Method and System for Monitoring Nutritional Uptake as a Function of Hydrogen Gas Levels

Abstract

Systems and methods for monitoring nutritional uptake of an individual are disclosed. The method can include monitoring microflora intestinal gas concentration levels associated with a patient and adjusting the volume of nutrient provided by the patient with an artificial feeding device based at least in part on the microflora intestinal gas levels associated with the patient. A microflora intestinal gas sensor can be used to monitor the microflora intestinal gas associated with the patient. The microflora intestinal gas sensor can monitor the microflora intestinal gas in a patient's exhaled breath or in the patient's digestive tract. The microflora intestinal gas sensor be included as part of an enteral feeding system at the distal end or outside end of an enteral feeding tube. Systems and methods for monitoring nutritional uptake of an infant based on microflora intestinal gas levels associated with the infant are also disclosed.

1 .- 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A system for monitoring nutritional uptake of an infant, the system comprising:
 a microflora intestinal gas sensor configured to monitor an amount of microflora intestinal gas associated with the exhaled breath of the infant;   an electronic circuit coupled to the microflora intestinal gas sensor, the electronic circuit configured to provide an alert to a care giver based at least in part on the amount of microflora intestinal gas detected by said microflora intestinal gas sensor.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said microflora intestinal gas sensor monitors an amount of microflora intestinal gas in areas selected from the stomach and the small intestine of the infant. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the microflora intestinal gas sensor is incorporated into an oral infant device selected from a pacifier, a bottle, a thermometer, and a teething ring. 
     
     
         18 . A method of monitoring nutritional uptake of an infant, the method comprising:
 monitoring an amount of microflora intestinal gas level in the exhaled breath of the infant using a gas sensor able to detect microflora intestinal gas;   comparing the amount of microflora intestinal gas with a threshold value;   providing an alert if the amount of microflora intestinal gas is less than the threshold value.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the microflora intestinal gas sensor is incorporated into an oral infant device selected from a pacifier, a bottle, a thermometer, and a teething ring. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said microflora intestinal gas sensor monitors an amount of microflora intestinal gas in areas selected from the stomach and the small intestine of the infant. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein monitoring the amount of the microflora intestinal gas associated with the exhaled breath of the infant includes monitoring a concentration of the microflora intestinal gas associated with the infant. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the electronic circuit is configured to provide the alert if the amount of microflora intestinal gas is less than a threshold value. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the threshold value is in the range of about 3 ppm to about 25 ppm. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the microflora intestinal gas is hydrogen. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the microflora intestinal gas comprises any gas produced by the microflora present in the intestine as microflora break down carbohydrates for absorption through an intestinal wall of the infant. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the microflora intestinal gas is selected from the group consisting of: carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, ammonia, acetone, and methane. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the alert is configured as at least one of an audible alert, a visual alert, a vibratory alert, and a wireless alert. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein monitoring the amount of the microflora intestinal gas associated with the exhaled breath of the infant includes monitoring a concentration of the microflora intestinal gas associated with the infant. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein comparing the amount of the microflora intestinal gas associated with the exhaled breath of the infant includes comparing the concentration of the microflora intestinal gas associated with the infant with the threshold value. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the threshold value is in the range of about 3 ppm to about 25 ppm. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the microflora intestinal gas is hydrogen. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the microflora intestinal gas includes any gas produced by the microflora present in the intestine as microflora break down carbohydrates for absorption through an intestinal wall of the infant. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the microflora intestinal gas is selected from the group consisting of: carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, ammonia, acetone, and methane. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the alert is configured as at least one of an audible alert, a visual alert, a vibratory alert, and a wireless alert.