Assembly of devices, and a kit, for use in replacement gastrostomy tube therapy, consisting of: 1) a Replacement Gastrostomy Tube status device comprising an evaluation module able to trigger an alarm that indicates the inflation status of a retention balloon; 2) a temporary distal “tip” structure for use in centering the Replacement Gastrostomy Tubes in vivo; and 3) a gastrostomy tube comprising a mesh latticework structure to increase the structural integrity of the Replacement Gastrostomy Tubes; and/or a pH sensor measuring acidity of fluid at distal tube opening. The module/unit comprises a battery powered, visual light, auditory signal or network-connected communication to convey the retention balloon's inflation status. The temporary distal “tip” structure includes various tapers, with minimal distal area, to facilitate placement of the Replacement Gastrostomy Tube via a self-centering function, in which the tip is chemically or mechanically released into a digestive tract, or withdrawn externally after a Replacement Gastrostomy Tube is positioned in vivo.

A stabilization device for a low-profile feeding device may include a pad and a stabilizer body. The low-profile feeding device may have a tube, an external bolster, and an internal bolster. The pad may include an opening extending from a top surface to a bottom surface thereof and configured for receiving the tube therethrough. The stabilizer body may be fixedly attached to the top surface of the pad and configured for extending over the external bolster. The stabilizer body may include a cavity configured for receiving a base portion of the external bolster therein, an opening extending from the cavity to a top surface of the stabilizer body and configured for allowing access to an access port of the external bolster, and a slit extending from the top surface toward a bottom surface of the stabilizer body and from the opening to a first end of the stabilizer body.

A device for snugging a balloon of a catheter against an inner wall of an intra-corporeal lumen or surface serviced by the catheter includes a hollow column having a top end and a bottom end, forming a throughway sized to accommodate a tube of the catheter, and a flange extending from the bottom end of the hollow column generally perpendicularly to length of the hollow column. A slit is formed in the hollow column and the flange through which the hollow column is connectable to the tube of the catheter. The catheter is tugged to contact the balloon to the inner wall of the lumen, and the device is fixed to the tube of the catheter atop the skin of a body serviced by the catheter to tension pressure of the balloon against the inner wall.

The present disclosure provides a device that includes: (a) a tube having a first end and a second end, (b) a stopper coupled to a surface of the tube adjacent to the second end of the tube, where the stopper is configured to extend radially from the surface of the tube, (c) a first rib coupled to the surface of the tube, and (d) a second rib coupled to the surface of the tube, where 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.

In some embodiments a PEG feeding device includes a tube sized to bridge a channel between a stomach and an outer abdominal surface; an internal bolster, and an external bolster. Optionally the bolsters are connected to the tube. The internal bolster may be sized to resist movement out of the stomach through the stoma. The external bolster may be sized to resist movement into the stoma from the outer abdominal surface. The external bolster may include an underside which extends from the tube in a radial direction between the external bolster and the outer abdominal surface. The underside of the outer bolster may contact the outer abdominal surface at a distance from an external opening of the stoma. Optionally the distance between the internal bolster and the external bolster is adjustable. Optionally an angle between one or both of the bolsters and the tube is adjustable.

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.

Gastric and intestinal feeding tube devices and methods can be enhanced to provide better patient outcomes. For example, this document provides gastric and intestinal feeding tube devices that include an external bumper with pressure sensors and pressure indicators that facilitate usage of the feeding tube devices within an appropriate range of skin surface pressure. This document also provides external bumpers with deflectable elements that facilitate the application of a controlled amount of force between the external bumpers and the skin surface.

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.

Stoma site protection devices, kits, assemblies and methods are provided that prevent or minimize leakage from a stoma. A stoma site protection device includes a conformal plug that can adapt to the stoma track. Kits and assemblies include additional components such as flexible external bumpers and bandages that provide multiple sealing of the stoma.

Gastric and intestinal feeding tube devices and methods can be enhanced to provide better patient outcomes. For example, this document provides gastric and intestinal feeding tube devices that include an external bumper with pressure sensors and pressure indicators that facilitate usage of the feeding tube devices within an appropriate range of skin surface pressure. This document also provides external bumpers with deflectable elements that facilitate the application of a controlled amount of force between the external bumpers and the skin surface.