This invention relates to a method of catheter and radiating coil location in a human body. In particular, when a radiating coil is used in conjunction with a catheter, a coil locating device can be used to determine the distance the coil is from the device and its depth in the patient's body. A display is provided that shows both a reference image of a portion of a non-subject body and an image of the coil located on the display with reference to the reference image. This is achieved by locating the coil-locating device on a predetermined landmark on the patient's body. The coil and its signal wires can be incorporated into a stylet, guide wire or a catheter. The coil locating device can be orientated towards the head of the patient and for an axis of the device to be aligned with the mid sagittal plane of the patient.

A feeding tube position confirmation device 102, operable to confirm the position of a predetermined portion of a medical feeding tube in a predetermined portion of a human or animal body, the position confirmation device comprising an optical waveguide 106 dimensioned to be insertable into the lumen of the feeding tube, the optical waveguide having a sensing distal end 108 comprising a distal end material and a sensing material mixed with the distal end material, the sensing material operable to provide a change in optical properties at the distal end 110 of the optical waveguide dependent on the environment to which the sensing distal end 108 of the waveguide is exposed. The sensing material may comprise a reflective material. Methods of manufacture and use of such devices are also described.

A method for creating a tract for percutaneous endoscopic guided gastrointestinal tube creation including the steps of providing a puncture wire having a sharp tissue penetrating tip shielded in a sheath, the puncture wire slidable within the sheath and releasably lockingly engaged thereto; inserting the puncture wire and sheath in a first direction through a working channel of an endoscope to exit the channel of the endoscope, then releasing the puncture wire from the sheath and advancing the puncture wire from the sheath while visualizing via the endoscope the position of the puncture wire, and further advancing the puncture wire through the visceral wall and then the abdominal wall of a patient. Subsequent methods to position a percutaneous gastrointestinal catheter after initial wire puncture are described.

A device and method for placing a jejunal feeding tube through a stomach and into a small intestine. A mechanism is formed to a shape that contacts walls of the small intestine along a length of the small intestine to grip the walls and anchor the jejunal feeding tube. The mechanism is present on a distal end of the jejunal feeding tube that is present in the small intestine after placement of the jejunal feeding tube. The mechanism is straightened for placement into the small intestine with a stiffening apparatus.

A syringe includes a barrel, a plunger, and a sealing member creating a seal between the plunger and the barrel. The barrel includes a first portion with a first inner diameter and a second portion with a second inner diameter that is larger than the first inner diameter. The sealing member engages the first portion of the barrel to give rise to a first contact pressure when the barrel is filled with product. The first contact pressure is sufficient to maintain a gas-tight seal over the expected temperature ranges −25° C. to 40° C. A first force is applied to the plunger to overcome the first contact pressure and move the plunger out of the first portion and into the second portion to dispense product. The sealing member engages the second portion of the barrel to give rise to a second contact pressure that is lower than the first contact pressure. A second force lower than the first force is sufficient to overcome the second contact pressure and move the plunger in the second portion to continue dispensing product. The syringe may include a restraining element for accommodating expansion of the product during freezing.

Disclosed is a system for administrating fluids to a patient, such as an infant. The system comprises a container that defines a drip chamber, a source of nutritive fluid fluidically communicating with the drip chamber, and a tube connecting the drip chamber to the gastric cavity of a patient, the chamber including a membrane that is gas-permeable but that is resistant to fluid passage. The system allows fluids to be introduced to the patient and for gastric gases to be released while they are resistant to the leak and spillage.

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 tubing assembly for use with an electronic catheter guidance systems is provided and includes a catheter and a stimulation electrode assembly, and an electrical connection for delivering a stimulation waveform to the stimulation electrode assembly. The catheter extends in a longitudinal direction and has a proximal end and a distal end that define a lumen therebetween. Further, the catheter is configured for placement within a patient's digestive tract. The stimulation electrode assembly is configured to deliver an electrical stimulation to tissue. A catheter guidance system and method for accurately placing a catheter in the digestive tract are also provided.

A nasogastric probe comprises at least one substantially flexible tubular element of elongated shape, provided with at least one main channel communicating with at least one feeding mouth of nutritive substances or the like, which is arranged at a first end stretch of the tubular element itself, and with at least one delivery mouth of nutritive substances or the like, which is arranged at a second end stretch opposed to the first end stretch and intended to be inserted into the patient's stomach passing through the esophagus; and it comprises pressure detecting means inside the esophagus comprising at least one pressure sensor associated with the tubular element and interposed between the feeding mouth and the delivery mouth.

Enteric feeding tube housings configured to secure a feeding tube to the body are disclosed. The housing includes a disc having a hole configured to accommodate the feeding tube and two or more holes configured to accommodate fasteners. Also disclosed are enteric feeding tube housings that include a disc having a hole configured to accommodate the feeding tube and two or more holes configured to accommodate fasteners, and a plurality of fasteners. Also disclosed are surgical kits that include a housing, a plurality of fasteners, and a plurality of locking devices configured to adjustably secure the fasteners in the fastener receiving holes, and method of using the disclosed devices.