A feeding tube apparatus for placement into the stomach of a patient using an elongate pull wire having a preformed loop attached to an end thereof, the feeding tube comprising: an elongate tubular portion having a feeding lumen extending through at least a portion thereof and configured to traverse a stoma through the patient's stomach and abdominal walls; a bolster fixedly connected to a proximal end of the tubular portion, the bolster having an enlarged cross-section configured to prevent egress thereof through the stoma; and a dilator portion connected to a distal end of the tubular portion and having a distal tip at the distal end thereof, the dilator portion comprising a coupling structure disposed proximal of the distal tip, the coupling structure including a receiving area configured to receive and secure the preformed loop of the elongate pull wire to the dilator portion, wherein the coupling structure comprises a first arm pivotally connected to a second arm and defining the receiving area there between, the first arm being movable relative to the second arm between an open position and a closed position, the open position providing external access to the receiving area and the closed position inhibiting external access to the receiving area, characterised by the coupling structure further comprising a latch mechanism configured to maintain the first arm in the closed position, wherein the latch mechanism comprises an outwardly projecting engagement member disposed on a surface of one of the first arm or second arm, and further comprises an inwardly projecting cavity disposed in a surface of the other of the first arm or second arm, the outwardly projecting engagement member being configured to releasably mate with inwardly projecting cavity in the closed position. an elongate tubular portion having a feeding lumen extending through at least a portion thereof and configured to traverse a stoma through the patient's stomach and abdominal walls; a bolster fixedly connected to a proximal end of the tubular portion, the bolster having an enlarged cross-section configured to prevent egress thereof through the stoma; and a dilator portion connected to a distal end of the tubular portion and having a distal tip at the distal end thereof, the dilator portion comprising a coupling structure disposed proximal of the distal tip, the coupling structure including a receiving area configured to receive and secure the preformed loop of the elongate pull wire to the dilator portion, wherein the coupling structure comprises a first arm pivotally connected to a second arm and defining the receiving area there between, the first arm being movable relative to the second arm between an open position and a closed position, the open position providing external access to the receiving area and the closed position inhibiting external access to the receiving area, characterised by the coupling structure further comprising a latch mechanism configured to maintain the first arm in the closed position, wherein the latch mechanism comprises an outwardly projecting engagement member disposed on a surface of one of the first arm or second arm, and further comprises an inwardly projecting cavity disposed in a surface of the other of the first arm or second arm, the outwardly projecting engagement member being configured to releasably mate with inwardly projecting cavity in the closed position.