Nasogastric Tube Placement Verification System

The Nasogastric Tube Placement Verification System was designed to determine the proper placement of a nasogastric tube in the stomach for tube feeding. Every year, many fatalities occur due to misplacement of nasogastric tubes. Current verification methods include X-ray and indirect verification. These methods are either expensive or inaccurate, and require a medical professional, creating a great need for a system that accurately indicates the correct placement of the tube in the stomach. The team designed a sensor, based on galvanic cell electrochemistry, that recognizes the acidic stomach environment. As the sensor enters the stomach, a chemical reaction produces a current that correlates to the pH of the solution. This current is processed by a microcontroller and indicates to the user whether the tube has been correctly placed. This system is specific, cost-efficient, and easy to use, allowing caregivers outside of the hospital to properly feed their patients.