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 system for monitoring a patient's nutrition administration, the system including a processing device and a memory storing instructions executable by the processing device for: accessing nutrition administration information for a plurality of patients describing nutrition administered by different forms to the plurality of patients; accessing medical information about the plurality of patients from a healthcare information system; accessing nutritional requirement data describing a nutritional requirement for the plurality of patients; determining a difference between a nutritional requirement for a patient of the plurality of patients based on the nutritional requirement data, an amount of a nutrient administered to the patient, and the nutrition administration information; and integrating the nutrition administration information for the patient, the medical information for the patient, and the nutritional requirement data for the patient, for determining a nutritional adjustment for administering the amount of the nutrient to the patient based on the difference.

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 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.

Devices, systems, and methods for inserting a medical device, such as a gastrostomy tube, are described. For example, a device includes a housing defining an outer surface, a first end, and a second end, the housing comprising an inner passage that extends from the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing, wherein the outer surface defines an aperture in fluid communication with a portion of the inner passage, and a sensing device configured to cover the aperture, the sensing device configured to detect a property of fluid within the inner passage.

A grip detection sensor that includes: a piezoelectric film having a first main surface and a second main surface, either one of the first main surface and the second main surface being disposed at least partly on a periphery of a linearly shaped flexible object, a first electrode on the first main surface, a second electrode on the second main surface, and a spacer configured to maintain a space between the object and the piezoelectric film.

A tubing assembly includes a signal generating apparatus for a catheter placement system. The tubing assembly includes a catheter and a signal generating apparatus. The catheter includes an elongate shaft having a wall surrounding a lumen. The signal generating apparatus includes at least one electromagnetic coil and at least one electrically conductive polymer that is configured to electrically connect the at least one electromagnetic coil to a monitor unit.

Methods and apparatus for detection of tissue damage in patients using a medical device for an extended period of time are disclosed.

Methods and apparatus for detection of tissue damage in patients using a medical device for an extended period of time are disclosed.

An in vivo tube introduction determination device (100) includes a gas detection unit (10) that is connected to a second end (302) of a tube (300) of which a first end (301) is inserted into the living body (200) and a notification unit (20) that provides notification of information based on the output of the gas detection unit (10). The gas detection unit (10) is configured to detect a concentration of a first gas component that is carbon dioxide or oxygen and a concentration of a second gas component having a concentration difference between the stomach and the esophagus.