Farrell Valve ENFit Gastric Venting

Description

Overview

The Avanos FARRELL Valve System (ENFit) is a closed reservoir enteral decompression system designed for patients with feeding tubes across neonatal, pediatric, and adult populations. Its vented reservoir allows gastric gas to escape while retaining excess enteral formula, and Avanos EQUILIBRIUM TECHNOLOGY maintains a continuous decompression channel so the stomach can fill at its own pace. The closed overflow reservoir helps retain excess medication and enteral fluids and reduces caregiver exposure to gastric contents.

Key features and components

• ENFit enteral connectors (purple) for enteral-only compatibility
• Closed-system design with collection bag, tubing, and Y‑port
• Vented reservoir bag to evacuate excess gas
• EQUILIBRIUM TECHNOLOGY for continuous decompression
• White roller clamp (above the Y‑port) and blue clamp (below the Y‑port)

Intended use and benefits

• Removes excess gastric gas/pressure to help reduce distension and bloating
• Provides continuous gastric decompression while helping maintain feeding
• Helps prevent loss of formula, medications, and stomach contents during decompression
• Closed design and overflow reservoir help limit caregiver exposure to gastric contents

Operation highlights

• Normal operation: Formula may move up and down in the tubing; set the fluid level slightly above stomach height. Do not allow all tube feeds to back up into the bag.
• Positioning: Hang the FARRELL bag above the feeding pump; place the pump above stomach level; keep the stomach above the Y‑port.
• Medication administration: Prefer the feeding tube’s access port. Close the blue clamp before opening the port. After administering medication, close the port and wait 5–10 minutes before reopening the blue clamp.
• If the stomach is distended before use, decompress with a syringe prior to connecting.
• Low‑profile feeding tubes: Prefill the FARRELL tubing to approximately 2–3 cm from the end, then close the blue clamp before connecting to avoid pushing air.
• Suspected occlusion: Close the blue clamp, disconnect and clear the blockage, then reconnect. If a large volume remains in the tubing/bag after clearing, adjust the white roller clamp to prevent free flow into the stomach.
• Neonates or very low‑volume feeds: Allow 60–90 minutes to establish flow; keep the bag and pump as close to stomach level as possible.
• After feeding: Close both the white roller clamp and the blue clamp before disconnecting.

Cautions and warnings

• For enteral use only; do not use for IV medications.
• When the white roller clamp is open, the feeding pump occlusion alarm may not function because formula can flow into the FARRELL bag.
• Flow is gravity‑controlled; pumps may not clear occlusions and formula may back up into the bag.
• Always read and follow the product labeling and Instructions for Use (IFU).