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.

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.

A device and method for verifying the proper position of catheters in the body by means of acoustic reflectometry, the device including a sound source, one or more sound receivers, a tube with compliant walls and open distal end to be introduced through an entrance to a body cavity, the sound source and receiver(s) coupled to the proximal end of the tube, a processor for causing the sound source to generate an acoustic excitation signal, the processor processing the acoustic signals sensed by the sound receiver(s) and generating an approximation of the acoustic impulse response of the tube, and the processor analyzing the acoustic impulse response to determine the position of the tube in the body cavity.

A cleaning apparatus for an internal bore formed in a feeding tube has a shaft with a distal end and an opposing proximal end. The distal end terminates at a blunt tip and the proximal end terminates at a cap. The shaft has a length such that when inserted into the feeding tube, the cap aligns with a proximal end of the feeding tube and the blunt tip extends only partway out of a distal end of the feeding tube. At least one disc is mounted on the shaft adjacent the blunt tip. Each disc has a diameter equal to or greater than said first diameter of the internal bore so that tip portions of the disc deflect and travel along the internal bore of the feeding tube providing a squeegee-like cleaning action.

A system comprising: a nasogastric tube comprising: (a) a main lumen having one or more proximal connectors for connecting to a source of substances or pressure, (b) at least four vacuum lumens peripherally surrounding said main lumen, (c) at least four suction ports for sealingly drawing an inner wall of an esophagus thereagainst, each of said at least four suction ports associated with a different one of said four vacuum lumens, wherein said at least four suction ports are distributed between at least two different locations along a longitudinal axis of said nasogastric tube; and an imaging system for capturing and rendering one or more images of an area accessible by said tube, said imaging system comprising: (d) a camera disposed at a distal end of said nasogastric tube, for capturing said images; (e) an illuminator disposed at said distal end of said nasogastric tube, and (f) a processing unit provided at a proximal end of said nasogastric tube, that is configured to receive and process said captured images, render said processed images on a display screen, and provide a camera control signal to control said camera and a light control signal to control said illuminator.

A respiratory mask can be used to provide therapy to patients who also require a nasogastric (NG) tube. The mask seal can include a path that is designed to deform around an NG tube or other without lifting the mask away from a patient's face. The deforming path can help to minimize gaps that form between the patient's face and the mask seal as a result of the tube, thus reducing leaks and improving the efficacy of the treatment.

A catheter for assisting recovery from dysphagia comprising: a feeding tube; a sleeve for receiving the feeding tube and being movable longitudinally relative to the feeding tube, and a retaining formation attached to the sleeve for fixing the position of the sleeve relative to the feeding tube, wherein the retaining formation comprises a first part and a second part connected by a living hinge, the second part being movable relative to the first part between an open position whereby the sleeve can be moved longitudinally relative to the feeding tube and a closed position, whereby the feeding tube is clamped between the first part and the second part to positionally fix the sleeve relative to the feeding tube.

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.

This disclosure includes intraluminal tubes comprising: an elongated tube (e.g., having a proximal portion, a distal portion configured to be disposed inside of an internal cavity of a patient, and a sidewall defining a lumen extending from the proximal portion to the distal portion, the distal portion defining one or more openings in fluid communication with the lumen) and a plurality of deployable tines, each coupled to the tube and disposed outside the sidewall of the distal portion, where each tine is movable from a collapsed state to a deployed state in which a portion of the tine extends laterally away from the distal portion of the tube. In some of the present intraluminal tubes, the sidewall of the distal portion defines a plurality of longitudinal grooves, and each tine is disposed in a different one of the grooves when the tines are in the collapsed state.

A securing pocket for managing the loose portion of a medical tube, such as a Nasogastric/Nasojejunal tube, while an implanted portion of the medical tube remains attached to the patient. The loose portion of the medical tube has a coiled section disposed within a receptacle formed between flexible front and rear panels. An integral flap overlaps the front panel to selectively close the receptacle and may be secured with a snap connector. Jam cleats are located along left and right edges adjacent a top edge of the receptacle. Each jam cleat forms a breach in the receptacle through which a tethered section of the loose medical tube extends. The jam cleats are configured to apply a progressive wedge force on the tethered section of the loose medical tube in response to tension along the tube. The jam cleat has flexible sides formed in a V-shape.