Feeding tube with insufflation device and related methods therefor

A method of facilitating use of a feeding tube assembly for insertion into an alimentary canal of a subject, the method comprising providing a feeding tube assembly comprising a feeding tube having opposite proximal and distal ends, an inlet at the proximal end for connection to a source of liquid nutrients, a feeding passage extending between the proximal and distal ends and in fluid communication with the inlet, an outlet proximate the distal end and in fluid communication with the feeding passage and the inlet, and a port separate from the inlet and disposed at the proximal end and in fluid communication with the outlet through the feeding passage, the method further comprising providing an air insufflation device comprising a compressible air bulb having a bulb inlet and a bulb outlet, an inlet check valve disposed at the bulb inlet to unidirectionally allow air to flow into the bulb, an outlet check valve disposed at the bulb outlet to unidirectionally allow air to flow from the bulb into the port of the feeding tube assembly, and a relief valve fluidly connectable to the outlet through the feeding passage, actuation of the air insufflation device causing air to flow through the feeding passage and exit the outlet of the feeding tube, an imaging assembly configured to acquire images of the alimentary canal is secured to the feeding tube proximate the distal end thereof, the air insufflation device being configured to expand the alimentary canal to aid the imaging assembly in acquiring images of the expanded alimentary canal.