Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
308 words
A gastrostomy catheter device for feeding into a patient's stomach, comprising: a. an elongate feeding tube, including an outer extension from the patient's stomach, the tube having a feeding inlet end mounted on the outer extension and an outlet end positioned within the patient's stomach; b. an expandable mushroom tip positioned at the outlet end of the tube; c. a closure plug for the feeding inlet and secured to the feeding tube by an integral band; and, d. a locking ring positioned medially along the outer extension of the tube, and sized to frictionally engage the tube, and slidably mounted therealong, and adjustable solely by frictional engagement with the tube to accommodate to the size of the wearer, the locking ring providing a plurality of perforations and spaced ridges to enable air circulation between the locking ring and patient's body; whereby, i. when the mushroom tip is contracted, the feeding tube may be inserted through a stoma and into the patient's stomach; ii. when the mushroom tip is expanded, it will secure the device within the patient's stomach and form a seal adjacent the stoma; iii. securement of the ring to the tube being provided solely by frictional engagement therebetween, to secure the device within the patient's body and to prevent undesirable movement of the ring along the tube, whether in the dry state or when lubricated by body fluids, the locking ring being manually adjustable along the tube to accommodate to the size of the patient, and the mushroom tip and ring both functioning to maintain the device in place in the patient; iv. retraction of the ring being entirely against the force of frictional engagement to enable the stoma and adjacent areas to be cleaned; and, v. when the mushroom tip is contracted, retraction of the ring enables the device to be removed from the patient.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
308 words
A gastrostomy catheter device for feeding into a patient's stomach, comprising: a. an elongate feeding tube, including an outer extension from the patient's stomach, the tube having a feeding inlet end mounted on the outer extension and an outlet end positioned within the patient's stomach; b. an expandable mushroom tip positioned at the outlet end of the tube; c. a closure plug for the feeding inlet and secured to the feeding tube by an integral band; and, d. a locking ring positioned medially along the outer extension of the tube, and sized to frictionally engage the tube, and slidably mounted therealong, and adjustable solely by frictional engagement with the tube to accommodate to the size of the wearer, the locking ring providing a plurality of perforations and spaced ridges to enable air circulation between the locking ring and patient's body; whereby, i. when the mushroom tip is contracted, the feeding tube may be inserted through a stoma and into the patient's stomach; ii. when the mushroom tip is expanded, it will secure the device within the patient's stomach and form a seal adjacent the stoma; iii. securement of the ring to the tube being provided solely by frictional engagement therebetween, to secure the device within the patient's body and to prevent undesirable movement of the ring along the tube, whether in the dry state or when lubricated by body fluids, the locking ring being manually adjustable along the tube to accommodate to the size of the patient, and the mushroom tip and ring both functioning to maintain the device in place in the patient; iv. retraction of the ring being entirely against the force of frictional engagement to enable the stoma and adjacent areas to be cleaned; and, v. when the mushroom tip is contracted, retraction of the ring enables the device to be removed from the patient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The catheter of claim 1, constructed of a medical grade silicone elastomer, and the like.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter of claim 2, in which the spaced ridges of the locking ring are arranged concentrically of the ring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter device of claim 1, in which the locking ring defines spaced ridges directed radially outwards from the ring.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for gastrostomy feeding, comprising: a. inserting a gastrostomy tube though a stoma and into a patient's stomach; and, b. supplying food through the tube to the patient's stomach, the said tube comprising: 1. an elongate feeding tube, including an outer extension from the patient's stomach, the tube having a feeding inlet end mounted on the outer extension and an outlet end positioned within the patient's stomach; 2. an expandable mushroom tip positioned at the outlet end of the tube;
Claim 7
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for gastrostomy feeding, comprising: a. inserting a gastrostomy tube though a stoma and into a patient's stomach; and, b. supplying food through the tube to the patient's stomach, the said tube comprising: 1. an elongate feeding tube, including an outer extension from the patient's stomach, the tube having a feeding inlet end mounted on the outer extension and an outlet end positioned within the patient's stomach; 2. an expandable mushroom tip positioned at the outlet end of the tube;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
249 words
a closure plug for the feeding inlet and secured to the feeding tube by an integral band; and, 4. a locking ring positioned medially along the outer extension of the tube, and sized to frictionally engage the tube, and slidably mounted therealong, and adjustable solely by frictional engagement with the tube to accommodate to the size of the wearer, the locking ring providing a plurality of perforations and spaced ridges to enable air circulation between the locking ring and patient's body; whereby, i. when the mushroom tip is contracted, the feeding tube may be inserted through a stoma and into the patient's stomach; ii. when the mushroom tip is expanded, it will secure the device within the patient's stomach and form a seal adjacent the stoma; iii. securement of the ring to the tube being provided solely by frictional engagement therebetween, to secure the device within the patient's body and to prevent undesirable movement of the ring along the tube, whether in the dry state or when lubricated by body fluids, the locking ring being manually adjustable along the tube to accommodate to the size of the patient, and the mushroom tip and ring both functioning to maintain the device in place in the patient; iv. retraction of the ring being entirely against the force of frictional engagement to enable the stoma and adjacent areas to be cleaned; and, v. when the mushroom tip is contracted, retraction of the ring enables the device to tbe removed from the patient.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
249 words
a closure plug for the feeding inlet and secured to the feeding tube by an integral band; and, 4. a locking ring positioned medially along the outer extension of the tube, and sized to frictionally engage the tube, and slidably mounted therealong, and adjustable solely by frictional engagement with the tube to accommodate to the size of the wearer, the locking ring providing a plurality of perforations and spaced ridges to enable air circulation between the locking ring and patient's body; whereby, i. when the mushroom tip is contracted, the feeding tube may be inserted through a stoma and into the patient's stomach; ii. when the mushroom tip is expanded, it will secure the device within the patient's stomach and form a seal adjacent the stoma; iii. securement of the ring to the tube being provided solely by frictional engagement therebetween, to secure the device within the patient's body and to prevent undesirable movement of the ring along the tube, whether in the dry state or when lubricated by body fluids, the locking ring being manually adjustable along the tube to accommodate to the size of the patient, and the mushroom tip and ring both functioning to maintain the device in place in the patient; iv. retraction of the ring being entirely against the force of frictional engagement to enable the stoma and adjacent areas to be cleaned; and, v. when the mushroom tip is contracted, retraction of the ring enables the device to tbe removed from the patient.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5, in which the tube and locking ring are constructed of a medical grade silicon elastomer, and the like.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 5, in which the spaced ridges of the locking ring are arranged concentrically of the ring.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 5, in which the locking ring defines spaced ridges directed radially outwards from the ring.