FEEDING TUBE ORIFICE DILATOR

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plurality of feeding tube orifice dilators (10, 20, 30, 40) that allows users to dilate the Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) orifice comprising a proximal end portion (14) and a distal end portion (16) interconnected by an elongated body (12); a series of measuring marks (18) is applied to the dilators (10, 20, 30, 40) which are increased progressively in diameter through the proximal end portion (14) to the distal end portion (16); and a soft tipped wire (31) inserted into the proximal end portion (14) of dilator (30). Further, dilator (20) has small openings (14a) near the proximal end portion (14) and is hollow on the inside. Further, the dilators (10, 20, 30, 40) are inserted and removed prior to inserting the feeding tube after the opening is enlarged.

Claims

1. A plurality of feeding tube orifice dilators (10, 20, 30, 40) that allows users to dilate the Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) orifice, comprising: a proximal end portion (14) and a distal end portion (16) interconnected by an elongated body (12); a series of measuring marks (18) is applied to the feeding tube orifice dilators (10, 20, 30, 40) which is increased progressively in diameter through the proximal end portion (14) to the distal end portion (16); and a soft tipped wire (31) inserted into the proximal end portion (14) to the distal end portion (16) in dilator (30).

2. The plurality of feeding tube orifice dilators (10, 20, 30, 40) as claimed in claim 1, wherein dimensions of the dilators (10, 20, 30) are varying between 8 F and 22 F.

3. The plurality of feeding tube orifice dilators (10, 20, 30, 40) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dilators (10, 20, 30, 40) are made of non-allergenic, flexible plastic or rubber or silicone materials.

4. The plurality of feeding tube orifice dilators (10, 20, 30, 40) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distal end portion (16) in dilators (10, 30, 40) is substantially solid.

5. The plurality of feeding tube orifice dilators (10, 20, 30, 40) includes in dilator (20) a proximal end openings (14a) and a distal end opening (16a) and is hollow on the inside.

6. The plurality of feeding tube orifice dilators (10, 20, 30, 40) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the proximal end opening (14a) and distal end opening (16a) in dilator (20) is to hear whoosh of air flow. It could be also used to inject x-ray contrast to verify position further, if needed.

7. The plurality of feeding tube orifice dilators (10, 20, 30, 40) as claimed in claim 1, wherein diameter of the proximal end (14) of dilator (40) is at 12 F and diameter of the distal end portion (16) is at 22 F.

8. The plurality of feeding tube orifice dilators (10, 20, 30, 40) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the proximal end (14) is begun the dilator (30) with the soft tipped wire (31).

9. The plurality of feeding tube orifice dilators (10, 20, 30, 40) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dilator (10, 20, 30, 40) is inserted and removed prior to inserting the feeding tube after the opening is enlarged.

10. The plurality of feeding tube orifice dilators (10, 20, 30, 40) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dilator (40) is intended when only further dilation of the PEG orifice is needed.

11. The plurality of feeding tube orifice dilators (10, 20, 30, 40) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dilator (30) the diameter of soft tipped wire (31) is at 0.038 inches, as claimed in claim 1, wherein soft tipped wire (31) is very flexible.

12. The plurality of feeding tube orifice dilators (10, 20, 30, 40) as claimed in claim 1, wherein total length of the dilators (10, 20) is at range of 13-15 inches.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is written with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference the like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates schematic view of feeding tube orifice dilator (Model 1) with series of measuring marks, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates schematic view of feeding tube orifice dilator (Model 2) with series of measuring marks and is hollow on the inside, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates schematic view of feeding tube orifice dilator (Model 3) with soft tipped wire, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates schematic view of feeding tube orifice dilator (Model 4) with proximal and distal end portions, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0020] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0022] The terms comprises, comprising, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, system, assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by comprises . . . a does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or device.

[0023] An embodiment of the present invention relates to the feeding tube orifice dilator which is a tool that allows users to dilate the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) orifice once it contracted to a diameter too small to manually reinstall the feeding tube. The dilator can also be used to replace a feeding tube with a larger diameter feeding tube if needed.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1 illustrating schematic view of feeding tube orifice dilator with series of measuring marks, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. A plurality of feeding tube orifice dilators (10, 20, 30, 40) comprises one feeding tube orifice dilator 10 having a proximal end portion 14 and a distal end portion 16 interconnected by an elongated body 12. This feeding tube orifice dilator 10 starts out with size 8 F tip10 cm made from flexible but firm plastic, rubber or silicone and then slowly increases to size at 22 F and then continues as 22 F, as shown in Model 1.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2 illustrating schematic view of feeding tube orifice dilator with series of measuring marks and is hollow on the inside, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The plurality of feeding tube orifice dilators (10, 20, 30, 40) comprises second feeding tube orifice dilator 20 has a series of measuring marks 18 which is increased progressively in diameter through the proximal end portion 14 to the distal end portion 16. The total length of the dilator 20 is at range of 13-15 inches.

[0026] Accordingly, the dilator 20 allows the users to reinstall the feeding tube into orifices that have contracted to diameter too small to reinstall the original tube such that the dilator 20 can also be used to replace the feeding tube with a larger diameter feeding tube if needed. As shown in FIG. 2 as Model 2 which is same as Model 1, this dilator 20 has one or two small openings near the tip (not at the tip) (14a), and is hollow on inside and ends with an open end (16a) to allow a whoosh of air flow (an indirect hint that the dilator's tip entered the stomach).

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3 illustrating schematic view of feeding tube orifice dilator with soft tipped wire, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The plurality of feeding tube orifice dilators (10, 20, 30, 40) comprises a third feeding tube orifice dilator 30 that begins with a sharp long tip to allow insertion into a very tight orifice. Further, the dilator 30 progressively increases in dimension as shown by a series of measuring markings 18. Further, the dilator 30 that includes a soft tipped wire 31 inserted into the proximal end portion 14 to the distal end portion 16. As shown in FIG. 3 as Model 3, starts with a soft tipped wire 0.038 in diameter10 cm and is attached to a solid flexible but firm rubber or plastic tube that slowly dilates as per the drawing. The dilator 30 is solid on the inside.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4 illustrating schematic view of feeding tube orifice dilator with proximal and distal end portions, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The plurality of feeding tube orifice dilators (10, 20, 30, 40) comprises a fourth feeding tube orifice dilator 40 is provided with a proximal end 14 and a distal end 16. The diameter of the proximal end portion 14 is at 12 F and diameter of the distal end portion 16 is at 22 F. As shown in FIG. 4 as Model 4 which has measurement as per the FIG. 4. It is solid since it is to be used only when inserting the dilator in not a problem and the purpose is only to make the orifice somewhat larger.

[0029] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention relates to the dilator 40 which is inserted and removed prior to inserting the feeding tube after the opening is enlarged. Further, the dilator 40 is intended when only further dilation of the PEG orifice is needed.

[0030] Accordingly, the dilator 40 doesn't start with a sharp tip and is intended when only further dilation of the PEG orifice is needed but insertion of the dilator 40 into the PEG orifice is not a problem.

[0031] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching present invention. The exemplary embodiment is chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0032] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as open terms (e.g., the term including should be interpreted as including but not limited to, the term having should be interpreted as having at least, the term includes should be interpreted as includes but is not limited to, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases at least one and one or more to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles a or an limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases one or more or at least one and indefinite articles such as a or an (e.g., a and/or an should typically be interpreted to mean at least one or one or more); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of two recitations, without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to at least one of A, B, and C, etc. is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., a system having at least one of A, B, and C would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to at least one of A, B, or C, etc. is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., a system having at least one of A, B, or C would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase A or B will be understood to include the possibilities of A or B or A and B.

[0033] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present invention contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the invention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. In addition, while a feature of the present invention may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present invention. The present invention also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of comprising or including also contemplates embodiments that consist essentially of or consist of the recited feature.

[0034] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/component of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.