NG-Shield(tm) Generates Surface Acoustic Vibrations That Decrease NG
Tube Friction On Tissue
New Study Presented At DDW 2009
CHICAGO, June 2, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Data show a new device helps mitigate the pain and discomfort associated with nasogastric (NG) tubes which are used to decompress the upper gastrointestinal tract as well to administer nutrients and medications directly into the stomachs of approximately 50 million hospitalized patients world wide each year(1). The data were presented here today during an American Gastroenterology Association (AGA) Institute Clinical Practice Distinguished Abstract Plenary Session at Digestive Disease Week(r) (DDW) 2009 at McCormick Place.
Developed and marketed by NanoVibronix Inc., the NG-Shield generates surface acoustic vibrations that decrease the friction of an NG tube on the nasal and pharyngeal tissues of the patient.
"Data clearly show that NG-Shield reduced NG-tube-related pain and discomfort by a clinically significant degree," explained study investigator Professor Samuel Adler, M.D. head of Gastroenterology at Bikur Cholim Hospital in Jerusalem. "As physicians, we must be mindful of patient comfort and work with our staffs to make their experience in the hospital as pleasant as possible without inflicting additional pain. A technology like NG-Shield offers a great benefit to patients who require an indwelling NG tube."
In the study, "Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy of a New Device Intended to Decrease Pain and Discomfort Associated with NG Tube Use," (Abstract #832), Dr. Adler turned the NG-Shield off and on during set time periods as the tube was inserted, maintained and removed from 24 healthy volunteers. The subjects ranked nasal and pharyngeal pain and discomfort on a scale from one to ten.
The data demonstrated that NG-Shield reduced both nasal and pharyngeal discomfort levels significantly during the time periods when the tube was fixed within the patient. No difference was seen in the passage or removal phases.
The study also concluded that NG-Shield possibly could be utilized to treat or reduce NG tube-related injury. Further trials are planned to investigate its efficacy in preventing NG tube related sinusitis, nasal and pharyngeal trauma.
A recent patient perception survey of hospital care underscored the need for better pain management in U.S. hospitals; almost one-third of patients gave hospitals poor ratings on pain control(2).
More About NG-Shield
NG-Shield is composed of the NG-Shield device and a disposable clip-on accessory that may be placed on the external portion of any Nasogastric tube, providing pain relief and turning the catheter into an active therapeutic device. The clip-on accessory is connected to a reusable electronic unit that houses electronics and a rechargeable battery. For more information on NG-Shield, please visit www.nanovibronix.com.
About NanoVibronix
NanoVibronix Inc., located in Farmingdale, Long Island, develops products that utilize its proprietary therapeutic ultrasound technology. The company has developed a unique line of catheter based disposable ultrasound devices designed to treat catheter associated injury including pain, discomfort and biofilm formation. The first two products in this category are the UroShield(tm) for in-dwelling urinary catheters and NG-Shield(tm) for in-dwelling nasogastric tubes.
About Digestive Disease Week
DDW is the largest international gathering of physicians, researchers and academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery. Jointly sponsored by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, DDW takes place May 30 - June 4, 2009, at the McCormick Place, Chicago, IL. The meeting showcases approximately 5,000 abstracts and hundreds of lectures on the latest advances in GI research, medicine and technology. For more information, visit www.ddw.org.
(1) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Hospital Discharge Survey: 2005 Annual Summary with Detailed Diagnosis and Procedure Data. Table 4: Number of all-listed procedures for discharges from short-stay hospitals, by ICD-9-CM code, sex, age, and geographic region. United States, 2005. Series 13, Number 165: Page 191.
(2) Jha AK, Orav EJ, Zheng J, Epstein AM. Patients' Perception of Hospital Care in the United States. N Engl J Med 2008; 359(18):1921-1931.