Memorial Health University Medical Center’s Level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is participating in an important clinical study. The study evaluates real-time placement guidance and continuous monitoring to improve safety and nutrition in neonatal and infant patients.

Gravitas Medical, Inc., a developer of advanced enteral feeding technologies, recently announced the initiation of a prospective, multicenter clinical study evaluating its next- generation (Gen 2) smart feeding tube system in neonatal and infant patients. The study is being conducted at leading institutions including Memorial Health University Medical Center, an HCA Healthcare facility in Savannah, Georgia, as well as Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, and Boston Children’s Hospital.

The trial will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Gravitas Entarik Feeding Tube System, which provides real-time guidance during placement and continuous monitoring of tube position and gastric activity. The study aims to validate placement accuracy, reduce complications associated with feeding tube misplacement, and generate data to support improved nutrition management in vulnerable NICU populations.

Feeding tubes are placed blindly at the bedside today, with reported misplacement rates ranging from 4% to 59%, contributing to serious complications including lung placement, aspiration, and delayed feeding initiation. Gravitas’ technology is designed to address these risks by providing clinicians with real-time feedback on tube location and continuous monitoring throughout feeding.“This study represents an important step toward improving both the safety and effectiveness of enteral feeding in neonates and infants,” said Saheel Sutaria, CEO of Gravitas Medical. “Our goal is to provide clinicians with real-time, actionable data that reduces risk and enables more personalized nutrition.”

The study is a prospective, multicenter trial enrolling up to 100 patients. In addition to validating placement accuracy, the study will assess clinical endpoints including time to feeding initiation, number of confirmatory X-rays, tube dislodgement detection, and measures of feeding tolerance.

Beyond placement, the Gravitas system continuously captures impedance and
temperature data to provide insights into gastric activity, reflux, and feeding
readiness—capabilities that may help clinicians optimize nutrition delivery and detect feeding intolerance earlier.

“We already saw improvements in safety and nutrition with the Gen 1 system and are looking forward to using the Gen 2 system,” said Dr. Brad Buckler, medical director for Memorial Health’s Level IV NICU.

The Gravitas Feeding Tube System builds on prior clinical experience and is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing hospital workflows while enhancing standard-of-care verification methods.