Abstract: A method for placing a feeding tube in a patient. The method includes the step of providing a needle defining a channel therethrough, the needle being constructed for insertion through an abdominal wall of a patient and having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. The distal end portion of the needle is inserted through an abdominal wall of a patient. An endoscope constructed for insertion through the channel defined through the needle is provided and inserted through the channel defined through the needle. An external environment of the distal end portion of the needle is viewed using the endoscope in order to determine whether the distal end portion of the needle is positioned within a preselected portion of a gastrointestinal tract of a patient. A dilating device having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion is provided. The dilating device defines a channel therethrough.

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: An apparatus for placing a feeding tube in a patient. The apparatus includes an introducer section defining a lumen therethrough and a tube section defining a lumen therethrough. A proximal end portion of the introducer section is mounted on a distal end portion of tube section such that the respective lumen are in fluid communication. Apertures are formed at the distal end of the introducer section and at the proximal portion of the tube section. The respective lumen are constructed to receive therein an endoscope. A graspable member is mounted on the distal end portion of the introducer section. A retaining member is mounted on the proximal end portion of the tube section. In order to place the apparatus in a patient, an endoscope is inserted into the aperture defined through the tube section and advanced such that a viewing portion of the endoscope is positioned proximal to the aperture defined through the distal end portion of the introducer section.

Abstract: A T-fastener installation kit includes a packaging device for loading the T-fastener into a slotted needle without requiring the hands of the surgeon to touch the sharp end of the needle. T-fasteners may be commonly used, for example, in surgical procedures in which the T-fasteners are used to secure a patient's stomach or bowel in apposition to the abdominal wall. The packaging device includes a housing having a cylindrical recess into which the "T" head of the T-fastener is loaded. The surgeon can slide the open end of the slotted needle into the cylindrical recess and over the "T" head of the T-fastener, thereby effectively loading the T-fastener into the slotted needle without requiring the surgeon to touch the sharp point of the needle.

Abstract: A laparoscopic jejunostomy instrumentation kit includes components for securing a patient's intestine in apposition to the patient's abdominal wall and for creating a stoma through the patient's abdominal wall and intestinal wall, a jejunostomy tube, and an enclosure for containing the other components of the kit. In preferred embodiments the kit includes T-Fastener assemblies, needles, syringes, a dilator, a peel-away sheath and a gastrostomy tube.

Abstract: A T-fastener installation kit includes a packaging device for loading the T-fastener into a slotted needle without requiring the hands of the surgeon to touch the sharp end of the needle. T-fasteners may be commonly used, for example, in surgical procedures in which the T-fasteners are used to secure a patient's stomach or bowel in apposition to the abdominal wall. The packaging device includes a housing having a cylindrical recess into which the "T" head of the T-fastener is loaded. The surgeon can slide the open end of the slotted needle into the cylindrical recess and over the "T" head of the T-fastener, thereby effectively loading the T-fastener into the slotted needle without requiring the surgeon to touch the sharp point of the needle.

Abstract: An apparatus may be employed for determining the relaxation rate of a muscle which has been caused to contract in response to an electrical stimulus. The relaxation rate may be used in evaluating a person's nutritional status. The apparatus has support for supporting the forearm and wrist of a person in a palm-up position with the wrist extended. An electrical stimulus is applied to the person's ulnar nerve, and the force exerted upon a load cell by the person's thumb is measured. A computer is employed for receiving, storing, plotting and analyzing the force data collected by a transducer.