1. Field of the Invention
This patent relates to the feeding of persons with gastric feeding tubes, and more particularly to gravity bolus feeding devices for use in the feeding of such persons.
2. Summary of Related Art
For persons with gastric feeding tubes, there are three common methods for feeding:
Gravity bolus feeding is the primary method for out-of-hospital feeding. Typically, gravity bolus feeding uses a syringe barrel connected to the gastric feeding tube. The syringe barrel is filled with liquid food. To control the rate of feeding, the syringe barrel is raised or lowered by hand. The open tube allows air and stomach contents to vent back into the syringe barrel.
This method suffers from a number of disadvantages:
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a gravity bolus feeding device for use with a gastric feeding tube. The feeding device has a cylindrical body, with an intake valve and a check valve. The intake valve controls the rate of flow of liquid food from the cylindrical body, and can stop the flow if desired. The check valve allows venting of air and stomach contents back into the cylindrical body from the person's stomach. The check valve remains operational even when the intake valve is closed.
The intake valve and check valve combine to minimize splashing of liquid food when the person burps or otherwise vents stomach contents and air back through the gastric feeding tube into the feeding device. The check valve returns the air and stomach contents into the cylindrical body. The air vents through the top, if necessary, and the stomach contents remain in the cylindrical body to be re-fed to the person.
The feeding device also can have an adjustable handle adapted to fit over a crib rail or chair back, allowing a person to divert their attention without interrupting the feeding. Additionally, a hanger can be added to the handle to hang the device over a hook or peg, or from an I.V. pole.
A burp baffle is adapted to cover the top of the feeding device. The burp baffle allows venting of air, while preventing the splashing of liquid food out the top of the feeding device. Additionally, the burp baffle has a flat edge that allows the feeding device to be laid down or rested on it, to prevent rolling or spilling.
The burp baffle has a bottom portion, a center portion, and a top portion. The top portion covers the top of the feeding device, and the bottom portion fits snugly within the feeding device. Both the bottom portion and the top portion have a hole, notch, or other opening. The center portion connects the two, and provides a fluid path that connects the two holes, notches, or other openings. This connection allows air to vent or be taken in, and further prevents liquid food from splashing or spilling out.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a gravity bolus feeding device with a more precise method for controlling flow of liquid food. The present invention provides an intake valve that allows the flow of liquid food to be controlled or stopped.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a gravity bolus feeding device that allows interruption of the liquid flow while still allowing venting of the stomach contents back into the device. The present invention provides an intake valve to prevent liquid flow, without interrupting the operation of the check valve, which allows venting of the stomach contents back into the device.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a gravity bolus feeding device that allows a caregiver to divert their attention without interrupting the feeding. The present invention provides a handle and additionally a hanger to allow the feeding device to remain upright and operational when the caregiver must attend to other needs.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a gravity bolus feeding device that minimizes or prevents splashing of the liquid food in the device when stomach contents are vented back into the device. The present invention provides an intake valve and a check valve, which together cooperate to minimize splashing of the liquid food.
It is an object of the present invention to prevent splashing or spilling of the liquid food when stomach contents are vented back into the device. The present invention provides a burp baffle to cover the top of a feeding device, preventing splashing. The openings, notches, channels, and cavities in the burp baffle are situated to prevent spilling of the liquid food.
It is an object of the present invention to allow venting or intake of air from the top of a gravity bolus feeding device without allowing liquid food to splash or spill out. The present invention provides a burp baffle with a series of openings, notches, channels, and cavities to allow air to flow in and out as necessary. The configuration of the openings, notches, channels, and cavities is such that liquid cannot easily spill out.
The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings.
Referring more particularly to the drawings,
Typically, such syringe barrels 1 can hold approximately sixty cubic centimeters of liquid. While this is suitable for some infants, children and adults may on average consume approximately 200 cubic centimeters during 30 minutes of feeding. Therefore, feeding an adult using a syringe barrel 1 could require refilling the syringe barrel 1 three times.
The top of the elongated cylindrical body 11 is generally open, but can be covered, without sealing, by the burp baffle shown in
An intake valve 17 is located in a valve seating 19 near the bottom of the elongated cylindrical body 11. The intake valve 17 may be located on a removable bottom section 20. The removable bottom section 20 may be removed from the main elongated cylindrical body 11 to facilitate cleaning, for example. The intake valve 17 controls flow of liquid from the cylindrical body 11 to the bottom tip 13, and thereafter into the gastric feeding tube. The intake valve 17 is any suitable valve that (1) can prevent liquid of various viscosities from flowing into the bottom tip 13, and (2) can control the flow of such liquids up to a maximum desired feeding rate, on average 200 cubic centimeters in thirty minutes. The intake valve 17 may be controlled manually, mechanically, electrically, electronically, or by any other suitable method.
The intake valve 17 may be controlled by a knob 21 having threads 23. The operator turns the knob 21 and screws the intake valve 17 into or out of the elongated cylindrical body 11. The knob 21 may have markings (not shown) to indicate the openness of the intake valve 17, and thereby the relative flow rate of the liquid out of the elongated cylindrical body 11. Additionally, the markings may be on the elongated cylindrical body 11. The shaft of the intake valve 17 has a hole 25 through it, which either does or does not align with a hole 27 in the valve seating 19 to prevent or control the flow of the liquid, opening or dosing a first fluid path 121 from the elongated cylindrical body 11 to the bottom tip 13.
Seated between the intake valve 17 and the bottom tip 13 is a check valve 29. Preferably, the check valve 29 is a duck-bill check valve, but any one-way valve is suitable. The check valve 29 does not restrict the flow of liquid from the intake valve 17 into the bottom tip 13. However, the check valve 29 is positioned such that the intake valve 17, the valve seating 19, and the check valve 29 entirely close off the elongated cylindrical body 11 from the bottom tip 13.
The check valve 29 has an intake 31 disposed generally toward the bottom tip 13, and an outtake 33 disposed toward the elongated cylindrical body 11. The outtake 33 is positioned such that liquid flowing through the check valve 29 wilt be expelled into the elongated cylindrical body 11 above the intake valve 17. In terms of the first fluid path 121, the liquids would rejoin the first fluid path 121 before the intake valve 17. The check valve 29 defines a second fluid path 123 from the intake 31, through the check valve 29 body, and out through the outtake 33.
In operation, the check valve 29 allows the person to vent both air and stomach contents back into the feeding device 9, as through burping. The pressure caused by such venting opens the check valve 29, and allows air and liquid to pass back into the elongated cylindrical body 11. The air will eventually vent out the top of the feeding device 9, while the liquid will rejoin the first fluid path 121 to continue feeding of the person. Because the intake valve 17, the valve seating 19, and the check valve 29 entirely close off the bottom tip 13 from the elongated cylindrical body 11, pressure is released only through the check valve 29, and splashing of liquid in the elongated cylindrical body 11 is minimized.
Referring now to
The top of the elongated cylindrical body 37 is generally open, but can be covered, without sealing, by the burp baffle shown in
The removable bottom portion 39 can securely attach to the elongated cylindrical body 37 by any method, but preferably the bottom portion 39 is either threadably screwed on, or snugly presses into the elongated cylindrical body 37, sealed with a rubber O-ring. The bottom portion 39 can be removed for cleaning.
The bottom portion 39 contains a hole 49, opening into the elongated cylindrical body 37. The other end of the hole 49 connects to an intake valve 51, which controls flow of liquid from the cylindrical body 37 to the bottom tip 41, and thereafter into the gastric feeding tube. The intake valve 51 is any suitable valve that (1) can prevent liquid of various viscosities from flowing into the bottom tip 41, and (2) can control the flow of such liquids up to a maximum desired feeding rate, approximately 200 cubic centimeters in thirty minutes. The intake valve 51 may be controlled manually, mechanically, electrically, electronically, or by any other suitable method.
The intake valve 51 may be similar to the intake valve 17, described above. Another form of intake valve 51 may be a knob 53 for turning a shaft 55. The shaft 55 has a central bore 57 with one end opening toward the bottom tip 41. The other end of the central bore 57 connects with a lateral hole 59 extending to the circumference of the shaft 55. When the lateral hole 59 is aligned with the hole 49 in the bottom portion 39, flow of liquid is enabled from the elongated cylindrical body 37 into the bottom tip 41. When they are not aligned, flow is prevented.
Preferably, a tapered channel 61 will extend from the lateral hole 59 partially around the shaft 55. The tapered channel 61 will be deepest at the intersection with the lateral hole 59, and will taper shallower until it is coincident with the diameter of the shaft 55. This tapered channel 61 allows further control of the flow rate of liquid from the elongated cylindrical body 37 into the bottom tip 41. When the shallow portion of the tapered channel 61 is aligned with the hole 49 in the bottom portion 39, flow of fluid is less than when the deeper portion of the tapered channel 61 is aligned. Flow of fluid is still greater when the lateral hole 59 is aligned with the hole 49 in the bottom portion 39. The hole 49 in the bottom portion 39, and the intake valve 51 define a first fluid path 125 from the elongated cylindrical body 37 to the bottom tip 41.
The bottom portion 39 contains a second hole 63, opening into the elongated cylindrical body 37. The other end of the second hole 63 opens generally toward the bottom tip 41, and generally into the first fluid path 125 after the intake valve 51. A check valve 65 is seated in the second hole 63. Preferably, the check valve 65 is a duck-bill check valve, but any one-way valve is suitable. The check valve 65 does not restrict the flow of liquid from the intake valve 51 into the bottom tip 41. However, the check valve 65 is positioned such that the intake valve 51, the bottom portion 39, and the check valve 65 entirely close off the elongated cylindrical body 37 from the bottom tip 41.
The check valve 65 has an intake 67 disposed generally toward the bottom tip 41, and an outtake 69 disposed toward the elongated cylindrical body 37. The outtake 69 is positioned such that liquid flowing through the check valve 65 will be expelled into the elongated cylindrical body 37 above the intake valve 51. In terms of the first fluid path 125, the liquids would rejoin the first fluid path 125 before the intake valve. The check valve defines a second fluid path 127 from the intake 67, through the check valve 65 body, and out through the outtake 69.
In operation, the check valve 65 allows the person to vent both air and stomach contents back into the feeding device 35, for example through burping. The pressure caused by such venting opens the check valve 65, and allows air and liquid to pass back into the elongated cylindrical body 37. The air will eventually vent out the top of the feeding device 35, while the liquid will rejoin the first fluid path 125 to continue feeding of the person. Because the intake valve 51, the bottom portion 39, and the check valve 65 entirely close off the bottom tip 41 from the elongated cylindrical body 37, pressure is released only through the check valve 65, and splashing of liquid in the elongated cylindrical body 37 is minimized. This provides an advantage in those instances when medical personnel need to ensure that the person is fed the entire amount of liquid, for example of some medicines, or to allow the feeder to confirm the actual amount fed. This provides an additional advantage of allowing measurement of the amount of refluxed liquid food after feeding is completed.
Although both the intake valves 17, 51, and the check valves 29, 65, are defined specifically, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that any suitable valves can be used in place of the specifically-described valves. Further, the valves are shown in their preferred arrangements, including generally the angles with respect to the elongated cylindrical body 37. However, the valves may be seated in any angle or position that allows proper flow or venting of air or liquid.
Referring now to
The burp baffle 71 has a bottom section 73, a center section 75, and a top section 77. The bottom section 73 is generally the same shape and size as the cross-section of the inside of the elongated cylindrical body 37, so as to fit snugly within the elongated cylindrical body 37. As shown more clearly in
The center section 75 of the burp baffle 71 is shown in
The top section 77 of the burp baffle 71 is shown in
Referring now to
Instead of having a hollow central cavity 81, the center section 93 in this embodiment has a hollow channel 97 where the opening 83 was in the previous embodiment. This hollow channel 97 connects a hole 99 in the top section 95 with the concentric cavity defined by the bottom section 91, the top section 95, the outside circumference of the center section 93, and the inner wall of the elongated cylindrical body 37. Again, air or liquid are required to travel in opposite directions to flow from the elongated cylindrical body 37 to the center section 93, and out the hole 99 in the top section 95.
Referring to
The burp baffle 103 is constructed similarly to the above-disclosed burp baffles 71, 89. However, the burp baffle 103 has an additional hole 113 completely through it from top to bottom, substantially parallel to the elongated direction of the cylindrical body 105. The hole 113 does not intersect any of the cavities, holes, channels, notches, or other fluid pathways in the burp baffle 103. Inserted substantially air- and fluid-tight through the hole 113 is a guide rod 115, running substantially the entire length of the cylindrical body 105. The guide rod 115 is attached to the bottom 107 of the cylindrical body 105 by a pin, bump, notch, or other suitable attachment that allows the guide rod 115 to rotate but not slide across the bottom 107.
Attached to the guide rod 115 above the bottom 107 is a foot 117. The foot 117 extends transversely across and toward the bottom 107 of the cylindrical body 105. The foot 117 is positioned such that when the guide rod 115 is rotated to one position, the foot 117 completely covers the opening 109 in the bottom 107, thereby restricting flow of liquid through the opening 109. When the guide rod 115 is rotated to another position, the foot 117 partially or completely uncovers the opening 109, thereby allowing partially restricted or unrestricted flow of liquid through the opening 109.
The foot 117 may be made of a flexible material, such as soft plastic or rubber. This flexibility will allow fluids vented from the stomach to pass through the foot 117 into the cylindrical body 105, even when the foot 117 completely covers the opening 109. In this way, the foot acts similarly to both the intake valve 17, 51, and the check valve 29, 65.
While the burp baffle 103, guide rod 115, and foot 117 are specifically designed to work with a separate cylindrical body 105, the combination is also suitable for use with the syringe barrel 1 of the prior art, or either of the embodiments of the gravity bolus feeding devices 9, 35, disclosed above. These may need to be modified to ensure that the guide rod 115 does not slide when rotated. Also, when used with the gravity bolus feeding devices 9, 35, the foot 117 is positioned to cover the hole 27, 49 at the bottom of the cylindrical body 11, 37.
The feeding device 9, 35, the combined apparatus 101, and the burp baffle 71, 89, 103 may be made of any suitable material. Preferably, with the exception of the valves, the materials are not breakable and are either translucent or transparent. Most preferably, the materials are plastic, although glass, metal, or other watertight materials are acceptable.
Most preferably, the feeding device 9, 35, the combined apparatus 101, and the burp baffle 71, 89, 103 have circular cross-sections. However, the shapes can be altered into other geometric or irregular shapes as necessary or desired, without departing from the invention.
The intake valves 17, 51 may be made of metal, plastic, or any other suitable material. Preferably, stainless steel is used. The check valves 29, 65 are preferably made of plastic or, most preferably, rubber.
Any snug, liquid-tight, or other removable connection may be made by any appropriate connecting method. Some examples are rubber O-rings, threaded connections, precise machining to snug fitting, or some combination of the above. Preferably, intake valves 17, 51, and the bottom portion 39 are fitted using precise machining in connection with rubber O-rings. The burp baffle 71, 89, 103 is preferably fitted to the top using precise machining.
In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit and scope.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/755,992, filed Jan. 13, 2004, now abandoned entitled Controlled Gastric Bolus Feeder.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10755992 | Jan 2004 | US |
Child | 10866006 | US |