Project Description:
Feeding tubes are needed by many children to deliver nutrients when there are issues in the digestive tract. They are used to bypass the mouth and esophagus and lead directly into the stomach or intestines. This specific project focuses on the gastrojejunostomy tube (GJ tube), which is placed into the patient’s stomach and small intestines. The tube has two main portions, the “G” portion, which remains in the stomach, and the “J” portion, that goes into the jejunum and is used to deliver food and nutrients to the patient. Proper function of this tube is crucial in ensuring the child gets the necessary nutrients. A common problem with GJ tubes is known as a “tube flip” where the tube migrates back up the digestive tract causing many adverse effects. To address this problem, a novel design utilizing a mucoadhesive layer underneath a biodegradable layer applied to the distal end of the GJ tube will be used. The biodegradable layer, a cellulose hydrogel, allows for easy placement of the tube. Cellulose was chosen due to its rapid degradation and biocompatibility. The mucoadhesive layer, a chitosan hydrogel, would then be revealed upon the cellulose degradation; chitosan was chosen due to its biocompatibility and adhesive properties, specifically, its ability to adhere to the intestines for an extended period of time in order to hold the tube in place without causing adverse effects to the intestinal wall. This design would limit the migration pattern of the GJ tube, thus relieving the adverse effects that come with it while maintaining proper functionality of the tube.
