Portable enteral feeding apparatus

• US 7,282,044 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2003
• Issued: 10/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cardinal Health Ireland Unlimited Company (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
• Inventors: Sisk, Ricky A., Hudson, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi; Nicholas D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Koharski; Christopher
• Application Number:
  US10/485,757
• Publication Number:
  US 20050224534A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,673 Days
• Field of Search: 604/174, 604/19, 604/118, 604/179, 604/131, 604/408, 604/345, 604/403, 607/153, 224/633, 224/235, 224/630
• US Class Current: 604/174
• 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 telescoping feeding tube concealment 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 having an first flap and a second flap and a concealment flap, the first flap having at a least one folding line that folds around the second flap to form a cavity in the first member for locating tubing exiting the device, a second member having a first flap and a second flap, the second flap having at least one folding line that folds around the first flap to form a cavity in the second member for locating the first member, and a first end of the second member is configured for locating the tubing exiting the cavity of the first member, the second member forms its cavity slightly larger than the first member, wherein the second member is extended or retracted relative to the first member by sliding the second member over the first, the concealment flap being releasably attachable to an outside portion of a body for concealing the tubing exiting the device.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 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.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said body includes an orifice disposed therein for locating a proximal end of said tubing.