There is provided a system for monitoring transpulmonary pressure of a mechanically ventilated individual, comprising: a feeding tube, at least one esophageal body, a pressure sensor, and a memory having stored thereon code for: computing an estimate of esophageal wall pressure according to pressure in the esophageal body when inflated and contacting the inner wall of the esophagus, computing the transpulmonary pressure of the mechanically ventilated target individual according to the esophageal wall pressure, periodically inflating and deflating the esophageal body for periodic monitoring of the transpulmonary pressure of the mechanically ventilated target patient while the feeding tube is in use, and computing instructions for adjustment of parameter(s) of a mechanical ventilator that automatically ventilates the target individual according to the computed transpulmonary pressure, wherein the instructions for adjustment of parameter(s) of the mechanical ventilator are computed while the feeding tube is in place without removal of the feeding tube.

A vacuum sponge system, comprising: a sponge having an outer surface, a proximal end and a distal end, spaced from the proximal end in an axial direction of the sponge; a drainage tube disposed partially in the sponge, and is in fluid communication with the sponge; the drainage tube is connectable with a vacuum pump such that a pressure is applicable to the outer surface of the sponge; and a delivery member having an outer surface and extending in an axial direction of the sponge and adapted to establish a fluid communication between a region from the distal end of the sponge and region from the proximal end of the sponge. The pressure provided by the pump via the drainage tube is applied to a vicinity of the outer surface of the delivery member and the outer surface of the sponge. The delivery member is disposed partially radially outside of the sponge.

A device for irrigation of an oral cavity in a patient includes a suction element configured to be disposed in the oral cavity and configured to suction a fluid out of the oral cavity. The suction element also has one or more irrigation outlets configured to irrigate the oral cavity with the fluid. A suction line is fluidly coupled with the suction element and is configured to be fluidly coupled with a vacuum source. An irrigation line is fluidly coupled with the one or more irrigation outlets and is fluidly coupled with a source of the fluid.

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 method of gastric tube placement verification comprising the steps of: Inserting a gastric tube within the patient; Providing a colorimetric based gastric tube placement verification system for a patient gastric tube including i) a housing configured to be coupled to the gastric tube whereby stomach content aspirate can flow through an internal passage of the housing; and ii) at least one colorimetric based sensor within the housing and configured to come into contact with the patient stomach content aspirate, the least one colorimetric based sensor configures to detect a first gastric acid; Coupling the housing of the colorimetric based gastric tube placement verification system to a proximal end of the gastric tube; Aspirating stomach content of the patient whereby stomach aspirate can flow through an internal passage of the housing; and Visually inspecting at least one colorimetric based sensor within the housing for verification of proper gastric tube placement.

A method for detecting a location of a segment of a feeding tube is provided. The feeding tube has a proximal end, a hollow tube body and a distal end, and is placed inside the body of a patient. An audio collecting component is placed on a predetermined part of the patient. The method includes steps of pumping air into the proximal end of the feeding tube, collecting sound to obtain audio data by the audio collecting component, performing audio analysis on the audio data, and determining whether a segment of the hollow tube body is at a part inside the body of the patient that corresponds with the location of the audio collecting component based on result of the audio analysis.

A method and apparatus for determining gastric content volume. The internal temperature of the contents of the stomach is measured at least one predetermined time t after the patient is fed, and the gastric volume determined from the temperature. In preferred embodiments, a known volume of water at a known temperature is injected into the stomach, and the temperature of the stomach contents is measured after the stomach temperature has stabilized. An apparatus for performing the method, in which continuous measurement is possible without disturbing the patient's feeding schedule, and a method for using the inventive method in the control of an automatic feeding apparatus, are also disclosed.

Systems and methods for biofilm inoculation including a feeding tube having a distal end for placement in the gut of a patient, and a biofilm coated or otherwise provided on the distal end of the feeding tube for introducing the biofilm to the gut of the patient. In example embodiments, the biofilm can be colostrum, breast milk or one or more probiotics.

A food reflux reducing two-piece nasogastric tube includes a first tube body and a second tube body. The first tube body has a first connector on one end, and a protrusion edge on an outer side of the first connector in adjacent to the first positioning portion. The first connector has a through hole having a seal portion in adjacent to the first positioning portion. The seal portion has a cross break. A convex portion is on an inner edge of the through hole between the seal portion and the first positioning portion. The second tube body has one end provided with a second connector and an insertion combination tube extending therefrom. Two elastic arms extend from an outer side of the second connector and comprise a hook portion respectively. Thus, the second tube body is efficiently connected with and removed from the first tube body.

A nasogastric tube connector device includes an annular connector body for detachably engaging a through hole of a respirator mask having an inner peripheral surface defining a space, and a fixed member having a first concave surface and two side surfaces cooperating with the inner peripheral surface to define an opening of the space for passing of a nasogastric tube therethrough. A first plug member is detachably inserted through the opening into the space, and includes a second concave surface cooperating with the first concave surface to define a main tube hole communicating with the space. A second plug member is detachably inserted into the main tube hole to sealingly close the opening.