Method and device of detecting and/or blocking reflux

Abstract

A naso/orogastric device having backflow blocking means and comprises a naso/orogastric tube sized and shaped for being disposed within the esophagus so that at least a distal end thereof being placed in the stomach lumen of a patient, at least one elastic esophageal body, positioned along the naso/orogastric tube, having a pressure dependent volume, at least one esophageal sensor that detects fluid around at least one segment of the naso/orogastric tube, and a pressure regulator that regulates a pressure within the elastic esophageal body according to the detection.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A naso/orogastric system adapted to feed a patient, comprising:
 a naso/orogastric tube sized and shaped for being disposed within an esophagus so that at least a distal end thereof is in the stomach lumen of the patient while at least one segment thereof is in the esophagus in proximity to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) of the patient;   a plurality of wires running along a length of the naso/orogastric tube;   an air channel for conducting air running along a length of the naso/orogastric tube;   a content channel formed within the naso/orogastric tube, for conducting a content with at least one opening located in a distal end of the naso/orogastric tube.   
     
     
         2 . The naso/orogastric system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one elastic esophageal body positioned along the naso/orogastric tube and having a pressure dependent volume, the at least one elastic esophageal body in communication with the air channel for inflation and deflation of the at least one elastic esophageal body. 
     
     
         3 . The naso/orogastric system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one esophageal body comprises a plurality of balloons spaced along a long a length of the naso/orogastric balloon. 
     
     
         4 . The naso/orogastric system of  claim 3 , wherein a space between the plurality of balloons inflated in a low pressure for placing lower pressure on the esophagus, is selected from trapping gastric content backflow between the plurality of balloons without applying substantial pressure on the esophageal walls. 
     
     
         5 . The naso/orogastric system of  claim 2 , further comprising a pump assembly configured to partially inflate the at least one elastic esophageal body until a diameter of the at least one elastic esophageal body is larger than an inner diameter of the LES. 
     
     
         6 . The naso/orogastric system of  claim 2 , wherein the air channel is configured for delivering air to the at least one esophageal body, and further comprising an air extraction lumen for removing air from the at least one esophageal body, wherein a diameter of the air extraction lumen is smaller than a dimeter of the air channel. 
     
     
         7 . The naso/orogastric system of  claim 2 , further comprising a pump assembly configured to increase a pressure in an air container to a predefined high pressure, and in response to a detected backflow, release the pressure buildup for prompt inflation of the at least one esophageal body. 
     
     
         8 . The naso/orogastric system of  claim 7 , wherein the predefined high pressure is selected for inflation of the at least one esophageal body in less than a second. 
     
     
         9 . The naso/orogastric system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of wire channels formed within the naso/orogastric tube, wherein each of the plurality of wires is threaded in one of the plurality of wire channels. 
     
     
         10 . The naso/orogastric system of  claim 9 , wherein the naso/orogastric tube includes a wall, the feeding channel is formed by the inner wall, and the plurality of wire channels and the air channel are located within the wall. 
     
     
         11 . The naso/orogastric system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wires are configured as sensors and/or for connecting to sensors. 
     
     
         12 . The naso/orogastric system of  claim 1 , further comprising a rounded distal end of the naso/orogastric tube, a plurality of lateral openings in communication with the feeding channel, the plurality of lateral openings on an exterior surface of the naso/orogastric tube proximal to the rounded distal end, wherein the plurality of wires run within a wall of the naso/orogastric tube along a length of the naso/orogastric tube until at least past the plurality of lateral openings. 
     
     
         13 . The naso/orogastric system of  claim 1 , wherein the air channel is made of a flexible sheath configured for widening when air is being conducted through the air channel and for collapsing the air channel when air is not being conducted through the air channel. 
     
     
         14 . The naso/orogastric system of  claim 1 , wherein the air channel is attached on a peripheral surface of the naso/orogastric tube. 
     
     
         15 . The naso/orogastric system of  claim 1 , further comprising an elastic stomach body having a pressure dependent volume at a distal end of the naso/orogastric tube configured for having a perimeter wider than a perimeter of the lower esophageal sphincter of the patient when inflated by the content being delivered, for preventing sliding of the naso/orogastric tube outward of the body of patient. 
     
     
         16 . The naso/orogastric system of  claim 15 , wherein the elastic stomach body includes one or more apertures through which the feeding contents are released. 
     
     
         17 . The naso/orogastric system of  claim 16 , wherein the elastic stomach body is made of a material selected to widen the one or more apertures with an increase in volume of the elastic stomach body from the content being delivered. 
     
     
         18 . The naso/orogastric system of  claim 15 , wherein the elastic stomach body is configured for being placed on one or more feeding apertures of the naso/orogastric tube. 
     
     
         19 . The naso/orogastric system of  claim 1 , further comprising a connector that includes a first channel orifice for connecting the naso/orogastric tube to a feeding device for conducting content via the first channel, and a second channel orifice for connecting the air channel to a pump assembly for conducting air via the second channel.