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.

The present invention is an enteral nutrition gastrostomy access device. A permanent or semi-permanent stoma liner is adjustably positioned within a stoma channel extending through a patient's abdominal and stomach walls. The stoma liner is characterized by an adjustable bladder capable of applying variable torsional force to one or more pinch points along the interface between the stoma liner and the stoma. The stoma liner is configured to receive a plug with a central threaded channel, into which a cap or enteral feeding device may be wholly or partially inserted. The central threaded channel is characterized by requiring application of a linear push force to apply but requiring application of both a linear pull force and a torsional force to remove.

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.

A ventilator conduit for a reversible airway device (RAD) is provided. The RAD can include a supra-glottic support member connected to a tubular guide (TG) having oppositely disposed proximal and distal end portions and TG lumen, which extends between the ends and is defined by an inner surface. The RAD can be physically free of an endotracheal tube. The ventilator conduit can include a hollow tube having first and second ends, and a ventilator conduit lumen extending between the ends. The first and second ends can be adapted for connection to a ventilator circuit and insertion into the TG lumen, respectively. At least the second end of the hollow tube can be sized and dimensioned so that, upon insertion into the TG, an outer surface of the second end is brought into direct contact with a portion of the inner surface to form an air-tight seal therebetween.

A combination stylet device for use in guiding an endotracheal tube during an intubation procedure includes an elongated hollow sleeve having a fitting at one end configured for mating with a syringe and a nozzle at the second end for generating a fine spray of a liquid forward from the second end. An elongated bendable guiding stylet is disposed coaxially within the sleeve to define a channel through which pressurized liquid is conducted from the fitting to the nozzle. The sleeve is inserted into the endotracheal tube during intubation to guide the insertion and to allow for administration a medication from the end of the endotracheal tube.

One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a gastrostomy tube having a proximal portion and a distal portion with at least one lumen extending therethrough. The proximal portion includes first, second, and third ports that are each operably coupled to the proximal portion with the first port configured to provide for suction of contents from a patient's stomach, and the third port configured to provide fluid to an inflatable balloon. The distal portion includes a plurality of first openings configured to transport contents to and from the patient's stomach, at least one second opening configured to cooperate with the second port to provide sump-type function, and a curved portion having a gradual bend of approximately 45°-135°. The curved portion directs a distal end of the tube radially outward and away from a longitudinal axis of the tube.

Disclosed is a percutaneous transabdominal port that provides access to a hollow visceral organ. The percutaneous transabdominal port is hollow and has a channel connecting the external surface of the abdomen to the inside of an organ. A catheter or other instrument may pass through this channel into the organ. The percutaneous transabdominal port has a hollow tube which spans an abdominal wall tract, an internal retainer to prevent unintended removal, and an external retainer to prevent withdrawal into the body. If the internal retainer does not rely on inflation, the hollow tube may be cut to length. An optional seal prevents fluid leakage while permitting passage of catheters or instruments. An optional closure cap is described. A method of inserting, utilizing, and removing the percutaneous transabdominal port is described.

A balloon catheter system includes a tube and a dilator detachable from the tube after the tube is inserted into a cavity in the patient. The cavity may be filled with gas or liquid to expand the viscera surrounding the cavity and the guidewire may be inserted using a trochar, for example. The tube includes one or more lumen to expandable balloons that are inflatable by fluid inserted through the lumen and into the balloon or balloons, which are formed by elastic film sealed on opposite ends to the external diameter of the tube. The dilator is held in place during insertion, such as by a stainless steel shaft and a sheath portion of the dilator extending over the end of the tube being inserted into the cavity. A portion of the sheath may extend over and protect the balloon. A retractor net may be used to capture and remove the dilator or the dilator may be designed as a bioabsorbable or digestible material or of a material that passes safely through the digestive tract of a patient.

A feeding tube device for postpyloric feeding that comprises a bendable feeding tube having a proximal end, a central portion and, and a distal end and a delivery lumen therealong for conducting a digestible substance therethrough, an imaging unit having an image sensor mounted on a tip of the distal end to image an imaging space thereinfront, and a tilting mechanism for tilting the distal end in relation to the central portion. The distal end has at least one lateral tilt and feeding opening therealong for delivering the digestible substance therethrough, the at least one lateral tilt and feeding opening are laid out so that when the tilting mechanism tilts the distal end the at least one lateral tilt and feeding opening narrows.

The present invention relates to a device and a method for alternately measuring the thoracic and pleural pressure and for gastropharyngeal or tracheal sealing, wherein the balloon component of a tube or catheter placed in the trachea or oesophagus alternates between two filling or functional states, wherein the filling state of the balloon component in the measuring mode assumes a value of constant, defined volume during the measurement, said value corresponding to a flaccid filling state, and the filling state of the balloon in the oesophageally or tracheally sealing functional mode maintains a constant, sealing pressure specified by the user. The controller device connected to the tube unit or catheter unit ensures rapid displacement of filling medium into and out of the tube balloon or catheter balloon in the state of tracheal or oesophageal sealing, wherein the tracheally or oesophageally sealing target pressure is maintained continuously by compensating pressure fluctuations in the balloon caused by respiratory mechanics by a continuous, compensating displacement of filling volume. The user can switch between the two functional states by means of a manual switchover function or by means of a programmable, chronological cycle. In addition to the possibility of an intermittent monitoring of the respiratory mechanics and a continuous, tracheally or oesophageally sealing balloon tamponade, the balloon placed in the trachea or oesophagus allows, in both functional states, the thoracic derivation of a triggering, respiratory-mechanical signal which can trigger a ventilating stroke assisting the patient in a ventilator connected to the device. The invention also describes structural and functional options for the simultaneous derivation of a neural and/or muscular electrical signal from the diaphragm of the patient and a respiratory-mechanical signal on the basis of thoracic or pleural pressure fluctuations derived tracheally or oesophageally.