Stomach irrigation tube

Dec. 27, 1949

2,492,384

A. L. K AS LOW

STOMACH IRRIGATION TUBE

Filed March 29, 1947

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ATTORNEY

Patented Dec. 27, 1949

2,492,384

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,492,384

STOMACH IRRIGATION TUBE Arthur L. Kaslow, Hollywood, Calif.

Application March 29,1947, Serial No. 738,019 7 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to devices professionally referred to as gastro-intestinal tubes which are arranged for insertion through the mouth or nasal passages and esophagus into the stomach or other portion of the intestinal tract for diagnostic purposes or passing of liquids for laving or feeding a patient.

It has heretofore been common practice to utilize a single lumen tube and a syringe connected thereto, for example, in laving the stomach of a patient. The syringe is filled with clean liquid which is forced Into the stomach and thereafter sucked out by reverse operation of the syringe. The syringe must be then disconnected, emptied, and refilled with clean liquid before the process can again be repeated. The operation is therefore one which is inconvenient to accomplish with a single lumen tube and also is inherently undesirable due to the fact that the syringe tends to squirt the liquid with such force that the membranes lining the stomach may become irritated.

In its broad concept, my present invention contemplates a double-lumen tube which is so arranged that the fluids may be gradually admitted into the stomach and continuously circulated without causing irritation and discomfort to the patient. Moreover, when utilizing the device of my invention for the feeding of fluids directly into the stomach, this feeding may be accomplished at a gradual admission rate so that the foods are absorbed without being caused to accumulate and cause distension and possible vomiting. My improved construction further enables my improved device to be utilized for a multiplicity of purposes, for which the single lumen tube is ill adapted.

Having the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved device of the herein described type utilizing a double-lumen construction in which the 40 lumina have separate connections at their proximal ends and separate communication openings at their distal ends, so as to enable employment of the device for a plurality of purposes; for example, the continuous circulation of a laving fluid; simultaneous feeding and medicating; fractional gastric analysis while administering a stimulant to increase gastric flow activity; as well as other purposes which will be apparent to those familiar with the use of such devices.

It is a further object to provide an improved device of this character in which the communicating openings at its distal end are so arranged that the possibility of their becoming blocked or (Cl. 128—227) occluded by mucosa or otherwise is reduced to a minimum, if not entirely eliminated.

Another object is to provide an improved construction at the distal end of the device, wherein a 5 tip is formed by a projecting looped portion of the innermost tube, this tip being non-metallic and non-traumatic, and from which there will be no danger of irritation to mucous membranes, either during intubation or during use of the device.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device of this character which is constructed of a material of such nature as to permit the use of ointments for facilitating intubation and which will not deleteriosly be affected thereby, as in the 16 case of previously used rubber tubes, and which may be made transparent so as to enable continuous visualization of the gastro-intestinal drainage and permit frequent changes in therapy.

Further objects of the invention will be brought 20 out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing preferred embodiments of the invention without placing limitations on the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. 25 Referrng to the drawings which are for illustrative purposes only, the single figure is a fragmentary view of the device of my invention, portions being cut away and parts shown in section to more clearly disclose certain features of its 30 construction.

As specifically disclosed, the gastro-intestinal tube of my invention comprises an elongate tube 10 of smooth transparent plastic material of approximately 16 French diameter within which ₃₅ there is disposed an inner transparent plastic tube of approximately 3 to 4 French diameter, the inner tube being indicated by the numeral II. In general, the tubes 10 and ii are assembled in concentric relation with the tube ί I running substantially throughout the length of the tube i 0.

The entire device, for purposes of consideration, may be considered as made up of three portions, a proximal end portion, as generally indicated by the numeral 12, a distal end portion, as 45 generally indicated by the numeral 13, and an intermediate portion connecting these end portions, as generally indicated by the numeral 14.

The distal end of the tube 10 is inwardly folded upon itself as shown at 15 to provide a rounded 50 end edge 16. The associated distal end of the small or inner tube ! I is formed into a reentrant loop 17, the extreme end 18 of this tube being sealed and projecting back into the interior of the distal end of the outer tube IB. This end of the tube iO is then sealed around the small tube by

2,492,884 utilization of a suitable plastic solvent or other means.

The loop 17 is provided on its inside with a series of openings or fenestrations 19 so that this loop forms a tip or nozzle for the passage of fluid for purposes which will be subsequently explained more fully.

The distal end of the tube 10 is likewise provided with a plurality of openings or fenestrations as indicated by the numeral 20, In practice, these fenestrations are located in the six or seven inch end portion of the tube 10, and are positioned along a spiralled line around this end of the tube.

The construction just described is particularly advantageous in that the tip or nozzle formed by the reentrant loop ί 7 gives a pliable soft construction which is non-traumatic, and will not irritate the mucous membrane linings. Moreover, by placing the openings 19 on the inside of the loop portion, these openings are not easily blocked or occluded by intestinal mucosa or otherwise. During intubation or when engaging an object, this loop will act with a spreading action and tend to push the object or mucosa away, this providing better drainage and keeping the path clear. Likewise, in the case of the openings in the tube Iff, these openings by being arranged spirally around the wall of the tube are not all apt to become blocked at the same time, and in practice it has been found that a passage through a portion of the openings will be maintained at all times.

Tn the intermediate portion ¢4, the tube 10 and tube ί I are continuous. In the case of the outer or larger tube 10, a mark, as indicated at 21, is placed on the outer surface of the tube and marked or identified with the numeral 39 to indicate that this mark is- thirty inches from the distal end of the device. If desired, of course, additional marks may be positioned and properly identified along the outer surface of the tube for use as a measure to indicate the amount of insertion or intubation.

The proximal end 12 may consist of a tubular extension 22 which may be of plastic, but may be of rubber. This extension is connected with one end of the tube· 10 by means of a tubular connector 23 which may be of clear plastic material.

The inner tube 11 passes through the connector 23 and thereafter is carried! through a Slit or opening 24 in the wan of the extension 22. At the point of passage through the opening 24, the tube 1I is sealed with reference to the wall of the· extension 22, so that there will be no leakage at this point. With the construction just described, it will be apparent that separate connections will be provided into the tubes 10 and II at the proximal end of the device.

The utilization of plastic materials in the tubes Iff and 1 I is of particular advantage in that it is possible to make these tubes transparent so that a continuous visualization of the gastricintestinal drainage is permitted and the desirability for changes in therapy determined. Moreover, the use of plastic materials not deleteriottsly affected by ointments which would ordinarily be injurious to rubber tubes, permits the use of these ointments for facilitating intubation with greater ease and less discomfort to the patient.

As examples of a number of uses for my improved device, it is particularly adapted for cleansing or laving of the stomach or intestinal tract and when so used, provides a continuous circulation. For such purpose, a container 25, which may be part of a drip feed device, is connected through a hollow needle with the proximal end of the tube 11. In this case, the proximal end of the tube 10 may be connected to a suitable source of suction. With the tubes thus connected and inserted, for example, into the stomach, fluid may be gradually fed through the openings 19 of the loop 17 and extracted by the suction through the openings 20 in the distal end of the: tube 10.

The device is also admirably adapted for use where it may be desired to simultaneously feed and medicate the stomach. In such case, the feeding may be accomplished through the tube 10 and medication administered through the small tube- ί I.

Another example of using the present device is for fractional· gastric analysis, in which case, contents of the gastro-intestinal tract may be sucked through the large tube, and, if desired, a. stimulant may be simultaneously administered through the small· inner· tube- to increase the gastric flow activity.

In the case of feeding, my improved device has been found- very advantageous, since it permits supplying of the liquid food at a rate sufficiently slow to permit absorption, of the- food without causing a distension due to accumulation. Vomiting may thus be obviated and. the food administered- without discomfort to the patient.

Other advantages and uses, of. my improved device will readily become apparent to those familial’ with· the use of such devices.