Provided herein is an enteral safe feeding catheter that allows for a higher rate of delivering liquid food and/or drugs to the stomach and/or duodenum of a mammal while simultaneously allowing for aspiration of any regurgitated reflux escaping the stomach into the esophagus. Systems incorporating the catheter and methods of use thereof are also provided herein.

Disclosed is an NGT system, the system comprises a nasogastric tube having a diameter and length configured to pass through an esophagus such that the lumen of the NGT maintains fluid communication with a portion of the digestive tract, and a digestive tract sensor operatively associated with the NGT, the digestive tract sensor configured to sense from inside the body and transmit signals in response to one or both of conditions relating to nourishment states of the digestive tract, and positioning of the NGT.

There is provided system for monitoring spontaneous breathing of a mechanically ventilated target individual, comprising: a feeding tube for insertion into a distal end of an esophagus of the individual, sensor(s) disposed on the feeding tube at a location such that the sensor(s) is located at the distal end of the esophagus of the individual when the feeding tube is in use, wherein the sensor(s) is positioned for sensing values by contact with the tissue of the esophagus including a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and/or tissue in proximity to the LES, and code for computing an indication of a frequency band of diaphragm movement of the individual according to an analysis of values sensed by the sensor(s), and for adjustment of parameter(s) of a mechanical ventilator for mechanically ventilating the individual, wherein the instructions for adjustment are computed while the feeding tube is in use.

Methods and apparatus for accessing and monitoring the gastrointestinal tract are disclosed where one variation of a feeding system may generally comprise a gastric access device having a length. One or more sensors may be positioned along the length, and a controller may be in communication with the one or more sensors. The controller may be configured to receive a signal from the one or more sensors relating to a parameter of a fluid within a stomach of a subject. Furthermore, the controller may be configured to determine a gastric residual volume (GRV) based upon the signal and control a rate of a feed or formula introduced into the stomach such that the GRV is maintained at a steady level.

A method of preventing or suppressing a false alarm during administration of food or medicine to a human or animal through a feeding tube having one or more sensors that generate a signal, comprises analyzing the signals to determine whether food or medicine is being administered and, if it is determined that food or medicine is present, preventing or suppressing an alarm. In a further step, the time and length of administration of food or medicine is recorded. When the feeding tube has at least two temperature sensors, differences in the temperatures recorded for the different temperature sensors indicate that food or medicine was administered. In a case where there is only one temperature sensor, the rate and extent of any temperature change of temperatures recorded from that temperature sensor are compared to an algorithm to determine whether feeding occurred. If the feeding tube has two or more electrodes that sense a change in impedance (galvanic or non-galvanic), that change indicates whether food or medicine is being administered. The signals are analyzed by a processor, monitor, or controller that generates an alarm signal.

A FORS feeding tube system employing a feeding tube (30) for channeling a fluid flow from a proximal end and a distal end of the feeding tube (30), and further employing a FORS sensor (40) for generating sensing data informative of a shape reconstruction of a segment or an entirety of FORS sensor (40). The feeding tube (30) and the FORS sensor (40) are integrated to configure a FORS feeding tube (20), and the sensing data is further informative of a shape of a segment or an entirety of FORS feeding tube (20) derived from the integration of feeding tube (30) and FORS sensor (40). The FORS feed tube system may further employ a navigation controller to control a tracking of a positioning of a segment or an entirety of the FORS feeding tube (20) within an anatomical tract (e.g., a gastrointenstinal tract).

A hub component for a vented connector including a generally elongate cylindrical body having a first end and a second end. The first end of the hub component includes one or more fingers or clips for engagement with one or more vents of the vented connector. The second end of the hub component can be configured for compatible engagement with a carbon dioxide detector.

Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for maintaining oral hydration. A device may include a perforated tube, covered by an outer cover made of an absorbent material. The tube may be shaped such that it allows a patient using the device to open and close his or her jaw, without displacement and also to allow other medical devices to be used on the patient simultaneously.

An apparatus for use in tube feeding has a cylindrical body provided with first and second openings connected by a flow channel. The body has a reagent, for determining a characteristic of fluid disposed in the body and a transparent window to view the reagent. In use, a first end of an internal feeding tube releasably engages with the first opening. The second, distal end of the feeding tube is disposed inside a patient. A second feeding tube engages with the second opening. The second feeding tube connects the apparatus to a bi-directional pump operable: to pump internal fluid from a reservoir, through the apparatus and into the internal feeding tube; and to pump fluid from the patient into the body of the apparatus. This allows a user to pump fluid from the patient into the body of the apparatus to react with the reagent.

Methods and apparatus for detection of tissue damage in patients using a medical device for an extended period of time are disclosed.