Enteral feeding safety reservoir and method

Abstract

The present invention provides a system comprising: a reservoir body configured to hold a reservoir liner, wherein the reservoir liner is configured to hold an enteral feeding material; a reservoir connector configured to connect to the reservoir liner in a manner that permits flow of an enteral feeding material; a reservoir cap configured to connect to the reservoir body in a manner that connects the reservoir connector to the reservoir liner disposed within the reservoir body; and a syringe adapter enteral feeding assembly having a distal end configured to connect to the reservoir cap in a manner that permits flow of the enteral feeding material, and a proximal end configured to connect to an enteral feeding device in a manner that permits flow of the enteral feeding material.

1 . A method comprising:
 providing a reservoir body having a reservoir liner that holds an enteral feeding material;   providing a reservoir connector connected with the reservoir liner and a reservoir cap connected to the reservoir connector and the reservoir body;   providing a syringe adapter enteral feeding assembly having a proximal end connected to the reservoir liner via the reservoir connector and a distal end connected to an enteral feeding device; and   engaging the enteral feeding device with a patient in a manner that permits flow of the enteral feeding medium to the patient.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing the enteral feeding medium to the patient without exposure to an external environment. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a reservoir cap that connects to the reservoir body in a manner that connects the reservoir connector to the reservoir liner disposed within the reservoir body. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising providing a syringe adapter enteral feeding assembly having a distal end connected to the reservoir cap in a manner that permits flow of the enteral feeding material, and a proximal end connected to an enteral feeding device in a manner that permits flow of the enteral feeding material. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising pre-filling the reservoir liner with the enteral feeding material and sealing the reservoir liner. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising piercing the reservoir liner with a portion of the reservoir cap to permit flow of the enteral feeding material. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the proximal end of the syringe adapter enteral feeding assembly is connected only to the enteral feeding device. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the syringe adapter enteral feeding assembly is connected only to enteral feeding elements. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enteral feeding device is selected from the group consisting of a nasogastric feeding tube, a gastric feeding tube, jejunostomy tube, and a gastrojejunostomy tube. 
     
     
         10 . A method, comprising:
 providing a reservoir body that holds a reservoir liner, wherein the reservoir liner holds an enteral feeding material;   providing a reservoir connector that connects to the reservoir liner in a manner that permits flow of an enteral feeding material and prevents substantial exposure to an external environment;   providing a reservoir cap connected to the reservoir body in a manner that permits flow of the enteral feeding material and that connects the reservoir connector to the reservoir liner disposed within the reservoir body in a manner that prevents exposure to the external environment; and   providing a syringe adapter enteral feeding assembly having a distal end that connects to the reservoir cap in a manner that permits flow of the enteral feeding material and prevents substantial exposure to the external environment, and a proximal end that connects to an enteral feeding device in a manner that permits flow of the enteral feeding material and that prevents substantial exposure to the external environment.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising pre-filling the reservoir liner with the enteral feeding material and sealing the reservoir liner. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising piercing the reservoir liner with a portion of the reservoir cap to permit flow of the enteral feeding material. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the proximal end of the syringe adapter enteral feeding assembly is connected only to the enteral feeding device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the syringe adapter enteral feeding assembly is connected only to enteral feeding elements. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the enteral feeding device is selected from the group consisting of a nasogastric feeding tube, a gastric feeding tube, jejunostomy tube, and a gastrojejunostomy tube.