U.S. patent number RE48,453 [Application Number 16/561,236] was granted by the patent office on 2021-03-02 for feeding tube aperture.
The grantee listed for this patent is Henry Kiefer. Invention is credited to Henry Kiefer.
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United States Patent |
RE48,453 |
Kiefer |
March 2, 2021 |
Feeding tube aperture
Abstract
A feeding tube aperture supported and aligned with a feeding
tube opening in an abdominal wall of a patient, including a base
having a first end surface transverse to an axis of the base and a
feeding tube, a second opposed end surface, a central feeding tube
passage extending between the first and second end surfaces, a
plurality of vent passages around the feeding tube passage and
extending between the first and second end surfaces, a hollow,
cylindrical feeding tube support extension centered on and
extending outwardly from the feeding tube passage to support and
align the feeding tube aperture, and a plurality of spaced apart
resilient spacers extending outwards from the second end surface.
The plurality of spaced apart resilient spacers resiliently space
the second end surface from the abdominal wall and form a plurality
of air passages to allow a flow of air around the abdominal wall
and the feeding tube opening.
Inventors: |
Kiefer; Henry (Casper, WY) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kiefer; Henry |
Casper |
WY |
US |
|
|
Family
ID: |
74672021 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/561,236 |
Filed: |
September 5, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
13253945 |
Oct 5, 2011 |
|
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Reissue of: |
15053386 |
Feb 25, 2016 |
9750665 |
Sep 5, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M
39/0247 (20130101); A61J 15/0034 (20130101); A61M
39/0247 (20130101); A61M 39/12 (20130101); A61J
15/0096 (20130101); A61J 15/0015 (20130101); A61J
15/0061 (20130101); A61M 2039/0261 (20130101); A61M
39/105 (20130101); A61M 2039/0255 (20130101); A61M
2039/0282 (20130101); A61M 2039/0285 (20130101); A61M
2039/0276 (20130101); A61M 2039/0288 (20130101); A61M
2039/0264 (20130101); A61M 2039/0276 (20130101); A61M
2039/0264 (20130101); A61M 39/105 (20130101); A61M
2039/0261 (20130101); A61M 2039/0285 (20130101); A61M
2025/0233 (20130101); A61M 2039/1066 (20130101); A61M
2039/0255 (20130101); A61M 39/12 (20130101); A61M
2039/0282 (20130101); A61M 2039/0288 (20130101); A61M
2039/1066 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61J
15/00 (20060101); A61M 39/02 (20060101); A61M
39/10 (20060101); A61M 39/12 (20060101); A61M
25/02 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wehner; Cary E
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Davis & Bujold PLLC Bujold;
Michael J.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A feeding tube aperture positionable at an external abdominal
wall of a patient and along a feeding tube extending through the
abdominal wall of the patient to support and align the feeding tube
with a feeding tube opening through the abdominal wall of the
patient, comprising: a base having a circumferential surface
symmetric about an axis, a first end surface transverse to the
axis, a second end surface transverse to the axis and facing in an
axially opposite direction from the first end surface, a centrally
located feeding tube passage extending along the axis and through
the base from the first end surface to the second end surface and
having an interior diameter accommodating the feeding tube in a
slidable frictional engagement between the feeding tube and an
interior surface of the feeding tube passage, a plurality of large
axial vent passages occupying a region between the centrally
located feeding tube passage and the circumferential surface and
extending through the base from the first end surface to the second
end surface with the plurality of large axial vent passages being
disposed symmetrically around the centrally located feeding tube
passage, a hollow, cylindrical feeding tube support extension
extending outwardly from the first end surface and axially centered
on the axis with an interior diameter accommodating the feeding
tube in a slidable frictional engagement between the feeding tube
and an interior surface of the feeding tube support extension, and
a plurality of resilient spacers attached to a circumference of the
second end surface and extending outward from the second end
surface, the plurality of resilient spacers being spaced
circumferentially apart around the circumference of the second end
surface with a longitudinal axis of each of the plurality of
resilient spacers extending generally along the circumference of
the second end surface, so that when the feeding tube aperture is
mounted onto the feeding tube with the second end surface oriented
toward and directly adjacent the abdominal wall with the plurality
of resilient spacers in contact with the abdominal wall, the
feeding tube aperture is resiliently spaced from the abdominal wall
by the plurality of resilient spacers, and the plurality of
resilient spacers form a common air space located between the
second end surface and the abdominal wall, the air space extending
from the centrally located feeding tube passage to the
circumference of the second end surface and communicating with each
of the plurality of large axial vent passages and with each of a
plurality of circumferential vent passages formed between adjacent
pairs of the plurality of resilient spacers, so that the plurality
of large axial vent passages through the base, the air space
between the second end surface and the abdominal wall and the
plurality of circumferential vent passages allow a flow of air
around the abdominal wall and the feeding tube opening in the
abdominal wall during use.
2. The feeding tube aperture of claim 1, further comprising: a
circumferential flange located on the circumference of the second
end surface and extending outwards from the second end surface,
wherein each of the plurality of resilient spacers comprises a
generally cylindrical hollow tube of resilient foam with a
longitudinal opening in a wall of the generally cylindrical hollow
tube extending lengthwise along the longitudinal axis of each of
the plurality of resilient spacers, and each of the plurality of
resilient spacers is attached to the feeding tube aperture by
mounting each of the resilient spacers at a selected location on a
circumference of the circumferential flange with a first side of
the longitudinal opening bearing against the base in a region of
the circumferential surface of the base and an adjoining surface of
the circumferential flange and a second side of the longitudinal
opening bearing against the second end surface of the base.
3. The feeding tube aperture of claim 1, further comprising: a
circumferential flange located on the circumference of the second
end surface and extending outwards from the second end surface,
wherein each of the plurality of resilient spacers comprises a
generally cylindrical hollow tube of resilient foam having a
longitudinal opening formed in a wall of the generally cylindrical
hollow tube, and each of the plurality of resilient spacers is
attached to the feeding tube aperture via engagement of the
longitudinal opening with the circumference of the second end
surface.
.Iadd.4. A medical tube aperture positionable at skin of a patient
and along a medical tube extending through the skin of the patient
to support and align the medical tube with a medical tube opening
through the skin of the patient, comprising: a base having a
circumferential surface symmetric about an axis, a first end
surface transverse to the axis, a second end surface transverse to
the axis and facing in an axially opposite direction from the first
end surface, a centrally located medical tube passage extending
along the axis and through the base from the first end surface to
the second end surface and having an interior diameter
accommodating the medical tube in a slidable frictional engagement
between the medical tube and an interior surface of the medical
tube passage, a plurality of large axial vent passages occupying a
region between the centrally located medical tube passage and the
circumferential surface and extending through the base from the
first end surface to the second end surface with the plurality of
large axial vent passages being disposed symmetrically around the
centrally located medical tube passage, a hollow, cylindrical
medical tube support extension extending outwardly from the first
end surface and axially centered on the axis with an interior
diameter accommodating the medical tube in a slidable frictional
engagement between the medical tube and an interior surface of the
medical tube support extension, and a plurality of resilient
spacers attached to a circumference of the second end surface and
extending outward from the second end surface, the plurality of
resilient spacers being spaced circumferentially apart around the
circumference of the second end surface with a longitudinal axis of
each of the plurality of resilient spacers extending generally
along the circumference of the second end surface, so that when the
medical tube aperture is mounted onto the medical tube with the
second end surface oriented toward and directly adjacent the skin
with the plurality of resilient spacers in contact with the skin,
the medical tube aperture is resiliently spaced from the skin by
the plurality of resilient spacers, and the plurality of resilient
spacers form a common air space located between the second end
surface and the skin, the air space extending from the centrally
located medical tube passage to the circumference of the second end
surface and communicating with each of the plurality of large axial
vent passages and with each of a plurality of circumferential vent
passages formed between adjacent pairs of the plurality of
resilient spacers, so that the plurality of large axial vent
passages through the base, the air space between the second end
surface and the skin and the plurality of circumferential vent
passages allow a flow of air around the skin and the medical tube
opening in the skin during use. .Iaddend.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present Application is related to and claims benefit of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/253,945 for a Feeding Tube Aperture
filed Oct. 5, 2011 by Henry Kiefer.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the gavage administration of
liquid foods and medications directly to the stomach of a patient
through a feeding tube extending from the interior of the patient's
stomach and through, for example, the patient's abdominal wall, to
an exterior source of liquid food or medication or both and, in
particular to a feeding tube aperture positioned generally at
exterior of the patient's abdominal wall to support the feeding
tube.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many medical processes, such as treatment for cancer in a patient's
thoracic region, require the long term implantation of a gavage
feeding tube, hereafter generally referred to as a "feeding tube,"
that is anchored in the patient's stomach and extends through the
patient's abdominal wall and skin to an exterior source of liquid
food or medications. The implantation of such feeding tubes,
however, often results in further medical problems for a number of
reasons, such as movement of the stomach itself or relative
movement between the patient and the exterior source of liquid food
or medication, which often result in displacement of the feeding
tube and frequently results in laceration, puncturing, distortion
or irritation of the feeding tube opening through the abdominal
wall. It is therefore generally necessary to provide some means of
feeding tube support at the feeding tube opening to prevent or
limit motion between the feeding tube and the abdominal wall and
skin of the patient in this region.
Feeding tube support devices of the prior art have proven generally
unsatisfactory for general use for a number of reasons. For
example, the devices described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,119 to Marx
for a TUBULAR IMPLANT TO BE USED FOR PERCUTANEOUSLY FEED A PATIENT,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,344,435 to Aubin for a METHOD AND SURGICALLY
IMPLANTABLE APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING FLUID COMMUNICATION WITH THE
INTERIOR OF THE BODY, U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
US2011/0288534 to Aguirre et al. For a DEVICE FOR EXTERNAL
PERCUTANEOUS CONNECTIONS, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,393,873 to Nawash et
al. For a GASTROSTOMY AND OTHER PERCUTANEOUS TUBES are generally
too complex in structure, or require complex implantation methods
and apparatus, and therefore too expensive for general use.
In addition, such devices are often and typically detrimental to
the patient. For example, the feeding tube support devices of the
prior art generally entrap body fluids seeping from the patient's
body in the region around the opening through which the feeding
tube penetrates the patient's skin while preventing or limiting the
flow of air to and cleaning access to the region around the feeding
tube opening. These limitations generally result in irritation to
and very possibly necrosis of the patent's skin in the region
around the feeding tube, and possibly even within the feeding tube
passage through the patient's abdominal wall. In addition, the
feeding tube support devices of the prior art are typically rigid
structures of significant size and frequently cause discomfort to
the patient by digging into the skin of the patient as the patient
moves about.
Certain other feeding tube devices of the prior art, such as that
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,647 to Gordon for a CATHETER
STABLIZATION FITTING HAVING A SNAP-OVER COVER, may provide some
support to a feeding tube but are attached to the patient at some
distance from the feeding tube opening through the patient's
abdominal wall and mere prevent or limit disturbance to the feeding
tube due to movement between the patient and the exterior source of
liquid food or medication and do not and cannot provide the
necessary support in the region of the feeding tube opening through
the patient's abdominal wall.
Other feeding tube support devices of the prior art, such as that
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,433 to Parks for a GASTROSTOMY
FEEDING DEVICE, have the virtue of simplicity and thus of
reasonable cost, but also have the limitations and disadvantages of
the above discussed devices of the prior art. For example, the
Parks '433 device includes a disk-like element that bears against
the skin of the patient in the region around the feeding tube
opening, this providing at least some degree of discomfort to the
patient as discussed above. While Parks '433 purports to provide
openings through the disk-like element that bears against the skin
of the patient around feeding tube opening for to provide air
circulation, it is apparent that the described openings are too
small to provide any useful degree of air circulation and are in
any case blocked by the skin of the patient. The Parks '433
embodiment having radial ridges on the bottom of the disk-like
element to space the disk-like element from the skin of the patient
still only allows very limited air circulation as the ridges
themselves limit air circulation; in addition, the hard, sharp
edged ridges will themselves be yet another source of irritation to
the skin around the feeding tube opening.
It is therefore apparent that the prior art does not offer a
feeding tube support device that offers medical patients
comfortable, easy-to-use support for feeding tubes or a feeding
tube support device that will not puncture, rip or otherwise
irritate the skin around a feeding tube opening or the internal
tissue lining of a feeding tube passage or that can reliably
prevent necrosis and possible infection.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be described by way of exemplary
embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying
drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in
which:
FIG. 1A shows an end view of a feeding tube aperture;
FIG. 1B shows a side view of a feeding tube aperture;
FIG. 1C shows a sectional side view of a feeding tube support
extension;
FIG. 1D shows a sectional end view of a resilient spacer; and
FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a feeding tube aperture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A feeding tube aperture positionable at an external abdominal wall
of a patient and along a feeding tube extending through the
abdominal wall of the patient to support and align the feeding tube
with a feeding tube opening through the abdominal wall of the
patient.
In a present embodiment the feeding tube aperture includes a base
having a circumferential surface symmetric about an axis, a first
end surface transverse to the axis, a second end surface transverse
to the axis and facing in an axially opposite direction from the
first end surface, a centrally located feeding tube passage
extending along the axis and through the base from the first end
surface to the second end surface and having an interior diameter
accommodating the feeding tube in a slidable frictional engagement
between the feeding tube and an interior surface of feeding tube
passage, a hollow, cylindrical feeding tube support extension
extending outwardly from the first end surface and axially centered
on the axis with an interior diameter accommodating the feeding
tube in a slidable frictional engagement between the feeding tube
and an interior surface of the feeding tube support extension, a
plurality of large axial vent passages occupying a region between
the centrally located feeding tube passage and the circumferential
surface and extending through the base from the first end surface
to the second end surface with the axial vent passages being
disposed symmetrically around the centrally located feeding tube
passage, and a plurality of resilient spacers extending outwards
from the second end surface and spaced circumferentially apart
around a circumference of the second end surface.
When the feeding tube aperture is mounted onto a feeding tube with
the second end surface oriented toward and directly adjacent the
abdominal wall with the resilient spacers in contact with the
abdominal wall the feeding tube aperture is resiliently spaced
apart from the abdominal wall by the resilient spacers, and the
resilient spacers form an air space between the second end surface
and the abdominal wall and a plurality of circumferential vent
passages between the air space and the resilient spacers, so that
the axial vent passages through the base, the air space between the
second end surface and the abdominal wall and the circumferential
vent passages allow a flow of air around the abdominal wall and the
feeding tube opening in the abdominal wall.
In further embodiments of the feeding tube aperture, the feeding
tube aperture may include a circumferential flange located on the
circumference of the second end surface and extending outwards from
second end surface, and each of the resilient spacers is comprised
of a generally cylindrical hollow tube of resilient foam with a
longitudinal opening extending lengthwise from end to end along a
wall of the resilient spacer wherein each resilient spacer is
attached to the feeding tube aperture by mounting the resilient
spacer at a selected location on the circumference of the
circumferential flange with one side of the longitudinal opening of
the longitudinal opening bearing against the base in the region of
the circumferential surface of the base an adjacent surface of the
circumferential flange and a second side of the longitudinal
opening bearing against an inner edge of circumferential flange and
second end surface.
In still further embodiments, the interior surface of the feeding
tube support extension may further include at least one of at least
one crimped region and at least one raised nub to engage the
feeding tube to resist inadvertent movement between the feeding
tube and the feeding tube aperture.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
A feeding tube aperture of the present invention will be described
in the following with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D and FIG.
2 wherein FIGS. 1A and 1B are respectively diagrammatic
illustrations of an end view and a sectional side view of a feeding
tube aperture 100 of the present invention. FIG. 1C is a side cross
section view of a part of a feeding tube support extension, FIG. 1D
is an end cross section view of a resilient spacer and FIG. 2 is an
isometric diagrammatic view of a feeding tube aperture 100 of the
present invention.
As illustrated therein, a feeding tube aperture 100 is generally
disk shaped and includes a base 110 having a circumferential
surface 110A symmetric about an axis 100A, a first end surface
.[.116E.]. .Iadd.110E .Iaddend.transverse to axis 100A with a
circumferential curved surface 110C extending between and joining
circumferential surface 110A and first end surface 110B, a second
end surface 110D transverse to axis 100A and facing in an axially
opposite direction from first end surface 110B, and may include a
circumferential flange 120 located on the circumference 120A of
second end surface 110D.
Feeding tube aperture 100 includes a centrally located feeding tube
passage 130 extending along axis 100A and through base 110 from
first end surface 110E to second end surface 110D. The interior
diameter of feeding tube passage 130 has a diameter to accommodate
a feeding tube 130A in a slidable friction engagement between a
feeding tube 130A and the interior surface of feeding tube passage
130. In use, feeding tube aperture 100 will be oriented with first
end surface 110A facing away from an abdominal wall 130C of a
patient and second end surface 110B facing toward the abdominal
wall 130C with a feeding tube 130A extending from a feeding tube
opening 130B in the abdominal wall 130C of a patient and passing
through feeding tube passage 130 so that the feeding tube 130A and
will be secured by feeding tube aperture 100 in a generally
perpendicular orientation to the abdominal wall 130C of the
patient.
Feeding tube aperture 100 further includes a plurality of
relatively large axial vent passages 132 occupying the region
between central feeding tube passage 130 and circumferential
surface 110A of base 110 and extending through base 110 from first
end surface 110B to second end surface 110D with axial vent
passages 132 generally being disposed symmetrically around feeding
tube passage 130. It will also be noted that axial vent passages
132 together occupy a relatively large portion of the areas of
first end surface 110B and second end surface 110D, as illustrated
in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2 and as will be discussed further below.
In a presently preferred embodiment, a feeding tube aperture 100
further includes a hollow, cylindrical feeding tube support
extension 140 that is secured to and extends outwardly from first
end surface 110B with feeding tube support extension 140 being
axially centered on axis 100A and feeding tube passage 130. Feeding
tube support extension 140 has an interior diameter accommodating a
feeding tube 130A to allow a feeding tube 130A to pass through
feeding tube support extension 140 in a slidable friction
engagement between a feeding tube 130A and the interior surface of
feeding tube passage 130. For these purposes, and as illustrated in
FIG. .[.10.]. .Iadd.1C.Iaddend., feeding tube support extension 140
may include crimped regions 145 or a plurality of internal raised
nubs 146 disposed on the interior surface 144 of feeding tube
support extension 140 to prevent the plastic tube anchor 140 from
inadvertently sliding or supping along the feeding tube 130A.
Lastly, feeding tube support extension 140 may, for example, be a
separate element that is secured to base 110, for example by glue
or a mechanical joint, or may be cast or molded as an integral part
of base 110 and circumferential flange 120.
A feeding tube aperture 100 further includes a plurality of
resilient foam "booties," hereafter referred to as resilient
spacers 150, mounted to and spaced circumferentially apart from
each other around the circumference 120A of second end surface 11
OD with resilient spacers 150 extending outwards from the second
end surface 11 OD. It will be noted that the number of resilient
spacers 150 may vary, depending on the specific embodiment of a
feeding tube aperture 100, but there will typically be at least
three resilient spacers and may be four, as illustrated in FIG. 1B,
or five, as illustrated in FIG. 2. It must also be noted that for
purposes of clarity showing other elements of a feeding tube
aperture 100, only two opposed mounted resilient spacers 150 are
illustrated in FIG. 1A; it will be understood, however, that as
stated and as shown in FIGS. 1B and 2, a feeding tube aperture 100
will include 3 or more resilient spacers 150, such as four or five
or more.
When feeding tube aperture 100 is in use, as illustrated in FIGS.
1A, 1B and 2, the feeding tube aperture 100 is slidingly mounted
onto a feeding tube 130A and directly adjacent to the patient's
abdominal wall 130C with feeding tube aperture 100 oriented with
first end surface 110B and feeding tube support extension 140
facing away from abdominal wall 130C of a patient and second end
surface 110D facing toward abdominal wall 130C with a feeding tube
130A extending from a feeding tube opening 130B in the abdominal
wall 130C. Resilient spacers 150 will then bear against abdominal
wall 130C so that second end surface 110D will thereby be
resiliently spaced apart from abdominal wall 130C.
Because resilient spacers 150 are located around the circumference
120A of second end surface 110D, resilient spacers 150 are thereby
radially spaced apart from the feeding tube opening 130B in the
abdominal wall 130C of a patient. Feeding tube aperture 100
therefore does not exert pressure directly on feeding tube opening
130B or the area immediately surrounding feeding tube opening 130B
and such pressure as is exerted against abdominal wall 130C by
feeding tube aperture 100 is resiliently cushioned and distributed
over a signification area of the surrounding abdominal wall 130C by
resilient spacers 150.
As further illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 3, resilient spacers 150
occupy only a portion of the circumference 120A of second end
surface 110D, being illustrated in the figures as approximately
half or less of the circumference 120A of second end surface 110C.
The circumferential spacing of resilient spacers 150 around the
circumference 120A of second end surface 110D, together with second
end surface 110D of feeding tube aperture 100 being spaced apart
from abdominal wall 130C and feeding tube opening 130B by resilient
spacers 150, thereby provides a relatively large air space
.[.110E.]. .Iadd.AS .Iaddend.between second end surface 110D and
abdominal wall 130C and a plurality of relatively large
circumferential vent passages 110F between air space .[.110E.].
.Iadd.AS .Iaddend.and the exterior surroundings of the feeding tube
aperture 100. Axial vent passages 132 through base 110, air space
.[.110E.]. .Iadd.AS .Iaddend.between second end surface 110D and
circumferential vent passages 110F thereby provide significantly
increased air flow to and around the area between abdominal wall
130C and feeding tube opening 130B and feeding tube aperture 100,
thereby significantly reducing the risk of irritation, infection
and necrosis of the tissues at or around feeding tube opening
130B.
In a present embodiment of a feeding tube aperture 100, and as
illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1D and 2, each resilient spacer 150
comprises a generally cylindrical hollow tube of resilient foam
with a longitudinal opening 150A extending lengthwise from end to
end along the wall 150B of the resilient spacer 150. Resilient
spacers 150 are attached to feeding tube aperture 100 by mounting
each resilient spacer 150 at a selected location on circumferential
flange 120 with circumferential flange 120 entering into
longitudinal opening 150A. As indicated, a first side 150E of
longitudinal opening 150A will thereby bear against base 110 in the
region of circumferential surface 110A and the adjoining area of
circumferential flange 120 and a second side 150C side of
longitudinal opening 150A will bear against second end surface 110D
of base 110. The resilience of the foam material comprising
resilient spacers 150 will retain resilient spacers 150 on feeding
tube aperture 100 and circumferential flange 120, but resilient
spacers 150 may be further secured to feeding tube aperture by, for
example, an adhesive or glue. It will also be noted that the
resilient of the foam material comprising resilient spacers 150
will tend to allow resilient spacers 150 to conform to the
curvature of circumferential flange 120, but resilient spacers 150
may be molded with a curvature matching that of circumferential
flange 120 or circumference 120A of second end surface 110D.
It will be further understood that resilient spacers 150 may assume
other forms, such as blocks or legs of resilient foam secured to
second end surface 110D or to second end surface 110G and
circumferential flange 120, such as by adhesives or glue, so long
as such resilient spacers 150 occupy only a portion of the
circumference 120A of second end surface 110D and resiliently space
second end surface 110D and feeding tube aperture 100 apart from
abdominal wall 130C to provide relatively large air spaces and air
passages between second end surface 110D and abdominal wall 130C
with feeding tube opening 130B to thereby provide significantly
increased air flow to and around the area between abdominal wall
130C and feeding tube opening 130B and feeding tube aperture 100.
Further in this regard, it will be recognized that in the present
shown exemplary embodiment of a feeding tube aperture 100 of the
present invention the primary function of circumferential flange
120 is to provide a means for attaching the illustrated resilient
spacers 150 to the feeding tube aperture 100, and that certain
alternative implementations of resilient spacers 150 may not
require a circumferential flange 120.
Lastly with regard to use of a feeding tube aperture 100 of the
present invention, it has been described above that the interior
diameters and configurations of feeding tube passage 130 and
feeding tube support extension 140 are selected to engage a feeding
tube 130A in a sliding frictional engagement so that the feeding
tube aperture 100 will not slide inadvertently with respect to the
feeding tube 130A. At the same time, the interior diameters and
configurations of feeding tube passage 130 and feeding tube support
extension 140 are selected to allow the feeding tube aperture 100
to be intentionally slide along the feeding tube 130A to allow the
feeding tube aperture 100 to be moved away from abdominal wall 130C
and feeding tube opening 130B to allow cleaning of the feeding tube
aperture 100, abdominal wall 130C and feeding tube opening 130B,
and any medical treatment that may be necessary or desirable.
In a present embodiment of a feeding tube aperture 100, the axial
length of feeding tube aperture 100, that is of base 110 and
circumferential flange 120, is on the order of 0.75 inches and the
diameter of circumferential flange 120 is on the order of 2.00
inches and feeding tube aperture 100 includes four symmetrically
disposed circular axial vent passages 132 having diameters on the
order of 0.5 inches while the diameter of feeding tube passage 130
and thus the interior diameter of feeding tube support extension
140 are selected to provide a frictional sliding fit with a feeding
tube 130A, typically about 0.25 inches. It will be understood,
however, that these dimensions may differ from those illustrated in
the exemplary present embodiment of a feeding tube aperture 100,
depending upon the specific application and use and the diameter of
the feeding tubes 130A with which the feeding tube aperture 100 is
to be used.
Lastly, in the present exemplary embodiment of a feeding tube
aperture 100 and feeding tube support extension 140 the feeding
tube aperture 100 and feeding tube support extension 140 will
typically be cast or molded from a plastic material and feeding
tube aperture 100 and feeding tube support extension 140 may
comprise separate pieces joined mechanically or by an adhesive or
glue or may be cast or molded as a single, integral body. The
material comprising feeding tube aperture 100 and feeding tube
support extension 140 will preferably accommodate various
sterilization processes and will preferably have smooth surfaces to
reduce accumulated deposits of body fluids, liquid food or
medication, to facilitate cleaning of the feeding tube aperture
100, feeding tube opening 130B and the abdominal wall 130C around
feeding tube aperture 130, and to reduce potential irritation to
the patient.
While the present invention has been related in terms of the
foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that
the invention is not limited to the embodiments described. The
present invention can be practiced with modification and alteration
within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the
description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of
restrictive on the present invention.
* * * * *