Enteral feeding tube having unclogging lumen

An enteral feeding device, comprising:

• a first tube having a distal end and a proximal end and having a length measured longitudinally therebetween, the first tube defining a feeding lumen that extends longitudinally through the first tube, the first tube having at least one distal opening capable of allowing introduction of nutrients and/or medicaments from within the feeding lumen through the opening into a gastrointestinal area of a patient when the enteral feeding tube is implanted in a patient, wherein the at least one distal opening comprises a distal end opening;
• and
• a wall having a distal end and a proximal end and a length measured longitudinally therebetween, the wall extending longitudinally from the distal end of the first tube for at least a portion of the length of the first tube, the wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface, wherein at least a portion of the exterior surface of the wall contacts the feeding lumen, wherein the interior surface of the wall defines an inflatable lumen having a proximal end configured to receive or remove an inflation fluid therethrough and a closed distal end, wherein the inflatable lumen extends along the length of the wall, and wherein the wall comprises a flexible material capable of allowing for deflation of the inflatable lumen through removal of a fluid from the inflatable lumen and/or inflation of the inflatable lumen through introduction of a fluid into the inflatable lumen to change a volume and pressure of the feeding lumen for dislodging a clog or blockage and allows for flow or delivery of medicaments, nutrients and/or fluids to a patient and the inflatable lumen is sized such that when fully inflated a volume of the feeding lumen in the feeding tube allows fir adequate flow of fluid and/or medicament and/or nutrient to a patient.

A method for unclogging an enteral feeding device when implanted in a patient, wherein the enteral feeding device comprises a first tube having a distal end and a proximal end and defining a feeding lumen that extends longitudinally through at least a portion of the first tube, wherein the first tube has at least one distal opening capable of allowing introduction of nutrients and/or medicaments from within the feeding lumen through the opening into a gastrointestinal area of a patient when the enteral feeding tube is implanted in a patient;

• and a wall having a distal end and a proximal end, the wall extending longitudinally within at least a portion of the first tube, and having an exterior surface and an interior surface, wherein at least a portion of the exterior surface of the wall contacts the feeding lumen, the interior surface of the wall defines an inflatable lumen having a proximal end configured to receive or remove an inflation fluid therethrough and a closed distal end, the inflatable lumen extends longitudinally through at Least a portion of the feeding lumen, and the wall is capable of allowing for deflation of the inflatable lumen through removal of a fluid and/or inflation of the inflatable lumen through introduction of a fluid into the inflatable lumen to change a volume and pressure of the feeding lumen and allows for flow or delivery of medicaments, nutrients and/or fluids to a patient, the inflatable lumen being sized such that when fully inflated a volume of the feeding lumen in the feeding tube allows fir adequate flow of fluid and/or medicament and/or nutrient to a patient, and wherein the first tube has a blockage, the method comprising:
• (a) removing a fluid from and/or introducing a fluid into the proximal end of the inflatable lumen so as to change the volume of the feeding lumen;
• and
• (b) changing the pressure within the feeding lumen due to the change in volume of the feeding lumen thereby affecting the blockage in the tube.

A method for minimizing routine hospitalization and/or replacement of an enteral feeding device due to a blockage of the feeding device, the method comprising

• positioning an enteral feeding device in a patient which device comprises a first tube having a distal end and a proximal end, the first tube defining a feeding lumen that extends longitudinally through at least a portion of the first tube, the first tube having at least one distal opening capable of allowing introduction of nutrients and/or medicaments from within the feeding lumen through the opening into a gastrointestinal area of a patient when the enteral feeding tube is implanted in a patient;
• and a wall having a distal end and a proximal end, the wall extending longitudinally within at least a portion of the first tube, the wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface, wherein at least a portion of the exterior surface of the wall contacts the feeding lumen, wherein the interior surface of the wall defines an inflatable lumen having a proximal end configured to receive or remove an inflation fluid therethrough and a closed distal end, wherein the inflatable lumen extends longitudinally through at least a portion of the feeding lumen, and wherein, the wall is capable of allowing for deflation of the inflatable lumen through removal of a fluid from the inflatable lumen and/or inflation of the inflatable lumen through introduction of a fluid into the inflatable lumen to change a volume of the feeding lumen, and the change in the volume allows for a change in pressure in the feeding lumen that affects a blockage of the enteral feeding device and allow for flow or delivery of medicaments, nutrients and/or fluids to a patient and the inflatable lumen is sized such that when full inflated a volume of the feeding lumen in the feeding tube allows for adequate flow of fluid and/or medicament and/or nutrient to a patient.