Abstract: A lockable sleeve drainage catheter is disclosed for percutaneous insertion into a patient and drainage of fluid therefrom. The drainage catheter includes a flexible distal end that is preformed for retaining the distal end of the catheter that is inserted in the patient. For insertion, the distal end is straightened with the use of a stiffening cannula that is inserted through the hollow passageway of the catheter. When the catheter is inserted in the patient, the stiffening cannula is removed, and a flexible tension member positioned within the passageway of the catheter is drawn to position the distal end in the desired retention configuration. A lockable sleeve positioned at the proximal end of the catheter draws the flexible tension member through the passageway of the elongated member tube to position the distal end in the retention configuration. The catheter also includes a locking collar at the proximal end of the elongated member tube having an annular recess formed therein.

Abstract: An adjustable flange for a tracheostomy tube has a circular aperture and two semi-circular arms hinged with one another by an integral flexible web. One arm has a smooth surface that is slidable along the tube; and the other arm has circumferential ribs that bite into the surface of the tube. A bolt passes through one arm and into a threaded recess of the other enabling the flange to be locked in position.

Abstract: Disclosure is made of an improvement in the T-shaped tracheal stents and in the tracheal cannulas of the prior art, permitting one to conveniently have a complete and unitary unit including a closure member affixed to the device of the invention. Unidirectional retention sleeves are also described, which may be used in conjunction with the cannulas and the stents of the invention.

Abstract: A gastral/duodenal/jejunal catheter comprising a pair of catheter hoses, a balloon through which the hoses pass and a slidable disk, slidable around both of said hoses locatable between the balloon and the proximal ends of the hoses. The balloon, when inflated, is substantially ellipsoid in shape, having a short axis substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the catheter hoses and is filled with an elastic compressible foam filling which is substantially collapsible upon extraction of air from the balloon.

Abstract: A gastrostomy device that may be placed either endoscopically or percutaneously is disclosed. The catheter is a resilient tube with a resilient T-bar at one end. One wing of the T is provided with a pocket for the tip of an obturator rod. By inserting the rod in the pocket and orienting the rod along the tube, the bar is forced to a position in-line with the tube. The catheter may then be easily inserted into an established stoma. When the rod is removed, the bar returns to its orthogonal position, thereby retaining the catheter within the stomach. The device may be provided with a cup-shaped bolster whose mouth engages the skin about, but not adjacent to, the stoma to hold the bar snugly against the stomach wall. By providing the bolster with air vents, healing of the stoma is encouraged. By providing the device with two diametrically opposed pockets in the T-bar, a forked obturator may be used to fold both wings into a forward oriented, small axial cross section configuration for insertion into a stoma.

Abstract: A tube holding assembly particularly suitable for supporting a nasogastric feeding tube so that such a tube is not shifted accidentally out of position during use. The assembly includes a flexible nose pad adapted to be adhesively secured to a wearer's nose, a mounting pin projecting from a distal edge of the pad, and a pair of clamping jaws pivotally carried by the projecting end portion of the pin. The jaws have interdigitating tube-clamping plates disposed beneath the pin and a latching mechanism located in a readily viewable and accessible position above the pin.

Abstract: A nasogastric tube holding device having an adhesive pad and a pair of clamping jaws pivotally supported along one edge of the pad. The jaws include adjustable latching means for securely but releasably holding nasogastric tubes in wide ranges of size and durometer and for permitting adjustment in the positions of such tubes as desired.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus having a catheter tube with a length adjusting mechanism positioned on the catheter tube which can be used to change the length of the catheter tube from a bushing which is used to retain the catheter adjacent the patient's skin to the end of the catheter tube that is inserted in the patient.

Abstract: A gastrostomy tube which is retained in place without the use of any stitching. The tube is held in place through the use of a balloon inside the stomach and a collar pressing against the abdominal wall of the patient. The tube is provided with a stretchable section which is lengthened prior to insertion to provide the retention forces required. A trocar is employed to elongate and implant the gastrostomy tube. Also disclosed is a method of implanting a feeding tube.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for supplying food and medication to a patient, the device being inserted through a stoma and into the patient's stomach. The device is secured within the stomach by an inflatable balloon, and on the abdominal wall by an adjustable ring which also prevents ingestion of the device into the stomach. During use, the adjustable ring can be retracted to permit cleaning of the stoma area. The device can be employed with conventional surgically formed procedures, and is replacable at considerably longer intervals than present devices. Servicing of the device can be made at home, rather than at a hospital.

Abstract: A meatal pad for use with a catheter applied to a urinary tract for drainage thereof. The pad comprises a cylindrically shaped block of foam material coated on on longitudinal end with covering of silicone, latex, or polyurethane. The pad and coating have a longitudinal bore therethrough, which has a slit radially directed therefrom, to facilitate mating of said pad with a catheter shaft. The pad may be treated with an anti-bacterial compound, and the uncoated pad is directed towards the meatus of the catheterized patient, thus minimizing bacterial growth thereat.

Abstract: A catheter having a tube and a depth control flange to prevent the catheter tube from being over inserted. The preferred embodiment is a retrograde coronary sinus cardioplegia solution administration catheter. A depth control flange is coupled to the tube at a predetermined distance from the catheter tip. The flange is a disc made of soft plastic material which prevents over-insertion of the catheter tip when the flange abuts the wall of the atrium. The catheter tube further includes an inflatable balloon located between the flange and the catheter tip. After insertion into the coronary sinus, the balloon is inflated thus pinching the atrium wall between the flange and the balloon to prevent cardioplegia solution from flowing back from the coronary sinus into the atrium. A semi-rigid introducer tube surrounds a portion of the catheter tube and is axially movable with respect thereto. One end of the introducer tube includes a receptacle in which the flange is stored in a collapsed position.

Abstract: A clamp for connecting and securing a catheter in position within a tubular structure has a positioning ring and support member to align and slidingly affix the clamp along the catheter and includes a split toothed plastic clamping ring which may be expanded by the application of forceps to enclose the catheter and a section of the tubular structure into which the catheter is inserted and, when released, forms a toothed occlusal seal, enclosing with mild pressure the tubular structure between the clamp and the catheter. The clamp is designed to permit the insertion and securing of a catheter into an opening cut along the length of the tubular structure, by providing a passage or gap for the passage of the distal portion of the tubular structure.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for supplying food and medication to a patient, the device being inserted through a stoma and into the patient's stomach.The device is secured within the stomach by an inflatable balloon, and on the abdominal wall by an adjustable ring which also prevents ingestion of the device into the stomach. During use, the adjustable ring can be retracted to permit cleaning of the stoma area.The device can be employed with conventional surgically formed procedures, and is replaceable at considerably longer intervals than present devices. Servicing of the device can be made at home, rather than at a hospital.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for supplying food and medication to a patient, the device being inserted through a stoma and into the patient's stomach for feeding into the stomach and/or the jejunum. The device may also be used to feed directly into the jejunum by by-passing the stomach.The device is secured in place by an inflatable balloon within the stomach, or by a plate if the stomach is by-passed, and by an adjustable ring on the abdominal wall. The adjustable ring also prevents ingestion of the device into the stomach. During use, the ring can be retracted to permit cleaning of the stoma area. The ring can be perforated and ribbed to provide improved ventilation of the stoma area during use.The device can be employed with conventional surgically formed procedures, and is replaceable. Servicing of the device can be made at home, rather than at a hospital.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for supplying food and medication to a patient, and for drainage and/or decompression, the device being inserted through a stoma and into the patient's stomach.The device is secured in place by an inflatable balloon or a mushroom tip within the stomach, and by an adjustable ring on the abdominal wall. The adjustable ring also prevents ingestion of the device into the stomach. During use, the ring can be retracted to permit cleaning of the stoma area. The ring can be perforated and ribbed to provide improved ventilation of the stoma area during use.The device can be used with conventional surgically formed procedures, and is replaceable at considerably longer intervals than present devices. Servicing of the device can be made at home, rather than at a hospital.

Abstract: A slip gripping device for use with an elongated cylindrical member to selectively move that member to any desired longitudinal or rotational position. The device comprises a collet-like member including a plurality of fingers, each of which includes a gripping element at the free end thereof. The collet member is arranged to be grasped and squeezed whereupon its fingers are flexed so that the gripping elements engage the surface of the cylindrical member so that rotary motion imparted to the slip grip device causes the concomitant rotation of the flexible member so that any longitudinal movement of the device causes concomitant longitudinal movement of the member. Release of the collet-like member enables the slip grip device to be slid and rotated with respect to the cylindrial member for positioning anywhere there along.