The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 26, 2004
Filed:
May. 10, 2001
Robert D. Fanelli, Dalton, MA (US);
Tamisha H. Clark, Pfafftown, NC (US);
Wilson-Cook Medical Incorporated, Winston-Salem, NC (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for coupling a gastroscope ( ) to a gastrostomy feeding tube apparatus ( ) such that both can be introduced together into the alimentary tract, thereby eliminating the need to separately introduce the gastroscope afterward in order to verify that the gastrostomy feeding tube ( ) has been correctly placed within the stomach of the patient. The gastrostomy feeding tube includes a coupling member ( ), such as an elongate tract or thread, that is accessible about the second end ( ) thereof. The elongate tract is drawn through the working channel ( ) of the gastroscope by an engagement member ( ), such as snare, which then allows the distal end ( ) of the gastroscope to be advanced into the end cap ( ) of the feeding tube so that the two can be pulled together into the stomach. In another embodiment, the coupling member comprises an integrated attachment member ( ), such as hook, to which the engaging member can attach.