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US 8,574,221 B2Granted
Tubular medical device
AssigneeCook Medical Technologies LLC
InventorAndrew C. Deeds
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A feeding tube is configured for nasal insertion and advancement to the jejunum of a patient. The tube has a plurality of projections disposed along the surface of the distal tube portion for promoting advancement of the tube along the GI tract by peristaltic contractions. The tube includes first and second strings. The first string is aligned along the tube such that upon exertion of a pulling force on the first string, the distal end of the tube flexes in a direction of the force. The second string is aligned such that upon exertion of a pulling force on the second string, the tube is withdrawn from the GI tract responsive to the force. A snare may be provided for capturing the second string to promote withdrawal of the tube through the mouth of the patient.
Claims20
A medical device configured for dynamic movement through a body passageway toward an interior target site, and for withdrawal therefrom, comprising:
- a generally flexible elongated tubular member having a proximal portion extending to a proximal end, a distal portion extending to a distal end, a plurality of projections disposed on an exterior surface of said distal portion, a lumen extending through said tubular member, and a port at said distal portion providing communication between said lumen and an environment of said body passageway exterior of the tubular member, said projections configured to engage an interior surface of the body passageway during bodily contractions thereof to promote ingress of the device along said body passageway in response to said contractions;
- a first string member having a proximal end and a distal end, said first string member extending interiorly of said tubular member along said lumen to said port, and exteriorly of said tubular member from said port substantially to said tubular member distal end, said first string member arranged such that said proximal end extends proximal of said tubular member proximal end, and said distal end is affixed to said tubular member distal of said port;
- and
- a second string member having a proximal end and a distal end, said second string member extending exteriorly along said tubular member substantially to said distal end of said tubular member, said second string member arranged such that said proximal end extends proximal of said tubular member proximal end, and said distal end is affixed to said tubular member distal of said port.
1 more element
A feeding tube configured for dynamic movement through the gastrointestinal tract of a patient to the jejunum, and for withdrawal therefrom, comprising:
- a flexible elongated tubular member having a proximal portion extending to a proximal end, a distal portion extending to a distal end, a plurality of projections disposed along an exterior surface of said distal portion, a lumen extending through said tubular member, and a port at said distal portion providing communication between said lumen and the jejunum, said projections configured to engage an interior surface of the gastrointestinal tract during contractions thereof to promote ingress of the tubular member along the gastrointestinal tract to the jejunum in response to said contractions;
- a first string member having a proximal end and a distal end, said first string member extending interiorly of said tubular member along said lumen to said port, and exteriorly of said tubular member from said port to a first affixation point of said first string member distal end substantially at said tubular member distal end, said first string member proximal end extending proximal of said tubular member proximal end, said first string member configured and arranged relative to said tubular member such that upon exertion of a pulling force on said first string member proximal end, said tubular member distal portion flexes in a direction of said force;
- and
- a second string member having a proximal end and a distal end, said second string member extending exteriorly along said tubular member to a second affixation point of said second string member distal end substantially at said tubular member distal end, said second string member proximal end extending proximal of said tubular member proximal end, said second string member arranged such that upon exertion of a pulling force on said second string member proximal end, said tubular member is withdrawn from said gastrointestinal tract responsive to said force.
1 more element
A method for insertion of a feeding tube into the jejunum of a patient, and withdrawal therefrom, comprising:
- inserting a distal end of a feeding tube nasally into the gastrointestinal tract of the patient, the feeding tube having a proximal portion extending to a proximal end, a distal portion extending to the distal end, a plurality of projections disposed along an exterior surface of the distal portion, a lumen extending through the feeding tube, and a port at the distal portion, the feeding tube including a first string member and a second string member, the first string member extending interiorly of said feeding tube along the lumen to the port, and exteriorly of the feeding tube from the port to a first affixation point substantially at the feeding tube distal end, the first string member having a proximal end extending proximal of the feeding tube proximal end, the second string member extending exteriorly along said feeding tube to a second affixation point substantially at the feeding tube distal end, the second string member having a proximal end extending proximal of the feeding tube proximal end;
- advancing the feeding tube along the gastrointestinal tract by peristaltic contractions acting upon the feeding tube projections, such that the distal portion of the feeding tube advances into the jejunum;
- exerting a pulling force on the proximal end of the first string member such that the feeding tube distal portion flexes in a direction of said pulling force;
- exerting a pulling force an the proximal end of the second string member and withdrawing said feeding tube distal portion a distance along the gastrointestinal tract, such that a length of said feeding tube distal portion folds back upon a remaining length of the feeding tube;
- orally inserting a snare to capture a proximal portion of the second string member, and withdrawing said snare and the proximal end of the second string member through the mouth of the patient;
- and
- exerting a pulling force on the second string member to withdraw the feeding tube through the mouth of the patient.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.