Catheter

Abstract

An enteral feeding catheter () that provides access to both the stomach and the jejunum for feeding, aspiration and decompression. The catheter includes a dual lumen 'D' tube () that joins to an external 'Y' connector () at the proximal end of the tube. The connector serves both lumens as a source for fluid or aspiration. The gastric lumen () and the jejunal lumen () of the “D” tube both connect to a transitional connector bolus in the stomach. The gastric lumen of the “D” tube joins with a lumen in the transitional bolus that communicates with a gastric port (). The gastric port is recessed to the level of its full internal lumen, thereby providing maximum protection against occlusion and maximum area for outflow. The “D” jejunal lumen connects in the bolus with a lumen that transitions from a “D” shape to a full circle shape. The latter provides for the attachment of a smaller, round, single lumen tube that extends into the jejunum. At the distal end of the jejunal tube is a bolus () containing an improved port that is also recessed to the level of the floor of the internal tube lumen to provide maximum protection against occlusion and maximum area for outflow. Both the gastric port in the transitional bolus and the jejunal port in the tip bolus may include a structural arch protruding radially outwardly therefrom. An arch is effective to prevent the body segment of either bolus from bending and restricting the ports. The invention also provides for the insertion of the tube over a guidewire () rather than with an internal stylet, as is normally the case with nasally inserted tubes.