Naso-Gastric Feeding Tube Placement Verification System

Naso-gastric (NG) feeding tubes are used to deliver nutrition to patients who cannot eat for themsehomes, hospitals, and home care settings. Improper placement into the lungs or trachea of NG tubes bin complications, including pneumonia and death. Currently, the only certain method of proper NG tubradiographic - an X-ray film is taken of the abdomen to verify the location of the tip of the NG tubdeliver a radiation dose, are time consuming, and are relatively expensive. A hand-held, non-radiogrverification system would improve patient care in many situations by reducing both risks and cost. Aradiographic, NG tube verification system will be developed. It will be based around a technology liUniversity of Washington, Seattle. The specific Phase I goal is to establish the feasibility and costechnology. The prototype will be refined and developed into a hand-held unit. It will be used in prestablish the system's accuracy relative to X-ray verification and to begin fulfilling FDA licensing