Apparatus and method to suppress or prevent false alarms in an esophageal temperature probe and feeding tube

Abstract

A method of preventing or suppressing a false alarm during administration of food or medicine to a human or animal through a feeding tube having one or more sensors that generate a signal, comprises analyzing the signals to determine whether food or medicine is being administered and, if it is determined that food or medicine is present, preventing or suppressing an alarm. In a further step, the time and length of administration of food or medicine is recorded. When the feeding tube has at least two temperature sensors, differences in the temperatures recorded for the different temperature sensors indicate that food or medicine was administered. In a case where there is only one temperature sensor, the rate and extent of any temperature change of temperatures recorded from that temperature sensor are compared to an algorithm to determine whether feeding occurred. If the feeding tube has two or more electrodes that sense a change in impedance (galvanic or non-galvanic), that change indicates whether food or medicine is being administered. The signals are analyzed by a processor, monitor, or controller that generates an alarm signal.