Systems and methods for removing ingested material from a stomach
View Patent ↗When a patient is fitted with an external gastrostomy connection to the stomach, ingested food can be removed through the gastrostomy connection using a pump-based or siphon-based system to achieve weight loss. The process of removing ingested food can be improved by alternating the infusion of liquid into the stomach with the removal of material from the stomach. Optionally, stomach acid may be captured and returned to the stomach. Optionally, nutritional supplements or medicines may be added to the infused liquid. Optionally, a flush mount connectorized system with a built in valve may be used to simplify the interface with the gastrostomy hardware that remains installed in the patient. Optionally, the system may be configured to disable itself from further use after a triggering event (e.g., the passage of time or a predetermined number of uses) has occurred.
1. An apparatus for providing and preventing access to a fluid pathway of a gastrostomy tube that passes through a patient's abdominal wall into the patient's stomach, the apparatus comprising:
a first connector having a valve assembly disposed inside a flange, the valve assembly has a first platform having a first thru-hole that passes therethrough and a second platform having a second thru-hole that passes therethrough, wherein the first platform is adapted for placement adjacent to the patient's skin and the fluid pathway of the gastrostomy tube is adjacent the first thru-hole, and wherein a retainer retains the first platform in proximity to the second platform such that the second platform can be rotated with respect to the first platform between a first position and a second position so that in the first position the first and second thru-holes align to provide access to the fluid pathway and so that in the second position the first and second thru-holes offset to provide a fluid tight seal to a proximal end of the gastrostomy tube and to prevent access to the fluid pathway,
wherein the first platform further comprises a spout surrounding at least a portion of the first thru-hole, the spout is sized to enter the lumen at the proximal end of the gastrostomy tube and wherein the flange defines a flange thru-hole having a funnel shape and the spout and the funnel shape interact to compress at least a portion of the gastrostomy tube therebetween.