System and method for real-time humidity and temperature sensing to verify proper nasogastric tube placement

A catheter guidance system comprising:

• (a) a processor;
• (b) a power source;
• (c) a display device;
• and
• (d) a tubing assembly comprising:
• a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a tip, the catheter extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein the proximal end and the distal end define a lumen therebetween;
• an aspiration device;
• a first aspiration line;
• a second aspiration line;
• an air sampling chamber, wherein the air sampling chamber is connected to the first aspiration line;
• a sensor, wherein the sensor comprises a temperature sensor, a relative humidity sensor, or a combination thereof, wherein the sensor is located within the air sampling chamber;
• a filter disposed between the air sampling chamber and the first aspiration line capable of preventing liquid from contacting the sensor while allowing humid air to penetrate into the air sampling chamber;
• a multi-port connector including a nutrient branch, a medicine branch, and a catheter branch;
• a controller coupler or an electrical connector is connected to the medicine branch;
• and
• an electrical tubular insulator comprising a tube having a proximal end attached to an attachment member of the controller coupler or the electrical connector;
• wherein the second aspiration line connects the aspiration device to the nutrient branch;
• wherein the first aspiration line connects the aspiration device to the electrical tubular insulator;
• wherein the proximal end of the catheter is attached to the catheter branch;
• and
• wherein the aspiration device is configured to draw air through the tubing assembly to expose the sensor to a continuous flow of air;
• wherein the sensor communicates with the processor via an electrical connection to deliver temperature readings, relative humidity readings, or a combination thereof measured by the sensor from air in the lumen to the processor in real-time;
• wherein the display device is coupled to the processor and displays the temperature readings, the relative humidity readings, or the combination thereof communicated by the sensor;
• wherein a constant temperature profile, a constant relative humidity profile, or both a constant temperature profile and a constant relative humidity profile after a pre-determined amount of time as shown on the display device indicates placement of the catheter in a digestive tract of a patient.

A method for determining if a catheter is placed within a digestive tract of a body of a patient, the method comprising:

• (a) inserting a distal end of a tubing assembly into an orifice of the body, wherein the tubing assembly comprises:
• the catheter, wherein the catheter has a proximal end, a distal end, and a tip, wherein the catheter extends in a longitudinal direction, wherein the proximal end and the distal end define a lumen therebetween;
• an aspiration device;
• a first aspiration line;
• a second aspiration line;
• an air sampling chamber, wherein the air sampling chamber is connected to the first aspiration line;
• a sensor, wherein the sensor comprises a temperature sensor, a relative humidity sensor, or a combination thereof, wherein the sensor is located within the air sampling chamber;
• a filter disposed between the air sampling chamber and the first aspiration line capable of preventing liquid from contacting the sensor while allowing humid air to penetrate into the air sampling chamber;
• a multi-port connector including a nutrient branch, a medicine branch, and a catheter branch;
• a controller coupler or an electrical connector connected to the medicine branch;
• and
• an electrical tubular insulator comprising a tube having a proximal end attached to an attachment member of the controller coupler or the electrical connector;
• wherein the second aspiration line connects the aspiration device to the nutrient branch;
• wherein the first aspiration line connects the aspiration device to the electrical tubular insulator;
• wherein the proximal end of the catheter is attached to the catheter branch;
• and
• wherein the aspiration device is configured to draw air through the tubing assembly to expose the sensor to a continuous flow of air;
• (b) electrically connecting the sensor to a processor via a wired connection or a wireless connection;
• (c) activating the sensor, wherein the sensor measures the temperature, the relative humidity, or the combination thereof from air in the lumen and communicates with the processor via the wired connection or the wireless connection to deliver temperature readings, relative humidity readings, or a combination thereof to the processor in real-time, wherein a display device is coupled to the processor and displays the temperature readings, the relative humidity readings, or the combination thereof communicated by the sensor;
• (d) advancing the distal end of the catheter inside the body in a direction away from the orifice while the sensor is activated;
• and
• (e) observing the temperature readings, the relative humidity readings, or the combination thereof on the display device, wherein a constant temperature profile, a constant relative humidity profile, or both a constant temperature profile and a constant relative humidity profile after a pre-determined amount of time indicates placement of the catheter in the digestive tract of the patient.