720259Nasogastric tubeClosedGRD Development of PrototypeInnovate UKNasogastric intubation is a common procedure with over 1.5 million tubes used in the UK annually. Thousands of feeding tubes are inserted daily without incident, but, misplacement of tubes can have serious consequences for the patient, and as such, the procedure has been subject to much scrutiny by health authorities. In the UK between 2005 and 2010, 21 deaths and 79 cases of harm from misplaced NG tubes were reported. As a result, the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) is seriously concerned about NG tube misplacement and has identified this as one of a list of 25 “Never Events”. Westco Medical Ltd has developed and patented an innovative device significantly improving the present practice. The company believes its device is a new and positive step forward in ensuring the safe delivery of clinical nutrition and medicine to patients. The device is simple, easy to use and keeps changes in procedures for nursing staff to a minimum in order to easily integrate the Feeding Tube Position Confirmation Device (NGPod) in to the healthcare arena. The NPSA recommends that the nasal feeding tube position should be checked before each feed. The current test is imprecise and not always possible. Westco believe, and is backed by clinical experts, that this new technology has the potential to become best practice in enteral feeding. This project will develop the final prototype of the device in its digital format and therefrom produce finished devices for clinical testing. The device will be built in house to supply a number of Teaching Hospitals for clinical testing. The trials will also check the device through utilising real time testing of acidity levels on the journey from nose to stomach. There will be certifications applied for to ensure European compliance initially and then USA. IP is being protected through patent renewal and also the registration of new patents. At the end of the project Westco will be capable of a full sales launch throughout Europe.