A team of researchers led by Xiaoguang Dong, assistant professor of mechanical and biomedical engineering at Vanderbilt University, have developed a magnetic robotic valve to provide minimally invasive intervention for gastroesophageal reflux disease and possibly other organ system disorders.
The paper, “Magnetic soft robotic valve for minimally invasive therapy of gastroesophageal reflux disease,” was published in Device on September 23, 2025. Co-authors on the paper include Rishi Naik, MD, MSCI, assistant professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and Yuxiao Zhou, Ph.D., assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Texas A&M.
Researchers say gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) highlights the urgent need for more effective and reliable sphincter technologies. GERD occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter fails to close properly, either due to muscle dysfunction or the presence of esophageal stents placed during tumor management, allowing gastric acid to flow back into the esophagus. This not only causes significant discomfort but also increases the risk of esophageal cancer.
“Current GERD treatments are limited by side effects, invasive surgical implants, risk of nerve injury, and complications such as dysphagia,” said Dong, who is also assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering and a member of the Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering (VISE).
However, to address the issue, Dong and his team created a soft robotic valve seamlessly integrated onto an esophageal stent to enable the opening and closing of the passage from the esophagus and the stomach. The valve exhibits robust liquid-sealing performance, reliably withstanding pressures comparable to, or even larger than, reflux pressures. The design leverages a magnetic ring-shaped lattice structure that ensures a strong and reversible liquid-tight seal through magnetic attraction. The valve can be actuated on demand by applying an external magnetic field, allowing the controlled passage of food using a simple, wearable magnet.
“Vanderbilt continues to lead the field in precision medicine, and our aim was to continue this mission statement with a disruptive, personalized approach to manage acid reflux by addressing the most common neuromuscular cause of GERD, which is disorders of the lower esophageal sphincter,” Naik said.
The team validated the valve’s performance in both a benchtop phantom and an ex vivo ovine esophagus model, demonstrating its ability to prevent liquid leakage while permitting the passage of solids under pressure.
“By confirming the biocompatibility of the soft robotic valve, our work supports its safe integration into the body and opens the door for broader clinical use,” Zhou said. “This platform holds promise not only for treating GERD, but also for managing other sphincter-related disorders where dynamic, non-invasive control is essential.”
Contact: Lucas Johnson, lucas.l.johnson@vanderbilt.edu