A nasogastric tube insertion system comprises a nasogastric tube, a guideelement, and an inserter element. Theinserter element has a slim, elongate main body, a handle attached to thebody, and an anatomically curved insertion section. Theguide element comprises a swallowable weight attached to a cord, string,monofilament line, or other similar line. The nasogastrictube comprises a tube having one or more interior bores or lumina and a guideelement capture structure. In use, the swallowableweight is placed onto the end of the inserter element. The inserter element isinserted through the patient's nasal passages andoptionally into the oropharynx. The weight is released and the patientswallows it into the stomach. The guide element is threadedthrough the guide element retaining structure, and the nasogastric tube issafely inserted along the guide element into the patient'sstomach. The tube and guide element are removed together when no longerneeded.
