Quick release connection for enteral feeding tube

An enteral feeding tubing connector comprises a body, a bore extending through the body, and a collet slidably disposed in the bore at a first end of the body. The collet is dimensioned to receive and engage a portion of tubing inserted into the collet, and is configured to resist withdrawal of the tubing from the bore and body upon application of force to the tubing that moves the collet out of the bore. A lock is provided on the first end of the body, and is configured to selectively engage the collet and prevent movement of the collet outward relative to the body. A tubing connection is provided at a second, opposite end of the body, the tubing connection providing fluid communication between another portion of tubing, the bore extending through the body, and the portion of tubing inserted into the collet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates broadly to the field of enteral feeding apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to connections for connecting a tube extending from a nutrient container to a feeding tube that enters the body of a patient.

2. Summary of the Prior Art

Enteral feeding, in the medical sense, means feeding of nutrients directly to the stomach (or the small intestine) of a patient through a tube. This can be useful when the patient's mouth, throat, or esophagus is damaged by accident, disease, or surgery, or when a neurological or other problem makes conventional eating difficult or impossible. While “enteral feeding” is a term that describes delivery of nutrients to either the stomach or the intestine, apparatus that enters the stomach is typically referred to as “gastric,” while that that enters the intestine is typically referred to as “enteric.”

The feeding tube may be a nasogastric (nasoenteric) tube that enters the stomach (intestine) through the nasal passage and esophagus, an orogastric (oroenteric) tube that enters through the mouth and esophagus, or a gastrostomy (jejunostomy) tube that enters the stomach (intestine) through the abdominal wall. All of these tubes may be generally referred to as “feeding tubes” and connect a container of nutrient solution through another, longer, tube commonly referred to as an extension or infusion tube, to the stomach or intestine for delivery of a nutrient solution to the patient.

Particularly in the case of gastrostomy and jejunostomy tubes, which require surgical placement, it is undesirable to have excessive strain exerted on the tube, i.e. to have it “pulled on.” In some cases, it merely causes discomfort, in others, it can dislodge or damage the tube or injure the patient, which may require surgical repair and be quite painful to the patient and also pose a risk of infection.

Excessive strain on a feeding tube can come from a variety of sources. Some patients are sedated or somnolent and may move in their sleep in such a way as to exert strain on a tube. Patients, particularly the elderly, can be or become agitated and pull on the tube, either directly or as a result of other movements. Occasionally, movement of medical personnel around a patient can inadvertently exert stress on the feeding tube, as when the personnel trips on, or otherwise becomes entangled with the infusion tube.

A variety of connectors may be used in making up a “feeding set” for enteral feeding. The EnFit® connector standard is designed to provide a connection for feeding tubes that prevents inadvertent “cross-connection” to catheters, IV tubes, and other apparatus. “J-ports” were commonly used to connect tubing before EnFit®. However, none of these connectors is designed to disconnect from the feeding tube entering the body upon application of sufficient strain, that is, to “quick-disconnect” or “breakaway” to avoid injury or discomfort to the patient.

A need exists, therefore, for improvements in enteral feeding sets or systems or apparatus that avoid these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved connector for enteral feeding sets or systems.

This and other objects of the present invention are achieved by a connector comprising:

a body, a bore extending through the body, and a collet slidably disposed in the bore at a first end of the body. The collet is dimensioned to receive and engage a portion of tubing inserted into the collet, and is configured to resist withdrawal of the tubing from the bore and body upon application of force to the tubing that moves the collet out of the bore. A lock is provided on the first end of the body, and is configured to selectively engage the collet and prevent movement of the collet outward relative to the body. A tubing connection is provided at a second, opposite end of the body, the tubing connection providing fluid communication between another portion of tubing, the bore extending through the body, and the portion of tubing inserted into the collet.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an elastomer o-ring seal is disposed in the bore adjacent the first end of the body, the o-ring dimensioned to engage and exert force on an exterior of the tubing upon insertion into the end of the body.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a portion of a feeding tube is received in the first end of the body, and a portion of an extension tube leading to the container of feeding solution is connected by the tubing connection to the other end of the body.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, each collet has an exterior surface that tapers along a length of the collet from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, at least one internal projection is formed on an interior surface of the collet.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the tubing connection is an EnFit connector.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the tubing connection further comprises a second collet slidably disposed in the bore at the second end of the body. The collet dimensioned to receive and engage a portion of tubing inserted into the collet, and is configured to resist withdrawal of the tubing from the bore and body upon application of force to the tubing that moves the collet out of the bore. A second lock is provided on the second end of the body, the lock configured to engage the collet and prevent movement of the collet outward relative to the body.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the drawings and to the detailed description of the invention, which follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the Figures, and particularly toFIG.1, an enteral feeding patient1is depicted connected to an exemplary enteral feeding arrangement or “feeding set.” The enteral feeding arrangement may comprise a container or “bag”3of nutrient solution, which is coupled to an infusion or extension tube5. Nutrient fluid may be gravity-fed or an enteral feeding pump7may be connected or coupled to extension tube5to provide pressure to the nutrient fluid in the tube. A connector or coupling11in accordance with the present invention may be placed between feeding tube9and extension tube5to provide the “breakaway” or “quick-disconnect” functionality described herein. Other or additional connectors13may be provided to connect extension tube5to container3, and another connector13closer to feeding tube9. Feeding tube9is illustrated as a gastrostomy tube, but as indicated above, may include any of the various gastric or enteric enteral feeding devices.

According to current practice, connectors13preferably may be EnFit® connectors. EnFit® is a trademark of Global Enteral Device Supplier Association, Inc. (GEDSA), 692 N. High St., Suite 304, Columbus, Ohio 43215 and designates a type of connector specifically adapted for enteral feeding connections that is designed to avoid “cross-connection” with other types of fluid connectors, such as catheters or IV lines. It is intended that main or principal connections, which are to be frequently connected or disconnected (as to change nutrient containers or extension tubes), be EnFit® type or compliant connectors.

Broadly speaking, connector11in accordance with the present invention provides a “breakaway” or “quick-disconnect” function to prevent extension tube5from exerting excessive stress or strain on feeding tube9. As shown inFIG.2, in the event excessive strain is placed on feeding tube9by extension tube5, connector11will disconnect or break away from feeding tube9to avoid injury to patient1or damage to feeding tube9. Feeding tube9may be a gastrostomy tube, as illustrated, a jejunostomy tube, an orogastric tube, or a nasogastric tube, as discussed above and including intestinal (enteric) feeding tubes in addition to stomach (gastric) tubes. Thus, the term “feeding tube” may encompass any of these.

In contrast to other connectors13in the feeding set, connector11is not intended to be a main or principal connection that is frequently connected or disconnected. It is intended to be assembled and set in its location between extension tube5and feeding tube9, as illustrated and described herein, and “left alone” until its purpose has been served or reconfiguration or replacement is required. Further, connector11connects “bare” tubing rather than to another mating connector. Thus, risk of cross-connection is minimized.

Referring toFIGS.3through6, connector11according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted in an exploded and two longitudinal section views. Connector11comprises a body21, which may be molded or otherwise formed from a polymer material. A bore23(FIGS.4and5) extends longitudinally through body21and defines an opening at each end. A pair of generally opposing, flexible lock tabs25may be provided at each end of body21and are biased or sprung toward each other or the central axis of body21.

A collet31may be inserted or received in bore23at each end of body21. Each collet31may be identical or similar and includes a plurality of flexible collet fingers33at one end, and an opposing end that projects outwardly or externally from body21. Collets31may be at least temporarily retained in bore23by an outward radial projection on the ends of fingers33, but are free to rotate within bore23. A conical or tapered exterior surface tapers (from larger diameter to smaller) from the outward projection to approximately the center of collet31. Collets31include an interior surface or bore that is dimensioned to receive a portion or length of tubing in the form of ends of extension tube5and feeding tube9. Internal projections or “teeth” (a ring is illustrated) may be provided on the interior surface of collet fingers33to increase frictional engagement with the exterior of tubing inserted in collets31. A locking notch35may be provided on the externally projecting portion of each collet31.

As depicted inFIG.5, upon insertion of tubing5,9into bore23of body21, collet fingers33of each collet31are deflected or displaced radially outwardly. An elastomer o-ring41may be provided in a recess in bore23adjacent each collet31and provides a fluid seal by engaging and exerting radial force on the exterior of the tubing within it.

Initially, tubing5,9is retained within bore23of connector21only by frictional engagement between collet fingers33and the exterior of tubing5,9, and frictional force exerted by o-rings41on the exterior of tubing5,9. However, if collets31remain free to slide axially within bore23, an attempt to withdraw tubing5,9from bore23will slide collets31axially outwardly, along with tubing5,9. As collets31are withdrawn from bore23(along with or by the tubing), engagement between the tapered exterior of displaced collet fingers33and a corresponding interior surface of bore23(either the exterior of collets31or the interior of bore23, or both surfaces, may be inclined or tapered) causes a radially inward force to be exerted by collet fingers33on the exterior of tubing5,9, increasing frictional engagement therebetween and resisting the withdrawal of tubing from bore23. As withdrawal force on the tubing increases, so does the frictional engagement between collet fingers33and tubing5,9, resisting withdrawal of tubing from bore23of body21.

Alternatively, if collets31are secured or locked against axially outward movement within and relative to bore23of body21, then the initial state continues, in which the only force exerted on tubing5,9is that of deflected collet fingers33and o-rings41.

As illustrated inFIGS.6and7, locking tabs25on body21and locking notch35on collet31may cooperate to provide a lock or locking mechanism or assembly with the ability to selectively secure collets against axial movement, or axial movement tending to withdraw collets31from bore23of body21. InFIG.6, collet31is rotated in bore23so that locking notches or recesses35are aligned or register with locking tabs25on body21. This permits tabs25to move inwardly and engage with a surface at the bottom of each notch or recess35. Thus, a collet31in this configuration or condition is prevented from moving axially outwardly from bore23and no additional radial force is generated by the action of collet fingers33on the exterior of tubing. This may be referred to as a “breakaway” or “quick-disconnect” mode. No user intervention is required, other than pulling on the tube, to separate the tube from the connector11.

InFIG.7, collet31is rotated 90 degrees from the position depicted inFIG.6. In this position, notches or recesses35are no longer aligned with tabs25on body21and there is no engagement between notches35and tabs25. Thus, collet31is thus free to move axially outwardly relative to bore23and body21, permitting cooperation between the interior surface of bore23and collet fingers33to exert greater radial force on the exterior of the tubing and resisting its withdrawal from bore23.

Thus, in the condition or configuration shown inFIG.6, tubing is relatively easier to remove from bore23of connector11than in the condition shown inFIG.7. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS.3though5, either end of connector11may be configured in the condition depicted in eitherFIG.6orFIG.7.

The condition ofFIG.6, in which tubing is relatively easy to remove from body21of connector11, is intended to provide the “breakaway” or “quick disconnect” feature: if excessive force or strain is exerted on tubing inserted in the connector11, it will withdraw or “pull out” before damaging the feeding tube9or injuring patient1, or both. The amount of force required to withdraw tubing in the configuration ofFIG.6may be adjusted by the choice of material of collets31, the degree of interference between the exterior of tubing and collet fingers33(and the presence, absence, or aggressiveness of any “teeth”), and the material and dimensions of o-rings41.

The configuration ofFIG.7, on the other hand, is intended to provide a more traditional and robust tubing connection that is not easily disconnected until the collet31is placed in the configuration ofFIG.6.

FIG.8illustrates an alternative embodiment of connector111in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the collet, notch, and locking tab arrangement on one end of body121may be replaced by an entirely conventional tubing connection151of any description, leaving the functionality described above in connection withFIGS.3through7available on only one end of body121. InFIG.8, the illustrated conventional tubing connection151is a female EnFit® connector, while the opposing end of body121includes a collet131, notches or recesses135, and locking tabs125and is otherwise as described above in connection withFIGS.1through7. Because EnFit® connector151, and any other tubing connection has no breakaway or quick-disconnect feature, presumably the opposing end of connector111will be configured ordinarily in the condition ofFIG.6to provide the breakaway feature at that end.

In operation, after feeding tube9is inserted into patient1, connector11,111may be installed onto the free end of feeding tube9by inserting the tubing into the end of body21,121. Either before or after insertion of tube9, collet31,131may be rotated to the desired configuration relative to locking tabs25,125(the configuration of eitherFIG.6orFIG.7). Extension or infusion tube5may then be connected to the other, opposing end of body21by a similar process (or by engaging its EnFit® or other tubing connector to the embodiment ofFIG.8). One or both ends of connector11may be set in the breakaway mode ofFIG.6. Less commonly, both ends of connector11may be set to the mode ofFIG.7, which causes connector to act in a more conventional fashion, requiring user intervention to separate it from either extension tube5or feeding tube9.

The invention has been disclosed with reference to preferred and exemplary embodiments thereof. It is thus not limited, but is susceptible to variation and modification without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.