Feeding tubes are Used with a Reed Sensor for Position Sensing

Feeding tubes are used by pediatrics in nursing homes and hospitals on babies and young children, in an intensive care unit. Reasons may be malnutrition, or post surgery feeding. The insertion of these feeding tubes is done post-surgery, under anesthesia and great care is taken to ensure that the location of the end of the feeding tube is known at all times. This is important in cases where the feeding tube should be guided past the stomach into the duodenum.

When such a safety requirement regarding the exact position of feeding tubes is to be know at all times, the end position needs to be sensed. This is where ultra-miniature reed switches help. For a Reed Switch to be mounted at the end of a feeding tube and give out a signal, cables are required. Special feeding tubes with two channels are used in such cases, with the larger channel used for liquefied food or medicine and the smaller channel for running very thin enameled cables to the Reed Sensor or Reed Switch.

Such reed sensors are manufactured in tiny housings made of special alloys that can hold a high degree of magnetism. With such a reed sensor at the end of the feeding tube, a large external magnet is not only be used to check where the end of the feeding tube is, but to also hold on to the magnet’s field to aid in moving the feeding tube by moving the magnet outside. Reed Switches for such application are available on request from RRE, and can be supplied housed in these special alloy housings.

Special tubes with two channels are used in such cases, with the larger channel used for liquefied food or medicine and a smaller channel for running very thin enameled cables to a reed sensor. Such reed sensors are manufactured in tiny housings made of special alloys that can hold a high degree of magnetism. With such a reed sensor at the end of the tube, a large external magnet is not only be used to check where the end of the feeding tube is, but to also hold on to the magnet’s field to aid in moving the feeding tube by moving the magnet outside. Reed Switches for such application are available on request from RRE, and can be supplied housed in these special alloy housings.

Application Classification

Applications are classified as Position Sensing, Pulse Counting, Electromagnetic or Relay, Temperature Sensing or Magnet Biasing types. This application is classified as follows and the link gives more information on best practices to help select the most suitable AT band and matching magnet.

Position sensing Type

When an application requires the end position of a movement sensed, or the sensing of a part when it comes into a zone, or when the Continue reading -> Dec 2, 2024

Recommended Products

The Reed Switches and Sensors used in such applications need to be robust, durable and efficient in meeting a high life expectancy. Our engineers work hard in life testing our products under various conditions, and our intention is to ensure end product durability and life. Although we wouldn’t want to restrict any of our products for use in only certain applications, the recommended products for use in this application are listed below.

Ultra Miniature Reed Sensors, R5

R5-J SMD Reed SensorR5-J Reed Sensor PCB Layout drawingR5-J Carrier TapeR5-S SMD Reed SensorR5-S Reed Sensor PCB Layout drawingR5-S Continue reading -> Dec 2, 2024

Ultra Miniature Reed Switch, UM-0018-M

Full Length LeadsCropped LeadsSMD formed LeadsFormed Leads for Horizontal mountingFormed Leads for Vertical Mounting starFeatures 5.0 Continue reading -> Sep 29, 2024

Ultra Miniature Cylindrical Magnet Sensor, MS-212

MS-212 Magnet Sensor Drawing starFeatures10W Contact Rating. Normally Open contact. Two sensitivity bands. Sputtered Ruthenium Continue reading -> Sep 28, 2024