GB2030865A

GB2030865A - Intestinal probe

Info

Publication number: GB2030865A
Application number: GB7842694A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Dr Eduard Fresenius Chemisch Pharmazeutische Industrie KG; Dr Eduard Fresenius Chemisch Pharmazeutische Industrie KG Apparatebau KG
Current assignee: Dr Eduard Fresenius Chemisch Pharmazeutische Industrie KG; Dr Eduard Fresenius Chemisch Pharmazeutische Industrie KG Apparatebau KG
Priority date: 1978-09-18
Filing date: 1978-10-31
Publication date: 1980-04-16
Also published as: JPS5540577A; FR2435952A1

Abstract

In an intestinal probe comprising a flexible tube 1 having an enlarged head 2 with a rounded-off tip at the leading end and spaced apertures 3 for dispensing medicaments, at least one annular bead 4 having a maximum diameter substantially equal to the largest diameter of said head is secured on said tube at a spacing from said head to facilitate manipulation by a surgeon when the probe is advanced through the intestine. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Intestinal probe This invention relates to an intestinal probe for the enteric application of nutritive and/or curative solutions and for obtaining secretions from the stomach-intestinal tract of patients, consisting of a tube of soft elastic material having a rounded-off probe head of soft material closing the leading end thereof and apertures through the tube at a spacing behind the probe head.

A probe of this kind known from German Patent Application 2 541 919 has proved satisfactory in use.

However, after its surgical introduction into the intestine of a patient, it can, despite a core in its interior, be advanced only with difficulty because the intestine is disposed in convolutions and is very often pressed entirely flat or partially flat.

It is therefore the problem of the present invention to provide an intestinal probe of the aforementioned kind which, after surgical introduction into an intestine, can be reliably advanced therealong.

According to the invention this problem is solved in that the wall of the tube has secured on it in the forward region at a spacing behind the probe head at least one annular bead of which the largest diameter is about equal to the largest diameter of the probe head. After the probe has been pushed into the intestine, the probe head as well as the bead can be felt by the surgeon through the wall of the intestine. He can then advance the probe along the intestine by holding the bead through the wall of the intestine, pusching the slack and coiled intestine over the probe head in a direction towards the bead, subsequently holding the probe head through the wall of the intestine and then sweeping the length of advanced intestine over the bead.If the probe is provided with a plurality of beads, the intestine can in a corresponding manner be pushed overtheforemost bead and swept over the hindmost bead. The beads according to the invention therefore considerably improve the manipulation of the probe.

The annular beads also prevent the probe from lying against the wall of the intestine in the region of the beads so that at least those apertures of the probe adjacent the beads cannot be closed by the wall of the intestine.

To reduce the friction caused by the beads during advancement through the intestine as low as poss ible, they are desirably substantially segmental in crosssection.

One example of the innovation will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing in which the single figure is an elevation of the leading length of the probe.

The probe consists of a flexible tube 1 of soft elastic material such as silicon rubber, Teflon, polyurethane or some other material that is compat ible with human tissue. The tube 1 is closed at the front by a cap 2 forming a rounded-off head. At the side of the cap 2 facing the tube 1, the cap is pro vided with a recess having a diameter corresponding to that of the tube diameter so that the tube can be pushed into this recess for the purpose of providing a joint with the aid of an application of adhesive.

At a spacing behind the cap 2, the tube 1 is provided with apertures 3.

Further, at least one, and preferably more than one annular beads 4 are pushed onto the tube at a spacing behind the cap 2 and secured thereto by adhesive. The beads 4 consist of substantially spherical members substantially segmental in cross-section, provided with axial bores having a diameter substantially equal to the tube diameter.

The cap 2 as well as the beads 4 consist of a soft material such as a plastic material compatible with tissue.

To rigidify the soft and flexible tube 1 during its advancement through the intestine, it may contain a core 5. The core 5 may be a plastics or steel wire.

The first bead 4 is located 6 to 10 cm behind the probe head 2 and the other beads 4 have the same spacing from each other.

Claims

1. An intestinal probe for the enteric application of nutritive and/or curative solutions and for obtaining secretions from the stomach-intestinal tract of patients, consisting of a tube of soft elastic material having a rounded-off probe head of soft material closing the leading end thereof and apertures through the tube at a spacing behind the probe head, in which the wall of the tube has secured on it in the forward region at a spacing behind the probe head at least one annular bead of which the largest diameter is about equal to the largest diameter of the probe head.

2. A probe according to claim 1, in which the bead is substantially segmental in cross-section.

3. A probe according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the bead is 6 to 10 cm behind the probe head and including other beads having the same spacing from each other.

4. An intestinal probe according to claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.