Abstract: A bowel management system includes a waste collection catheter having at least two distinct sections. The first section is patient proximal when disposed in the patient's rectum and has durometer hardness in the range of about 50 A to about 90 A. The second catheter section is connected to the first section and has durometer hardness in the range of about 5 A to about 49 A. A selectively collapsible, substantially spherical retention balloon is attached coaxially and exterior of the first catheter section such that the proximal-most end of the retention balloon is coincident to the proximal-most end of the first section of the waste collection catheter, the substantially spherical retention balloon having an inflated size so as to be sufficiently large enough to retain the patient proximal end of the catheter in the patient's rectum without being so large as to trigger a defecatory response in the patient.

Abstract: A bowel management system includes a waste collection catheter having at least two distinct sections. The first section is patient proximal when disposed in the patient's rectum and has durometer hardness in the range of about 50A to about 90A. The second catheter section is connected to the first section and has durometer hardness in the range of about 5A to about 49A. A selectively collapsible, substantially spherical retention balloon is attached coaxially and exterior of the first catheter section such that the proximal-most end of the retention balloon is coincident to the proximal-most end of the first section of the waste collection catheter, the substantially spherical retention balloon having an inflated size so as to be sufficiently large enough to retain the patient proximal end of the catheter in the patient's rectum without being so large as to trigger a defecatory response in the patient.

Abstract: An inflation system (10, 110, 120, 130) for a balloon catheter assembly (12) includes an inflation tube (22), the first end of which is connectable to an inflation fluid reservoir (24, 30) and the second end of which is connectable to and opens into an inflatable cuff (20) on a main catheter (14) of the balloon catheter assembly, to permit the fluid reservoir to be in fluid communication with the cuff. A fluid reservoir is connectable to the inflation tube and is fillable with cuff inflation fluid only to a predetermined, fixed volume, to thereby permit no more than such volume of fluid to be transferred from the reservoir to the cuff during use of the system, to prevent over-inflation of the cuff and thereby avoid potential trauma to the patient.

Abstract: A bowel management system includes a waste collection catheter having at least two distinct sections. The first section is patient proximal when disposed in the patient's rectum and has durometer hardness in the range of about 50 A to about 90 A. The second catheter section is connected to the first section and has durometer hardness in the range of about 5 A to about 49 A. A selectively collapsible, substantially spherical retention balloon is attached coaxially and exterior of the first catheter section such that the proximal-most end of the retention balloon is coincident to the proximal-most end of the first section of the waste collection catheter, the substantially spherical retention balloon having an inflated size so as to be sufficiently large enough to retain the patient proximal end of the catheter in the patient's rectum without being so large as to trigger a defecatory response in the patient.

Abstract: A low profile gastrointestinal tube feeding system having a securing member for securing a feeding set to a low profile gastrostomy tube disposed inside a visceral organ of a patient's body so that inadvertent removal of the feeding set from the gastrostomy tube is prevented. Also provided is a securing member that secures a connection member to an external retention member. Once the securing member has connected the connection member to the external retention member, neither the connection member nor the external retention member can be separated from one another until the securing member is first disengaged from either member.

Abstract: A bowel management system includes a rectal catheter; and at least one physiologic sensor. The rectal catheter has a portion in contact with a patient's body internally thereof during use of the system, to thereby determine a preselected physiologic parameter of a patient having the rectal catheter inserted into the patient's bowel. The position of the sensor relative to the rectal catheter portion is such that the sensor is disposed in close proximity to the internal tissue of the patient, or within the fecal flow, when the bowel management system is place for use within the patient.

Abstract: A low profile gastrointestinal tube feeding system having a securing member for securing a feeding set to a low profile gastrostomy tube disposed inside the visceral organ of a patient's body so that inadvertent removal of the feeding set from the gastrostomy tube is prevented. The feeding set includes hollow tubing connected to a source of fluid at one end and a connection member at the other end for connection to the gastrostomy tube and establishing fluid flow communication with the patient. The connection member attaches to an external retention member of the gastrostomy tube and is secured thereto using the securing member. The securing member includes a top portion and a bottom portion which are adapted to simultaneously engaged respective portions of the connection member and external retention member when the securing member is brought into sliding engagement thereto.

Abstract: A low profile gastrointestinal tube feeding system having a securing device for securing a feeding set to a low profile gastrostomy tube thereof disposed inside the viscera of a patient's body so that inadvertent removal of the feeding set from the gastrostomy tube is prevented. The feeding set includes hollow tubing connected to a source of fluid at one end and a connection member at the other end for connection to the gastrostomy tube and establishing fluid flow communication with the patient. The low profile gastrostomy tube includes an external retention member having legs that seat and retain the external retention member against the patient's outer body and a tubular member that is disposed inside the stomach or other viscera of a patient. The connection member attaches to the external retention member and is secured thereto using a securing device.