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Publication Number
US-12138224-B2
Publication Date
2024-11-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
Disclosed is an NGT system, the system comprises a nasogastric tube having a diameter and length configured to pass through an esophagus such that the lumen of the NGT maintains fluid communication with a portion of the digestive tract, and a digestive tract sensor operatively associated with the NGT, the digestive tract sensor configured to sense from inside the body and transmit signals in response to one or both of conditions relating to nourishment states of the digestive tract, and positioning of the NGT.
Core Innovation
An interactive nasogastric tube system uses a nasogastric tube configured to pass through an esophagus such that the lumen maintains fluid communication with a portion of the digestive tract. A sensor is operatively associated with the NGT and configured for directly contacting fluid and/or tissue from inside the body, sensing conditions relating to nourishment states of the digestive tract and positioning of the NGT, and transmitting signals in response.
The sensor is positioned along a mid portion of the NGT for contact with the esophagus during use, including direct contact with fluid within the esophagus and/or direct contact with tissues within the esophagus. In at least one implementation, the sensor comprises an impedance sensor. The transmitted signals are provided as operator-interpretable audiovisual signals for NGT positioning relative to the esophageal sphincter/stomach and for determining nourishment status of the stomach.
The system further supports sensing gastric reflux by using a gastric fluid sensor to detect gastric reflux and distinguish saliva versus gastric fluids. Reflux detection is used to provide audiovisual indications for aspiration risk and to trigger workflow outcomes such as stopping or evacuating feed and/or scheduling nourishment. Implementations include controller/console operation with displays/alerts and optional reflux suction sleeve with controller-driven suction/pressure, including sensor modalities that may include impedance, pH, optical/optic, electromagnetic/antenna, and thermal-based substance sensing.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim specifies an NGT system with an internally contacting digestive-tract sensor positioned along a mid portion of the NGT for esophageal contact, where the sensor directly senses nourishment-state and NGT positioning conditions from inside the body and transmits signals, with the sensor comprising an impedance sensor. The dependent claims further refine the sensor modality set and add audiovisual signaling, controller-controlled reflux suction responsive to sensor signals, and structural configurations including a sleeve and multi-lumen arrangements.
Interactive NGT with internally contacting sensor for nourishment state and positioning signals
An NGT system includes a nasogastric tube configured to pass through an esophagus such that the lumen maintains fluid communication with a portion of the digestive tract, and a sensor operatively associated with the NGT that is configured for directly contacting fluid within a body and/or directly contacting tissue, sensing conditions relating to nourishment states of the digestive tract and positioning of the NGT, and transmitting signals in response.
Sensor positioned along mid portion of NGT for esophageal fluid/tissue contact
The sensor is positioned along a mid portion of the NGT for contact with the esophagus during use, and the sensor is configured for directly contacting fluid within the esophagus and/or for directly contacting tissues within the esophagus.
Impedance sensor as part of the digestive-tract contact sensing
The sensor comprises an impedance sensor.
Sensor modalities including light emitting source, pH sensor, electromagnetic source, thermocouple, and pressure sensor
The sensor comprises at least one of a light emitting source, a pH sensor, an electromagnetic source, a thermocouple, and a pressure sensor.
Gastric fluid sensor for reflux detection with audiovisual signaling
The system includes a gastric fluid sensor configured to detect gastric reflux and an audiovisual display that outputs signaling when reflux is present.
Controller-controlled suction of reflux responsive to sensor signals
The system includes a suction pump connected to the lumen of an NGT and a controller that controls suction of reflux through the NGT based on sensor signals.
Sleeve with lumen configured to slide over the nasogastric tube
A system includes a sleeve with a lumen whose inside diameter is sufficient to slide over a nasogastric tube.
NGT with more than two lumens arranged side-by-side and axially
The nasogastric tube has more than two lumens in at least one configuration arranged side-by-side and axially.
Overall, the claim set covers an NGT with a mid-portion, internally contacting esophageal sensor that senses nourishment-state and positioning conditions and transmits signals, with an impedance sensor and optional additional sensor modalities. Dependent coverage extends to reflux detection using a gastric fluid sensor with audiovisual signaling, controller-driven suction through the NGT responsive to sensor signals, and structural configurations such as a slide-over sleeve and multi-lumen NGT arrangements.
Stated Advantages
Provides operator-interpretable audiovisual signals for NGT positioning and nourishment status.
Provides audiovisual indications for aspiration risk via gastric reflux detection.
Distinguishes saliva versus gastric fluids for reflux detection.
Documented Applications
Detecting malposition or reflux conditions and executing workflow outcomes such as stopping or evacuating feed.
Scheduling nourishment based on detected nourishment state and/or reflux presence.
Using reflux-triggered feeding interruption examples based on gastric reflux detection.
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