Self-illuminating endogastric tubes and method of placing endogastric tubes

Abstract

A self-illuminating endogastric tube which simplifies the correct placement of the distal end of the endogastric tube within the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. A self-illuminating stylet which simplifies the correct placement of the distal end of an endogastric tube within the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. A method of placing the distal end of an endogastric tube within the gastrointestinal tract of a patient that does not expose the patient to radiation, or that limits the amount of radiation exposure to less than the amount associated with standard methods of placing the distal end of an endogastric tube within the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. A method of confirming the correct placement of an endogastric tube that does not expose the patient to radiation, or that limits the amount of radiation exposure to less than the amount associated with standard methods of placing an endogastric tube.

1 .- 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A method of introducing a tube into a gastrointestinal passageway of a patient, the method comprising:
 inserting a stylet into a central lumen of the tube, the tube comprising a tubular body, at least a distal portion of the tubular body extending along a longitudinal axis of the tube when the tube is in a rest condition, the stylet comprising:
 a cylindrical body comprising a proximal section and a distal section, the distal section of the cylindrical body comprising a closed terminal end portion comprising a light transmission section configured to allow light from within the cylindrical body to traverse the cylindrical body, at least the distal section of the cylindrical body extending along a longitudinal axis of the stylet when the stylet is in a rest condition; and 
 a light transmitting element extending through the cylindrical body and terminating in the light transmission section, the light transmitting element configured to enable a light source to transmit light through the proximal section of the cylindrical body to the light transmission section of the cylindrical body; 
   inserting both the stylet and the tube through a nasal passage or oral cavity of the patient and into a gastrointestinal tract of the patient;   illuminating the light transmitting element, wherein during the illumination of the light transmitting element, light from the light source transmits light through the light transmission section of the tube;   examining a skin of the patient to locate the light and determine proper placement of the tube within the gastrointestinal tract, wherein light appearing between a costal border and an umbilicus of the patient indicates proper placement of the distal end of the tube within a gastrointestinal tract of the patient, and wherein light appearing superior to the costal border indicates incorrect placement of the distal end of the tube outside of the gastrointestinal tract of the patient; and   removing the stylet from the patient.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the light transmitting element comprises a plurality of light transmitting elements. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the proximal section and the distal section of the cylindrical body comprise different materials. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the tube is selected from the group consisting of an enteric tube, a nasogastric tube, and an orogastric tube. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the light transmitting element is a fiber optic. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the tubular body further comprises a window section comprising an outer surface configured to allow light from within the central lumen to traverse the tubular wall. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising:
 advancing the stylet into the tube until the light transmitting element of the stylet is adjacent to the window section of the tubular body of the tube.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the tube further comprises a distal most face that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the light emitting element is proximal to a distal face of the stylet. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein at least a distal portion of the tube is substantially straight prior to insertion into the patient. 
     
     
         39 . A kit for accessing a gastrointestinal passageway of a patient, the kit comprising:
 a tube comprising a tubular body, at least a distal portion of the tubular body extending along a longitudinal axis of the tube when the tube is in a rest condition; and   a stylet comprising:
 a cylindrical body comprising a proximal section and a distal section, the distal section of the cylindrical body comprising a closed terminal end portion comprising a light transmission section configured to allow light from within the cylindrical body to traverse the cylindrical body, at least the distal section of the cylindrical body extending along a longitudinal axis of the stylet when the stylet is in a rest condition; and 
 a light transmitting element extending through the cylindrical body and terminating in the light transmission section, the light transmitting element configured to enable a light source to transmit light through the proximal section of the cylindrical body to the light transmission section of the cylindrical body. 
   
     
     
         40 . The kit of  claim 39 , wherein the tube is selected from the group consisting of an enteric tube, a nasogastric tube, and an orogastric tube. 
     
     
         41 . The kit of  claim 39 , wherein the tubular body further comprises a window section comprising an outer surface configured to allow light from within the central lumen to traverse the tubular wall. 
     
     
         42 . The kit of  claim 39 , wherein the proximal section and the distal section of the cylindrical body comprise different materials. 
     
     
         43 . The kit of  claim 39 , wherein the light transmitting element is configured to align with the window when the stylet is inserted into the tubular body of the tube. 
     
     
         44 . The kit of  claim 39 , wherein the light transmitting element comprises a plurality of light transmitting elements. 
     
     
         45 . The kit of  claim 39 , wherein at least a distal portion of the tube is substantially straight prior to insertion into the patient.