A catheter assembly incorporating a pre-biased indicator, the assembly includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and catheter walls defining a catheter lumen. The assembly further includes a base located at the proximal end of the catheter, the base defining an opening to the catheter lumen, the base having a first end and a second end. An inflatable balloon having a predetermined fill volume is located at a distal end of the catheter. An inflation valve is located on the base; the inflation valve is in fluid communication with the balloon through an inflation lumen defined by the catheter walls. The pre-biased indicator located on the base in fluid communication with the balloon is configured to provide a discrete visual signal that the pressure of a fluid in the balloon is different from a predetermined level of pressure or the volume of the balloon is different from the predetermined fill volume.

The present disclosure describes a gastric jejunal tube having a gastric lumen and a jejunal lumen that run the length of the tube. The cross-sectional sizes of the lumens change from above to below the most distal gastric port. A method of making the gastric jejunal tube is also described.

The present invention provides a sheath for gastrostoma (1), a sheathed dilator, a gastrostomy catheter kit and a method of splitting a sheath for gastrostoma. The sheath for gastrostoma (1) includes a sheath body (11) in which a gastrostomy catheter (2) is inserted and a handle (12). The sheath for gastrostoma (1) lowers the insertion resistance of a gastrostomy catheter when inserted in a fistula before insertion of the gastrostomy catheter in the fistula for replacement in the patient's body. According to the invention, a sheath for gastrostoma, a sheathed dilator, a sheath for gastrostoma with insertion aid, a gastrostomy catheter kit and a method of splitting a sheath for gastrostoma which can lower the insertion resistance during placement of a catheter in the patient's body, facilitate air supply control of an endoscope and stabilize endoscopic visual field during surgery are provided.

A connector for coupling to a base of an indwelling device equipped with a circular hub having a radius, a top surface, a side surface, and a circumferential recess defined in the side surface. The connector has a resilient assembly including a plurality of release buttons extending from the resilient assembly and may include a conduit defining a fluid pathway through the connector. Each release button has a finger contact zone and a catch. The catch is configured to releasably engage the circumferential recess. The connector is coupled by positioning the connector on the circular hub and depressing the connector until the catches engage the circumferential recess such that the connector is configured to rotate completely about the circular hub. The connector is decoupled from the hub by pressing the release buttons to reversibly displace the respective catches radially to disengage from the circumferential recess.

A gastrojejunostomy tube is used when a patient's stomach must be bypassed, with nutrients and/or medication being delivered directly to the jejunum. In this situation, the stomach commonly fills with stomach acid and digestive enzymes, which may cause vomiting, acid reflux or other esophageal problems. The gastrojejunostomy drainage bag is provided to allow the contents of the stomach to be drained through the gastrojejunostomy tube, rather than building up within the patient's stomach. The gastrojejunostomy drainage bag includes a receptacle having a lower portion and an upper stem portion, the upper stem portion terminating in a port adapted for connection to the gastrojejunostomy tube. Preferably, a lower port is formed through the lower portion, allowing the contents of the gastrojejunostomy drainage bag to be selectively emptied. A method of releasing gas or trapped air from the stomach is also disclosed.

A connector for coupling to a base of an indwelling device equipped with a circular hub having a radius, a top surface, a side surface, and a circumferential recess defined in the side surface. The connector has a resilient assembly including a plurality of release buttons extending from the resilient assembly and may include a conduit defining a fluid pathway through the connector. Each release button has a finger contact zone and a catch. The catch is configured to releasably engage the circumferential recess. The connector is coupled by positioning the connector on the circular hub and depressing the connector until the catches engage the circumferential recess such that the connector is configured to rotate completely about the circular hub. The connector is decoupled from the hub by pressing the release buttons to reversibly displace the respective catches radially to disengage from the circumferential recess.

An internal bolster for use securing a medical device, such as a feeding tube, within a body of a patient is disclosed. In one embodiment, a feeding tube includes an internal bolster, comprising one or more bolster arms that each include a first end hingedly connected to a distal end of the medical device and a free second end. The bolster arms are selectively deployable between a first position wherein the bolster arms are substantially in-line with an axis of feeding tube, and a second position wherein the bolster arms are substantially deflected from the axis of the feeding tube to enable securement of the feeding tube within a stoma or other opening defined in the body. Various means for selectively moving the bolster arms between the first and second positions are disclosed. Related methods of use are also disclosed.

A tubing assembly for use in conjunction with electronic catheter guidance systems is provided and includes a catheter and a sensor. The catheter extends in a longitudinal direction and has a proximal end and a distal end that define a lumen therebetween. Further, the catheter is configured for placement within a digestive tract of a patient. The sensor includes a temperature sensor, relative humidity sensor, or both, and can be located within the lumen of the catheter or in an air sampling chamber connected to the catheter. The sensor can communicate with a processor to deliver temperature and/or relative humidity readings to a display device. A constant temperature or relative humidity profile, or both after a pre-determined amount of time can indicate placement of the catheter in the digestive tract. A catheter guidance system and a method for accurately placing a catheter in the digestive tract are also provided.