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Top Five Feeding Tubes of 2023

Top Five Feeding Tubes of 2023
Taikhum Sadiq

Feeding Tubes

Enteral feeding is the process of delivery of nutritional food complete with carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, water, fat and vitamins. Enteral feeding is achieved via devices known as feeding tubes which deliver the food through different parts of the body.

How does a feeding tube work?

A feeding tube is inserted into the stomach through the nasal passage (nasoenteric feeding) or the abdomen (enterostomy feeding) to supply nutritional food to patients who find it difficult to eat normally. Feeding tubes are used for both adults as wells as children.

When are feeding tubes used?

If you cannot eat in the usual way, you may not get enough nutrition for good health. For example, you may need tube feeding if:

  • You cannot swallow safely because you have a disease or injury that affects your mouth or throat, such as cancer or stroke

  • You are receiving medical treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or have an illness that temporarily makes it hard for you to eat enough food

What kind of food is delivered through the feeding tube?

A dietitian calculates the amounts of vitamins, minerals, fluids, and calories you need each day. Then he or she will choose the right formula to satiate those needs. The formula can be bought at a storeor can be made at home.
Formulas may be delivered in two ways:

  • Bolus feedings are large doses given several times a day just like eating a meal. It can be pushed through the tube by a pumpor a syringe may be used.

  • Continuous feedings deliver small amounts of formula through the tube over a period of several hours or continuously all the time.

What are thedifferent types of Feeding Tubes?

There are a number of feeding tubes depending on their usage and the place they are used at:

  • Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes

    They are surgically placed from the skin directly through the abdomen and into the stomach

  • Nasogastric tubes

    They are placed through the nose andinto the stomach

  • Nasoduodenal tubes

    They are placed through the nose to the duodenum (first part of the intestines)

  • Nasojejunal tubes

    They are placed through the nose to the jejunum (second part of the small intestines)

  • Jejunostomy tubes

    They are placed through the skin, directly into the abdomen and till the jejunum (second portion of the small intestines)

  • Gastrojejunal tubes

    They are surgically placed through thestomach to the jejunum (second part of the small intestines) bypassing the duodenum (first part of the intestines)

How are the feeding tubes inserted into the required area?

As the tubes are soft and flexible they can be placed in several ways:

  • Nasogastric tubes:

    The tube will be gently inserted through the nose or the mouth up till the stomach or past the stomach and until the small intestine by trained caregivers. Nasogastric tubes are used when the required feeding period is brief (for a few days or a week).

    Feeding Tubes - Nasogastric Tubes

  • Gastrostomy tubes:

    Firstly an anesthetic is given to numb the region of placement. Then the tube is placed into the belly through a thin incision. It is kept in place using a balloon or a rubber cap. Gastrostomy tubes are more comfortable than their counterparts and are hence used when the feeding process is to be conducted for a long period of time.

    Feeding Tubes - Gastrostomy Tubes

Top Five Feeding Tubes

1. Kimberly-Clark Gastrostomy Feeding Tube

Kimberly-Clark Gastrostomy Feeding Tube is a tube inserted through the abdomen into the stomach. It enables the caretaker and in-home patients to deliver enteral nutrition to the stomach.High-clarity medical grade silicone construction is used for visibility and drapability. It has a recessed distal tip extends the balloon beyond the distal tip at recommended fill volumes. Its unique design of decreases the potential for gastric wall irritation or erosion. It has clearly marked feeding, medication and balloon ports provide ease of identification. A tapered tip eases catheter insertion and enhances patient comfort.

Features of Kimberly-Clark Gastrostomy Feeding Tube

  • Slim design allows more air to circulate around the stoma side
  • Retention balloon holds the Kimberly Clark Gastrostomy Tube in place within the stomach and secure in the stoma tracked
  • Anti-reflux valve is located inside the feeding port where its job is to help prevent the stomach contents from leaking out when the patient is not feeding
  • When the balloon is inflated to the proper size the external portion of the tube should float just above the skin with a space about the thickness of a dime
 

2. Kimberly-Clark MIC Gastrostomy Feeding Tube

Kimberly-Clark MIC Gastrostomy Feeding Tube is designed for pediatrics and adults requiring continuous enteral feeding with intermittent medication. It has triple-lumen design which ensures separate delivery of medication and nutrition. This gastrostomy tube is made of medical grade silicone construction that features inflatable silicone internal retention balloon. This Feeding Tube has universal connector design that helps provide a secure connection. It minimizes unintentional disconnects and preserves tube life. A clearly marked feeding, medication and balloon ports provide ease of identification.

Features of Kimberly-Clark MIC Feeding Tube

  • Secur-Lok external retention ring
  • Universal feeding port connector
  • Built-in medication port
  • Tapered distal tip
 

3. MIC-KEY 20FR Low-Profile Gastrostomy Feeding Tube Kit

Mic-Key 20FR Low-Profile Gastrostomy Feeding Tube Kit is a step up from conventional gastrostomy feeding tubes. Highly popular and widely prescribed, the Mic Key is unobtrusive and easy to conceal, making it an ideal feeding tube for virtually all individuals. The Mic-Key Gastrostomy Feeding Tube is latex free and sterile. It is less cumbersome than conventional gastrostomy tubes for active patients. Its high clarity medical grade silicone construction is designed for visibility and drapability. The feeding tube has a low-profile design makes it unobtrusive and easier to conceal. Inflatable silicone internal retention balloon reduces patient trauma experienced with obturated devices.

Features of MIC-KEY Low-Profile Gastrostomy Feeding Tube

  • Tapered distal tip recessed at recommended fill volume
  • Proximal anti-reflux valve
  • Radiopaque stripe
  • Patented universal connector, designed to preserve tube life and minimize unintentional disconnects
  • For single use
 

4. CORFLO Ultra Lite Nasogastric Feeding Tubes With Anti-Clog Feeding Port

Corpak CORFLO Ultra Lite Nasogastric Feeding Tubes With Anti-Clog Feeding Port are specially designed for intubations where anti-clogging and ease of insertion are critical. Anti-clog outlet port reduces the occurrence of clogging significantly. CORFLO Ultra Lite Feeding Tubes are used to provide nutrition to patients who cannot obtain nutrition by swallowing. Polyurethane material provides larger inner lumen, which is excellent for long-term use.

Features of CORFLO Ultra Lite Nasogastric Feeding Tubes

  • 100% Radiopaque
  • Polyurethane Material
  • CORFLO Ultra Unique Anti-Clog Design
  • Centimeter Marks
 

5. Covidien Kendall Entriflex Nasogastric Feeding Tube with Safe Enteral Connection Without Stylet

Covidien Kendall Entriflex Nasogastric Feeding Tubes With Safe Enteral Connections Without Stylet is designed for nasogastric and naso-duodenal feeding with a slimmer, lighter weighted tip for easier insertion. The feeding port is incompatible with luer lock or IV connections, reducing the risk of accidental connection or infusion. It addresses the 2006 JCAHO Tubing Misconnections Sentinel Alert. It is coated with Hydromer hydrophilic lubricant which allows for easy removal of stylet once tube has been placed. Features a radiopaque polyurethane material is easily detectable via X-Ray or fluoroscope.

Features of Covidien Kendall Entriflex Nasogastric Feeding Tube

  • Y-Port connectors side port allows medication or fluid delivery without having to disconnect feeding adapter
  • Centimeter (cm) markings allow for ease of placement and tracking of tube migration
  • Weighted feeding tubes with and without flow through stylets
  • Purple feeding port indicates nutritional port, not I.V. access
  • The tube can dwell up to 30 days with proper care and maintenance
 

How does one cope with using feeding tubes?

Although tube feeding can save lives, it majorly alters one’s life too. A person using a feeding tube has to adapt to a new lifestyle and the kind of social life one lives daily also changes drastically. The profession a person follows, or their hobbies and interests also have to be arranged and accommodated around tube feeding.

But one important fact that a person using tube feeding has to know that there are hundreds of other people just like them that have adapted and changed their lives accordingly. There are a number of social groups and organizations where one can go and discuss their lives with people going through the same problems.

Feeding tubes are an important invention for people that have been suffering from problems while eating normally since ages. Today modern technology has helped us in created tubes that lessen the discomfort of the user and enhance their way of life even while suffering from a disorder or a disease.

 

Disclaimer: All content found on our website, including images, videos, infographics and text were created solely for informational purposes. Our content should never be used for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of any medical conditions. Content shared on our websites is not meant to be used as a substitute for advice from a certified medical professional. Reliance on the information provided on our website as a basis for patient treatment is solely at your own risk. We urge all our customers to always consult a physician or a certified medical professional before trying or using a new medical product.

 


HPFY Taikhum Sadiq

Taikhum Sadiq

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Taikhum Sadiq has been a Health Products For You contributor since 2016.

He is an archaeology student and is passionate about learning about the past and how it impacts our future. He believes ...

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