Guided catheter with removable magnetic guide

摘要

A feeding tube apparatus, a kit containing the feed tube apparatus to deliver the feeding tube apparatus to the desired location for delivering nutrients and/or medication are described herein. The feeding tube apparatus (10) contains at least a catheter (20) and a removable stylet (30), where the removable stylet contains one or more magnetic materials (32 a-j). In one embodiment, the stylet contains more than one magnetic material in the form of a magnet stack (33). The feeding tube apparatus is used in combination with a suitable external magnet (40) which a medical practitioner can use to guide the feeding tube apparatus (10) through the intestinal tract. Once the catheter is placed in the desired location, the stylet is removed, thereby removing the magnetic material (s) from the feeding tube apparatus. This allows for the catheter to remain in place while the patient undergoes diagnostic testing, such as magnetic resonance imaging.