Continuous feeding and decompressing device and method

A feeding and decompression device for feeding into and aspirating from an intestinal tract, comprising:

• a first aspirate reservoir and a second aspirate reservoir each connected to an aspiration channel;
• and
• at least one vacuum source fluidly connected to the first and the second aspirate reservoirs and adapted to induce a flow of an aspirate from the aspiration channel to at least one of the reservoirs;
• wherein:
• the first reservoir has a first combination feeding and aspirating line connected thereto;
• the second reservoir has a second combination feeding and aspirating line connected thereto;
• the combination feeding and aspirating lines are adapted to alternatingly guide a feeding fluid and an aspirate;
• the first combination feeding and aspirating line branches into a first feeding line and a first aspirating line;
• the second combination feeding and aspirating line branches into a second feeding line and a second aspirating line;
• the first and second aspirating lines join into a common aspiration channel upstream of the first and second aspirating lines;
• and
• the first and second feeding lines join into a common feeding channel downstream of the first and second feeding lines.

A solenoid valve and timer device for alternating valves of the solenoid and timer device between positions, comprising:

• a solenoid;
• a valve housing having at least four connection points for connecting a plurality of fluid lines, the valve housing connected to the solenoid such that the solenoid operatively controls at least two valves within the housing;
• an adjustable timer that meters time for a cycle of a predetermined period of the time, the adjustable timer being connected to the solenoid;
• a switch connected with the timer and alternating between an open and a closed state for predetermined portions of the cycle;
• a source of power connected to the solenoid by a circuit including the switch;
• wherein:
• the switch is alternatingly closed and opened by the timer,
• power from the power source is correspondingly applied to and removed from the solenoid, and
• the solenoid simultaneously moves the at least two valves between a first position and a second position.

A method of feeding and decompressing in a gastrointestinal tract, comprising the steps of:

• placing a distal end of a feeding channel at a first position;
• placing a distal end of an aspiration channel at a second position that is spaced proximally relative to the first position;
• and
• continuously aspirating via the aspiration channel;
• wherein the step of continuously aspirating further comprises substantially collapsing a portion of a jejunum at the second position.

A method of feeding and decompressing in a gastrointestinal tract, comprising the steps of:

• placing a distal end of a feeding channel at a first position in the gastrointestinal tract;
• placing a distal end of an aspiration channel at a second position in the gastrointestinal tract that is spaced proximally relative to the first position;
• and
• continuously aspirating via the aspiration channel;
• continuously feeding via the feeding channel;
• feeding from one of a plurality of aspirate reservoirs into which nothing is being aspirated;
• wherein:
• the steps of continuously aspirating and continuously feeding further comprise aspirating into at least one of the plurality of aspirate reservoirs at a time through the aspiration channel;
• and
• the aspiration channel is common to all of the aspirate reservoirs.

A method of feeding and decompressing in a gastrointestinal tract, comprising the steps of:

• placing a distal end of a feeding channel at a first position in the gastrointestinal tract;
• placing a distal end of an aspiration channel at a second position in the gastrointestinal tract that is spaced proximally relative to the first position;
• continuously aspirating via the aspiration channel;
• and
• continuously feeding via the feeding channel;
• wherein the steps of continuously aspirating and continuously feeding further comprise alternatingly aspirating into a plurality of aspirate reservoirs in a repeated cycle.

A method of feeding and decompressing in a gastrointestinal tract, comprising the steps of:

• placing a distal end of a feeding channel at a first position in the gastrointestinal tract;
• placing a distal end of an aspiration channel at a second position in the gastrointestinal tract that is spaced proximally relative to the first position;
• continuously aspirating via the aspiration channel;
• and
• continuously feeding via the feeding channel;
• wherein:
• the step of continuously aspirating comprises aspirating into a first reservoir during a first part of a cycle and aspirating into a second reservoir during a second part of the cycle;
• and
• the step of continuously feeding comprises feeding from the second reservoir during the first part of the cycle and feeding from a first reservoir during a second part of the cycle.

A method of feeding and decompressing in a gastrointestinal tract, comprising the steps of:

• placing a distal end of a feeding channel at a first position;
• placing a distal end of an aspiration channel at a second position that is spaced proximally relative to the first position;
• continuously aspirating via the aspiration channel;
• and
• continuously feeding via the feeding channel;
• wherein the step of continuously feeding further comprises returning at least a portion of digestive juices and feeding material to the first position that were previously aspirated at the second position.

A method of feeding and decompressing in a gastrointestinal tract, comprising the steps of:

• placing a distal end of a feeding channel at a first position in the gastrointestinal tract;
• placing a distal end of an aspiration channel at a second position in the gastrointestinal tract that is spaced proximally relative to the first position;
• continuously aspirating via the aspiration channel;
• continuously feeding via the feeding channel;
• and
• inhibiting distending of the gastrointestinal tract by limiting an amount of aspirate that is refed into the feeding channel.

A method of feeding and decompressing in a gastrointestinal tract, comprising the steps of:

• placing a distal end of a feeding channel at a first position;
• placing a distal end of an aspiration channel at a second position that is spaced proximally relative to the first position;
• continuously aspirating via the aspiration channel;
• continuously feeding via the feeding channel;
• and simultaneously:
• impeding overfeeding, distending, and dehydration;
• and
• obtaining direct feedback regarding absorption of a feeding material in the gastrointestinal tract.

A method of feeding and decompressing in a gastrointestinal tract, comprising the steps of:

• placing a distal end of a feeding channel at a first position;
• placing a distal end of an aspiration channel at a second position that is spaced proximally relative to the first position;
• continuously aspirating via the aspiration channel;
• and
• continuously feeding via the feeding channel;
• wherein the steps of placing, continuously aspirating, and continuously feeding further comprise improving the efficiency of digestion by removing gas from a gastrointestinal tract and by stepping a feeding material forward in the gastrointestinal tract to a location where greater peristaltic activity facilitates absorption.

A method of feeding and decompressing in a gastrointestinal tract, comprising the steps of:

• placing a distal end of a feeding channel at a first position;
• placing a distal end of an aspiration channel at a second position that is spaced proximally relative to the first position;
• continuously aspirating via the aspiration channel;
• continuously feeding via the feeding channel;
• and
• reducing dehydration by:
• aspirating digestive juices and feeding material that are not being readily absorbed in the second position;
• and
• refeeding the digestive juices and the feeding material at the second position where they are absorbed.

A method of feeding and decompressing in a gastrointestinal tract, comprising the steps of:

• placing a distal end of a feeding channel at a first position;
• placing a distal end of an aspiration channel at a second position that is spaced proximally relative to the first position;
• continuously aspirating via the aspiration channel;
• and
• continuously feeding via the feeding channel;
• and
• maximizing feeding while preventing overfeeding by:
• observing a volume of aspirate collected during aspiration;
• and
• adjusting the pressure or the flow resistance in the feeding channel so that the volume aspirated during a period of time is substantially equal to or less than the volume absorbed during the same period of time.

A method of feeding and decompressing in a gastrointestinal tract, comprising the steps of:

• placing a distal end of a feeding channel at a first position in the gastrointestinal tract;
• placing a distal end of an aspiration channel at a second position in the gastrointestinal tract that is spaced proximally relative to the first position;
• and
• continuously aspirating via the aspiration channel;
• wherein the step of continuously aspirating further comprises:
• alternatingly aspirating into at least one of a plurality of aspirate reservoirs at a time;
• and
• aspirating into the plurality of reservoirs in a repeated cycle.

A method of feeding and decompressing in a gastrointestinal tract, comprising the steps of:

• placing a distal end of a feeding channel at a first position in the gastrointestinal tract;
• placing a distal end of an aspiration channel at a second position in the gastrointestinal tract that is spaced proximally relative to the first position;
• and
• continuously aspirating via the aspiration channel;
• wherein the step of continuously aspirating further comprises alternatingly aspirating into a first reservoir and a second reservoir.

A method of feeding and decompressing in a gastrointestinal tract, comprising the steps of:

• placing a distal end of a feeding channel at a first position in the gastrointestinal tract;
• placing a distal end of an aspiration channel at a second position in the gastrointestinal tract that is spaced proximally relative to the first position;
• continuously feeding via the feeding channel;
• and
• continuously aspirating via the aspiration channel;
• wherein the steps of continuously aspirating and continuously feeding further comprise alternatingly aspirating into a first reservoir and a second reservoir.

A feeding and decompression device for feeding into and aspirating from an intestinal tract, comprising:

• a first aspirate reservoir and a second aspirate reservoir each connected to an aspiration channel;
• at least one vacuum source fluidly connected to the first and the second aspirate reservoirs and adapted to induce a flow of an aspirate from the aspiration channel to at least one of the reservoirs;
• a valve connected to the first and second aspirate reservoirs and to the vacuum source;
• a timer switch connecting a power source to the valve;
• and
• wherein the timer switch and valve alternatingly fluidly connect the first and second aspirate reservoirs with the vacuum source.

A feeding and decompression device for feeding into and aspirating from an intestinal tract, comprising:

• a first aspirate reservoir and a second aspirate reservoir each connected to an aspiration channel that is adapted to be placed in a gastrointestinal tract;
• and
• at least one vacuum source fluidly connected to the first and the second aspirate reservoirs and adapted to induce a flow of an aspirate from the aspiration channel to at least one of the reservoirs;
• and
• a valve connected to the first and second aspirate reservoirs and to the vacuum source, the valve comprising a motive member movable between a first position and a second position;
• the motive member fluidly connecting one of the aspirate reservoirs to the vacuum source and fluidly closing a connection of the other of the aspirate reservoirs to the vacuum source in the first position, and the motive member fluidly connecting the other of the aspirate reservoirs to the vacuum source and fluidly closing the connection of the one of the aspirate reservoirs to the vacuum source in the second position.

A feeding and decompression device for feeding into and aspirating from an intestinal tract, comprising:

• a first aspirate reservoir and a second aspirate reservoir each connected to an aspiration channel;
• at least one vacuum source fluidly connected to the first and the second aspirate reservoirs and adapted to induce a flow of an aspirate from the aspiration channel to at least one of the reservoirs;
• a valve connected to the first and second aspirate reservoirs and to the vacuum source;
• a first vacuum control device in the first reservoir and connected to the valve;
• and
• a second vacuum control device in the second reservoir and connected to the valve.

An actuator and timer device for a gastrointestinal feeding and decompression apparatus, the actuator and timer device for alternating valves of the device between positions, the actuator and timer device comprising:

• an actuation mechanism;
• a valve housing having at least four connection points for connecting a plurality of fluid lines, the valve housing connected to the actuation mechanism such that the actuation mechanism operatively controls at least two valves within the housing;
• an adjustable timer that meters time for a cycle of a predetermined period of the time, the adjustable timer being connected to the actuation mechanism;
• a motive source connected to the timer for providing a predetermined actuation during respective predetermined portions of the cycle;
• wherein:
• the switch is alternatingly closed and opened by the timer,
• actuation from the motive source is correspondingly applied to and removed from the actuation mechanism, and
• the actuation mechanism in cooperation with the timer simultaneously moves the at least two valves between a first position and a second position.