Scimed Life Systems, Inc.

Boston Scientific Corporation

Applied Medical Technology, Inc.

Todd H Snow

Michael S Chu

Michael P Phalen

George J Picha

Gary R Austin

Vincent J Testa

A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy device comprises a removable, dilating tip. The tip is located at the distal end of the device and provides for tissue dilation upon entry of the device into the body of a patient. The tip is lubricious and biodegradable. The tip is removable by dislodging it from the end of the device following placement of the device in the patient. The tip is usually dislodged by action of a physician to dislodge the tip, however it may be dissolved by application of a biocompatible solvent or through digestion. Following removal of the tip from the device, the tip is dissolved naturally by digestion.

Temporary dilating tip for gastro-intestinal tubes

An apparatus and method for percutaneously placing gastrostomy tubes. The method enables percutaneous placement through an existing penetration, as well as placement where no penetration exists. The apparatus comprises a gastrostomy tube having an internal bolster which can be manipulated such that it has a reduced lateral extent; an axially-extending hollow sleeve which can surround the bolster to hold it in a position of reduced lateral extent; and a rip-cord capable of tearing the sheath. In a preferred embodiment, the internal bolster is folded to have a smaller diameter, the sleeve is placed over the bolster and shrunk down to a smaller diameter. The rip-cord runs distally along the outside of the tube, between the sleeve and the internal bolster, wraps over the distal end of the sleeve and runs proximally along the length of the tube. The replacement tube can then be pushed through a stoma. Once in place, the rip cord is pulled to tear away the sleeve, thereby allowing the bolster to revert to its original lateral extent.

Apparatus and method for percutaneously placing gastrostomy tubes

An optical feeding tube includes an elongated sheath having a first lumen for delivering nutrients to a gastrointestinal tract and an imaging device disposed in a second lumen. The imaging device provides visualization of an area adjacent a distal end of the elongated sheath. The imaging device can be an optical fiber extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the elongated sheath. The optical feeding tube can also include a retention device. The method for placing the feeding tube involves passing the feeding tube through an opening in the abdominal wall and into a gastro-intestinal tract while observing a passageway ahead of the feeding tube.

Method for placing a feeding tube inside a gastro-intestinal tract

A gastro-intestinal tube which provides rigid support during stomal formation, while allowing tube removal by pulling from outside the abdominal wall. The tube has proximal and distal ends, a deformable internal bolster attached to the distal end, and a dissolvable support bolster placed around the tube proximal to the internal bolster. The support bolster is made of a dissolvable material, such that the bolster provides a high degree of securement to the gastro-intestinal tube during formation of the stoma, and dissolves to allow tube removal after the stoma has formed. In an alternate embodiment, the bolster has a coating of a medicating agent.

Gastro-intestinal tube with dissolvable support bolster

An injection snare is disclosed. One embodiment of the present invention includes an instrument body, an actuator slidably attached to the body, a catheter attached to and extending through the body at a proximal end of the catheter, an injection needle, and a snare. The injection needle is disposed within the catheter and has a proximal end connected to the actuator. A distal end of the injection needle contains a piercing tip. The injection needle is movable within the catheter between a first position wherein the distal end of the needle extends beyond the distal end of the catheter and a second position wherein the distal end of the needle is retracted within said catheter. The snare is attached to the distal end of the injection needle.

Injection snare

An optical feeding tube includes an elongated sheath having a first lumen for delivering nutrients to a gastro-intestinal tract and an imaging device disposed in a second lumen. The imaging device provides visualization of an area adjacent a distal end of the elongated sheath. The imaging device can be an optical fiber extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the elongated sheath. The optical feeding tube can also include a retention device.

Optical gastrostomy and jejunostomy

A gastrostomy device having a tubular portion, first and second fingers, a rod member, and a suture member. The rod member and suture member cooperate to releasably retain the fingers in a first or installation configuration for insertion through a patient's stoma. Following insertion, the rod member and suture member release the fingers to permit the fingers to move to a deployed configuration. In the installation configuration the fingers are generally in line with an axis of the tubular portion while, in the deployed configuration, the fingers are generally transverse to the tubular portion axis.

Growing community of inventors

Westborough, MA, United States of America

Todd H Snow