| abstract |
Feeding tube assembly includes a feeding tube made of a polyurethane, preferably Carbothane, and a feeding tubenadaptor including at least an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit. In one aspect, the feeding tube adaptor is made of a substantiallynrigid material, and the exterior surface of the outlet conduit defines a retention member to engage an interior surface at a first endnportion of the feeding tube when the outlet end of the outlet conduit is inserted within a lumen defined in the feeding tube. Innaccordance with another aspect, the tube adaptor is provided with a removable cap to close selectively the inlet conduit, and both theninlet conduit and the cap are made of polyurethane. The cap has an engagement surface to engage a corresponding surface of the firstninlet conduit, wherein the engagement surface of the cap has a surface configuration different than that of the corresponding surfacenof the first inlet conduit. This difference in surface configurations can be established by providing one or both of the surfaces with anseries of protuberances, a series of indentations, a different cross-sectional shape, or a combination thereof. |