Gastric feeding device

Claim 1

A gastric feeding device for introduction into the stomach of a patient from a nasal opening of the patient comprising: (a) an elongate flexible tube defining a longitudinal passageway therealong, said tube being of a size to permit intubation of same through a nasal opening and the esophagus into the stomach and being adapted to remain intubated for repetitive use, said tube being manufactured of a predetermined material and having a predetermined wall thickness such that said tube collapses along substantially the entire length of same in the absence of internal support, said flexible tube having means adjacent a distal end portion of same to permit passage of feed material from the passageway into the stomach after intubation and to maintain the relative position of a guide-support element receivable along the passageway during intubation; (b) non-collapsible means associated with a proximal end portion of said flexible tube for introducing a guide-support element and feed materials into said passageway, whereby a guide-support element may be received substantially entirely along said flexible tube during intubation while being held in proper position, after which said guide-support element may be withdrawn, permitting said flexible tube to collapse along its length while intubated to minimize discomfort and other adverse effects to the patient, and whereby introduction of feed materials into said passageway of said flexible tube causes said flexible tube to reopen for passage of said materials, after which said tube again collapses; and (c) a flexible support tube removably received in and extending throughout the length of the passageway of said collapsible tube.

Claim 10

A method for repetitive introduction of fluent materials into a patient comprising the steps of: (a) providing an elongate flexible tube, said tube being manufactured of a material that permits collapse of said tube along substantially the entire length of same in the absence of internal support and defines a longitudinal passageway therealong when internally supported, said tube further having means adjacent a distal end of same to permit passage of fluent materials from within said tube when said tube is intubated, said tube further having means associated with a proximal end of same to permit introduction of fluent materials into same; (b) supporting said tube internally along the length of same to define a longitudinal passageway therealong; (c) intubating said tube through a nasal opening and the esophagus into the patient's stomach; (d) removing said internal support while avoiding displacement of said tube whereby said tube collapses along substantially its entire length; and (e) introducing fluent materials into said means at said proximal end of said tube as desired, said fluent materials reopening said passageway adequate for and during material passage therealong whereby said tube remains intubated in a collapsed state when not in use.

Claim 11

A method for repetitive introduction of fluent materials into a patient comprising the steps of: (a) providing an elongate flexible tube, said tube being manufactured of a material that permits collapse of said tube along substantially the entire length of same in the absence of internal support and defines a longitudinal passageway therealong when internally supported, said tube further having means adjacent a distal end of same to permit passage of fluent materials from within said tube when said tube is intubated, said tube further having means associated with a proximal end of same to permit introduction of fluent materials into same; (b) supporting said tube internally along the length of same to define a longitudinal passageway therealong; (c) intubating said tube through a nasal opening and the esophagus into the patient's stomach; (d) removing said internal support while avoiding displacement of said tube whereby said tube collapses along substantially its entire length; and (e) introducing fluent materials into said means at said proximal end of said tube as desired, said fluent materials reopening said passageway adequate for and during material passage therealong whereby said tube remains intubated in a collapsed state when not in use.