Nasogastric intubation process

Claim 1

Method of performing nasal-gastric intubation incidental to extending to the stomach a hollow flexible, nasal-gastric tube employed for intubation, the tube having a closed distal end and a series of perforations distally thereof to communicate negative pressure to the stomach or to pass fluids to the stomach, and the tube when flexed tending to return to its original unflexed attitude, said method comprising: inserting into the perforated portion of the tube a stylet having a shaft of malleable material, which holds its shape when bent, until the inserted end of the stylet reaches the distal end of said tube, and then bending the stylet to cause the tube to assume an arch profile which approximates the arch-like passage from the inferior concha past (trans) the pharyngeal recess and well into the posterior pharynx; inserting the arched tube containing the bent stylet trans-pharyngeal recess and trans-soft palate until the distal end of the tube is positioned adjacent the epiglottis; holding the tube in said adjacent position and withdrawing the stylet to allow the distal end of the tube to flex toward the posterior wall of the esophagus away from the trachea thereby biasing the tube for sure entry into the esophagus; and advancing the tube down the esophagus into the stomach.