A system for moving particles suspended in a first fluid, and for infusing them into the stream of a second fluid, includes a catheter with a multi-lumen distal separator. The separator is formed with a plurality of parallel lumens, wherein each lumen has a predetermined diameter to reduce particle flocculation. An inflatable balloon, affixed to the outside of the catheter, can be provided to regulate flow of the second fluid and thereby facilitate entry of the particles into the stream of the second fluid. A reinforcing member is employed to strengthen the catheter wall under the inflatable balloon. With this arrangement, the catheter does not kink or collapse due to the pressure exerted on the catheter wall when the balloon is inflated. In one embodiment, the reinforcing member includes an annular shaped ring. In another embodiment, the separator is positioned under the balloon and acts as the reinforcing member.

Systems and methods for monitoring nutritional uptake of an individual are disclosed. The method can include monitoring microflora intestinal gas concentration levels associated with a patient and adjusting the volume of nutrient provided by the patient with an artificial feeding device based at least in part on the microflora intestinal gas levels associated with the patient. A microflora intestinal gas sensor can be used to monitor the microflora intestinal gas associated with the patient. The microflora intestinal gas sensor can monitor the microflora intestinal gas in a patient's exhaled breath or in the patient's digestive tract. The microflora intestinal gas sensor be included as part of an enteral feeding system at the distal end or outside end of an enteral feeding tube. Systems and methods for monitoring nutritional uptake of an infant based on microflora intestinal gas levels associated with the infant are also disclosed.

A syringe having barrel and a non-luer tip that is not connectable to an intravenous device is disclosed. The syringe as an enteral collar engagement feature adjacent the distal end of the syringe barrel. The syringe has an enteral collar having a distal end and proximal end, the proximal end having a syringe engagement feature complementary to and engagable with the enteral collar engagement feature. The enteral collar is sized to permit connection to an enteral device and prevent connection to a device having a luer connector

The gastrostomy catheter includes a shaft in which a lumen is provided, a flexible bumper which is provided at a tip of the shaft, and a wire which has elasticity and can bias the bumper in a diameter-increasing direction and restricts deformation of the bumper in a diameter-decreasing direction. At least a portion on a tip side of the wire biases the bumper in the diameter-increasing direction or restricts the deformation of the bumper in the diameter-decreasing direction by the elasticity of the wire in a state in which the wire is disposed in the bumper.