Abstract: A method for placing an external feeding tube in the gastro intestinal tract of a patient. The device includes a feeding tube and a filling tool for filling a fillable retaining member of a feeding tube. The tool includes a fluid reservoir constructed to contain a fluid therein. The tool further includes a tool body defining a fluid flow path, the tool body constructed to be connected to the fluid reservoir such that the fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the fluid flow path defined by the tool body. The filling tool further includes a cannula constructed to connect fluidly to a filling lumen of a feeding tube. The cannula is fluidly connected to the fluid flow path.

Abstract: A feeding tube having an internal end portion and an external end portion. An external terminal end positioned on said external end portion. The feeding tube defines a feeding lumen therethrough from the external end portion to the internal end portion. A fillable retaining member is mounted on the internal end portion of the feeding tube. The tube further defines a filling lumen that extends from an internal point on an internal end portion side of the retaining member to an external point on an external end portion side of the retaining member. The external point is spaced from the external terminal end. The filling lumen is fluidly sealed at the external point. The filling lumen is in fluid communication with said retaining member.

Abstract: The one-way cross-slit valve of the invention is made of an elastomeric material and has a hollow cylindrical body with first and second ends and an axis and a passageway through the body, the passageway being entirely intercepted by a ridge and valley wall or web structure integrally joined to the cylindrical body. There are just two ridges in the form of lands that extend diametrically and intersect at a right angle at about the axis of the valve body and are slitted at the intersection to provide duckbill valve action. The ridges constitute the apices of mutually intersecting partially folded wall portions that are V-shaped in section, the V's spreading towards the first end where the intersecting walls join and form the valleys and the one-way action of the valve allowing fluid to move only towards the second end. The novel low profile gastrostomy tube combines a conventional dome and tubular shaft with the one-way cross-slit valve of the invention.

Abstract: An improved gastrostomy tube is a flexible tube having on one inner end thereof an improved energy absorbent internal retaining member which provides for less patient trauma during emplacement and subsequent percutaneous removal, while almost entirely avoiding either separation of the internal retaining member, i.e., the bumper, or its acute displacement. The energy absorbing internal retaining member has a hollow body portion with two resiliently reversible physical forms or shapes, toroidal-like, and, goblet-like connected to a foreshortened hollow axial stem portion that is attached to or integrally made with the inward end of the flexible tube. The internal retaining member is made in the toroidal-like form. During intentional removal, when under pressure against the stomach mucosa, the internal retaining member snaps into the unrolled, goblet-like shape and pulls smoothly out through the stoma tract.

Abstract: A gastrostomy device for easier insertion into an established stoma is provided with an apertured dome connected at its bottom wall to a tubular shaft, wherein the dome is particularly characterized by having the sidewall thinned from apex to bottom wall whereby the dome, when elongated with an obturator, stretches smoothly and readily to very close to the diameter of the tubular shaft. The device is ordinarily provided with a one-way valve mounted in the dome as well as with a retention flange at the outer end of the tubular shaft. Preferably the one-way valve is a cross-slit duckbill valve of novel design.

Abstract: An external retaining device may be used for securing an enteral feeding tube in a desired location with respect to a person's skin. The feeding tube passes through a first hole in the retaining device, then is guided through a 90.degree., bend following a radius of curvature such that the feeding tube is not kinked, and then passes through a second hole in the retaining device, with the longitudinal axes of the holes in the retaining device being coplanar and oriented perpendicular to one another.

Abstract: A stoma creator is provided comprising a flexible tube having a first opening, a tapered dilator portion, having a second opening, the diameter of the first opening being greater than the diameter of the second opening, and a connecting portion. The stoma creator has a tapered dilator having a side wall which gently tapers from approximately 5 French to 14 French.

Abstract: A replacement gastrostomy tube device is provided comprising a catheter shaft having an outer surface wall, with the shaft enclosing a feeding lumen of substantially circular cross-section and a fluid flow channel. A port housing is located at the proximal end of the shaft with the port housing having a main food inlet port, a Y-port and a fluid inlet port. Near the distal end of the tube are an expandable component member and a food outlet port, which port is preferably located at the distal end. The feeding lumen is of a greater diameter than that of the fluid flow channel. The outer surface wall is of a non-circular cross-section. The feeding lumen is of a circular cross-section which permits the passage therethrough of a jejunal tube. The main food inlet port is of a greater diameter than that associated with the Y-port. The method for using this device permits jejunal feeding through a replacement gastrostomy tube without retraumatizing the patient.

Abstract: A gastrostomy tube has a retaining element which has a generally triangular shape with rounded vertices. The retaining element is made up of three resilient petaloid flanges which extend radially from the tubular portion of the gastrostomy tube. The petaloid flanges and the tubular portion are made of different materials. Substantially triangular connecting portions are interposed between and interconnect each pair of next adjacent petaloid flanges. The petaloid flanges are rendered less flexible than the connecting portions by either variations in thickness or materials between the petaloid flanges and connecting portions. The assembly of a gastrostomy tube and a tapered dilator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A stoma creator is provided comprising a flexible tube having a first opening, a tapered dilator portion, having a second opening, the diameter of the first opening being greater than the diameter of the second opening, and a connecting portion. The stoma creator has a tapered dilator having a side wall which gently tapers from approximately 5 French to 14 French.

Abstract: A replacement gastrostomy tube device is provided comprising a catheter shaft having an outer surface wall, with the shaft enclosing a feeding lumen of substantially circular cross-section and a fluid flow channel. A port housing is located at the proximal end of the shaft with the port housing having a main food inlet port, a Y-port and a fluid inlet port. Near the distal end of the tube are an expandable component member and a food outlet port, which port is preferably located at the distal end. The feeding lumen is of a greater diameter than that of the fluid flow channel. The outer surface wall is of a non-circular cross-section. The feeding lumen is of a circular cross-section which permits the passage therethrough of a jejunal tube. The main food inlet port is of a greater diameter than that associated with the Y-port. The method for using this device permits jejunal feeding through a replacement gastrostomy tube without retraumatizing the patient.