Patent ID: 6765122
Filing Date: 2004-07-20
Classification: A61F,A61J

Abstract:
A device for absorbing liquids and protecting a patient's skin when a feeding tube is in use, comprising:a disc-shaped member having a flexible and resilient construction; a central opening formed in said disc-shaped member, said central opening having a diameter about equal to a diameter of a feeding tube and said central opening adapted to receive said feeding tube; a radial cut formed in said disc-shaped member, said radial cut extending from said central opening to an outer peripheral edge of said disc-shaped member; said disc-shaped member having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a hydrophilic core of predetermined thickness disposed in sandwiched relation between said top and bottom walls; a first releasable fastening means mounted to said top wall of said disc-shaped member near said radial cut and near said outer peripheral edge, said first releasable fastening means being disposed on a first side of said radial cut; a second releasable fastening means mounted to said bottom wall of said disc-shaped member near said radial cut and near said outer peripheral edge, said second releasable fastening means being disposed on a second side of said radial cut; said central opening gripping said feeding tube when said first releasable fastening means is in releasable engagement with said second releasable fastening means, said gripping being sufficiently strong to hold said disc-shaped member against displacement along the extent of said feeding tube when said disc-shaped member is disposed in abutting relation to the patient's skin and said gripping being sufficiently weak to enable sliding of said disc-shaped member along said feeding tube into abutting relation to said patient's skin; said top and bottom walls being formed of a preselected open mesh material so that fluids drawn to said hydrophilic core by capillary action pass through said open mesh material; and said preselected open mesh material being formed of a material that does not adhere to said patient's skin so that the device may be replaced as needed without causing discomfort to the patient and so that the device is reversible.