GB2046595A

GB2046595A - Enteral feeding device

Info

Publication number: GB2046595A
Application number: GB8011623A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-04-11
Filing date: 1980-04-08
Publication date: 1980-11-19
Also published as: DK149180A; FR2453653A1; DK162427B; JPS55143167A; IT1136173B; IT8012507A0; DE2914609A1; GB2046595B; DK162427C; SE8001575L; SE448671B; IT8015165V0; FR2453653B1; CH645547A5; DE2914609C2

Abstract

An enteral feeding device comprises a probe tube (1), the leading end of which is associated with a balloon. The balloon (2) can be filled with liquid and can be emptied into a body cavity in the introduced state. A pilot probe (7) constituting a rigidizing element (e.g. metal or plastics) is inserted in the probe tube (1), reaches as far as the leading end of the probe tube, and is separable from the probe tube. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Enteral feeding device The invention relates to an enteral feeding device for use in feeding living beings, wherein a balloon which can be filled with liquid and can be emptied in the introduced state is associated with the leading end of a probe tube, the device having a pilot probe reaching as far as the leading end of the probe tube and being separable from the probe tube.

Such a device is known from West German O/S 27 21 548. The purpose of this device is actively to introduce a probe tube of the smallest possible diameter, the pilot probe being used as a guide. The less convoluted introductory section of the body cavity is rapidly overcome so that at entry into the convoluted zones the real target location is reached by making use of the weight of fill, or respectively the adjustable cross-section of the balloon and the natural peristalsis. The pilot probe extends adjacent to the probe tube and is connected to the balloon at a point about half way along the length of the balloon.

Thus, upon being pulled in, the balloon does not fold back so far that the opening of the probe tube into the balloon is blocked off. Liquid forming the weight of fill can thereby be introduced satisfactorily from the outside into the balloon.

In accordance with the present invention, an enteral feeding device comprises a probe tube, the leading end of which is associated with a balloon which can be filled with liquid and can be emptied into a body cavity in the introduced state; and a pilot probe comprising a rigidizing wire inserted in the probe tube, reaching as far as the leading end of the probe tube, and being separable from the probe tube.

With this construction, the device may be fairly simply produced while the overall cross-section of the device is the same as the cross-section of the probe tube.

It has been discovered that the wire, which should be kept very thin, confers such a suprisingly high degree of stiffening upon the small-diameter soft probe tube that active introduction of the probe tube is workable. The rigidizing wire forming the pilot probe is surrounded by the material of the probe tube, so no danger exists either of cutting or of perforation of the surrounding tissue. Also, because of the small cross-section this probe is extremely accommadating in use.

Preferably, the balloon has a closed, free end, and the leading ends of the probe tube and the rigidizing wire extend up to the closed end of the balloon. In this case, the balloon is spread out along the wire and is pushed forward without any danger of folding. The balloon, which may be formed from a section of hose is therefore pushed onto the leading end of the probe tube just so far that on the one hand, the section of probe tube with rigidizing wire, extending inside the balloon, can be used as a stiffening finger, and on the other hand, that between the end of the probe tube, rounded in a dome, and the closed end of the balloon a sufficient distance still remains for the shortening which occurs upon filling the balloon not to be impeded.Forthe introduction of liquid as a drag-weight or for temporary increase in the cross-section of the balloon the rigidizing wire forming the pilot probe is pulled out.

If the surface of the rigidizing wire is roughened the introduction as well as the withdrawal of the wire can be performed very smoothly and also above all without lubricant. Lubricants have in general the tendency to clog the perforations in the wall of the probe tube.

An example of a device in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of the device; Figure 2 is an enlarged side view of the end of the probe tube with parts cut away and with the balloon omitted; Figure 3 is a section taken on line Ill-Ill in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side view of the end of the probe tube with the balloon filled and the pilot probe removed; and, Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but with the balloon empty.

The enteral feeding device comprises a probe tube 1 the leading end of which extends into a balloon 2 which may be moulded directly on the tube 1 or associated with it separately. The balloon 2 is formed from an extremely thin-walled hose body.

The balloon 2 is, in this example, pushed onto the leading end of the probe tube 1 and fixed by means of a sleeve 21.

The end opening 4, Figure 5, is closed off by a strip-off collar 5. In order to close the end of the balloon 2, the collar 5 is pushed over the sections I and II of the balloon wall, which are appropriately folded against one another, from the fold, so that it holds together the folded sections forming the closing point VI achieved by the fold.

The section A of the leading end of the probe tube 1 adjacent to the balloon 2 terminates at a short distance in front of the closing point Vl and also the end 2' of the balloon formed by the closing point Vl. The distance is chosen so that upon filling the balloon 2, the end 2' can rise unimpeded towards the end of the probe tube 1 which is shaped into a dome (cf. Figure 4). The end exhibiting the dome shape is designated by 8. The dome shape may be achieved by melting together a part section of the probe tube. Referring to Figure 2, this closed end 8 is thicker than the rest of the wall of the probe tube 1 and consists of thermoplastic material. The dome shape prevents perforation of the balloon wall.

Close to the end 8 of the probe tube 1 there are perforations 14 in the tube wall. The openings 14 are longitudinal slits, spaced along the tube 1 and angularly offset from one another. The openings 14 communicate with the interior of the balloon 2.

A pilot probe 7 extends inside the probe tube 1 and comprises a rigidizing wire metal or plastics. It reaches up to a point close to the end of the probe tube 1 and serves for stiffening of the probe tube 1 so that the latter may be actively introduced.

The distal endface 7' of the pilot probe 7 is flattened off bluntly and rests against an abutment W formed by the thickened end 8 which excludes perfo ration of this zone. The cross-section of the wire 7 (about 1 mm) is so chosen that sufficient play for pushing the pilot probe 7 into the probe tube 1 is still possible. In order to achieve optimum slidability without the use of a special lubricant, the surface 7" of the rigidizing wire may be roughened, not shown.

This roughening may be achieved both mechanically and also chemically.

A pilot probe 7 formed of steel or the like is very useful for X-ray diagnosis; while a pilot probe manufactured from plastics may likewise be prepared for X-ray checking by the addition of a contrast-forming constituent.

The probetube 1, stiffened by the rigidizing wire 7 may be introduced, in use, through the nose into the stomach. The rigidizing wire 7 or mandrel consisting, e.g. of plastics, and the soft hose material enables gentle introduction without risk. The balloon 2 is kept free from folding by the stiffened section A of the probe tube 1. After the rigidizing wire 7 has been withdrawn, the balloon 2 is filled with liquid via the probe tube 1. Through the action of the weight of fill, and peristaisis, the leading end of the probe tube 1 arrives at the desired place in the intestinal tract.

When the balloon 2 has reached the desired place further liquid is introduced into the balloon until it is tightly filled (see Figure 4). The internal pressure causes the collar 5 to strip off so that, after the filling liquid has discharged, nutrient liquid may be applied directly to the target location.

It is preferable that the sections I and II of the balloon 2 lie across in front of the end 2' of the balloon so that nothing projects beyond the circular crosssection of the balloon even when the balloon is only partially filled (Figure 4).

Claims

1. An enteral feeding device comprising a probe tube, the leading end of which is associated with a balloon which can be filled with liquid and can be emptied into a body cavity in the introduced state; and a pilot probe comprising a rigidizing wire inserted in the probe tube, reaching as far as the leading end of the probe tube, and being separable from the probe tube.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the balloon has a closed, free end, and the leading ends of the probe tube and the rigidizing wire extend up to the closed end of the balloon.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the surface of the rigidizing wire is rough.

4. A device according to claim 1, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.