Abstract: An enteric feeding tube including a weighted bolus at its distal end to facilitate insertion and positioning of the tube within the gastrointestinal tract. The tube includes a plurality of spaced apertures adjacent its distal end for the introduction to or extraction from the gastrointestinal tract of fluids or comminuted solids. The weighted bolus includes a plurality of tungsten carbide spheres to provide the necessary weight for proper placement, the spheres being arranged in side-by-side relationship within the tubular bolus, which is so sized as to permit limited axial movement of the spheres to facilitate bending of the bolus as necessary.

Abstract: A sterility guard for piercing devices, connectors and needles such as are used in the medical and surgical fields, which gives positive indication if the same has been removed from the piercing device or other connector and subsequently replaced, thereby compromising the sterility of the device.In one form a tubular guard closed at one end is adapted to be applied over a blood spike, for instance, and a projecting portion at the open end of the guard is provided with an integral extension which is engageable in an opening in a portion of the blood spike or a connector of another kind. This extension has a weakened or attenuated portion which is broken when the guard is removed to give a positive indication that the guard may have been removed even though it is later replaced.In another form the guard is used to protect the sterility of the otherwise exposed ends of a pair of connectors or the like.