Enteral feeding system, method, and apparatus

An enteral feeding and suction system comprising:

• a fluid source;
• a suction assembly having a vacuum and a suction canister, wherein the vacuum and the suction canister are connected by a section of vacuum tubing;
• a Y-connector including:
• a suction arm having a suction arm stem and an outer end, wherein
• the suction arm stem has a proximal end and a distal end,
• the suction arm includes a tapered hollow stem connector adapted to frictionally fit into a suction tube connected to the suction assembly,
• the tapered hollow stem connector has a base and an outlet end,
• the tapered hollow stem connector is axially aligned with the suction arm stem and the base of the tapered hollow stem connector is coupled to the outer end of the suction arm, and
• the tapered hollow stem connector has an outside diameter that decreases from the base of the hollow stem connector to the outlet end of the tapered hollow stem connector;
• a one-way valve interposed between the outlet end of the tapered hollow stem connector and the proximal end of the suction arm stem adapted to allow fluid to flow in one direction through the suction arm stem from the base of the tapered hollow stem connector to the outlet end of the tapered hollow stem connector;
• a delivery arm having a delivery arm stem, wherein the delivery arm includes a threaded small-bore connector at an outer end of the delivery arm;
• a convergence arm having a convergence arm stem, wherein
• the convergence arm includes a connection port adapted to receive a multiple lumen tube,
• the delivery arm stem is in fluid communication with the convergence arm stem, and
• the suction arm stem is in fluid communication with the convergence arm stem and the delivery arm stem;
• a multiple lumen tube having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein
• the multiple lumen tube includes a first lumen and a second lumen,
• the first lumen has a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end has at least one opening,
• the proximal end of the first lumen adapted to attach to the connection port on the convergence arm of the Y-connector,
• the second lumen having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the second lumen in fluid communication with the distal end of the first lumen and having an opening on a wall between the first lumen and second lumen adapted to allow air to enter the distal end of the first lumen,
• the proximal end of the second lumen extending beyond the proximal end of the first lumen, and
• the proximal end of the second lumen open to ambient air and having an enlarged diameter;
• an administration tubing segment, wherein the administration tubing segment has a first end connected to the fluid source and a second end adapted to connect to the delivery arm of the Y-connector;
• and
• a suction tubing segment, wherein
• the suction tubing segment has a first end and a second end,
• the first end of the suction tubing segment is connected to the suction canister, and
• the second end of the suction tubing segment is adapted to connect to the tapered hollow stem connector on the suction arm.

An enteral feeding and gastric pressure relief system comprising:

• a gastric material collection reservoir, wherein the gastric material collection reservoir is adapted to collect reflux fluids from a patient's stomach;
• a fluid source;
• a Y-connector including:
• a suction arm having a suction arm stem and an outer end, wherein
• the suction arm includes a tapered hollow stem connector adapted to frictionally fit into a section of tubing,
• the tapered hollow stem connector has a base and an outlet end,
• the tapered hollow stem connector is axially aligned with the suction arm stem and the base of the tapered hollow stem connector is coupled to the outer end of the suction arm, and
• the tapered hollow stem connector has an outside diameter that decreases from the base of the tapered hollow stem connector to the outlet end of the tapered hollow stem connector;
• a one-way valve interposed between the outlet end of the hollow stem connector and the proximal end of the suction arm stem adapted to allow fluid to flow in one direction through the suction arm stem from the base of the tapered hollow stem connector to the outlet end of the tapered hollow stem connector;
• a delivery arm having a delivery arm stem, wherein the delivery arm includes a threaded small-bore connector at an outer end of the delivery arm;
• a convergence arm having a convergence arm stem, wherein
• the convergence arm includes a connection port adapted to receive a multiple lumen tube,
• the delivery arm stem is in fluid communication with the convergence arm stem, and
• the suction arm stem is in fluid communication with the convergence arm stem and the delivery arm stem;
• a multiple lumen tube having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein
• the multiple lumen tube includes a first lumen and a second lumen,
• the first lumen has a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end has at least one opening,
• the proximal end of the first lumen adapted to attach to the connection port on the convergence arm of the Y-connector,
• the second lumen having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the second lumen in fluid communication with the distal end of the first lumen and having an opening on a wall between the first lumen and second lumen adapted to allow air to enter the distal end of the first lumen,
• the proximal end of the second lumen extending beyond the proximal end of the first lumen, and
• the proximal end of the second lumen open to ambient air and having an enlarged diameter;
• an administration tubing segment, wherein the administration tubing segment has a first end connected to the fluid source and a second end adapted to connect to the suction arm of the Y-connector;
• and
• a relief tubing segment, wherein
• the relief tubing segment has a first end and a second end, and
• the first end of the relief tubing segment is connected to the gastric material collection reservoir, and the second end of the relief tubing segment is connected to the open proximal end of the second lumen of the multiple lumen tube.