US5152756A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Distal gripping tip for enteral feeding tube
Assignee: Corpak Medsystems Inc
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Filing: 1991-02-25
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Granted: 1992-10-06
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Expires: 2011-02-25
Abstract
Abstract An improved enteral feeding tube (10) having a distal (12) and a proximal end (14). The tube (10) has a generally circular cross-section, and includes an attachment (22) or extension of the tube made of flexible polyurethane that is adhered to the distal end (12) of the enteral feeding tube (10). The attachment (22) comprises a generally rigid stem portion (24) extending from the distal end (12) of the enteral tube (10), and along an axis generally parallel to the axis of the feeding tube. The attachment (22) further comprises a spherical tip (28) at one end of the rigid stem portion (24).
Inventors
- 👤 David G. Quinn
- 👤 Erik Andersen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/0067; A61M25/0068; A61M25/0069; A61J; A61J15/00; A61J15/0015; A61J15/0026; A61M25/01; A61J15/0069
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
236 words
In combination, an improved enteral feeding tube having a distal and a proximal end, said feeding tube defining a feeding passageway opening to the exterior thereof adjacent its distal end of the tube through a lateral discharge opening, and an attachment secured to and forming an extension of the distal end of said feeding tube beyond said lateral opening, said attachment comprising: a. a generally rigid stem portion of a thickness smaller than the general thickness of the feeding tube and extending from said distal end of said enteral tube in a direction generally parallel to said feeding tube, said stem portion being sufficiently rigid that it maintains its straight shape when it extends upwardly and is sufficiently flexible so as not to harm tissue when moved within the body of a patient, and so that forceps may bend the stem portion during manipulation within the patient's body; and b. an enlarged non-soluble tip at the outer end of said rigid stem portion, said tip having outer dimensions greater than the outer dimensions of the stem portion, said stem portion having a length in excess of the thickness of said tip so that it can be readily grasped by a device which pulls the feeding tube and extension thereof into a desired position within a patient's body without the grasping portion of the device occluding the lateral passageway opening at the distal end of said tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
236 words
In combination, an improved enteral feeding tube having a distal and a proximal end, said feeding tube defining a feeding passageway opening to the exterior thereof adjacent its distal end of the tube through a lateral discharge opening, and an attachment secured to and forming an extension of the distal end of said feeding tube beyond said lateral opening, said attachment comprising: a. a generally rigid stem portion of a thickness smaller than the general thickness of the feeding tube and extending from said distal end of said enteral tube in a direction generally parallel to said feeding tube, said stem portion being sufficiently rigid that it maintains its straight shape when it extends upwardly and is sufficiently flexible so as not to harm tissue when moved within the body of a patient, and so that forceps may bend the stem portion during manipulation within the patient's body; and b. an enlarged non-soluble tip at the outer end of said rigid stem portion, said tip having outer dimensions greater than the outer dimensions of the stem portion, said stem portion having a length in excess of the thickness of said tip so that it can be readily grasped by a device which pulls the feeding tube and extension thereof into a desired position within a patient's body without the grasping portion of the device occluding the lateral passageway opening at the distal end of said tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said attachment is made of a flexible polyurethane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said attachment is adhered to said distal end of said enteral feeding tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said attachment is integrally molded to said distal end of said enteral feeding tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
216 words
In combination, an improved enteral feeding tube having a distal and a proximal end, said feeding tube defining a feeding passageway opening laterally to the exterior thereof adjacent its distal end of the tube through a lateral discharge opening and having an extension at said distal end of said feeding tube beyond said lateral opening, said extension comprising: a. a generally rigid stem portion of a thickness smaller than the thickness of the feeding tube and extending from said distal end of said enteral tube in a direction generally parallel to said feeding tube, said stem portion being sufficiently rigid that it maintains its straight shape when it extends upwardly and is sufficiently flexible so as not to harm tissue when moved within the body of a patient, and so that forceps may bend the stem portion during manipulation within the patient's body; and b. a spherical, non-soluble tip at one end of said rigid stem portion, said stem portion having a length in excess of the diameter of said spherical tip so that it can be readily grasped by a device which pulls the feeding tube and attachment into a desired position within a patient's body without the grasping portion of the device occluding the lateral passageway opening at the distal end of said tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
216 words
In combination, an improved enteral feeding tube having a distal and a proximal end, said feeding tube defining a feeding passageway opening laterally to the exterior thereof adjacent its distal end of the tube through a lateral discharge opening and having an extension at said distal end of said feeding tube beyond said lateral opening, said extension comprising: a. a generally rigid stem portion of a thickness smaller than the thickness of the feeding tube and extending from said distal end of said enteral tube in a direction generally parallel to said feeding tube, said stem portion being sufficiently rigid that it maintains its straight shape when it extends upwardly and is sufficiently flexible so as not to harm tissue when moved within the body of a patient, and so that forceps may bend the stem portion during manipulation within the patient's body; and b. a spherical, non-soluble tip at one end of said rigid stem portion, said stem portion having a length in excess of the diameter of said spherical tip so that it can be readily grasped by a device which pulls the feeding tube and attachment into a desired position within a patient's body without the grasping portion of the device occluding the lateral passageway opening at the distal end of said tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
212 words
An attachment for the distal end of an enteral feeding tube, said attachment comprising: a. a generally rigid stem portion having one end adapted to be attached to the distal end of an enteral tube which has a lateral discharge opening adjacent its distal end and so as to extend in a direction generally parallel to said tube when connected to the distal end thereof, said stem portion being sufficiently rigid that it maintains its straight shape when it extends upwardly and is sufficiently flexible so as not to harm tissue when moved within the body of a patient, and so that forceps may bend the stem portion during manipulation within the patient's body; and b. a spherical, non-soluble tip at the other end of said rigid stem portion of a greater diameter than said stem portion so as to minimize the possibility that a clamping device will slip off the end of the extension, said stem portion having a length in excess of the diameter of said tip so that it can be readily grasped by a device which pulls the feeding tube and attachment into a desired position within a patient's body without the grasping portion of the device occluding the lateral opening at the distal end of said tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
212 words
An attachment for the distal end of an enteral feeding tube, said attachment comprising: a. a generally rigid stem portion having one end adapted to be attached to the distal end of an enteral tube which has a lateral discharge opening adjacent its distal end and so as to extend in a direction generally parallel to said tube when connected to the distal end thereof, said stem portion being sufficiently rigid that it maintains its straight shape when it extends upwardly and is sufficiently flexible so as not to harm tissue when moved within the body of a patient, and so that forceps may bend the stem portion during manipulation within the patient's body; and b. a spherical, non-soluble tip at the other end of said rigid stem portion of a greater diameter than said stem portion so as to minimize the possibility that a clamping device will slip off the end of the extension, said stem portion having a length in excess of the diameter of said tip so that it can be readily grasped by a device which pulls the feeding tube and attachment into a desired position within a patient's body without the grasping portion of the device occluding the lateral opening at the distal end of said tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The attachment of claim 6 wherein said attachment is made of a flexible polyurethane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The attachment of claim 6 combined with said enteral feeding tube and wherein said attachment is adhered to said distal end of said enteral feeding tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The attachment of claim 6 wherein said attachment is made of a flexible polyurethane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The attachment of claim 6 wherein said attachment is adhered to said distal end of said enteral feeding tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The attachment of claim 6 wherein said enlarged tip forms an abrupt abutment so as to minimize the possibility that a clamping device will slip off the end of the attachment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination or attachment of claim 1, 5 or 6 wherein said attachment has a socket-forming portion to receive and be connected to the end of the distal end of the enteral feeding tube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
228 words
In combination, an improved enteral feeding tube for placement within the gastrointestinal tract by an endoscope, said feeding tube having a distal and a proximal end and defining a feeding passageway opening laterally to the exterior thereof, and an attachment secured to and forming an extension at the distal end of said feeding tube, said attachment comprising: a. a generally rigid stem portion of a thickness smaller than the general thickness of the feeding tube and extending from said distal end of said enteral tube in a direction generally parallel to said feeding tube, said stem portion being sufficiently rigid that it maintains its straight shape when it extends upwardly and is sufficiently flexible so as not to harm tissue when moved within the body of a patient, and so that forceps may bend the stem portion during manipulation within the patient's body; and b. an enlarged non-soluble tip at one end of said rigid stem portion, said tip having a thickness greater than the thickness of the stem portion, said stem portion having a length in excess of the thickness of said tip so that it can be readily grasped by a device which pulls the feeding tube and attachment into a desired position within a patient's body without the grasping portion of the device occluding the lateral passageway opening at the distal end of said tube.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
228 words
In combination, an improved enteral feeding tube for placement within the gastrointestinal tract by an endoscope, said feeding tube having a distal and a proximal end and defining a feeding passageway opening laterally to the exterior thereof, and an attachment secured to and forming an extension at the distal end of said feeding tube, said attachment comprising: a. a generally rigid stem portion of a thickness smaller than the general thickness of the feeding tube and extending from said distal end of said enteral tube in a direction generally parallel to said feeding tube, said stem portion being sufficiently rigid that it maintains its straight shape when it extends upwardly and is sufficiently flexible so as not to harm tissue when moved within the body of a patient, and so that forceps may bend the stem portion during manipulation within the patient's body; and b. an enlarged non-soluble tip at one end of said rigid stem portion, said tip having a thickness greater than the thickness of the stem portion, said stem portion having a length in excess of the thickness of said tip so that it can be readily grasped by a device which pulls the feeding tube and attachment into a desired position within a patient's body without the grasping portion of the device occluding the lateral passageway opening at the distal end of said tube.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 13 wherein said enlarged non-soluble tip is generally spherical.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
162 words
An enteral feeding tube having a distal and a proximal end, said feeding tube defining a feeding passageway opening laterally to the exterior thereof through a lateral opening adjacent to its distal end, and said distal end having an extension beyond said lateral opening, said extension comprising: a. a generally rigid stem portion of a thickness smaller than the thickness of the feeding tube and of a length at least several times its thickness so that it can be readily grasped by a device which pulls the feeding tube and attachment into a desired position within a patient's body, said stem portion being sufficiently rigid that it maintains its straight shape when it extends upwardly and is sufficiently flexible so as not to harm tissue when moved within the body of a patient, and so that forceps may bend the stem portion during manipulation within the patient's body; and b. an enlarged non-soluble tip at one end of said rigid stem portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
162 words
An enteral feeding tube having a distal and a proximal end, said feeding tube defining a feeding passageway opening laterally to the exterior thereof through a lateral opening adjacent to its distal end, and said distal end having an extension beyond said lateral opening, said extension comprising: a. a generally rigid stem portion of a thickness smaller than the thickness of the feeding tube and of a length at least several times its thickness so that it can be readily grasped by a device which pulls the feeding tube and attachment into a desired position within a patient's body, said stem portion being sufficiently rigid that it maintains its straight shape when it extends upwardly and is sufficiently flexible so as not to harm tissue when moved within the body of a patient, and so that forceps may bend the stem portion during manipulation within the patient's body; and b. an enlarged non-soluble tip at one end of said rigid stem portion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 1, 5 or 15 wherein said enlarged tip forms an abrupt abutment so as to minimize the possibility that a clamping device will slip off the end of the attachment.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-10-06 | 1996-04-06 | 1996-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-06 | 2000-04-06 | 2000-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-06 | 2004-04-06 | 2004-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |