Infant feeding device

Claim 1

An infant feeding device for nasogastric feeding, the feeding device comprising: a flexible, elongated tube including a longitudinal bore therethrough for delivering liquid into the stomach of the infant, the elongated tube having an inlet for communicating the tube to a reservoir of the liquid, an intermediate portion connected to the inlet for delivering liquid through the bore, and also having an outlet including a terminal end connected to the intermediate portion, the outlet including a plurality of laterally extending ports communicated to the bore so that the liquid may be delivered outwardly through the ports into the stomach of the infant after insertion of the feeding device into the nasogastric passages of the infant; a plug member sealingly mounted in said terminal end of the outlet; a pliable plastic tip affixed to the terminal end of the tube; the tip including a sleeve portion mounting the tip on the terminal end of the tube, an annular rib adjacent the sleeve portion providing a seat for abutting engagement with the terminal end, a probe portion connected to the sleeve portion with the annular rib therebetween, the probe portion defined by a cavity therewithin of sufficient volume and being charged with gaseous fluid therein to impart sufficient pliability to said plastic, the cavity providing cushioning for the pliable tip thereby protecting delicate membranes and tissues of the infant as the feeding device is inserted into and removed from the nasogastric passages.