Gastric and intestinal feeding tube devices and methods can be enhanced to provide better patient outcomes. For example, this document provides gastric and intestinal feeding tube devices that include an external bumper with pressure sensors and pressure indicators that facilitate usage of the feeding tube devices within an appropriate range of skin surface pressure. This document also provides external bumpers with deflectable elements that facilitate the application of a controlled amount of force between the external bumpers and the skin surface.

This invention relates to a transnasal tube assembly comprising a transnasal tube and an integrated tether for anchoring the transnasal tube, wherein the integrated tether is permanently fixed to the transnasal tube at a first fixation point, and wherein the integrated tether is reversibly fixable to the transnasal tube at a second fixation point.

The present invention includes an indwelling tube having a plurality of projections extending outwardly from an exterior surface of the tube and a retention member designed to receive the tube. The retention member includes a projection passage to enable the retention member to receive and pass projections through the passage when the projection and passage are aligned so that the retention member can slide axially along the tube. When the projections and passage are out of alignment, the retention member can be secured between two projections. The present invention enables accurate placement of the retention member along the tube to aid in securing the tube at a desired depth in a patient's body. In a certain embodiment, the retention member may include a locking passage to receive and temporarily secure a projection to the retention member.

Gastrostomy tubes and systems and methods for implanting them are provided. In one example, the gastrostomy tube includes an elongate tubular member including a first end sized for introduction into the patient's mouth, a second end including an expandable member or other bumper, and a feeding lumen extending between the first and second ends. A bolster is connectable around the first end after the first end has been directed from within the patient's stomach through intervening tissue and extends from the patient's skin and the bumper is placed against the wall of the stomach. An adapter is connectable to the bolster after the first end and excess material of the tubular member beyond the bolster has been separated, the adapter including a connector for removably connecting to a feeding tube.

A PEG tube having a new internal bumper design is provided that prevents, or at least reduces the chances of, unintended dislodgement of the PEG tube. The internal bumper is disposed on a proximal end of the tubing of the PEG tube and is in a first, placed state when the PEG tube is in a feeding position inside of a patient. In the first, placed state, the internal bumper is a substantially solid structure having a preselected shape and a preselected maximum outer diameter or width. Initiation of a removal process converts the internal bumper from the first, placed state to a second, removal state in which the internal bumper is a generally elongated structure that has an outer diameter or width that is smaller than the maximum outer diameter or width. The smaller diameter or width of the generally elongated structure facilitates withdrawal of the generally elongated structure through the tract in the patient's stomach.

In some embodiments a PEG feeding device includes a tube sized to bridge a channel between a stomach and an outer abdominal surface; an internal bolster, and an external bolster. Optionally the bolsters are connected to the tube. The internal bolster may be sized to resist movement out of the stomach through the stoma. The external bolster may be sized to resist movement into the stoma from the outer abdominal surface. The external bolster may include an underside which extends from the tube in a radial direction between the external bolster and the outer abdominal surface. The underside of the outer bolster may contact the outer abdominal surface at a distance from an external opening of the stoma. Optionally the distance between the internal bolster and the external bolster is adjustable. Optionally an angle between one or both of the bolsters and the tube is adjustable.

Enteric feeding tube housings configured to secure a feeding tube to the body are disclosed. The housing includes a disc having a hole configured to accommodate the feeding tube and two or more holes configured to accommodate fasteners. Also disclosed are enteric feeding tube housings that include a disc having a hole configured to accommodate the feeding tube and two or more holes configured to accommodate fasteners, and a plurality of fasteners. Also disclosed are surgical kits that include a housing, a plurality of fasteners, and a plurality of locking devices configured to adjustably secure the fasteners in the fastener receiving holes, and method of using the disclosed devices.

The invention relates to a PEG probe having a PEG tube, an outer holding plate, through which the PEG tube is fed and in which the PEG tube is fastened, and a funnel adapter, which is associated with an outer end region of the PEG tube. A tightly closing valve is arranged either in the PEG tube between the outer holding plate and the outer end region or on the outer end region of the PEG tube. The valve blocks the flow through the PEG tube in a closed position and allows said flow at least in the full cross-section of the PEG tube in an open position. The valve has a valve body and a valve housing. The valve body is connected to and movable by means of a handle accessible from outside. The valve body is supported in the valve housing.

An improved feeding catheter is provided for feeding/recycling chyme to a distal stoma. The improved catheter includes a hollow tube having an end for insertion into stoma, and a second end adapted to be connected to a fluid source. The first end includes a retention feature comprising a plurality of ribs extending outwardly and longitudinally away from the tube and terminating at a nose junction. Web walls extend between at least one pair of adjacent ribs and the ribs further define a side facing opening configured for fluid to exit into the gastrointestinal tract. Further the retention feature can be moved between a relaxed condition and a stretched condition for insertion through the distal opening, wherein the maximum width of the retention feature in the stretched condition is less than the maximum width of the retention feature in the relaxed condition.

A percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy tube device includes an elongate tube extending between a first end and a second end. A flange is coupled to the elongate tube at the second end. A force sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a force applied to the flange. Systems including the percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy tube device are also disclosed.