What it does
We modified the nasogastric tube with a dual-lumen design: one for feeding, one for inflating a balloon that blocks reflux. The balloon inflates after feeding and deflates during fasting to reduce pressure and preserve blood flow.
Your inspiration
While seeking an idea aligned with the Dyson Award’s philosophy of “innovation through simplicity,” we interviewed long-term patients. Many viewed nasogastric tubes as uncomfortable and burdensome. We found that in patients with prolonged use or dysphagia, weakened esophageal sphincters raise the risk of reflux. Inspired by the triple-lumen Moss tube, which supports decompression and nutrition, we simplified the structure for greater effectiveness. Our design uses two lumens: one for feeding and one to inflate a balloon that blocks reflux. The balloon deflates during fasting to reduce pressure and maintain blood flow.
How it works
A nasogastric tube delivers nutrition through the nose into the GI tract. An anti-reflux nasogastric tube was developed to reduce reflux caused by conventional tubes. It targets reflux resulting from weakening of the esophageal sphincter during tube insertion. The weakened LES fails to prevent gastric contents from entering the esophagus. To address this, a balloon catheter is positioned between the upper and lower esophageal sphincters. The inflated balloon acts as a barrier, allowing the tube to function as anti-reflux support. The system includes a dual-lumen NG tube and a balloon. One lumen delivers nutrition to the stomach. The other inflates the esophageal balloon anchoring the tube. Steps for insertion: 1. Insert the tube from the nose to the stomach. 2. Confirm placement via test solution or X-ray. 3. Inflate the balloon to fix the tube in place. 4. The balloon adheres to the esophageal wall. 5. After digestion, deflate the balloon to reduce irritation.
Design process
Inspired by the Dyson Award’s goal of solving real problems with simple ideas, our team focused on nasogastric (NG) tubes after interviews with long-term inpatients revealed the significant physical and psychological discomfort caused by insertion. We initially explored external redesigns and insertion methods, including the idea of using a balloon catheter to prevent airway blockage. However, due to existing patents, we redirected our focus to gastric reflux issues. Our concept is an anti-reflux NG tube with a dual-lumen structure: one line for feeding, and another to inflate a balloon. The balloon is positioned near the lower esophageal sphincter, blocking reflux before it enters the esophagus, while avoiding damage from continuous acid exposure. We created a 3D prototype and identified key improvements. The balloon must be made from soft, medical-grade materials and inflated with minimal pressure to avoid mucosal damage. Furthermore, it should not remain inflated at all times—it must periodically deflate and reinflate to allow proper blood flow and tissue recovery. We aim to further improve the prototype by refining the structure, material, and usability for safer and more comfortable application in real-world scenarios.
How it is different
Most existing nasogastric (NG) tubes focus on decompression rather than actively preventing reflux. While the Moss tube uses a balloon to anchor itself in the stomach, it is not designed to block reflux structurally. Other tubes like Miller-Abbott, Harris, and Cantor are for decompression or aspiration and not optimized for long-term use, often failing to address patient discomfort. Our proposed solution features a dual-lumen design—one for nutrition and another for inflating a balloon between the upper and lower esophageal sphincters. When inflated, the balloon physically blocks reflux. Made from biocompatible materials, it minimizes tissue damage and allows safe pressure control. This simple, non-electronic device offers a practical way to prevent reflux in long-term NG tube users, such as elderly or dysphagic patients. It presents an original solution using intuitive structural design, rather than complex technology.
Future plans
The project is currently in the prototyping stage using 3D printing. We plan to conduct experiments with anatomical simulators to evaluate insertion stability, sealing performance, and biocompatibility of materials. With clinical input, we aim to optimize tube diameter, inflation pressure, and insertion depth, while also developing customizable designs for various body types. In the longer term, we plan to integrate sensors for real-time monitoring of tube position and inflation. Pilot clinical tests will follow in collaboration with partner hospitals, along with steps toward medical device certification.
Share this page on