A long, thin, flexible medical apparatus, a kit including such an apparatus, and a method for employing the apparatus to assist in placing a distal portion of a lumen of a gastric tube in a stomach of a mammal. The apparatus comprises an elongate body portion, a handle portion fixed to a proximal end of the body portion, and a distal tip portion fixed to a distal end of the body portion. An ability to insert the body and distal tip portions into the gastric tube over the length of the long, thin, flexible structure provides a positive indication that the lumen is not blocked, obstructed, or otherwise compromised over that length. pH indicator sensors may be retained by the distal tip portion to exhibit a verifiable color change in response to contact with a predetermined subject fluid, such as gastric fluid, lung fluid, or another bodily fluid.

A naso/orogastric device having backflow blocking means and comprises a naso/orogastric tube sized and shaped for being disposed within the esophagus so that at least a distal end thereof being placed in the stomach lumen of a patient, at least one elastic esophageal body, positioned along the naso/orogastric tube, having a pressure dependent volume, at least one esophageal sensor that detects fluid around at least one segment of the naso/orogastric tube, and a pressure regulator that regulates a pressure within the elastic esophageal body according to the detection.

A feeding tube with an inflatable balloon component and at least one of (1) a carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) sampling line, (2) a suction tube component, (3) a pH sensor, and (4) an electromagnetic sensor is disclosed. A kit containing the feeding tubing and at least one of (1) a carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) sampling line, (2) a suction tube component, (3) a pH sensor, and (4) an electromagnetic sensor, and a method for intubating a patient to deliver the feeding tube to a desired location for delivering nutrients and/or medication to the patient are also disclosed.

A guide wire is provided with radial play for use as reinforcement in a soft probe tube, and has behind an insertion aid first a more flexible portion, before it is adjoined by the conventional guide wire. In that portion, the insertion aid and the guide wire grip coaxially into oppositely located ends of a tubular annular spring, in particular a flat wire coil spring wound on a block.

Devices and methods can be used to treat long gap esophageal atresia, while obviating much of the delay and complexities associated with current procedures. The devices and methods involve actively stretching the esophagus portions with traction to promote growth of the esophagus portions. Moreover, the devices and methods provided allow for a compression anastomosis to occur between the esophageal ends. This eliminates the need for a second operation to suture the esophageal ends together.

A tube assembly for placement within a patient includes a tube having a lumen, a proximal end portion, and a distal end portion attached to a dissolvable tip. The dissolvable tip may have an axial passageway and at least one non-axial vent. Once the assembly is positioned within the patient, the tip is dissolved by gastrointestinal fluids thereby providing an unobstructed distal tube end for material to flow through.

An image assisting diagnostic device includes a gastric tube; and a flexible cord removably attached to the gastric tube, wherein the flexible cord includes a first end having a probe tip; and a second end positioned at an opposite end from the first end, wherein the flexible cord includes a series of sections alternating between radiopaque material and substantially radiolucent material. The gastric tube includes a first diameter, and the flexible cord includes a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is different from the second diameter. The first diameter may be larger than the second diameter. The series of sections may be positioned between the first end and the second end of the flexible cord. The series of sections may be positioned closer to the first end than the second end. The probe tip may include radiopaque material.

A naso/orogastric device having backflow blocking means and comprises a naso/orogastric tube sized and shaped for being disposed within the esophagus so that at least a distal end thereof being placed in the stomach lumen of a patient, at least one elastic esophageal body, positioned along the naso/orogastric tube, having a pressure dependent volume, at least one esophageal sensor that detects fluid around at least one segment of the naso/orogastric tube, and a pressure regulator that regulates a pressure within the elastic esophageal body according to the detection.

A method for performing a medical procedure in an intestine of a patient is provided. The method comprises providing a system comprising: a catheter for insertion into the intestine, the catheter comprising: an elongate shaft comprising a distal portion; and a functional assembly positioned on the shaft distal portion and comprising at least one treatment element. The catheter is introduced into the patient, and target tissue is treated with the at least one treatment element. The target tissue comprises mucosal tissue of the small intestine, and the medical procedure can be configured to treat one or more diseases or disorders based on a measured physiologic parameter of the patient.

A guide wire-catheter assembly includes a catheter tube having a longitudinal channel, and a guide wire configured to be movable in the longitudinal channel. The catheter tube includes a bendable part near its distal end. The bendable part includes, in the circumferential direction of the catheter tube, a varying flexibility, such that exerting a longitudinal compression force in a proximal direction at a compression location distally of the distal end part results in bending of the bendable part. The guide wire includes an expandable part, where the expandable part is movable between a non-expanded position, in which a cross section of the expandable part is smaller than a smallest cross section of the longitudinal channel of the catheter tube and an expanded position. When the expandable part is in the non-expanded position, the guide wire can be moved completely in and out of the longitudinal channel of the catheter tube.