Portable enteral feeding apparatus

• US 20050224534A1
• Filed: 03/18/2003
• Published: 10/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardinal Health Ireland Unlimited Company (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Sisk, Ricky A., Hudson, Joseph A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,282,044 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 224/158
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2003/003 combined with other objects; specially adapted for carrying specific objects
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2003/045 and one additional strap around the waist
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2003/166 Hydration systems attached to the body by straps, e.g. incorporated in a backpack
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/00 Travelling or camp articles travelling rugs A47G9/06; Sacks or packs carried on the body convertible into other articles A45F4/00
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/04 Sacks or packs carried on the body by means of two straps passing over the two shoulders
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/20 of flexible material; Collapsible or stackable cups
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/16 Holders for containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/00 Feeding-tubes for therapeutic purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 15/0076 Feeding pumps A61M1/00, A61M5/142, A61M25/1018 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1416 placed on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0482 Enteral feeding product
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14 Infusion devices, e.g. infusing by gravity; Blood infusion; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14244 adapted to be carried by the patient, e.g. portable on the body

Abstract

A portable enteral feeding apparatus (20) facilitates ambulatory enteral feeding and prevents damage to an enteral feeding tube during use. The apparatus includes a backpack type enteral feeding support, a soft pouch (38) having a hook and loop surface on the pouch and a rigid spacer (68). The pouch surrounds the fluid container (42), trapping and attaching it to the inside of a backpack using hook and loop system. The soft sided pouch provides easy removal and replacement of a variety of fluid containers in a mobile backpack. The rigid spacer supports the pouch and provides clearance for connection to enteral feeding tubing (32). Shoulder straps (26) substantially immobilize the apparatus relative to a subject. A telescopic enteral feeding tube concealment belt (30) is provided that allows patient mobility while concealing and protecting enteral feeding tubes.

Claims

1. A portable enteral feeding apparatus comprising:

a body including a flap extending therefrom, the body having an inner surface that defines a cavity such that the flap is movable to enclose the cavity of the body; and

a pouch being disposed within the cavity of the body and defining at least one compartment, the compartment being pliable and configured to support an enteral feeding container,

wherein the pouch further defines an outer surface that mounts to the inner surface of the body.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pouch includes:

at least one hook and loop patch disposed on said outer surface and said body includes at least one cooperating hook and loop patch disposed on said inner surface for removably mounting said pouch within said cavity.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said enteral feeding container has a neck extending therefrom and said pouch includes an opening for disposal of said neck.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pouch includes a tube retaining strap extending from said outside surface proximate to said opening.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said tube retaining strap includes cooperating hook and loop patches for releasably configuring said tube retaining strap into a loop for retaining a tube.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said tube is mountable to said neck via engagement of said tube retaining strap to a fitting including a flange mounted to an end of said tube.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pouch has a flap extending from said outer surface.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pouch includes a plurality of compartments.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said compartment is configured to receive alternately configured enteral feeding containers.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a rigid support disposed in said cavity adjacent said pouch.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said rigid support includes a top surface defining a passageway.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said body includes an outer surface having an orifice for disposal of an enteral feeding tube.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said rigid support includes an orifice in substantial alignment with the orifice of said body.

14. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said rigid support is removably attachable to said inner surface of said body.

15. A portable enteral feeding apparatus comprising:

a body including a flap extending therefrom, the body having an inner surface that defines a cavity such that the flap is movable to enclose the cavity of the body; and

a pouch being disposed within the cavity of the body and defining at least one compartment, the compartment being pliable and configured to support an enteral feeding container,

wherein the pouch further defines an outer surface that mounts to the inner surface of the body; and

a pump compartment extending from said body and a ductway disposed in the flap of said body that facilitates communication between the pump compartment and the cavity of the body.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a rigid support disposed in said cavity adjacent to said pouch.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said rigid support is removably attachable to said inner surface of said body.

18. A belt apparatus adapted for use with an enteral feeding device having tubing extending therefrom, the belt apparatus comprising:

a belt having a first end and a second end that are attachable;

a first member being supported with the belt and having a first end, a second end and defining a cavity that supports the tubing, the first end of the first member being mountable to the enteral feeding device and the second end of the first member being configured for disposal of the tubing; and

a second member having a first end, a second end and defining a cavity that supports the first member for movement relative thereto, the first end of the second member being configured for disposal of the first member and the second end of the second member being configured for disposal of the tubing.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said first member and said second member are attached to the belt via belt-loops disposed on an outside surface of said first and second members.

20. An belt apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said first member and said second member comprise an outer flap foldable around an inner flap to form said cavity in each of said first member and said second member.

21. An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said body includes an orifice disposed therein for disposal of a proximal end of said tubing and said first member includes a concealment flap that releasably attaches to said body and conceals said orifice and said tubing.

22. An belt apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said concealment flap is releasably attached by hook and loop strips disposed on said concealment flap and cooperating hook and loop strips disposed adjacent to said orifice of said body.

23. An belt apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said first member has an outer flap foldable around an inner flap and releasably securable thereto to form said cavity of said first member, said second member having an outer flap foldable around and an inner flap and releasably securable to said inner flap thereto to form said cavity of said second member, wherein said second member is telescopically extendable and retractable relative to said first member by sliding of said first member in said cavity of said second member.