Patent Publication Number: US-2023147710-A1

Title: Individualized liquid feeding

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. US 63/276,728 filed on 8 Nov. 2021, pending, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosure describes a system for individualized liquid feeding. The system includes a powdered protein, a nutritional oil, a powdered, low fat, low protein food fortified with vitamins and minerals and a computer program product for individualized liquid feeding. The computer program product includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable code for outputting liquid feeding instructions. The code, when executed, is configured to cause a computing device to perform a number of actions. According to one action, the computing device is caused to, based in part upon an input mass, compute a suitable daily amount of the powdered, low protein, low fat food. According to another action, the computing device is caused to, based in part upon an input primary health condition, compute an amount of the supplemental powdered protein to be combined with the amount of the powdered, low protein, low fat food. According to another action, the computing device is caused to, based in part upon the input primary health condition, compute an amount of the nutritional oil to be combined with the amount of the powdered, low protein, low fat food. According to another action, the computing device is caused to output the computed amount of the powdered, low protein, low fat food, the computed amount of the supplemental powdered protein and the amount of the nutritional oil. 
     The disclosure also describes another system for individualized liquid feeding of an individual. The system includes a sealed vessel containing a powdered protein, a sealed vessel containing a nutritional oil, a sealed vessel containing a powdered, low fat, low protein food fortified with vitamins and minerals as well as instructions for mixing a portion of the powdered, low fat, low protein food with a portion of the powdered protein and a portion of the nutritional oil in accordance with a mass and primary health condition of the individual. 
     Further, the disclosure also describes a method for individualized liquid feeding of an individual. The method includes providing a sealed container of a powdered, low fat, low protein food fortified with vitamins and minerals together with a sealed container of a powdered protein together with a sealed container of a nutritional oil and providing instruction to combine a portion of the powdered, low fat, low protein food with a portion of the powdered protein and a portion of the nutritional oil in accordance with a mass and primary health condition of the individual. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, example constructions are shown in the drawings. However, the disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers. 
       Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates an example method for preparing a formula for individualized liquid feeding. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates example alternative methods for individualized liquid feeding. 
         FIG.  3    schematically illustrates an example network environment suitable for practicing disclosed systems and methods. 
         FIG.  4    schematically illustrates example components of an example computing device suitable for practicing disclosed systems and methods. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates an example user interface suitable for use in association with disclosed methods and systems. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates an example user interface suitable for use in association with the user interface of  FIG.  5    and in association with disclosed methods and systems. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates an example user interface for use in association with the user interfaces of  FIGS.  5  &amp;  6    and in association with disclosed methods and systems. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates an example user interface presenting example computed amounts of formula ingredients. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the disclosure and manners by which they can be implemented. Although the preferred mode of carrying out the present disclosure has been disclosed, those skilled in the art would recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or practicing the present disclosure are also possible. 
     It should be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. Further, the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. 
     Some individuals including humans and animals such as cats and dogs may receive their nutrition via enteral feeding tube or oral syringe which necessitates a liquid form. Known nutrition systems require a caregiver or other user separately calculate an individual&#39;s Resting Energy Requirement (RER) in kilocalories, to look up various conditions and their associated dietary profiles (such as protein and fat percentages) and make a ‘best-fit’ approximation for an individual&#39;s health condition. Further, known systems have a fixed ratio of macronutrients and do not enable varying fat or protein levels. There are also logistical costs and challenges with pre-mixed liquids. 
     Embodiments of the disclosure substantially eliminate, or at least partially address, problems in the prior art, enabling determination of an optimal diet profile of multiple components based on disease state(s) and physical characteristics for each patient or other individual being fed. 
     Additional aspects, advantages, features and objects of the disclosure will be made apparent from the drawings and the detailed description of the illustrative embodiments construed in conjunction with the appended claims that follow. 
     It will be appreciated that described features are susceptible to being arranged in various combinations without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 
       FIGS.  1  &amp;  2    illustrate an example method for individualized liquid feeding. The method, which may be partially computer-implemented or computer-supported, represents a collection or sequence of actions that may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. A powdered food having low fat content, low protein content, vitamins and minerals is supplied along with a powdered protein and a nutritional oil. Each of the low fat, low protein powdered food, the powdered protein and the nutritional oil may be provided in separate, sealed packaging to facilitate customized formulas. 
     Further, the method includes providing instruction to combine a portion of the powdered, low fat, low protein food with a portion of the powdered protein and a portion of the nutritional oil in accordance with a mass and primary health condition of the individual. 
     An amount of the powdered, low protein, low fat food is computed based at least in part upon a mass of an individual. Based upon a primary health condition of the individual, a ratio of nutrients is determined and, from this ratio, amounts of the supplemental powdered protein and nutritional oil to be combined with the powdered, low protein, low fat food is identified or computed. 
     For example, from a mass and a primary health condition at  110 , a clinician  50  may compute a suitable amount of the powdered, low protein, low fat food. An amount of the supplemental powdered protein and an amount of the nutritional oil to be combined with the powdered, low protein, low fat food may be computed with consideration for at least a primary health condition. In an example, a moderate fat profile and moderate protein profile may be suitable for an individual with an allergy while a high fat profile and moderate protein profile may be suitable for an individual with cancer while a moderate fat profile and a low protein profile may be suitable for an individual with Chronic Kidney Disease stage  3  or  4 . 
     The clinician may compute amounts and/or use instruction provided to a computing device  210  such as a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer or mobile phone or may compute amounts using instructions provided in printed form and/or electronic ink. 
     The result of the computations is output at  120  and the computed amount of powdered, low protein, low fat food  222  is measured out for hydrating with an amount of water  224  at  130 . Further benefits of the powdered, low protein, low fat food include but are not limited to a low phosphorous content. The powdered, low protein, low fat food may also include one or more emulsifiers such as lecithin. 
     In an example, the powdered, low protein, low fat food is comprised of 8% fat and 16% protein on a dry matter basis. In a further example, the powdered, low protein, low fat food is comprised of 0.37% Calcium and 0.12% phosphorus on a dry matter basis. Such formulations may be suitable for a canine species, for example. 
     In another example, the powdered, low protein, low fat food is comprised of 30% fat and 35% protein on a dry matter basis. In a further example, the powdered, low protein, low fat food is comprised of 0.5% Calcium and 0.2% phosphorus. In a still further example, the powdered, low protein, low fat food is comprised of 0.25% taurine on a dry matter basis. Such formulations may be suitable for a feline species, for example. 
     An amount of water to be combined with the powdered, low protein, low fat food is computed based upon a desired consistency or a desired viscosity of the liquid formula. For example, the powdered food is sufficiently hydrated such that it can be pushed through a 3 FR lumen at 0.2 ml/s. At  140 , the hydrated amount of the powdered food is combined with powdered protein  226  and/or nutritional oil  228  to yield a complete liquid formula  230  suitable for liquid feeding. 
     Powdered protein  226  may include a blend of amino acids and minerals. Nutritional oil  228 , which is a suitable source of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and/or omega 3 PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids), may be a marine oil or a plant oil. In an example, the nutritional oil is salmon oil. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , prepared formula  230  is drawn into a syringe  240  and may be fed to the individual directly with the syringe or through an enteral feeding tube  250 . Formula  230  may be fed to any of a variety of individuals including but not limited to individual canines  262 , individual humans  264  or individual felines  266 . 
     The actions described above are only illustrative and other alternatives can also be provided where one or more actions are added, one or more actions are removed, or one or more actions are provided in a different sequence without departing from the scope of the claims herein. 
     Above-described methods for individualized liquid feeding may be practiced in association with any of a variety of systems. An example system for individualized liquid feeding of an individual includes a sealed vessel containing a powdered protein, a sealed vessel containing a nutritional oil, a sealed vessel containing a powdered, low fat, low protein food fortified with vitamins and minerals as well as instructions for mixing a portion of the powdered, low fat, low protein food with a portion of the powdered protein and a portion of the nutritional oil in accordance with a mass and primary health condition of the individual. The instructions may be provided as graphical user interface output. 
     The graphical user interface may be output in association with a computer program product for individualized liquid feeding. The computer program product includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable code for outputting liquid feeding instructions. The code, when executed, is configured to cause a computing device to perform a number of actions associated with above-described methods. 
       FIG.  3    schematically illustrates an example network environment that is suitable for practicing embodiments of the disclosure. Network environment  300  includes one or more mobile computing devices  320 , a PC Terminal  360 , a server  330 , a database  340  associated with server  330 , and a communication network  310 . 
     Network environment  300  may be implemented in various ways, depending on various possible scenarios. In one example scenario, network environment  300  may be implemented by way of a spatially collocated arrangement of server  330  and database  340 . In another example scenario, network environment  300  may be implemented by way of a spatially distributed arrangement of server  330  and database  340  coupled mutually in communication via communication network  310 . In yet another example scenario, server  330  and database  340  may be implemented via cloud computing services. 
     Mobile computing devices  320  and  350  and PC terminal  360  are coupled in communication with server  330  via communication network  310 . Communication network  310  can be a collection of individual networks, interconnected with each other and functioning as a single large network. Such individual networks may be wired, wireless, or a combination thereof. Examples of such individual networks include, but are not limited to, Local Area Networks (LANs); Wide Area Networks (WANs); Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs); Wireless LANs (WLANs); Wireless WANs (WWANs); Wireless MANs (WMANs); the Internet; second, third, fourth or fifth generation (5G) telecommunication networks; and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) networks. 
     Examples of mobile computing devices  320  and  350  and/or PC terminal  360  include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, smart telephones, Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs), tablet computers, Ultra-Mobile Personal Computers (UMPCs), phablet computers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), web pads, Personal Computers (PCs), handheld PCs, laptop computers and desktop computers. 
     Network environment  300  is suitable for implementing various systems for individualized liquid feeding. In order to implement a system for individualized liquid feeding, server  330  provides an individualized liquid feeding service to mobile computing devices  320  and  350  and/or PC terminal  360 , while database  340  stores data related to the service. 
     Mobile computing devices  320  and  350  and/or PC terminal  360  may access server  330  to download one or more software products associated with the individualized liquid feeding service. In one embodiment, the system is arranged in a manner that its functionality is implemented partly in mobile computing devices  320  and  350  and/or PC terminal  360  and partly in server  330 . For example, the service may be browser-based. In another embodiment, the system is arranged in a manner that its functionality is implemented entirely in mobile computing devices  320  and  350  and/or PC terminal  360 . 
     Users associated with mobile computing devices  320  and  350  and/or PC terminal  360  use the individualized liquid feeding service. Accordingly, mobile computing devices  320  and  350  and/or PC terminal  360  may be used, operated, or carried by clinicians, legal guardians or handlers of an individual or individuals requiring or benefiting from liquid feeding. 
     In an embodiment of the disclosure, mobile computing devices  320  and  350  and PC terminal  360  and/or server  330  substantially continuously record and update changes in the status of individual or individuals in database  340  based on input by the user. The status of the individual or individuals in the database may, for example, include health status and associated time-stamps. Furthermore, the individualized liquid feeding service can be offered free of cost. Alternatively, the service can be a paid service that has a subscription-based billing or a transaction-based billing, such as pay-per-use and pay-per-feature. 
       FIG.  3    is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims herein. It is to be understood that the specific designation for network environment  300  is provided as an example and is not to be construed as limiting the network environment to specific numbers, types, or arrangements of mobile computing devices  320  and  350 , PC terminals  360 , servers  330 , databases  340  and communication networks  310 . A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications of embodiments of the disclosure. 
       FIG.  4    is a schematic illustration of various components of a computing device  410 , in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Computing device  410  could be implemented as the mobile computing devices  320  or  350  or PC terminal  360  of  FIG.  3   , and vice versa and is configured for use in association with disclosed individualized liquid feeding services and systems for individualized liquid feeding. Further, computing device  410  may be configured for use in association with server  330  for performing a method for individualized liquid feeding. 
     Computing device  410  includes, but is not limited to, a memory  416 , a computing hardware such as a processor  414 , Input/Output (I/O) devices  418 , a network interface  417 , a configuration of sensors  419 , a storage  411 , and a system bus  415  that operatively couples various components including memory  416 , processor  414 , I/O devices  418 , network interface  417 , sensors  419  and storage  411 . I/O devices  418  include a display screen for presenting graphical images to a user of computing device  410 . Computing device  410  also includes a power source for supplying electrical power to the various components. The power source may, for example, include a rechargeable battery. 
     In some examples, the display screen may be a touch-sensitive display screen that is operable to receive tactile inputs from the user. These tactile inputs may, for example, include clicking, tapping, pointing, moving, pressing and/or swiping with a finger or a touch-sensitive object like a pen. 
     Additionally or alternatively, I/O devices  418  may also include a microphone for receiving an audio input from the user, and a speaker for providing an audio output to the user. 
     Memory  416  optionally includes non-removable memory such as Random-Access Memory (RAM) or Read-Only Memory (ROM). Storage  411  optionally includes non-removable memory, removable memory, or a combination thereof. Non-removable memory of storage  411 , for example, includes flash memory, or a hard drive. Removable memory of storage  411 , for example, includes flash memory cards, memory sticks, or smart cards. 
     As a non-transitory computer-readable medium, storage  411 , in addition to a number of applications  412 , may store instructions thereon in the form of computer-readable program code. The computer-readable program code may include a number of modules which may, for example, be parts of an individualized liquid feeding software product  413  associated with the service provided in association with the server. 
     When the system for individualized liquid feeding is arranged such that its functionality is implemented at least partly in the computing device  410  the code may be downloaded from a software application store, for example, from an “App store”, to computing device  410 . 
     In addition to other actions, executing the software on a processor such as  414  results in generating and rendering a graphical user interface  500  ( FIGS.  5 - 8   ) on the display screen. Graphical user interface  500  is configured to facilitate user interactions with the individualized liquid feeding service ( FIGS.  5 - 7   ) for example with tactile input. Graphical user interface  500  includes a number of input windows including windows  510  for inputting identifying information of a patient or other individual for whom a feeding formula is being prepared. 
     In accordance with the stored code, computing device  410  is configured to, based at least upon an input mass of a particular individual, compute an amount of the powdered, low protein, low fat food suitable for the individual. The input mass may be obtained by a user entering a mass in response to computing device  410  outputting a prompt  530  to input a mass of a particular individual. 
     The code may cause computing device  410  to compute a daily amount of the powdered, low protein, low fat food based upon an input species of the individual. The species may be obtained by a user entering a species in response to computing device  410  outputting a prompt  520  to input a species of the individual. 
     The amount computed may be a daily amount. In an example, the amount computed is a resting energy requirement for a canine which is the result of finding the product of  70  and the body mass of the individual in kg to the power 0.75. Thus, an individual canine having 20.45 kg of body mass requires 9.6166×70 or 673.16 kcal of energy at rest. In another example, the amount computed is a resting energy requirement for a feline which is the result of finding the product of  70  and the body mass of the individual in kg to the power 0.67. Thus, an individual feline having 6.5 kg of body mass requires 3.5047×70 or 245.33 kcal of energy at rest. 
     The code is also configured to cause the computing device  410  to, based at least in part upon a primary health condition, compute an amount of a supplemental powdered protein to be combined with the amount of the powdered, low protein, low fat food as well as an amount of a supplemental nutritional oil to be combined with the amount of the powdered, low protein, low fat food. 
     The input primary health condition may be obtained by a user entering a condition in response to computing device  410  outputting a prompt  540  to input a primary health condition of a particular individual. In an example, the prompt includes a drop-down list of health conditions. 
     The code may also be configured to cause computing device  410  to, based upon a viscosity or consistency suitable for liquid feeding, compute an amount of water to be combined with the amount of the powdered, low protein, low fat food, the amount of the supplemental powdered protein and the amount of the nutritional oil. 
     The code may cause computing device  410  to compute the amount of the supplemental powdered protein based upon input gastrointestinal symptoms of the individual. The code may cause computing device  410  to compute the amount of the nutritional oil based, in part, upon input gastrointestinal symptoms of the individual. The gastrointestinal symptoms may be obtained by a user entering one or more symptoms in response to computing device  410  outputting a prompt  550  to input gastrointestinal symptoms of the individual. 
     The code may cause computing device  410  to compute the daily amount of the powdered, low protein, low fat food based at least in part upon input appetite. The code may cause computing device  410  to compute the daily amount of the powdered, low protein, low fat food as a series of daily amounts based, in part, upon the input appetite level such as anorexia/anorexic or hyporexia/hyporexic. In an example, the series of daily amounts is an increasing series. In a further example, the amount for a 1 st  day is 25% of the daily amount, the amount for a 2 nd  day is 50% of the daily amount, the amount for a 3 rd  day is 75% of the daily amount and the amount for a 4 th  day is 100% of the daily amount. 
     The appetite may be obtained by a user entering an appetite level in response to computing device  410  outputting a prompt  560  to input an appetite of the individual. 
     The code may cause computing device  410  to compute the amount of the powdered, low protein, low fat food based upon an input age of the particular individual. The age may be obtained by a user entering an age in response to computing device  410  outputting a prompt  525  to input a breed of the individual. 
     The code may cause computing device  410  to compute the amount of the powdered, low protein, low fat food based at least in part an input gender of the particular individual. The gender may be obtained by a user entering a gender in response to computing device  410  outputting a prompt  535  to input a gender of the individual. 
     The code may cause computing device  410  to compute the amount of the powdered, low protein, low fat food based upon an input body condition of the particular individual. The body condition may be obtained by a user entering a body condition score in response to computing device  410  outputting a prompt to input a body condition of the individual. 
     The code may cause computing device  410  to compute the amount of the powdered, low protein, low fat food based at least upon an energy level of the particular individual. The energy level may be obtained by a user entering an energy level in response to computing device  410  outputting a prompt to input an energy level of the individual. 
     The code may also be configured to cause computing device  410  to output the computed amount of the powdered, low protein, low fat food, the computed amount of the supplemental powdered protein, the computed amount of the supplemental nutritional oil and the computed amount of water ( FIG.  8   ). One or more buttons  570  or other input devices may enable a user to select whether output feeding information is for a single meal or an entire day. 
     Computed amounts may be output to a portion  590  of graphical user interface  500  in association with an identifier  580  for which day of the plan is being displayed. Example values for the computed amounts of the supplemental powdered protein and the supplemental nutritional oil include zero or none. The code may further cause the computing device  410  to output an analysis of food resulting from combining computed amounts of the formula ingredient. 
     Referring again to  FIG.  4   , sensors  419  may include one or more of: an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor, or a timer. The sensors  419  may be used to measure and collect data related to surroundings of the user and or the individual(s). 
     In some examples, the software product in the form of the stored modules may be interfaced with sensors  419 . When executed on processor  414 , the software product is configured to resolve and integrate the outputs of sensors  419  into useful information about, for example, the location of computing device  410 . In some examples, sensors  419  may include a timer for including time-stamps with computing device locations. Alternatively, processor  414  may provide system time as reference for including the time-stamps with the locations. 
     Moreover, storage  411  is a non-transient data storage medium. The software product, when executed on the processor  414 , is optionally coupled to the storage  411 , and is configured to substantially continuously record and update information in storage  411 . The information may, for example, include input information about the particular individual or individuals and computing device or module settings. 
     Network interface  417  optionally allows computing device  410  to upload input information about the particular individual or individuals to a server, for example, via a communication network. Additionally, network interface  417  optionally allows computing device  410  to download information such as computed ratios between the powdered, low fat, low protein food and the powdered protein and the nutritional oil. Furthermore, network interface  417  may allow computing device  410  to access a server to update the software product and/or download one or more new software products associated with the individualized liquid feeding service. Moreover, network interface  417  optionally allows computing device  410  to communicate with other mobile computing devices or PC terminals, for example, via communication network  310 . 
       FIG.  4    is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims herein. It is to be understood that the specific designation for computing device  410  is provided as an example and is not to be construed as limiting the computing device to specific numbers, types, or arrangements of modules and/or components of the computing device. A person skilled in the art will recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications of embodiments of the disclosure. 
     Embodiments of the disclosure are susceptible to being used for various purposes, including, though not limited to, enabling users to provide, from two powdered components and a nutritional oil, individualized liquid nutrition that takes disease state(s) and physical characteristics into consideration. 
     Modifications to embodiments of the disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as “including”, “comprising”, “incorporating”, “consisting of”, “have”, “is” used to describe and claim disclosed features are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.