Patent ID: 6015400
Filing Date: 2000-01-18
Classification: A61B,A61J

Abstract:
A method for placing a feeding tube in a patient, the method comprising the steps of:providing a needle, said needle defining a channel therethrough, said needle constructed for insertion through an abdominal wall of a patient, said needle having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion;inserting said distal end portion of said needle through an abdominal wall of a patient;providing an endoscope constructed for insertion into said channel defined through said needle;inserting said endoscope into said channel defined through said needle;viewing an external environment of said distal end portion of said needle using said endoscope in order to determine whether said distal end portion of said needle is positioned within a preselected portion of a gastrointestinal tract of a patient;providing a dilating device having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, said dilating device defining a channel therethrough;positioning said dilating device such that said proximal end portion of said needle is positioned within said channel defined through said dilating device;urging said dilating device along said needle such that said distal end portion of said dilating device passes through an abdominal wall of a patient and into a preselected portion of a gastrointestinal tract of a patient;removing said needle and said endoscope from a patient;providing a feeding tube defining a channel therethrough, said feeding tube having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;placing said distal end portion of said feeding tube in said channel defined through said dilating device;urging said feeding tube into said channel defined through said dilating device such that said distal end portion of said feeding tube is urged into a gastrointestinal tract of a patient; andremoving said dilating device from a patient.