Medical Innovations, LLC

Damon M Nuckolls

Stephen K Parks

Udi Fishman

A gastrostomy feeding tube including a main, flexible cylindrical body with a proximal end adapted for receiving conventional medical apparatus and a distal end having a locking mechanism. A locking ring is slidably and frictionally attached to the main body of the tube. The locking mechanism includes hinged legs and a membrane surrounding the mechanism, which is attached in a sealed fashion to the tube and to a distal end of the locking mechanism. Other embodiments of the locking mechanism include teeth or detents. Locking knobs are provided within the distal end. A long, rigid insertion tool having grooves for receiving the locking knobs is utilized, and is inserted through a bore through the tube until the locking knobs pass into the grooves. A needle is inserted in a conventional fashion into a patient's stomach, and a guide wire is passed therethrough, and the needle is then removed. The tube and insertion tool are passed over the guide wire, and the insertion tool is then pulled back slightly to pull the hinged legs of the locking mechanism into an expanded configuration, which is maintained by its membrane. The insertion tool is removed, and the tube is held in place by clamping of the patient's skin and stomach between the locking ring and the locking mechanism, respectively. In an alternative embodiment, a locking button is firmly attached to the gastrostomy catheter, and a one-way valve is provided to prevent backflow of gastric juices or the like from the patient's stomach. In both embodiments, a plug is provided for sealing the distal end of the tube.

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Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Damon M Nuckolls