferential rim, wherein the ledge contacting surface of the rim is a sloped surface and the rim contacting surface of the ledge has a complementary sloped surface;
• and
• wherein the connector is moulded as a unitary component from a plastic,
• coupling the first end of the fluid conduit to the circular port of an indwelling gastrostomy device,
• coupling the second end of the fluid conduit to an enteral feeding solution supply tube.