Nasogastric suction catheter

Abstract

A nasogastric suction catheter is disclosed consisting of a long, slender, flexible tube member having independent suction and vent lumens, both lumens being open at both the proximal and distal ends of the long, flexible tube member. The open proximal end of the suction lumen of the long, flexible tube is adapted for coupling to the conventional suction pump. The open distal end of the long, flexible tube is provided with a short, soft, hollow distal end member securely bonded thereto. The short, soft, hollow distal end member is provided with a number of spaced-apart, longitudinally extending ridges located upon its outer surface, with the space between adjacent, parallel ridges forming longitudinally extending troughs. A number of spaced-apart suction apertures are located between the parallel, extended ridges and through the bottom of the troughs into the short, hollow distal end member. When the short, soft distal end member of the nasogastric suction catheter is intubated within the stomach of a patient and a suctioning force is applied to the suction lumen of the catheter at its proximal end, the contents of the stomach of the patient are drawn into the several troughs and through the suction apertures into the hollow distal end member and out through the suction lumen of the suction catheter.