A feeding tube assembly having a flexible feeding tube with an imaging assembly including an illumination source configured to illuminate an ambient environment of the imaging assembly and an imaging device configured to generate and transmit imaging signals indicative of images of an alimentary canal of a subject is disclosed. The feeding tube assembly has controller in communication with the illumination source wherein the controller is configured to energize the illumination source during an acceptable illumination condition. A method of facilitating operation of the flexible feeding tube with an imaging assembly including an imaging device and an illumination source and a controller is also disclosed. The imaging assembly is configured to generate imaging signals indicative of images of an alimentary canal of a subject. The illumination source is configured to illuminate an ambient environment of the imaging assembly. The controller is configured to receive the imaging signals and control the illumination source during an acceptable illumination condition. The method involves energizing the illumination source when an acceptable illumination condition is present and de-energizing the illumination source when the acceptable illumination condition is not present.
