Abstract: A magnetic suture has a ferrule with a tapered region in which a knotted suture is provided and secured with an adhesive, and a straight region in which a magnet is provided. The magnetic suture can be manufactured and assembled by knotting a suture, threading it through the tapered portion, and applying adhesive. The structure and method provide a magnetic suture provide increased manufacturing tolerances and decreased failure rates, thereby reducing waste of components and time while increasing the manufacturing/assembly speed and reliability of magnetic suture assembly.

Abstract: A gastric jejunal (GJ) feeding tube device for GJ feeding of an infant or child is provided. The device comprises a GJ button comprising a GJ button body, a gastric port, a jejunal port, a gastric channel, and a jejunal channel. The device also comprises a multi-lumen tube comprising a multi-lumen tube body, a multi-lumen tube proximal end, and a multi-lumen tube distal end. The device also comprises a jejunal tube comprising a jejunal tube body, a jejunal tube proximal end, a jejunal tube distal end, a spring, and a ring. The spring provides a kink-resistant feature. The ring is positioned at the jejunal tube proximal end. The jejunal tube and the GJ button are operatively connected at the ring and the mating surface by radial compression. The ring has a higher durometer than the jejunal tube body and an outer diameter that does not substantially decrease distally.

Abstract: A magnetic suture has a ferrule with a tapered region in which a knotted suture is provided and secured with an adhesive, and a straight region in which a magnet is provided. The magnetic suture can be manufactured and assembled by knotting a suture, threading it through the tapered portion, and applying adhesive. The structure and method provide a magnetic suture provide increased manufacturing tolerances and decreased failure rates, thereby reducing waste of components and time while increasing the manufacturing/assembly speed and reliability of magnetic suture assembly.

Abstract: A retention system for use with a bridle installed in a nose of a patient includes a member coupled to a medical device that is suspended from a nose of a patient and a connector for coupling to a bridle that is installed in a nose of a patient. The medical device extends into the mouth of a patient or is suspended adjacent the face of a patient.

Abstract: A gastric jejunal (GJ) feeding tube device for GJ feeding of an infant or child is provided. The device comprises a GJ button comprising a GJ button body, a gastric port, a jejunal port, a gastric channel, and a jejunal channel. The device also comprises a multi-lumen tube comprising a multi-lumen tube body, a multi-lumen tube proximal end, and a multi-lumen tube distal end. The device also comprises a jejunal tube comprising a jejunal tube body, a jejunal tube proximal end, a jejunal tube distal end, a spring, and a ring. The spring provides a kink-resistant feature. The ring is positioned at the jejunal tube proximal end. The jejunal tube and the GJ button are operatively connected at the ring and the mating surface by radial compression. The ring has a higher durometer than the jejunal tube body and an outer diameter that does not substantially decrease distally.

Abstract: A bridle catheter for installation into the nasal cavity of a patient comprises a tubular portion, a tape portion having a flattened geometry, and a transition zone located where the tubular portion meets the tape portion. A magnet is operatively attached in an open end of the tubular portion and secured therein so as to inhibit movement. A non-elastic member is integral with at least the tape portion and extends at least partially along a length thereof. In one example, the non-elastic member extends along substantially all of the tubular portion and tape portion. In another example, the non-elastic member comprises at least one of a ribbon or at least one fiber. A bridle catheter system is also provided that further comprises a stylet and a probe with a second magnet. A method of making the bridle catheter is further provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a breakaway coupling. A female adapter on a source side of the coupling uses a valve to prevent a flow of contents from the source when the coupling is not connected or is broken apart. A male adapter on a destination side uses a valve to prevent backflow from the destination when the female and male adapters are not coupled together. When coupled, the male adapter penetrates the valve of the female adapter, thereby allowing the flow from the source to the destination via the male and female adapters. Pressure from the flow opens the valve of the male adapter allowing the flow from the source to proceed to the destination. In the coupled state, the male and female adapters, and respective tubes, are able to rotate with respect to each other. The coupling may be used to deliver medical fluids to a patient.

Abstract: A suturing device is made of two hypodermic needles allowing one or more sutures (at the same time) and a retrieval probe to be advanced into a cavity (e.g., a stomach cavity) of the patient. Both the suture and retrieval probes comprise magnets of opposite polarities on their leading ends. Thus, after the suture and retrieval probe are inside the stomach cavity, the suture and retrieval probe may mate and the suture may be transferred from one hypodermic needle to the other using magnetic attraction. In doing so, the suture forms a loop through the stomach. Once removed, this loop, having two ends that are positioned outside the patient's body, can be pulled tight in order to pull the stomach wall closer to the surface of the patient's body. With the stomach wall close to the surface of the patient's body, it is easier to insert a gastrostomy device.

Abstract: An interlock coupling adapter for delivering medical fluids to a patient, for example, with enteral feed set devices is provided herein. The interlock coupling adapter increases patient comfort and ensures a secure connection between a button/button base and a food source or medical fluid source. The interlock coupling adapter has an interlock inset within an opening of a button base. The interlock has a recess in which locking protrusions of an adapter may fit within. In this way, the adapter may freely rotate about the interlock. The adapter may be connected or disconnected by depressing flexible arms hinged to the adapter.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus includes a first component having a first non-mechanical valve, a second component having a second non-mechanical valve, and a third component having a first end for coupling with the first valve and a second end for coupling with the second valve. The third component has an elongated bore such that when the first end is coupled to the first valve and the second end is coupled to the second valve, a passageway is defined therethrough. The coupling apparatus includes a breakaway portion disposed between the third component and the second component and the first and second valves automatically close when the second and third components are separated from one another.

Abstract: A coupling includes a first input port and a photoluminescent portion associated with the first input port. The first input port may be one or more of a gastric port, a jejunal port, or a balloon port. The first port may have a first glow-in-the dark feature and a second port may have a second glow-in-the-dark feature, which may be different from one another. The coupling may include means for orientation that assists a user in properly orienting a connector to be mounted in the first port in proper orientation and a first connector for coupling to the first port.

Abstract: Tubing for use in gastrointestinal applications includes a hollow tube and a spring positioned inside the tube. The spring is corrosion resistant and helps to prevent kinking of the tubing when the tubing is bent. An encapsulant may be positioned over the spring. The spring may be co-extruded with the tubing.

Abstract: A retention system for use with a bridle installed in a nose of a patient includes a member coupled to a medical device that is suspended from a nose of a patient and a connector for coupling to a bridle that is installed in a nose of a patient. The medical device extends into the mouth of a patient or is suspended adjacent the face of a patient.

Abstract: A coupling includes a first input port and a photoluminescent portion associated with the first input port. The first input port may be one or more of a gastric port, a jejunal port, or a balloon port. The first port may have a first glow-in-the dark feature and a second port may have a second glow-in-the-dark feature, which may be different from one another. The coupling may include means for orientation that assists a user in properly orienting a connector to be mounted in the first port in proper orientation and a first connector for coupling to the first port.

Abstract: A coupling includes a first input port and a photoluminescent portion associated with the first input port. The first input port may be one or more of a gastric port, a jejunal port, or a balloon port. The first port may have a first glow-in-the dark feature and a second port may have a second glow-in-the-dark feature, which may be different from one another. The coupling may include means for orientation that assists a user in properly orienting a connector to be mounted in the first port in proper orientation and a first connector for coupling to the first port.

Abstract: Tubing for use in gastrointestinal applications includes a hollow tube and a spring positioned inside the tube. The spring is corrosion resistant and helps to prevent kinking of the tubing when the tubing is bent. An encapsulant may be positioned over the spring. The spring may be co-extruded with the tubing.

Abstract: An interlock coupling adapter for delivering medical fluids to a patient, for example, with enteral feed set devices is provided herein. The interlock coupling adapter increases patient comfort and ensures a secure connection between a button/button base and a food source or medical fluid source. The interlock coupling adapter has an interlock inset within an opening of a button base. The interlock has a recess in which locking protrusions of an adapter may fit within. In this way, the adapter may freely rotate about the interlock. The adapter may be connected or disconnected by depressing flexible arms hinged to the adapter.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus includes a first component having a first non-mechanical valve, a second component having a second non-mechanical valve, and a third component having a first end for coupling with the first valve and a second end for coupling with the second valve. The third component has an elongated bore such that when the first end is coupled to the first valve and the second end is coupled to the second valve, a passageway is defined therethrough. The coupling apparatus includes a breakaway portion disposed between the third component and the second component and the first and second valves automatically close when the second and third components are separated from one another.

Abstract: A fill valve for mediating two-way fluid communication between a medical instrument and a medical device is provided. The fill valve comprises a valve element and a valve housing. The valve element comprises a valve element body extending along a major axis, a valve element first end comprising a recessed internal surface configured to provide a sealing contact engagement with a medical instrument, a valve element second end, and a valve element body external surface. The valve element is resilient and deformable. The valve element also has a hole that extends along the major axis and that is substantially cylindrically symmetrical with respect to the major axis. The valve housing is configured to hold the valve element in place by a circumferential compression fit. An enteral feeding button comprising such a fill valve, and a valve element of such a fill valve, are also provided.

Abstract: A gastro-jejunal (G-J) feeding device includes a gastro-jejunal body and an integral feeding tube. The gastro-jejunal body includes a gastric port, a jejunal port and a balloon port. The integral feeding tube includes a proximal end and a distal end and further includes a gastric lumen, a jejunal lumen and a balloon lumen. The proximal end is configured to be located outside of a patient's body. The distal end is configured to be inserted into a patient's body and has a deformable portion with a default shape having a width larger than a diameter of a tubular portion. A capsule is configured to be placed on the distal end so as to enclose and deform the deformable portion. The capsule is configured to dissolve upon contact with bodily fluid. The deformable portion is configured to return to the default shape upon dissolution of the capsule.