Apparatus, device, and method for infant gavage feeding
Inventors
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11464712-B2
Publication Date
2022-10-11
Expiration Date
2039-03-08
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Abstract
The disclosure includes embodiments of an apparatus, a device, and methods to transform an infant feeding bottle into an infant gavage feeding apparatus. According to an embodiment, an infant gavage feeding apparatus can include an infant feeding bottle, a gavage milk delivery component, a retaining ring, and a cord component. In another embodiment, an infant milk dual-delivery device to transform an infant feeding bottle to an alternate nipple feeding and gavage feeding apparatus includes a gavage milk delivery component, a retaining ring, and a nipple receiving component. The gavage milk delivery component and the nipple receiving component can be positioned in a branched or a stacked configuration. The device can include a flow closure component and a controller to transition the milk flow for a gavage feeding and nipple feeding. The device can include a funnel to allow milk in the nipple to flow back into the infant feeding bottle.
Core Innovation
The invention disclosed is an apparatus, device, and method to transform a standard infant feeding bottle into an infant gavage feeding apparatus. The infant gavage feeding apparatus generally comprises an infant feeding bottle, a gavage milk delivery component with a frustoconical portion and an elongate tube portion for connection to enteral feeding tubes, a retaining ring to secure the assembly, and a cord component to facilitate transition between nipple and gavage feeding. The device can also include a releasable seal and a removable protective cap to prevent contamination.
A further embodiment provides an infant milk dual-delivery device enabling an infant feeding bottle to alternate seamlessly between nipple feeding and gavage feeding. This dual-delivery device includes a nipple receiving component, a gavage milk delivery component, and a retaining ring, allowing the device to operate in a branched or stacked configuration. It may include a flow closure component and a controller to transition milk flow between nipple and gavage feeding, and can also be equipped with a funnel to redirect milk from the nipple back into the bottle to minimize milk loss.
The problem being solved is the cumbersome and wasteful process of transitioning an infant from bottle feeding to gavage feeding, particularly in neonatal settings where infants may be unable to breast or bottle feed due to various medical issues. The current process involves transferring remaining milk to secondary containers and syringes, risking milk loss, inaccurate volume tracking, and disrupting feeding. The invention addresses these challenges by allowing efficient, contamination-reducing, and seamless transitions between feeding modes using a single bottle system.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains several independent claims outlining the main inventive features related to the dual-delivery device and associated methods for alternate nipple and gavage feeding.
Infant milk dual-delivery device with branched configuration
An infant milk dual-delivery device attachable to an infant feeding bottle contains: - A nipple receiving component that allows for the removable attachment of a nipple. - A gavage milk delivery component comprising a frustoconical portion and an elongate tube portion that is connectable to an enteral feeding tube. - The nipple receiving component and the gavage milk delivery component are arranged in a branched configuration at an angle less than or equal to ninety degrees. - A retaining ring that fluidly connects with both components and is removably attached to the top of an infant feeding bottle. This arrangement enables seamless transition between only nipple feeding or only gavage feeding in a single device.
Flow closure component and controller for selective milk path
The device further features: - A flow closure component positioned to split the milk flow from the bottle into a first channel (to the nipple) and a second channel (to the gavage milk delivery component). - The first channel supports nipple feeding; the second supports gavage feeding. - A controller enables transition of the flow closure component's position between facilitating milk flow to the nipple or to the gavage milk delivery component.
Operating method using the dual-delivery device for exclusive feeding modes
A method for operating the infant milk dual-delivery device includes: - Attaching a nipple to the nipple receiving component. - Attaching the enteral feeding tube to the gavage milk delivery component. - Mounting the device to an infant feeding bottle with the retaining ring. - Inverting the bottle and adjusting the device position to alternately allow milk to flow into the nipple (for nipple feeding only) or into the gavage milk delivery component (for gavage feeding only), ensuring that milk flows exclusively to one feeding component at a time.
The inventive features focus on the dual-delivery device's structural configuration for exclusive alternate feeding modes, the use of a flow control and controller, and methods enabling seamless, single-device transitions between nipple and gavage feeding.
Stated Advantages
Provides an efficient means to convert a standard infant feeding bottle from nipple feeding to gavage feeding, eliminating the clumsiness and waste inherent to typical transition methods.
Enables easy switching between nipple and gavage feeding without the need for transferring milk, thereby reducing milk loss and maintaining accurate tracking of milk volume consumed.
Minimizes feeding interruption and disruption during transitions, preserving the flow and bonding of the feeding experience.
Prevents contamination of feeding components by use of releasable seal and protective cap when not in use.
Documented Applications
Efficient and seamless feeding of infants, especially those with difficulties in breast or bottle feeding, by enabling transitions between nipple feeding and gavage feeding using a single device.
Use in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) or similar healthcare settings to provide both nipple and gavage feeding with reduced waste and improved accuracy in milk delivery.
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