Method and device of detecting and/or blocking reflux

A method of preventing reflux during at least one of tube feeding and esophageal endoscopy of patient, comprising:

• disposing a naso/orogastric tube within the esophagus, said naso/orogastric tube having:
• a feeding channel having at least one feeding opening located at a distal end of said naso/orogastric tube for conducting a feeding content,
• first and second recesses formed one above the other along at least one segment of a lateral surface of said naso/orogastric tube and above said at least one feeding opening,
• at least one impedance sensor located in said first and second recesses and adapted to read impedance, and
• at least one elastic esophageal body mounted on said naso/orogastric tube above said first and second recesses,
• wherein said naso/orogastric tube is disposed within the esophagus so that at least said distal end of said naso/orogastric tube is in the stomach lumen of a patient while said at least one segment is in the esophagus of the patient;
• sensing impedance in said first and second recesses using said at least one impedance sensor while said feeding channel is used for feeding said patient via said at least one feeding opening;
• detecting fluid in at least one region along the esophagus according to an analysis of said impedance;
• and
• regulating a pressure within said at least one elastic esophageal body according to said detection;
• wherein said first and second recesses expose said at least one impedance sensor to said fluid.

A naso/orogastric device having backflow blocking means and adapted to feed a patient, comprising:

• a naso/orogastric tube having a distal end and having:
• a feeding channel with at least one feeding opening formed at said distal end for delivering content into the stomach lumen of a patient,
• first and second recesses formed along at least one segment of a lateral surface of said naso/orogastric tube
• said first recess is formed above said second recess and said first and second recesses are formed above said at least one feeding opening,
• an adjustable structure located above said first and second recesses and having at least one state wider than the perimeter of said naso/orogastric tube, and
• at least one impedance sensor located in said first and second recesses and adapted to sense impedance while said feeding channel is used for feeding said patient via said at least one feeding opening;
• a controller adapted to control a pressure inside said adjustable structure according to said impedance.

A naso/orogastric device adapted to feed a patient, comprising:

• a naso/orogastric tube having:
• a distal end and a feeding channel for conducting a feeding content via at least one feeding opening formed in said distal end, and
• first and second recesses which are formed above one another and above said at least one feeding opening along at least one segment of a lateral surface thereof and sized and shaped for being disposed within the esophagus so that at least a distal end thereof being in the stomach lumen of a patient while said at least one segment being in the esophagus of said patient;
• at least one impedance sensor located in said first and second recesses to measure impedance while said feeding channel is used for feeding said patient via said at least one feeding opening;
• and
• a controller which monitors changes in the positioning of said naso/orogastric tube according to said impedance.