Clog Resistant Nasogastric Tube & Modular In-Line Flusher
Overview
- Nasogastric tubes are one of the most ubiquitous medical devices used in urgent and intensive care situations. Most commonly used to evacuate the stomach
during cases of small obstructive bowel syndrome and surgical operations, the NG tube is prone to clogging. Unclogging a NG tube requires a multistep process by the caregiver often
terminating in replacement of the tube.
- I joined the team in the second semester to redesign and improve the flusher concept.
Goals
- Redesign the previous proof-of-concept to ensure better functionality and improve ease of use.
- Main redesign goals:
- More ergonomic and easy to use.
- Eliminate the possibility of backflow and any mishandling of the device.
- Ensure a clamshell design so that it can be easily injection molded.
- Create a device that is modular and can easily connect/disconnect from the vacuum, collection bucket, and patient.
Protoype
- A syringe shaped flusher was created due to the nurses’ strong preference for a device that is shaped like a classical syringe.
- The single use device was designed to quickly hook onto the saline source, collection bucket, and nasograstric tube.
- When a clog occurs, the user simply depresses the plunger causing the flow to be redirected and fluid to be flushed down the NG tube to clear the obstruction.
When released the bellow causes everything to retract and pulls solution back into the device to be ready for the next flushing.
- For the protoype, the two shells for the flusher along with the plunger and connector between the bellow and valves were 3D printed while common off the shelf components were
utilized for the one way and stop valves.
Conclusions & Next Steps
- When assembled and tested, the prototype device supplied the necessary force and volume to replace the current methodology.
It received positive feedback from nurses and clincians for successfully combining the many steps that a caregiver must currently take to
unclog nasogastric tubes.
- The device should reduce the need to replace malfunctioning NG tube therefore reducing risk to the patient and preventing unnecessary discomfort.
- The MIT Technology Licensing Office has applied for patents and is looking to license the device to a company for manufacture.
