Catheter with imaging assembly and console with reference library and related methods therefor

A method of facilitating use of a feeding tube assembly, comprising:

• providing a feeding tube having an inlet connectable to a source of feeding fluid, an outlet distal from and fluidly connected to the inlet through a feeding passage, and an imaging device disposed proximate the outlet, the imaging device configured to generate and transmit imaging signals corresponding to an image of an anatomy of a patient;
• providing a console comprising a display and memory having stored therein a plurality of reference materials selected from the group consisting of photographs, video recordings, audio recordings, diagrams, animations, text, and combinations thereof, each of the plurality of the reference materials providing information about at least one of anatomy, patient preparation, imaging catheter preparation, imaging catheter placement, imaging catheter operation, imaging catheter features, console preparation, console operation, console features, system operation, system features, and contact information, wherein the console is configured to receive the imaging signals, present at least a portion of at least one image corresponding to the imaging signals on the display, and present a reference menu on the display including menu items corresponding to at least one of the reference materials, wherein at least one of the reference materials includes feeding tube placement information;
• and
• providing periodic access to the feeding tube placement information comprising a previously captured image illustrating prior tube placement within a patient on the display to verify proper placement of the feeding tube in the patient, wherein at least one of the plurality of reference materials comprises a partially schematic illustration including contrasting correct and incorrect paths for inserting the feeding tube into the patient, each path including at least one separate representative anatomical image located along the respective path, and wherein the at least one anatomical image of the correct path comprises an image located along an alimentary canal and the at least one anatomical image of the incorrect path comprises an image located along a respiratory path.

An imaging catheter system comprising:

• an imaging catheter including an imaging assembly having an imaging device for generating imaging signals corresponding to images of anatomy of a patient, said imaging assembly transmitting the imaging signals generated by the imaging device;
• and
• a console adapted to receive the imaging signals transmitted by the imaging assembly and present images generated from the imaging signals on a display, the console being adapted to selectively present a reference menu on the display including menu items corresponding to reference materials selected from a group of reference materials comprising at least one of photographs, video recordings, audio recordings, diagrams, animations, and text, each of said materials providing information about at least one of anatomy, patient preparation, imaging catheter preparation, imaging catheter placement, imaging catheter operation, imaging catheter features, console preparation, console operation, console features, system operation, system features, and contact information, wherein at least one of the reference materials includes imaging catheter placement information and the console is configured so that the imaging catheter placement information comprising a previously captured image illustrating prior tube placement within a patient, can be periodically accessed on the display to verify proper placement of the imaging catheter in the patient, and wherein at least one of reference materials comprises a partially schematic illustration including contrasting correct and incorrect paths for inserting the feeding tube into the patient, each path including at least one separate representative anatomical image located along the respective path, and wherein the at least one anatomical image of the correct path comprises an image located along an alimentary canal and the at least one anatomical image of the incorrect path comprises an image located along a respiratory path.