Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
In a gastrostomy or like percutaneous transport tube of the type having a length of tubing with a first end configured for enlargement when inserted into the stomach or other bodily region of a patient, and apertured for the passage of fluids, an assembly at the other end of said tubing, comprising: a rigid, generally cylindrical member having a certain shoulder portion, having at one end an axial projection engaging said tubing, and having at the other end a radially extending flange, there being an axial passageway through said member and communicating with said tubing, and an annular skin protector disc formed of resilient material, said disc having a central aperture through which said shoulder portion extends, said disc thus seating between said flange and the external skin of the abdominal wall when said percutaneous transport tube is emplaced in a patient, said skin protector disc having a set of raised ridges integral therewith on the side facing said skin, said ridges being arranged so as to permit the entry of air between said disc and the exterior abdominal wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
In a gastrostomy or like percutaneous transport tube of the type having a length of tubing with a first end configured for enlargement when inserted into the stomach or other bodily region of a patient, and apertured for the passage of fluids, an assembly at the other end of said tubing, comprising: a rigid, generally cylindrical member having a certain shoulder portion, having at one end an axial projection engaging said tubing, and having at the other end a radially extending flange, there being an axial passageway through said member and communicating with said tubing, and an annular skin protector disc formed of resilient material, said disc having a central aperture through which said shoulder portion extends, said disc thus seating between said flange and the external skin of the abdominal wall when said percutaneous transport tube is emplaced in a patient, said skin protector disc having a set of raised ridges integral therewith on the side facing said skin, said ridges being arranged so as to permit the entry of air between said disc and the exterior abdominal wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A percutaneous transport tube according to claim 1 further comprising: a one-way valve disposed in said cylindrical member and operative to enable the flow of fluids in one direction only through said assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
168 words
In a percutaneous transport tube of the type having a length of tubing with one end configured for enlargement when inserted into the stomach or other bodily region of a patient and apertured for the passage of fluids, an assembly at the other end of said tubing comprising: a rigid body attached to said tubing other end, said body having a flow channel therethrough communicating to said tubing, a flange on said body extending in closely spaced parallel relationship to the patient's external skin surface when said percutaneous transport tube is emplaced in a patient, a threaded counterbore in said body extending from the exterior of said body to said flow channel, a threaded cap removably inserted in said counterbore, and at least one coupling member threadingly insertable into said body in place of said cap, each of said coupling members having a flow path therethrough and including a coupling adapted for disconnectable fluid communicating attachment to a cooperating connector associated with a nutrient or other fluid supply.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
168 words
In a percutaneous transport tube of the type having a length of tubing with one end configured for enlargement when inserted into the stomach or other bodily region of a patient and apertured for the passage of fluids, an assembly at the other end of said tubing comprising: a rigid body attached to said tubing other end, said body having a flow channel therethrough communicating to said tubing, a flange on said body extending in closely spaced parallel relationship to the patient's external skin surface when said percutaneous transport tube is emplaced in a patient, a threaded counterbore in said body extending from the exterior of said body to said flow channel, a threaded cap removably inserted in said counterbore, and at least one coupling member threadingly insertable into said body in place of said cap, each of said coupling members having a flow path therethrough and including a coupling adapted for disconnectable fluid communicating attachment to a cooperating connector associated with a nutrient or other fluid supply.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
215 words
A percutaneous transport tube according to claim 3 wherein said rigid body has a central shoulder portion between said flange and the portion of said body which is attached to said tubing other end, together with: an annular skin protector disc formed of resilient material, said disc having a central aperture through which said shoulder portion extends, said disc thus seating between said flange and the patient's external skin surface when said percutaneous transport tube is emplaced in a patient, said skin protector disc having a set of raised ridges integral therewith on the side facing said surface, said ridges being arranged so as to permit the entry of air between said disc and said external skin surface, said gastrostomy tube being emplaceable by inserting a stylet through one of said holes in said flange, through said disc central aperture with said disc resiliently extended to permit such stylet passage, and through an aperture in said first end to the tip of said first end, forward pressure exerted by said stylet causing said first end to extend in reduced diameter configuration for insertion into the patient through an opening in the skin, subsequent removal of the stylet enabling resilient enlargement of said tubing first end within the stomach or other bodily region of the patient.