Nasogastric tube device

Nasogastric tube device

Summary
The nasogastric tube device removes the problems associated with confused patients removing their nasogastric tube several times a day, saving money and reducing the risks to patients.

The Problem
Nasogastric (NG) tubes are used to drain gastric secretions and provide nutrition. Patients who are confused, are semi-concious or who have had a stroke, have a tendency to remove their NG tube as much as 4-5 times a day, requiring a new tube to be inserted. This is associated with a number of risks including:

• accidental misplacement in the lungs resulting in aspiration of feed and aspiration pneumonia (life-threatening) or in other sites such as the plural space, mediastinum and brain.
• risks associated with repeat chest x-rays to confirm correct placement of the tube and the use of sedative, anaesthetic or muscle relaxant during the tube replacement.
• haemodynamic effects and specific risks associated in patients with severe coagulapathy, unstable intracranial hypertension, or unprotected cerebral aneurysms, or who have had oesophageal surgery.
• underfeeding if there are any delays in the tube placement.

The Solution
A consultant in intensive care and a medical engineer have developed a simple device that overcomes the problem of patients removing their NG tube and requiring insertion of a new one. The device is in prototype stage and ethical approval has been gained for a clinical trial.

The Advantages

• Simple to use.
• Single-use.
• Injection mouldable.
• No similar products on the market.

The potential market
It is estimated that over 15,000 patients per year in England alone could benefit from this device. Using the device could save £50 for each tube replacement prevented.

The opportunities
We are seeking a commercial partner experienced in the development, manufacture and sale of single-use, injection-moulded devices, who sell enteral nutritional products. A licence agreement or a collaborative development project are both posibilities.

Contact
For more information about this or other technologies available for commercialisation through TrusTECH, contact Dr Joanne Thomas on 0161 276 6965 or email joanne.thomas@cmft.nhs.uk.