The present disclosure provides a device that includes a tube having a first end and a second end. The device also includes a stopper coupled to a surface of the tube adjacent to the second end of the tube. The stopper is configured to extend radially from the surface of the tube. The device also includes a first rib coupled to the surface of the tube. The device also includes a second rib coupled to the surface of the tube. The first rib and the second rib are positioned opposite one another on the surface of the tube between the first end of the tube and the stopper.

An apparatus for monitoring for accumulation of lung fluid comprises a feeding tube having first electrode(s) positioned thereon for electrical contact with tissue of an esophagus of a target patient including a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and/or tissue in proximity to the LES, second electrode(s) sized and shaped for contacting skin of the target patient, and a non-transitory memory having stored thereon code instructions for applying alternating current(s) to pair(s) of first and second electrodes, measuring a voltage over the pair(s), and computing an estimate of a change of lung fluid relative to a baseline in lung(s) of the target patient according to the applied alternating current and measured voltage, wherein the applying, the measuring, and the computing the estimate of the change in lung fluid are iteratively executed for monitoring the target patient for accumulation of lung fluid while the feeding tube is in use.

Devices and methods can be used to treat long gap esophageal atresia, while obviating much of the delay and complexities associated with current procedures. The devices and methods involve actively stretching the esophagus portions with traction to promote growth of the esophagus portions. Moreover, the devices and methods provided allow for a compression anastomosis to occur between the esophageal ends. This eliminates the need for a second operation to suture the esophageal ends together.

An appliance (1) for enteral nutrition by means of a probe of the type comprising a tubular element of elongated shape and substantially flexible which defines a feeding channel open at the extremities for the introduction of nutritional substances in the stomach of a patient and which comprises at least a first inflatable balloon for detecting the pressure inside the oesophagus of a patient, the tubular element comprising at least a first inlet/outlet mouth for the air in/from the first balloon, the appliance (1) further comprising: at least a pneumatic circuit (3) having pumping means (4) associable at least with the first inlet/outlet mouth for inflating/deflating the first balloon; processing means (8) comprising: detection means which can be connected to the first balloon to detect the patient's oesophageal pressure (p.sub.es); reading means of the pressure of the respiratory tract (p.sub.aw) which can be connected to an external detection device; calculation means operatively connected to the detection means and to the reading means and able to calculate at least the transpulmonary pressure (p.sub.tp); graphic display means (10) operatively connected to the processing means (8) and able to display at least one of the oesophageal pressure (p.sub.es), the pressure of the respiratory tract (p.sub.aw) and the transpulmonary pressure (p.sub.tp).

A repositionable medical tube, such as an endotracheal tube, a nasogastric tube, or a nasojejunal tube, having an inflatable cuff with at least one divot region therein, the divot region having an outer diameter sufficiently smaller than an outer diameter of both a proximate cuff region and of a distal cuff region as to produce a discernibly-distinct ultrasonic image when scanned by an ultrasound sensor. The medical tube may be further provided with an ultrasonically-detectable coil or one or more ultrasonically-detectable markers having an identifiable geometric shape when the marker is visible using an ultrasonic probe.

A catheter having a selectively inflatable external balloon and an internal balloon, where the internal balloon is operable as a valve to control fluid flow through a channel.

A novel nasogastric tube, that when properly inserted within a person, blocks the esophagus of the person to prevent gastric contents from being aspirated. The tube can be left in place during direct langroscopy and the device can include a preferably inflatable balloon for obstructing the person’s esophagus. This balloon can be preferably provided on a slidable tube that allows for head movement/flexion without movement of the balloon placement. The tube can be a dual or single lumen device. With a duel lumen device, a first lumen can be connected to a suction tubing to suction gastric contents from the distal end of the tube, while the other lumen can open up above the cuff to allow for easier ventilation with a bag valve mask/BVM. A novel endotracheal tube and novel indwelling catheter also incorporating a balloon component are also disclosed.

A gastrostomy device (100) comprises a gastrostomy tube (200) having a retainer lumen (235) extending between a proximal part and a distal part of the tube (200); and an inflatable retaining element (300) coupled to the tube (200) at the distal part. An interior space of the retaining element (300) is in fluid communication with the retainer lumen (300). The gastrostomy device (100) also comprises an indicator (410) being in fluid communication with the retainer lumen (235) at the proximal part of the tube (200). The indicator (410) is configured for indicating a pressure in the retaining element (300) continuously within a range from a pressure corresponding to an empty retaining element (300) to an optimal pressure for the inflated retaining element (300).

An apparatus for monitoring for accumulation of lung fluid comprises a feeding tube having first electrode(s) positioned thereon for electrical contact with tissue of an esophagus of a target patient including a lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and/or tissue in proximity to the LES, second electrode(s) sized and shaped for contacting skin of the target patient, and a non-transitory memory having stored thereon code instructions for applying alternating current(s) to pair(s) of first and second electrodes, measuring a voltage over the pair(s), and computing an estimate of a change of lung fluid relative to a baseline in lung(s) of the target patient according to the applied alternating current and measured voltage, wherein the applying, the measuring, and the computing the estimate of the change in lung fluid are iteratively executed for monitoring the target patient for accumulation of lung fluid while the feeding tube is in use.

An enteral feeding device permitting diversion of gastrointestinal fluid from an afferent limb to an efferent limb of gastrointestinal tract in a subject is provided. The device can be used to reduce leakage from around device and thus reduce morbidity associated with such leakage. In certain embodiments the enteral feeding device is a jejunostomy tube (J-tube). Also provided are methods for positioning and using the enteral feeding device. Also provided are kits for positioning and using the enteral feeding device.