There is provided feeding tubes including an electromagnetic sensor including a sensor body comprising a core positioned at a distal end of the sensor lumen, and a wire extending along the length of the feeding tube, wherein an RF induced heating of the feeding tube in an MRI environment is below 5 degrees.

A feeding tube position confirmation device 102, operable to confirm the position of a predetermined portion of a medical feeding tube in a predetermined portion of a human or animal body, the position confirmation device comprising an optical waveguide 106 dimensioned to be insertable into the lumen of the feeding tube, the optical waveguide having a sensing distal end 108 comprising a distal end material and a sensing material mixed with the distal end material, the sensing material operable to provide a change in optical properties at the distal end 110 of the optical waveguide dependent on the environment to which the sensing distal end 108 of the waveguide is exposed. The sensing material may comprise a reflective material. Methods of manufacture and use of such devices are also described.

A flow control apparatus comprising a housing capable of receiving a portion of the feeding set, a pumping device configured to receive the feeding set and may produce a fluid flow in the feeding set and deliver fluid to a subject, an ultrasonic sensor may be configured to produce a sensor signal indicative of a condition of the feeding set, and a control circuit in communication with the ultrasonic sensor for receiving the sensor signal from the ultrasonic sensor indicative of the condition of the feeding set. The ultrasonic sensor may comprise a plurality of sensor components which may be configured to emit an ultrasonic signal in a first direction, and in a second direction opposite the first direction through the feeding set.

A pump set for use with a pumping apparatus to deliver nutrition to an infant includes a first container to receive breast milk; a second container to receive fortifier; tubing extending from the first container and from the second container; and a valve mechanism connected to the first and second containers by the tubing and configured to selectively pass liquid from the first container and the second container.

A valve assembly including a housing having a base and an outer shell, which forms a proximal cavity and a distal cavity joined by a canal; an inner housing configured for longitudinal movement within the distal cavity; a seal positioned within the distal cavity that together with the longitudinal movement of the inner housing regulates the flow of fluid through the valve assembly; and one or more selected from the group consisting of the base notched with one or more notches and the inner housing having one or more through slots aligned to permit access to the one or more notches, the seal being a reversibly deformable sealing pin, and a torque limiter mechanism configured to resist the longitudinal movement of the inner housing distally until a sufficient radial force is applied.

A flow control apparatus adapted for a feeding set includes a housing capable of receiving at least a portion of the feeding set and a pumping device for acting on the feeding set to produce fluid flow in the feeding set for delivery of fluid. The pumping device has a rotor and a motor operatively connector to the rotor for rotating the rotor to act on the feeding set to produce fluid flow in the feeding set. The apparatus has a sensor arranged with respect to the pumping device to produce a signal indicative of a rotational position of the rotor, and a control circuit in communication with the sensor for receiving the sensor signal from the sensor indicative of the rotational position of the rotor and in communication with the pumping device to control operation thereof. The control circuit controls operation of the motor at a first output to rotate the rotor to produce fluid flow in the feeding set and at a second output effectively less than the first output, the control circuit monitoring the sensor signal during operation of the motor at the second output to determine occlusion in the feeding set.

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.

A pump set for use with a pumping apparatus to deliver nutrition to an infant is disclosed. The pump set can have a first container configured to receiving breast milk; a second container configured to receive fortifier; tubing extending from the first container and from the second container; and a valve mechanism connected to the first and second containers by the tubing and configured to selectively pass liquid from the first container and the second container.

A nasogastric tube placement system includes a nasogastric tube with a plurality of magnets, a display covering with a plurality of lights and sensors, and a processor. The display covering has two layers defining a pocket where the sensors reside. The sensors detect the proximity to the magnets in the nasogastric tube and the processor controls the illumination of the lights based on the information from the sensors, showing the location of the nasogastric tube relative to the display covering. The system also includes a method of placing the nasogastric tube using the system, which involves placing the display covering on the patient, moving the nasogastric tube down the patient's esophagus, detecting the position of the magnets, and illuminating the lights to show the location of the tube.

Disclosed is a system and method for the placement of elongate medical members within a patient's body using coaptive ultrasound that combines magnetic guidance with ultrasound visualization of the medical member in the patient's body. A coaptive ultrasound probe adaptor magnetically attracts an elongate medical member within the patient with sufficient force so as to allow the operator to manually guide the member to its intended location. The adaptor mates with an ultrasound probe to provide the medical operator ultrasound feedback of the position of the member, thus allowing internal placement without the need for more specialized medical equipment.