Abstract: An apparatus for ventilating and aspirating the respiratory system of a tracheostomy patient includes a patient module connectable to a supply of air and to the trachea of a patient, a center module including a first end element connected to the patient module, a second end element, a tubular catheter element extending slidably and sealingly through the first end element, a flexible tubular plastic sleeve extending between the first and second end elements around the catheter element, and a vacuum module connected to the second end element of the center module and connectable to a vacuum source for applying vacuum to the catheter element. The first and second end elements of the center module are releasably connected to the patient module and the vacuum module, respectively, so that the center module, including the catheter element, can be readily replaced without replacing the patient module and/or the vacuum module.

Abstract: A patient ventilating and aspirating apparatus includes a connector fitting assembly, an elongated tubular flexible aspirating catheter element having a lumen therein, a collapsible sleeve and a closure mechanism which is operative for closing off the lumen in the catheter element. The connector fitting assembly is connectable to a tracheostomy connector installed in a patient and to a respiratory apparatus. The aspirating catheter element is received in the connector fitting assembly, and the collapsible sleeve is sealingly connected to the connector fitting assembly and to the catheter element. The aspirating catheter element is connectable to a source of vacuum, and it is longitudinally slidable in the connector fitting assembly for advancing the catheter element into the trachea of the patient.

Abstract: A gastrostomy-jejunal feeding tube comprises a gastrostomy tube having an enlarged resiliently, collapsible retainer element on the distal end thereof and a jejunal feeding tube which is removably received in the gastrostomy tube in a manner which allows fluids to pass through the gastrostomy tube despite the presence of the jejunal feeding tube therein. The gastrostomy-jejunal feeding tube is adapted to be installed in a patient so that the gastrostomy tube extends through the stomach wall, fascia and skin for draining fluids from the stomach and so that the jejunal feeding tube extends into the jejunum area of the intestines for feeding and medicating the patient. Since the jejunal feeding tube is removable from the gastrostomy tube it can be replaced without surgery, and since the retainer element is resiliently collapsible, it can be pulled outwardly through the stomach wall to allow the gastrostomy tube to be removed from the patient without surgery.

Abstract: A gastroenteric feeding tube comprises a tubular shaft having distal and proximal ends, an enlarged intermediate portion which extends from the distal end of the shaft, and a weighted bolus which extends from the intermediate portion. The shaft has an imperforate sidewall and a side aperture in the intermediate portion communicates with the interior of the shaft for dispensing a feeding formula from the tube. The feeding tube is constructed so that it is sufficiently flexible to permit the passage thereof through a nostril of a patient during intubation of the tube, but nevertheless sufficiently rigid to permit the intubation of the tube without the use of a stylet therein.