A grip detection sensor that includes: a piezoelectric film having a first main surface and a second main surface, either one of the first main surface and the second main surface being disposed at least partly on a periphery of a linearly shaped flexible object, a first electrode on the first main surface, a second electrode on the second main surface, and a spacer configured to maintain a space between the object and the piezoelectric film.

The invention relates to a system for recording breathing efforts of a patient, which comprises a pressure determination device for determining a transpulmonary pressure at the point in time of the breathing effort of the patient. The invention moreover relates to a unit for recording the optimum filling volume of the balloon of an esophageal catheter.

A system can automatically adjust flow rates/feeding regimen of a feeding pump feeding fluids/enteral nutrition to a patient. The system can, based upon a prescribed volume of nutrition or nutritional targets (such as and not limited to energy (calories), protein etc.) to be delivered and a prescribed delivery duration, adjust the pump flow rate/feeding regimen following unexpected delivery interruptions to achieve at or near to the prescribed total volume/nutritional targets to be delivered, despite the interruptions.

The present invention proposes a method of transforming a traditional, single-use medical tube to a novel one with add-on endoscopic capabilities. A tiny, transparent shell is added at the distal end of the medical tube for containing lighting sources inside, and the lighting source can be any small-size LED, OLED, or LED device. Moreover, the tube has one additional lumen for installing power wires of the lighting sources, and another isolated lumen for inserting a flexible endoscope (video/image camera system) to observe targets inside human body. For minimizing outer diameter and cost, this endoscope does not include any built-in lighting source. While in use, the endoscope is first inserted into the medical tube through its specific lumen, and the lighting source at the tip is on. Secondly, the whole medical tube is safely inserted into human body for diagnosis or treatment with the help of endoscopic videos. In general, the medical tube is disposable, and the endoscope can be reused after proper sterilization procedures.

There is provided a system for managing reflux during an enteral feeding, comprising: (i) a non-transitory memory having stored thereon a code for execution by at least one hardware processor of a computing device, the code comprising: code for receiving electrical signals outputted by at least one reflux event sensor disposed within a digestive system of a patient; code for determining a gastric reflux event based on an analysis of the electrical signals; code for outputting instructions to pause enteral feeding of the patient by a feeding controller that regulates enteral feeding of the patient using an enteral feeding tube positioned within the digestive system of the patient; and (ii) an evacuation controller that directs back-flow of digestive contents from the digestive system of the patient to an external evacuation reservoir through an evacuation tube.

An in-line tester (100) comprising: an inlet (16), connectable, in use, to an aspirator tube (18); an outlet (20) connectable, in use, to a vacuum source (22); and a chamber (14) interposed between the inlet (16) and the outlet (20), the chamber (14) comprising: a first tester (108) arranged such that fluids drawn into the chamber (14) by the vacuum source (22) come into contact therewith; a second tester (122) arranged such that fluids drawn into the chamber (14) by the vacuum source (22) pass through it; and a reservoir (114) interposed between the first tester (108) and the second tester (122); wherein the first tester (108) comprises a first colorimetric substance adapted to exhibit a colour change in the presence of a target substance, and wherein the second tester (122) comprises colorimetric capnometer, which exhibits a colour change in the presence of carbon dioxide, the in-line tester (100) further comprising a liquid-stop device (52) which, when dry, permits the passage of gas from the inlet (16) to the outlet (20), but when wetted by a liquid, inhibits or prevents the passage of fluids from the inlet (16) to the outlet (20).

There is provided a system for monitoring a heart of a subject and monitoring impedance-related parameters, comprising: a feeding tube, an electrode disposed(s) on a distal end of the feeding tube, a controller that performs, while the feeding tube is in located in an esophagus and feeding is delivered to a subject via the feeding tube, in a plurality of iterations: continuously measuring voltage at the electrode(s) of the feeding tube, applying alternating current(s) between the electrode(s) of the feeding tube and at least one other electrode, computing impedance measurement(s) from the electrode(s) of the feeding tube according to the applied alternating current(s) and the measured voltage, computing impedance-related parameter(s) based on the impedance measurement(s), terminating the application of the alternating current(s), obtaining an electrocardiogram (ECG) measurement based on the voltage measured at the electrode(s) of the feeding tube, and providing the impedance-related parameter(s) and the ECG measurement.

A long, thin, flexible medical apparatus, a kit, and a method placing, confirming, and visualizing placement of a gastric tube. The apparatus comprises an elongate body portion, a handle, and a distal tip portion. An ability to insert and remove the body and distal tip portions in relation to 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 and, additionally or alternatively, radiopaque markers may be retained by the distal tip portion. The pH sensors exhibit a verifiable color change in response to contact with a predetermined subject fluid. The radiopaque markers enable a determination with certainty of the location and orientation of the distal tip portion of the apparatus and of the distal portion of a gastric tube in which the apparatus is disposed.

A medical device position notification system including a medical device and at least one sensor associated with the medical device, a processor, and a display device. The medical device is configured to be inserted into an orifice of the patient. The sensor measures information related to the position of the medical device in the patient's body, and communicates the information with the processor in real-time. The display device is coupled to the processor and is configured to display a tracing path of the position of the medical device in real-time. The display device is further configured to display a notification of the position of the medical device within the patient's body, such as a notification alert that the medical device has deviated from a predetermined path.

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.