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.

Methods and apparatus for guiding medical care based on sensor data from the gastrointestinal tract are described utilizing an apparatus which can be used with enteral feeding. Generally, the apparatus includes an elongated body having a length configured for insertion into a stomach and at least one pair of electrodes located along the length of the elongated body and positionable for placement within the stomach. A controller in electrical communication with the at least one pair of electrodes is included and the control may also be configured to measure a conductivity or impedance between the pair of electrodes and to determine a gastric residual volume of the stomach based on the measured conductivity or impedance.

The use of a device to measure patient sensory response through the application of an incrementally increased electrical current to the oropharynx.

The system includes a smart nasogastric and/or oral gastric tube and a computing device. A distal end of the smart nasogastric and/or oral gastric tube is received by an internal area of a patient and includes a tip, a non-heating light source, and a camera. The tip includes a plurality of side holes or slots used for suctioning and an offset diagonal funneled slot proximate the camera used to pass a sponge brush under direct visualization. The camera is configured to capture a high definition and color video of the internal area of the patient and transmit the video to an application of a computing device. The smart nasogastric and/or oral gastric tube also includes a central tube for suctioning, feeding, or lavage with a proximal port.

Tube tip detection systems, enteral tubes, and methods for detecting tube misplacement in a patient's airway are provided. For example, a tube tip detection system comprises an enteral tube having a tip, a first sensing component disposed at the tip, and a feedback display. Feedback from the first sensing component is displayed on the feedback display to indicate to a user of the tube tip detection system whether the tip is misplaced in a patient's airway. Similarly, an enteral tube comprises a tip, a length, and a sensing component. The sensing component is a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) infrared carbon dioxide sensor. Further, a detection method comprises embedding a carbon dioxide sensing component into an enteral tube, inserting the enteral tube into the patient through the patient's nose or mouth, and monitoring feedback from the carbon dioxide sensing component to determine if the enteral tube is traveling into the patient's airway.

A system for feeding reinforcement includes at least one sensor, a control system, a speaker, and a control switch. The at least one sensor is configured to generate physiological data. The control system is configured to analyze the physiological data to detect one or more feeding events. The speaker is configured to render audio content. The control switch is movable between at least a first position and a second position. When the control switch is in the first position, the control system prevents the speaker from rendering the audio content in response to the control system not detecting any feeding events. When the control switch is in the second position, the control system causes the speaker to render the audio content in response to the control system not detecting any feeding events.

Methods and apparatus for accessing and monitoring the gastrointestinal tract are described herein. One variation of a feeding tube system may generally comprise a gastric access device having a length, a controller in communication with the gastric access device, and one or more impedance or conductivity sensors positioned along the length and one or more temperature sensors positioned along the length. The controller may be configured to receive a first signal associated with the impedance or conductivity sensors and a second signal associated with respiration and determine whether a placement of the gastric access device is within a stomach of the subject.

Aspects of the present invention relate to a multi-lumen tube including a plurality of channels having a proximal end, a distal end and a length therebetween, wherein the plurality of channels comprises a first channel forming a feeding lumen, and a second channel forming a monitoring lumen, and each channel extends parallel to each other along at least a portion of the length of the tube, and wherein the proximal end is positioned outside of a subject's body and the distal end is positioned in the subject's stomach.

Methods and apparatus for accessing and monitoring the gastrointestinal tract are described herein. One variation of a feeding tube system may generally comprise a gastric access device having a length, a controller in communication with the gastric access device, and one or more impedance or conductivity sensors positioned along the length and one or more temperature sensors positioned along the length. The controller may be configured to receive a first signal associated with the impedance or conductivity sensors and a second signal associated with respiration and determine whether a placement of the gastric access device is within a stomach of the subject.