US Patent 8361041 Optically guided feeding tube, catheters and associated methods

The present invention provides devices and methods for safe, easy and cost effective means of placing and verifying proper placement of nasogastric and nasoenteric feeding tubes. Specifically, an integrated feeding device including a tube operable to deliver a nutritional and/or medicinal substance to the gastrointestinal tract, an optical system including a light source, flexible optical fibers or a camera, and a lens, and a steering system is disclosed. The components of the system, namely the optical system and the steering system, may be integrated into the tube.