Patent ID: 9198835
Filing Date: 2015-12-01
Classification: A61B,A61J,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of providing a feeding tube assembly having a feeding passage and a feeding outlet for delivering enteral feeding liquid, the method comprising: providing a feeding tube having an imaging assembly secured to the feeding tube proximate the feeding outlet of the feeding tube, the imaging assembly having a rigid axis and a bending axis that is transversely oriented relative to the rigid axis, wherein the imaging assembly is preferentially deformable along the bending axis relative to the rigid axis; providing a container comprising a curvilinear cavity and a receiving cavity; and arcuately disposing at least a portion of the imaging assembly in the curvilinear cavity in conformation with the bending axis of the imaging assembly to pre-form a desired bend into the imaging assembly facilitating insertion of the feeding tube assembly into the subject, the curvilinear cavity setting the imaging assembly in a curvilinear shape for being inserted into the subject; removing the imaging assembly from the curvilinear cavity, the imaging assembly retaining the bend formed by the curvilinear cavity; and inserting the feeding tube assembly into the subject after removing the imaging assembly from the curvilinear cavity without further bending the imaging assembly prior to inserting the feeding tube assembly into the subject.