Abstract: A probe for introduction into the human or animal body, having a sheath of flexible material and a traction element extending longitudinally in the sheath that is fastened to the sheath for the purpose of effecting curvature by exerting traction at its outer end and runs on one side of the sheath in the region of curvature (B), in particular a papillotome, is to be designed so as to obtain a specified direction of curvature. For this purpose the sheath has different moments of resistance to bending in two mutually perpendicular directions across its cross-section, and the traction element is arranged on the side towards which the sheath has the smaller moment of resistance.

Abstract: An apparatus, for placing a feeding tube in the stomach of the human or animal body, has:a hollow needle, which is surrounded by a sleeve, for providing an opening in the abdominal wall and the stomach wall and for bringing the sleeve into the opening:the tube, which has a first draw member at its one end:and a thread-like second draw member, which may be introduced through the sleeve, for drawing the tube from the cavity of the stomach into the opening. The connection between the first and the second draw members can be produced inside the stomach. This is achieved in that the second draw member has an expandable loop at its inner end and the first draw member has a coupling element which may pass through the loop and be held fast by contraction of the loop.