THE WOLVERINE TUBE
2023-2024
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The Wolverine Tube: An Improved Gastroesophageal Balloon Tamponade
PATENT PENDING: 7935-3257-US1
University of Michigan Biomedical Engineering + Michigan Medicine Emergency Department
Presented at BMES (Biomedical Engineering Society Conference) 2025
This was my biomedical engineering senior capstone: a year-long medical device design course.
Clinical Background
Esophageal bleeding occurs in patients with ruptured esophageal varices, which is a common side effect of late-stage cirrhosis (liver scarring). This scar tissue obstructs blood flow in the portal vein, which branches into the esophagus. This creates varices, or blood-filled sacs, that are prone to rupture.
Current Solution & Problem
Existing balloon tamponades are used to stop bleeding. However, these devices are flimsy and time-consuming to insert. As such, this combination leads to a high mortality rate of using these devices to stop esophageal bleeding in the ED.
Our Solution
Our team (GITWell Designs) invented the Wolverine Tube: an improved balloon tamponade with color-coded, different-sized, labeled ports, a bougie-guidewire attachment with a distal light, and an external securement method. We have researched, developed, and tested our design to address major concerns with the existing procedure.
Our design features stiffer catheter tubing, 3D-printed distinguishable ports, a built-in securement appliance, and a mechanism for locating the esophageal entrance. Our results showed a reduced insertion time from over 15 minutes (Minnesota Tube) to under 2 minutes. Usability testing with ER physicians and biomedical engineering graduates on airway mannequins and synthetic esophagi demonstrated successful insertion without rupture. The device has gained support from six stakeholders, but further clinical testing on porcine or human cadaver esophagi is needed to further validate our results.
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