Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Avent, Inc.

Michael A Kenowski

Donald J McMichael

John Anthony Rotella

James Frederick Schumacher

Nathan Christopher Griffith

Michael Z Sleva

Thomas Gregory Triebes

Sam C Chan

Brian Joseph Cuevas

Scott M Teixeira

Katherine L Dziak

Cameron G Rouns

Ryan Clinton Frank

James M Takeuchi

Netty Dawn DiViesti

Courtney E Rowe

Curry B Sandven

Angela Christine Montijo

Don J McMichael

Daniel Kermit Hill

Donald J Mcmichael

Courtney Rowe

James F Schumacher

Ryan C Frank

A feeding tube port for use in connection with an enteral feeding system is provided. The feeding tube port includes an inner core made of a first material and an over-layer made of a second material. The over-layer at least partially encloses the inner core, such that the inner core is configured to resist separation from the over-layer. In some aspects, the inner core may be formed from a rigid plastic material and the over-layer may be formed from a pliable material. The inner core may include one or more ribs, slots and/or apertures configured to enhance adherence between the inner core first material and the over-layer second material. The inner core may further include one or more contact points configured for attachment of a feeding tube valve other similar component to the feeding tube port.

Polyurethane bonding skeleton for feeding tube device

The present invention is directed to a portable apparatus for dispensing a liquid under pressure at a substantially constant flow rate over a period of time. The apparatus includes an inflatable, internal bladder constructed of a compliant, elastomeric material and an external housing surrounding the internal bladder. Further, the external housing is constructed of a non-compliant, elastomeric material. Thus, during operation, the external housing shapes the internal bladder as the internal bladder is being filled with a treatment fluid and collapses as the treatment fluid is emptied from the internal bladder.

Shaped elastomeric infusion pump

A feeding tube assembly having an improved feeding tube body composed of a tube wall having an external tube surface and an internal tube surface, a proximal end, a distal end separated from the proximal end by a length, and a distal tip region. The internal tube surface defines a feeding passageway extending the proximal end to the distal tip region. The tube body has a first cross-sectional profile from the proximal end to the distal end and at least a second cross-sectional profile from the distal end to the distal tip region. In the first cross-sectional profile, the external tube surface defines an external circumference and the internal tube surface defines a generally non-circular internal perimeter dividing the tube wall into one thin-walled portions and thick-walled portions. In the second cross-section profile, the external tube surface defines an external circumference and the internal tube surface defines an internal circumference.

Feeding tube tip reinforcement

A core-pin assembly composed of a primary core-pin and at least one secondary core-pin. The primary core-pin has a primary core-pin body defining at least one element for coupling with a mating end of at least one secondary core-pin. The secondary core-pin has a mating end and a secondary core-pin body. The mating end is configured to fit with the element defined in the primary core-pin body such that the primary core-pin and the secondary core-pin(s) reversibly join together to form a branching structure. The assembly may further include at least one tertiary core-pin and the secondary core-pin body may define at least one element for coupling with a mating end of at least one tertiary core-pin. The mating end of the tertiary core pin is configured to fit with the secondary core-pin body such that the primary core-pin, secondary and tertiary core-pin(s) reversibly join together forming a branching structure.

Branching core-pin assembly and system for forming branching channels

There is provided a mechanism for gently detaching a loading catheter from a tracheostomy tube once the tube is placed in the trachea of a patient. After dilating the trachea, a loading catheter is inserted into a tracheostomy tube with which it desirably engages. Once the loading catheter and tracheostomy tube are attached to each other, the entire unit is passed through the stoma until the flange of the tracheostomy tube is in contact with the throat. The loading catheter may then be removed by rotating or twisting the loading catheter handle. The loading catheter and tracheostomy tube have a cam-action mechanism that gently forces the two parts apart as they are rotated relative to each other. This 'cam action' disengagement allows for the removal of the loading catheter without subjecting the trachea or throat to undue pressure or forces that might cause trauma or increase recovery time. Other accessories like cannulas and obturators may attach and detach from the tracheostomy tube in a like manner.

Cam action detachment for tracheostomy tube

There is provided a balloon cuffed tracheostomy tube with a balloon designed so as to enhance the tube's anchorability without sealing the tracheal stoma. The tracheostomy tube device includes a conventional curved hollow tube. The distal end of the tube is adapted for insertion through a tracheal stoma and into the tracheal lumen of a patient's throat. The device further includes an inflatable balloon enveloping a portion of the tube. The balloon has a distal portion substantially centered about and attached to the distal end portion of the tube. The balloon also has a proximal portion attached to the bend region of the tube and positioned substantially off-center relative to the proximal portion of the tube and about the bend region below the proximal plane of the device. Upon inflation, this configuration provides for expansion of the balloon around the distal end portion of the tube and the proximal end portion of the tube below the proximal plane of the device to seal the trachea below the tracheal stoma and to avoid sealing the trachea above the tracheal stoma. This configuration of the balloon should allow secretions to exit the stoma so that they do not accumulate and become a possible source of ventilator acquired pneumonia.

Balloon cuff tracheostomy tube

There is provided a method of making a balloon having a differential thickness. The method uses a raw tube composed of a thermoplastic polymer which is placed in an asymmetrical mold. The tube is preheated in the mold to a temperature sufficient to soften the material of the tube and inflated with a gas to generally uniformly stretch the material of the tube while allowing the tube to retract lengthwise, thus forming a balloon. The resulting completed balloon has a differential wall thickness wherein the upper region has a thickness of from about 15 to about 30 micrometers and the lower region has a thickness of from about 5 to about 15 micrometers.

Method of making an improved balloon cuff tracheostomy tube

A unitary component having a tip portion integrally formed with an expandable sleeve portion. Other aspects of the present invention are related to a catheter incorporating a unitary component. Still other aspects of the present invention will be apparent upon reading the remainder of the disclosure.

Catheter with unitary component

A process for producing a catheter having a head, a shaft, a distal end, and a tip member wherein the tip member is secured onto the distal end of the catheter during production of the tip member. Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a process for producing a catheter. The process including providing a catheter with a proximal end, a shaft, an interior, an exterior, and a distal end; and producing a balloon member having a proximal end and a distal end; wherein the distal end of the balloon member is attached to the distal end of the catheter during production of the balloon member.

Process for producing a catheter

An improved gastrostomy feeding device with improved resistance to acidic and enzymatic degradation is disclosed. The device comprises an elongated feeding tube insertable through a patient's abdominal wall and an anchoring device mounted on the feeding tube, preferably near the first end, to retain said feeding tube within the stomach. The anchoring device is comprised of at least one internal retaining member fabricated from a trifluoropropyl or phenyl modified dimethylpolysiloxane elastomer having improved resistance to acids and enzymes.

Growing community of inventors

Alpharetta, GA, United States of America

Michael A Kenowski