# US 12,485,034 B2 · Nutrient recycling device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,485,034 B2 - Document ID: US12485034B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/539,733 - Filed: 2023-12-14 - Published: 2024-04-04 - Granted: 2025-12-02 - Earliest claimed: 2023-12-14 - Assignees: The Insides Company Limited - Applicants: The Insides Company Limited - Inventors: Gregory Brian O'Grady; John Bilkey Davidson; Robert Bruce Davidson; Ian Peter Bissett; Mackenzie Liam Greenslade - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12485034B2 ## CPC - A61F 5/4405: {Valves or valve arrangements specially adapted therefor (A61F5/441 takes precedence); Fluid inlets or outlets (A61F5/4407 takes precedence)} - A61F 5/4407: {Closure means other than valves} - A61F 5/443: having {adhesive seals for securing to the body, e.g. of} hydrocolloid type seals, e.g. gels, starches or karaya gums - A61F 5/445: Colostomy, {ileostomy or urethrostomy} devices (A61F5/441, A61F5/442, A61F5/443 take precedence) - A61J 15/0076: {Feeding pumps (A61M1/00, A61M5/142, A61M25/1018 take precedence)} - A61J 15/0092: {Valves on feeding tubes (tube valves A61M39/22)} - A61M 1/00: Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems (catheters A61M25/00; tube connectors, tube couplings, valves or branch units specially adapted for medical use A61M39/00; devices for taking samples of blood A61B5/15; filters implantable into blood vessels A61F2/01) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - 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 - 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 A nutrient recycling device is provided that is configured to collect digestive contents from a first opening of a gastrointestinal (GI) tract and recycle and/or return the digestive contents to a second location in a patient's gastrointestinal tract. The device and associated method may find application in patients with a number of complaints, such as short bowel syndrome and/or prior to stoma reversal surgery. The device comprises a bag adapted to receive the digestive contents from a first GI opening, and a pump incorporated with the bag adapted to pump the digestive contents to a second GI location. The pump includes an inlet in fluid communication with the interior of the bag, and an outlet connected to an outlet conduit adapted to provide a flow pathway for the digestive content to flow from the pump to second GI location. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising: a nutrient recycling device configured to collect digestive contents from a downstream surgically-created first opening of a gastrointestinal tract and recycle the digestive contents to a second gastrointestinal tract opening, the nutrient recycling device including a flexible bag including a first bag opening adapted to receive digestive contents from the surgically created first opening; a pathway inlet configured receive digestive contents from the first bag opening; a first region within the bag configured to receive digestive contents from the pathway inlet; a second region within the bag configured to receive digestive contents from the first region; an outlet conduit defining a fluid pathway for digestive contents to flow from the bag to the second gastrointestinal tract opening; and a pathway outlet connected to the outlet conduit at a junction; and wherein the bag defines a doughnut-shape defining an aperture through the bag configured to separate the first region and the second region, and defines a sealed flow pathway within the bag around a perimeter of said aperture; and a pump defining at least a section of the bag configured to be externally compressed by a patient to pump digestive contents along the flow pathway from or near the first bag opening towards the second gastrointestinal tract opening. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the junction between the pathway outlet and the outlet conduit is located within the bag. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises an internal funnel converging from the pathway outlet towards the outlet conduit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the funnel comprises a wide inlet located upstream the outlet conduit, configured to receive the digestive content. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the funnel is formed at least partially by welding opposing side walls of the bag. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the funnel is a separate component adhered to side walls of the bag. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the digestive contents are driven from an area of high pressure created by compression of the bag to an area of lower pressure towards the outlet conduit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the aperture is located below the surgically created first opening of the gastrointestinal tract. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein opposite internal side walls along a longitudinal axis of the bag are joined together to separate the first region and the second region. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bag defines a U-shape. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bag defines a tapered lower region configured to allow the patient to drive the digestive content more efficiently. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bag includes a clip configured for compressing a segment of the bag, wherein the clip separates the bag into an upstream region and a downstream region, and is configured to limit flow from travelling upstream of the clip. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the clip is removably attached to the bag. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the device comprises a compression aid configured to drive digestive contents to or towards the outlet conduit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the compression aid is configured to apply pressure across an entire width of said flow pathway, urging the bag walls together, and to slide along the bag to drive the digestive contents to or towards the outlet conduit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bag comprises a clip configured to fit the aperture through the bag. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bag comprises a filter configured to separate fine digestive contents from larger particulate matter. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the filter is located in the bottom region of the bag where digested matter is generally collected. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the filter is located in an upper first region of the bag, towards the first gastrointestinal tract opening. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bag comprises a sealed section configured to direct the digestive contents to the first region of the bag. ### Claim 21 A method comprising: recycling digestive nutrients by collecting digestive contents from a surgically created first opening of a gastrointestinal tract and recycling the digestive contents to a second opening with a nutrient recycling device including a flexible bag including a first bag opening adapted to receive digestive contents from the surgically created first opening; a pathway inlet configured receive digestive contents from the first bag opening; a first region within the bag configured to receive digestive contents from the pathway inlet; a second region within the bag configured to receive digestive contents from the first region; an outlet conduit defining a fluid pathway for digestive contents to flow from the bag to the second gastrointestinal tract opening; and a pathway outlet connected to the outlet conduit at a junction; and wherein the bag defines a doughnut-shape defining an aperture through the bag configured to separate the first region and the second region, and defines a sealed flow pathway within the bag around a perimeter of said aperture; and a pump defining at least a section of the bag configured to be externally compressed by a patient to pump digestive contents along the flow pathway from or near the first bag opening towards the second gastrointestinal tract opening; wherein the method further includes positioning the first bag opening over (i) the first opening or (ii) the first opening and the second opening; and compressing the at least a section of the bag and thereby driving the digestive contents along said flow pathway towards the outlet conduit. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the driving step includes a patient driving said digestive towards the outlet conduit in a sliding motion. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the driving step includes a patient driving said digestive towards the outlet conduit by compressing the bag repetitively. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein the step of compressing the bag repetitively includes performing successive compressions, wherein each of the successive compressions is located closer towards the outlet conduit than previous of the compressions. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein a clip is externally attached to the bag. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, wherein the clip is removed once the bag has been emptied. ### Claim 27 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the outlet conduit is connected to a second conduit located in the second gastrointestinal tract opening. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, wherein the outlet conduit is disconnectable from the second conduit to allow replacement or maintenance of the nutrient recycling device.