Sandoz Nutrition Corporation

Novartis Nutrition Ag

Sandoz Gmbh

Smiths Medical Asd, Inc.

Smiths Medical Md, Inc.

Novartis Ag

Lester David Michels

William Lloyd Beling

Ronald Gene Travis

Douglas J Duchon

Raymond Francis Cracauer

Kristin Finberg

Frederick K Reuning

Norman C Reid

Norman Alan Greenberg

Kenneth A Kudsk

Rebecca DeLegge

Robert G Rani

Sharon Marie Gohman

Kathleen Stauter

Norman D Reid

David Curtis Egberg

Donald F Kirby

A connector and method of connecting are described for connecting a first and second catheter at an overlap area where the first catheter fits within the second catheter. The connector includes a collar that surrounds a portion of the overlap area and a clamp that applies a radially inward force to the collar and encircles a portion of the overlap area.

Delivery system and method

A portal access device that is adapted to provide long term access to a port implanted in a patient has two major components, an infuser assembly and a safety needle insertion device. The infuser assembly has an infuser housing that can be configured into a specific shape, for example a dome. A blunt cannula is attached to and extends downwardly from the underside of the infuser housing. Also connected to the infuser housing, preferably at a side thereof, is a tubing or catheter. The safety needle inserter assembly has a base having a proximal portion that is configured to form fit over the infuser housing. At the distal portion of the base uprights are provided so that a second end of an arm, to which first end a needle or a sharp cannula is connected, may be movably and hingedly connected to the base. The sharp cannula extends from the underside of the proximal end of the arm and passes through the base by way of a bore formed at the proximal portion of the base. The bore is defined between an opening at the underside of the base and an opening at the upper surface of the base. Locking mechanisms are provided at the base uprights and the distal end of the arm so that when the arm is moved away from the base, and as the distal end of the arm pivots about the uprights, the respective locking mechanisms provided at the arm and the base would coact to lock the arm in place, to thereby maintain the tip of the needle within the bore formed in the base. To use, the safety needle inserter is placed over the infuser assembly, with the sharp cannula extending through the infuser housing and axially mating with the blunt cannula of the infuser assembly, but with the tip of the sharp cannula protruding beyond the tip of the blunt cannula. The combined needle inserter/infuser assembly is pressed down onto the skin surface of the patient so that the combination sharp/blunt cannulas penetrate the patient and puncture the self-sealing septum of a portal reservoir implanted in the patient. Once the safety needle inserter is removed from the infuser assembly, with the infuser housing septum being self-sealing, a closed fluid communication path is established between the portal reservoir and a fluid store that may be connected to the catheter of the infuser assembly. Long term access of the implanted portal reservoir is thereby achieved.

Portal access device with removable sharps protection

Removable sharps device for accessing a portal reservoir

A catheter retention device comprises an oval base with a centrally located bore there through, an elevated disk portion surrounding said bore and two retention ring housing elements with centrally disposed bores whose axis are perpendicular to one another. The retention device is useful in securing the catheter so that any inadvertent physical force or traction exerted against it will not move the catheter or pull it from its incision. The catheter itself is threadably inserted through all the bores of the retention device which is then attached to the patients body at the ostomy site with sutures, tape or liquid adhesives. Preferably, the retention device is used in conjunction with gastrostomy or jejunal feeding tubes.

Catheter and feeding tube retention device and method of use

A catheter or ostomy tube placement tip is comprised of a tapered, substantially conical head portion and a cylindrical body or stem portion centrally attached to the base thereof. The cylindrical base fits snugly within the lumen of a catheter or ostomy tube such as a ostomy or jejunal feeding tube and its tapered design allows for the insertion and placement of the tube within the lumen of the stomach or other body cavity through an opening or ostomy. Once properly placed, the tip is discharged from the end of the tube so that it is dissolved by human body fluids and is excreted.

Ostomy tube placement tip

A therapeutically effective amount of L-arginine, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, is orally administered, preferably as a food supplement in combination with a meal approved by the American Diabetes Association Inc. ('ADA'), to a person having Type II diabetes mellitus but who is not on either insulin or other medication for glycemic control. When 3 g to 15 g of L-arginine is ingested concurrently with a meal, or immediately prior to eating a meal, the L-arginine decreases the concentration of insulin generated, compared to that generated after the same meal without the L-arginine; at the same time, concentration of glucose in the person's blood is decreased, indicating that available insulin sensitizes cells so as to nearly mimic the effectiveness of normal cells in a non-diabetic person; from 3 g to 15 g of orally ingested L-arginine, by itself, produces no measurable increase in insulin secretion in a diabetic.

Oral arginine and insulin secretion

The present invention is an improved ostomy fluid tube and method for its use comprising a collapsible retention bolster for securing the tube to the inner stomach wall and fascia. The retention means comprise several resilient leaf or petal-shaped flanges circumferentially arranged about the feeding tube at a distal point thereon. The otherwise flat, circumferentially arranged flanges possess notches or grooves which facilitate collapse or folding of the retention means for easier removal through an ostomy or other internal cavity.

Collapsible retention bolster for gastrostomy and other ostomy tubes

The present invention comprises an improved jejunal feeding tube comprising semi rigid tubing attached to the distal end of a percutaneous endoscopic feeding tube. The tubing further contains equidistantly spaced bushing grips on the jejunal feeding tube for ease of placement and securing the jejunal feeding tube to the small intestine.

Jejunal feeding tube

An infusion apparatus includes a pump and a fluid delivery set. The infusion apparatus is adapted to monitor the fluid delivery set for insuring proper placement in relation to the pump. The infusion apparatus further includes a sensor which operates to detect the proper alignment of the fluid delivery set and also the proper operating position of the infusion apparatus. The infusion apparatus includes a cover which is adapted to be in a closed position when the infusion apparatus is in proper operating position. The cover operates to secure the fluid delivery set within the mounted position in the infusion apparatus.

System for detection of fluid infusion

A gastrostomy feeding tube removal device is comprised of a hollow cylindrical body, a conical head formed at one end and preferably a cap or top at the other to assist in grasping the tool during use. A sheath covers the remaining body portion and is slideably moveable thereon. In use, the gastrostomy tube is pulled through the device which enters the stomach through an ostomy of the patient. Upon contacting the retention bolster means proximate the inner stomach lining, the plastic sheath is pressed forward against the extended members of the retention means thereby collapsing them and withdrawing them into the sheath. The device is then withdrawn from the patient's body simultaneously removing the tube as well.

Gastrostomy tube removal tool

Retaining device on a single-port feeding tube connector for patient feeding set to prevent unintentional disconnect of the feeding solution supply tube from the feeding tube.

Feeding tube retaining strap

Combined feeding tube connector and retaining strap

A gastrostomy feeding port comprising a retaining flange portion, a middle tube portion and elastically adjustable tip portion adaptable to fit a variety of stoma lengths.

Gastrostomy feeding port with elastic adjustable tip

Retaining device for patient feeding set to prevent unintentional disconnect of the feeding solution supply tube from the feeding tube.

Growing community of inventors

Eden Prairie, MN, United States of America

Lester David Michels