WO2019135110A1

WO2019135110A1 - Disposable connector device for use in enteral feeding

Info

Publication number: WO2019135110A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/050659
Authority: WO
Inventors: J. Mon Singh
Original assignee: Singh J Mon
Priority date: 2018-01-03
Filing date: 2018-02-02
Publication date: 2019-07-11

Abstract

It is an object of the invention to provide a disposable device that is placed between nasogastric tube and feeding bag with leak proof and secured connection. The disposable device should have three terminals: 1) One for connecting to patient N.G tube; 2) One for connecting to feeding bag; 3) One for administrating drug, flush water and to drain the stomach. The device includes rotor tap to switch between ports as per the requirements without disconnecting the enteral feeding system. The device should have the safety cap to lock the feeding and flush port when the feeding is not required.

Description

Disposable Connector Device For Use In Enteral Feeding

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of medical health care devices and in particularly relates to an improved disposable connector device for use in enteral feeding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the modern intensive care units of hospital are giving high priority towards Enteral Feeding to support speedy recovery. Many clinical studies have been proved that systematic administration of optimum nutrition and hydration will reduce infection and improve fast patient’s recovery. Enteral feeding is a method of providing nutrition to a person that cannot or will not eat by swallowing. Enteral feeding may be done temporarily, as may be the case for temporary or acute conditions, or indefinitely, as may be the case for chronic or incurable conditions. An enteral feeding system generally includes a container for holding the feeding material and an apparatus for delivering the feeding material to the patient. Feeding solutions can be injected through the catheter to provide nutrients directly to the stomach or intestines (known as enteral feeding). A variety of different catheters intended for enteral feeding have been developed over the years, including some having a “low profile” relative to the portion of the catheter which sits on a patient's skin, as well as those having the more traditional or non-low profile configuration.

Generally, while patient is getting feed through N.G tube, the tube has to be detached from the feeding bag for the following reasons 1) The N.G tube should be flushed frequently with water to prevent food clotting; 2) Required medicine has to be infused to the patient as and when required; 3) Every 3rd or 4th hour of the infusion the stomach has to be aspirated to check whether the infused food has digested or not; 4) Stomach should be emptied quickly during shifting of patient to the operation theatre in case of surgical procedure. For all the above purpose the N.G tube should be detached from the feeding bag, which will lead in to potential contamination cause infection to the patients.

One of the major issues with enteral feeding is contamination, as many of the persons that are fed enterally are in a distressed or immuno-compromised state. Contamination can result from various sources, but in many cases it results from exposure of the feeding material to an external environment. A contaminated enteral feeding system may lead to problems for the patient, resulting in diarrhoea, vomiting, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, septicaemia, as well as gastrointestinal infections or weight loss of the patient.

Bacterial contamination of enteral feeding equipment is a problem. The contamination can occur due to handling of the feeding components by a care giver. The care giver may compromise either the tube or the syringe tip by touching those parts, as the care giver attempts to attach the tube to the syringe tip, for instance. However, contamination is not limited to the hands of a care giver, as anything that touches the tube or syringe tip can potentially contaminate either part. Luer lock connection devices have been used to connect two parts to each other, for example. A luer lock typically comprises a screw or thread lock mechanism used to axially fit a male part within a female part to secure two parts to each other. These parts are typically exposed to being handled by the user.

Furthermore, a lack of air circulation and fluid draining areas in the fluid delivery system may promote bacterial growth.

In one solution to avoid contamination, a one-piece bottle is provided containing enteral feeding material and having a top end with a threaded section and a bottom end comprising a funnelled connector port; and a threaded cap dimensioned to mate with the threaded section of the one-piece bottle; wherein the funnelled connector port connects to an enteral feeding assembly; wherein the threaded cap provides a leak proof seal such that there is no exposure point until it is used for feeding, thereby preventing contamination.

In another solution, A female enteral feeding connector includes a body having a hollow interior and an opening extending into the hollow interior for receiving a tip of a preselected male enteral feeding connector. A deformable retainer is mounted in the hollow interior adjacent the opening. A guard is mounted in the hollow interior and spaced from the retainer. A stop is positioned in the hollow interior for obstructing the opening in the body. The stop is moveable through the deformable retainer by application of a manual force on the preselected male enteral feeding connector from an obstructing position in which the stop obstructs the opening in the body from receiving the tip of the preselected male enteral feeding connector, to a non-obstructing position in which the stop permits the opening in the body to receive the tip of the preselected male enteral feeding connector.

Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved disposable connector for used in enteral feeding that overcomes the problems in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment, a multipurpose connector for use in enteral feeding is provided. The connector comprises: a housing that includes a first port, a second port and a third port disposed on a substantially circular structure of the housing; and a valve adapted to control fluidic flow between a first passageway, a second passageway and a third passageway, wherein the first passageway indicates the fluidic flow between the first port and the second port, the second passageway indicates the fluidic flow between the second port and the third port, the third passageway indicates the fluidic flow between the third port and the first port; a first protruding tube integrated with the first port such that a free end of the first protruding tube is coupled to a first end of a Naso - gastric (NG) tube and an opposite end of the first protruding tube is coupled to the first port, wherein an outer surface of the first protruding tube has a tapered profile in a manner such that the first protruding tube has a smaller diameter at the free end than the opposite end; a second protruding tube integrated with the second port such that an open end of the second protruding tube is coupled to a first end of a medicating tube and an opposite end of the second protruding tube is coupled to the second port, wherein the open end of the second protruding tube is adapted to a luer type port; and a third protruding tube integrated with the third port such that an open end of the third protruding tube is coupled to at least one of feeder or a suction pump and an opposite end of the third protruding tube is coupled to the third port, wherein the open end of the third protruding tube is adapted to include a male connector.

It is an object of the invention to provide a disposable device that is placed between nasogastric tube and feeding bag with leak proof and secured connection. The disposable device includes three terminals: 1) One for connecting to patient N.G tube; 2) One for connecting to feeding bag; 3) One for administrating drug, flush water and to drain the stomach. The device includes rotor tap to switch between ports as per the requirements without disconnecting the enteral feeding system. The device includes a safety cap to lock the feeding and flush port when the feeding is not required. All the ports and connections are designed in such a way it should not fit in to any of the port devices port such as Intravenous catheter or I.V Line, Central line, Femoral line etc.

To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a multi-purpose connector in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 2 shows an exemplary schematic representation of the a multi-purpose connector as illustrated in Figure 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 shows an exemplary schematic representation of the a multi-purpose connector as illustrated in Figure 2 in a closed lock position in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

Detailed Description:

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

Reference throughout this specification to“an aspect”,“another aspect” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The multi-purpose connector device is placed between naso-gastric (N.G.) tube and feeding bag with leak proof and secured connection. The disposable device includes three terminals: 1) One for connecting to patient N.G tube; 2) One for connecting to feeding bag; 3) One for administrating drug, flush water and to drain the stomach. The device includes rotor tap to switch between ports as per the requirements without disconnecting the enteral feeding system. The device includes a safety cap to lock the feeding and flush port when the feeding is not required. All the ports and connections are designed in such a way it should not fit in to any of the port devices port such as Intravenous catheter or I.V Line, Central line, Femoral line etc.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Figure 1, a block diagram of a multipurpose connector in accordance with an embodiment is illustrated. The multipurpose connector 100 includes a housing 102 comprising: a first port, a second port and a third port disposed on a substantially circular structure of the housing 102. A valve 104 is adapted to control fluidic flow between a first passageway, a second passageway and a third passageway, wherein the first passageway indicates the fluidic flow between the first port and the second port, the second passageway indicates the fluidic flow between the second port and the third port, the third passageway indicates the fluidic flow between the third port and the first port.

The multipurpose connector 100 further includes a first protruding tube 106 integrated with the first port such that a free end of the first protruding tube is adapted to be coupled to a first end of a Naso - gastric (NG) tube and an opposite end of the first protruding tube 106 is coupled to the first port, wherein an outer surface of the first protruding tube 106 has a tapered profile in a manner such that the first protruding tube has a smaller diameter at the free end than at the opposite end; A second protruding tube 108 integrated with the second port is provided. The second protruding tube 108 includes an outer surface which includes a plurality of threads of different diameters adapted to accommodate suction pumps of different diameters at a free end of the second protruding tube 108 and an opposite end of the second protruding tube 108 is coupled to the second port, wherein the free end of the second protruding tube 108 includes a luer type port. The multipurpose connector 100 further includes a third protruding tube 110 integrated with the third port such that an open end of the third protruding tube 110 includes a male - connector adapted to couple to at least a feeding bag and an opposite end of the third protruding tube is coupled to the third port, wherein the open end of the third protruding tube is adapted to include a male connector.

In an exemplary embodiment, the multipurpose connector 100 is used in enteral feeding system. The first protruding tube 106 which has a tapered profile accommodates Naso - gastric tubes. The third protruding tube 106 includes a male - connector to fix with a feeding bag and is been designed in such a way no other Female - Connector is connected to this port accidentally.

In an embodiment, the wherein the valve 104 is adapted to: open the first passageway when the valve 104 is in a first position; open the second passageway when the valve 104 is in a second position; and open the third passageway when the valve 104 is in a third position. The valve 104 is such that when it opens one of the passages, the other passages may be closed.

In an embodiment, plurality of threads of different diameters on the outer surface of the second protruding tube 108 form are designed to form plurality of flanges with incrementally increasing diameters, and wherein flange nearest to open end of the second protruding tube 108 has the smallest diameter.

In an embodiment, the multipurpose connector 100 includes an additional cap 112 with internal protruding with Luer slip projection adapted to close the open end of the second protruding tube 108 when pushed towards the direction of the second port. In an embodiment, the multipurpose connector 100 includes a second cap 114 designed as a Female -Connector to secure and close the open end of the third protruding tube 110.

In an embodiment, the second passageway enables at least: delivery of a feed to a patient when the valve is in a second position; and extracting fluid from a stomach of the patient when the valve is in the second position.

In an embodiment, the suction pumps include a vacuum suction pump and are adapted to be coupled to the open end of the second protruding tube 108 using an additional tube having a female connector.

In an embodiment, a second end of the Naso - gastric (NG) tube is introduced within a stomach of a patient through a nasal opening.

Referring to Figure 2, an exemplary implementation of the multipurpose connector in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The multi- purpose connector 100 includes a substantially circular housing 102, wherein a first port, a second port and a third port disposed on a substantially circular structure of the housing 102. The housing 102 is preferably circular, however, other suitable shapes also within the scope of the invention.

A linearly tapered first protruding tube/ connector 106 is provided and is adapted to accommodate different diameters of Naso - gastric (NG) tubes. The multi- purpose connector 100 includes a third protruding tube/ feeding port 110 that is primarily for feeding the nutrition source. The feeding port 110 is specially designed to have unique Male - Connector to fix with feeding bag and it is been designed in such a way no other Female - Connector can be connected in to this port accidentally. A secure cap (second cap) 114 is provided for the connector. The cap 114 is suitably designed as a Female -Connector to secure the feeding port 110 during the Non - Feeding status in order to avoid food contamination. A second protruding tube/ Medication Port 108 is further provided that is designed externally with Christmas tree pattern to accommodate different diameters of Vacuum suction tube in order to empty the stomach at once. The internal diameter of the Medication Port 108 has been designed appropriately to accommodate with Universal Luer Slip Syringes for Aspiration and to Instill Drugs. The medication port 108 may also be used clear the clog in the feeding tube by turning the rotating cork appropriately. A cap 112 (first cap) for Medication Port 108 is provided such that the cap 114 is designed with internal protruding with Luer slip projection whereby it locks the medication port 108 by pushing towards Medication port 108 inside to avoid leakage during Enteral feeding. The multi- purpose connector 100 further includes a Rotor Controller valve 104 that allows for switching between the ports and also allows stopping the flow during Non- Feeding Status. Rotor Controller valve 104 is configured to switch between ports as per the requirements without disconnecting the enteral feeding system by rotating from one position to another as per requirements.

Referring to Figure 3, an exemplary implementation of the multipurpose connector in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Figure 3 primarily illustrates the Cap 14 for Medication Port 108 in closed locked position. The cap 114 locks the medication port 108 by pushing towards Medication port 108 (as shown in Figure 2) inside to avoid leakage during Enteral feeding.

The present invention provides a truly closed disposable device which is not required to be removed from patient during Non - Feeding condition. Also the present invention provides with secure caps for feeding port and medication port in order to maintain patient hygiene and prevent infection.

The drawings and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, andany component(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature of the invention.

Claims

I Claim

1. A multipurpose connector comprising:

a housing comprising:

a first port, a second port and a third port disposed on a substantially circular structure of the housing; and a valve adapted to control fluidic flow between a first passageway, a second passageway and a third passageway, wherein the first passageway indicates the fluidic flow between the first port and the second port, the second passageway indicates the fluidic flow between the second port and the third port, the third passageway indicates the fluidic flow between the third port and the first port; a first protruding tube integrated with the first port such that a free end of the first protruding tube is adapted to be coupled to a first end of a Naso - gastric (NG) tube and an opposite end of the first protruding tube is coupled to the first port, wherein an outer surface of the first protruding tube has a tapered profile in a manner such that the first protruding tube has a smaller diameter at the free end than at the opposite end; a second protruding tube integrated with the second port, wherein an outer surface of the second protruding tube includes a plurality of threads of different diameters adapted to accommodate suction pumps of different diameters at a free end of the second protruding tube and an opposite end of the second protruding tube is coupled to the second port, wherein the free end of the second protruding tube includes a luer type port; and a third protruding tube integrated with the third port such that an open end of the third protruding tube includes a male - connector adapted to couple to at least a feeding bag and an opposite end of the third protruding tube is coupled to the third port, wherein the open end of the third protruding tube is adapted to include a male connector.

2. The multipurpose connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve is adapted to: open the first passageway when the valve is in a first position;

open the second passageway when the valve is in a second position; and

open the third passageway when the valve is in a third position.

3. The multipurpose connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein plurality of threads of different diameters on the outer surface of the second protruding tube form are designed to form plurality of flanges with incrementally increasing diameters, and wherein flange nearest to open end of the second protruding tube has the smallest diameter.

4. The multipurpose connector as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a first cap with internal protruding with Luer slip projection adapted to close the open end of the second protruding tube when pushed towards the direction of the second port.

5. The multipurpose connector as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a second cap designed as a Female -Connector to secure and close the open end of the third protruding tube.

6. The multipurpose connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second passage way enables delivery of the medication to a patient when the valve is in the second position.

7. The multipurpose connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second passageway enables at least:

delivery of a feed to a patient when the valve is in a second position; and

extracting fluid from a stomach of the patient when the valve is in the second position.

8. The multipurpose connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the suction pumps include a vacuum suction pump and is adapted to couple to the open end of the second protruding tube using an additional tube having a female connector.

9. The multipurpose connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second end of the Naso - gastric (NG) tube is introduced within a stomach of a patient through a nasal opening.