System and Method for Real-Time Humidity and Temperature Sensing to Verify Proper Nasogastric Tube Placement

• Main Authors: Meadows, Vernon, McMichael, Donald, Moeller, Preston A, Roberts, Anthony D
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 01.10.2020
• Subjects: BABY COMFORTERS; CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICALPURPOSES; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROMTHE BODY; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGINGPHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL ORADMINISTERING FORMS; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE

A tubing assembly for use in conjunction with electronic catheter guidance systems is provided and includes a catheter and a sensor. The catheter extends in a longitudinal direction and has a proximal end and a distal end that define a lumen therebetween. Further, the catheter is configured for placement within a digestive tract of a patient. The sensor includes a temperature sensor, relative humidity sensor, or both, and can be located within the lumen of the catheter or in an air sampling chamber connected to the catheter. The sensor can communicate with a processor to deliver temperature and/or relative humidity readings to a display device. A constant temperature or relative humidity profile, or both after a pre-determined amount of time can indicate placement of the catheter in the digestive tract. A catheter guidance system and a method for accurately placing a catheter in the digestive tract are also provided.