Patent ID: 7976495

Claim:
A feeding tube apparatus for placement into the stomach of a patient using an elongate pull wire having a preformed loop attached thereto, 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, the tubular portion having a proximal end 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 further comprising: a coupling structure disposed proximal of the distal tip, the coupling structure being configured to receive and secure the preformed loop of the elongate pull wire to the feeding tube without tying the pull wire thereto; and a guiding structure configured to engage and direct a portion of the elongate pull wire adjacent to the preformed loop toward the distal tip when the elongate pull wire is attached to the feeding tube so as to maintain the elongate pull wire in substantial alignment with the distal tip during the placement procedure.