Patent Description:
Medical bags such as IV/enteral feeding bags are typically suspended from an IV pole, tabletop bag hangers, or straps within a backpack. Medical devices such as enteral feeding pumps are typically attached to a support structure such as an IV pole, a bed rail, or other support structure by means of a pole clamp or other attachment device that holds the pump in a fixed position relative to the support structure. During medical treatment, such as enteral feeding, it can be difficult to position the IV pole and medical bag in close proximity to the medical device. As a result, the configuration of the medical bag and medical device support structures of the prior art can cause use of the devices to be cumbersome, and may severely restrict the patient's mobility or be unsuitable for bedside use. <CIT> discloses an apparatus for concealed transport of a medical fluid administration device capable of infusing medical fluids to, or collecting medical fluids from the body of a patient during concealed transport. <CIT> discloses a portable enteral feeding apparatus facilitates ambulatory enteral feeding and prevents damage to an enteral feeding tube during use. <CIT> discloses a transportable intravenous stand for carrying medical fluids, such as blood plasma or saline solutions, so as to allow the fluids to be gravity fed into a patient.

It is directed to a combination backpack and medical fluid bag support, comprising:.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a enteral feeding bag support with feet shown in a deployed position;
configuration for supporting the medical bag on the support surface and a second configuration for supporting the medical bag in the backpack.

One or more further aspects of the disclosure can be directed to an enteral feeding bag support for use in a medical environment to suspend a medical bag above a support surface. The enteral feeding bag support can comprise a base comprising a support portion for supporting the support on the support surface and an attachment portion. A medical device mounting assembly may be movably attached to the attachment portion of the base to attach a medical device to the base. A pole assembly can comprise a medical bag attachment portion for attaching a medical bag to the pole assembly. The pole assembly may be mountable on the base such that when the pole assembly is mounted on the base and the base is on the support surface, the medical bag attachment portion is disposed above the base suspending the medical bag above the support surface.

The support portion and the attachment portion may be formed as one piece of material. The support portion can comprise at least one foot attached to the support portion for engaging the support surface. The support portion can comprise feet attached to the support portion for engaging the support surface. The feet may be selectively movable with respect to the base between a stowed position and a deployed position. The feet may be attached to the support portion for incremental movement from the stowed position to the deployed position. The enteral feeding bag support can be combined with a backpack. The base of the support may have a first configuration for supporting the medical bag on the support surface and a second configuration for supporting the medical bag in the backpack. The base may have padding at a back of the base for engaging a wearer of the backpack when the support is in the backpack.

There is further disclosed a combination backpack and medical fluid bag support, comprising a medical fluid bag support comprising a base assembly having at least one selectively adjustable foot, and means for attaching a medical device to the base assembly, a pole assembly coupled to the base assembly, the pole assembly having a medical fluid bag attachment portion configured to support the feeding bag thereunto and a means for disposing the pole bag attachment portion at at least one predetermined head height above said means for attaching the medical device; and a backpack portion configured to be supported on a wearer's shoulder and defining an internal storage compartment sized to receive therein the medical fluid bag support. The base assembly can have a plurality of independently adjustable feet, each of the independently adjustable feet having a stowed position and a plurality of selectively lockable deployed positions, and wherein the internal storage compartment is sized to receive therein the medical fluid support when each of the independently adjustable feet is in the stowed position. In some configurations, the at least one predetermined head height includes a first predetermined head height selectable when the medical fluid bag support is disposed in the internal storage compartment and a second predetermined head height selectable when the at least one selectively adjustable foot is engaged with the surface.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a enteral feeding bag support indicated generally at <NUM> may be used to suspend a medical bag <NUM> (<FIG>), such as an IV or enteral feeding bag, above a support surface, such as a table. The support <NUM> may also be inserted into a backpack BP to suspend the medical bag <NUM> in the backpack as shown in <FIG>, e.g., in an internal compartment thereof. The support <NUM> may movably attach a medical device mounting assembly <NUM> for movably and releasably attaching a medical device such as a pump <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) to the support to locate the pump below the medical bag <NUM> to deliver liquid from the medical bag to a patient.

The enteral feeding bag support <NUM> may comprise a base <NUM> for supporting the support on the support surface, and a pole assembly <NUM> configured for attachment to the base to suspend the medical bag <NUM> above the support surface. The pole assembly <NUM> may be attached to the base <NUM> by inserting the pole assembly into an opening <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) in the base and securing the pole assembly in the opening. It is envisioned that the pole assembly <NUM> can be secured to the base <NUM> is other ways without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Suitable structure (not shown) may be provided to secure the pole assembly <NUM> to the base <NUM> and/or to secure the pole assembly against rotation relative to the base.

Referring to <FIG>, the base <NUM> may comprise a support portion <NUM> for supporting the support <NUM> on the support surface and an attachment portion <NUM> for attaching the pole assembly <NUM> to the base and movably attaching the medical device mounting assembly <NUM> to the base. Feet <NUM> may be attached to a bottom of the support portion <NUM> for engaging the support surface to stabilize the support <NUM> on the support surface. In the illustrated embodiment, each foot <NUM> is pivotably attached to the bottom of the support portion <NUM> and movable between a deployed position (<FIG>) and a stowed position (<FIG> and <FIG>). In the stowed position, the feet <NUM> may be received in pockets <NUM> in the bottom of the support portion <NUM> such that the feet are substantially within an outer perimeter of the support portion. In the deployed position the feet <NUM> may extend outward past the outer perimeter of the support portion <NUM> to provide a wider support base for the support <NUM>. The feet <NUM> could be fixedly attached to the support portion <NUM> without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, there are four feet <NUM> attached to the support portion <NUM>. However, any number of feet is envisioned.

The support portion <NUM> may have a rim <NUM> and a floor <NUM> recessed from the rim. The rim <NUM> and floor <NUM> define a tray of the support portion <NUM> which can be used to hold items associated with the use of the support <NUM>. The rim <NUM> may have other constructions without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Sides <NUM> of the support portion <NUM> may have cutouts <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, one cutout <NUM> is associated with each side <NUM>. A portion of each cutout <NUM> may be aligned with at least a portion of a respective foot <NUM> when the foot is in the stowed position. The cutouts <NUM> provide access to the feet <NUM> from a side and/or from above the support portion <NUM> so that the feet can be grasped and moved to the deployed position when the support <NUM> is supported on a support surface. A recessed portion <NUM> in a top of each foot <NUM> may provide an area to grip the foot to facilitate grasping the foot and moving it from the stowed position to the deployed position.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, each foot <NUM> may include an anchor portion <NUM> that is pivotably attached to the bottom of the support portion <NUM> by a fastener <NUM>. The anchor portion <NUM> may have a plurality of indentations <NUM> formed around an outer surface of the anchor portion <NUM>. A detent <NUM> may be formed on an inner surface of each pocket <NUM> and configured to be removably received in the indentations <NUM> to releasably hold the foot <NUM> in any of several positions. At least one of the anchor portion <NUM> and the detent <NUM> is resiliently deformable to permit movement of the foot from the fully stowed to the fully deployed position and back. It will be understood that the detent <NUM> holds the foot <NUM> in both the fully stowed and fully deployed positions.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the attachment portion <NUM> of the base <NUM> may comprise an attachment member <NUM> and the attachment portion may be formed integrally with the support portion <NUM>. The attachment portion <NUM> may be disposed generally at the back of the support portion <NUM> and may extend upward from the support portion. The attachment member <NUM> may be fixedly attached to a remainder of the attachment portion <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment member is formed as one piece with the remainder of the attachment portion <NUM>. The attachment member <NUM> can be formed in other ways without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

The attachment member <NUM> may pivotally attach a mounting portion <NUM> of the medical device mounting assembly <NUM> to the attachment portion <NUM> of the base <NUM>. The attachment member <NUM> may comprise a tab <NUM> projecting from an arcuate section <NUM> of the attachment portion <NUM>. The tab <NUM> may include a pivot hole <NUM> generally at a front end of the tab and a plurality of locking holes <NUM> arcuately spaced from one another and extending generally along a back end of the tab adjacent the arcuate section <NUM> of the attachment portion <NUM>. The locking holes <NUM> are arranged at an approximately constant distance from the pivot hole <NUM>. The locking holes <NUM> may be arranged to provide about <NUM> degrees of pivot adjustment between the mounting portion <NUM> and the attachment member <NUM> about a pitch axis PI (<FIG>) extending through the pivot hole <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot hole <NUM> is disposed at a top of the front end of the tab <NUM>, and a topmost locking hole <NUM> is disposed near a top of the back end of the tab. It is envisioned that the attachment member <NUM> may have other shapes and the pivot hole <NUM> and locking holes <NUM> may be disposed in other locations.

Referring to <FIG>, the support <NUM> may be carried in a backpack BP within an internal compartment thereof such that a medical bag <NUM> is suspended by the support inside the backpack. The feet <NUM> of the support <NUM> may be moved to the stowed position (<FIG>) to facilitate inserting the support into the backpack BP. However, the feet <NUM> may be moved to the deployed position (<FIG>) and inserted into the backpack BP without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The backpack BP allows the patient the freedom to be mobile while using the support <NUM> and pump <NUM> mounted on the support. The same support <NUM> can be used for table top support out of the backpack BP by moving the feet <NUM> to the deployed position for stability.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the medical device mounting assembly <NUM> may comprise the mounting portion <NUM> for attaching to the attachment member <NUM> of the attachment portion <NUM>, and a device receiving platform <NUM> for releasably attaching a medical device, such as the enteral feeding pump <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The pump <NUM> can be mounted so that it can be tilted up or down as is convenient for viewing and/or manipulation. The mounting portion <NUM> may comprise a pair of spaced apart arms 64A, 64B defining a channel <NUM> sized to receive at least a portion of the tab <NUM> of the attachment member <NUM>. The arms 64A, 64B may have aligned holes (not shown) near respective bases of the arms for receiving a pivot pin <NUM> to mechanically link the mounting portion <NUM> to the attachment member <NUM> for rotation about the pitch axis PI. The pivot pin <NUM> may be secured in the pivot hole <NUM> and aligned holes by a C-clip <NUM>. In particular, the pivot pin <NUM> may extend through the pivot hole <NUM> in the attachment member <NUM> and the aligned holes in the mounting portion <NUM> to pivotally link the medical device mounting assembly <NUM> to the attachment member. This connection allows the mounting assembly <NUM> to pivot relative to the attachment member <NUM> about the pitch axis PI. The channel <NUM> may have a width only slightly larger than a thickness of the tab <NUM> to substantially inhibit movement of the mounting portion <NUM> relative to the tab along a single pivot axis P1 (<FIG> and <FIG>).

A detent hole <NUM> may be disposed near the top of arm 64A for receiving a locking detent <NUM> (<FIG>). The locking detent may be adapted for selective engagement with the locking holes <NUM> in the attachment member <NUM>. The detent <NUM> may also be spring loaded such that a tip of the detent is movable relative to a base of the detent. When the detent <NUM> is received in one of the locking holes <NUM> and a torque of magnitude more than a threshold above the torque applied by the weight of the medical device mounting assembly <NUM> plus the weight of the enteral feeding pump <NUM> (when attached thereto) is applied to the mounting portion, a lip of the locking hole <NUM> may engage the tip of the detent <NUM> and move the tip of the detent into the base providing a clearance for the device attachment portion to pivot relative to the attachment member <NUM>. Upon coming into registration with an adjacent locking hole <NUM>, the spring loaded detent <NUM> may urge the tip into the hole to again releasably lock the mounting portion <NUM> in place on the attachment member <NUM>. The locking detent <NUM> may have other configurations allowing the detent to releasably engage the locking holes <NUM> in the attachment member <NUM>.

The device receiving platform <NUM> of the medical device mounting assembly <NUM> may form a pocket <NUM> (<FIG>). A device mount <NUM> may be disposed on a rear wall of pocket <NUM> releasably attaching the enteral feeding pump <NUM> to the support <NUM> by being removably received in a recess 16A on the back of the pump. A tube holder <NUM> may be disposed on a side wall of the pocket <NUM> to retain medical tubing extending to or from the pump <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiments, the pole assembly <NUM> has a selectively adjustable height. Referring to <FIG> and <NUM>-<NUM>, the pole assembly <NUM> may be inserted into the opening <NUM> in the attachment portion <NUM> of the base <NUM>. The pole assembly <NUM> may comprise an inner tube member <NUM> and an outer tube member <NUM> surrounding at least a portion of the inner tube member. At least the outer tube member <NUM> extends into the opening <NUM> in the base <NUM>. However, in at least one configuration both the outer tube member <NUM> and the inner tube member <NUM> extend into the opening <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer tube member <NUM> extends through the opening <NUM> and into a passage <NUM> in the base <NUM>. The passage <NUM> extends from the opening <NUM> in the top of the attachment portion <NUM> to the bottom of the support portion <NUM>. The outer tube member <NUM> may be secured in the passage <NUM> with a screw <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) inserted through the base <NUM> into the passage <NUM> at the bottom of the support portion <NUM>. The screw <NUM> may engage a threaded bottom portion (not shown) of the outer tube member <NUM> to secure the outer tube member in the passage <NUM>.

The inner tube member <NUM> may include a first straight section <NUM> (<FIG>) received in the outer tube member <NUM> and a second curved section <NUM> extending from the first straight section for attaching the medical bag <NUM> to the pole assembly <NUM>. When the medical bag <NUM> is attached to the second curved section <NUM> and the base <NUM> is supported on a support surface, the medical bag is suspended above the support surface by the pole assembly <NUM>. The inner tube member <NUM> is slidably received in the outer tube member <NUM> for adjusting a height and position of the second curved section <NUM> relative to the support surface. A knob <NUM> and screw <NUM> can lock the inner tube member <NUM> at a selected height and position relative to the support surface. Locking the inner tube member <NUM> in place can be achieved by rotating the knob <NUM> in a locking direction to advance the screw <NUM> in a threaded hole in the outer tube member <NUM> to engage the screw with a flat surface <NUM> (<FIG>) of the inner tube member to secure the inner tube member at a selected height and position. To unlock the inner tube member <NUM> to adjust its relative height and position, the knob <NUM> is rotated in an unlocking direction to disengage the screw <NUM> with the inner tube member to allow the inner tube member to freely slide relative to the outer tube member <NUM>. The relative height and position of the inner tube member <NUM> can be adjusted and locked in other ways without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an enteral feeding bag support of a second embodiment is indicated generally at <NUM>'. The support <NUM>' of the second embodiment is similar to the support <NUM> of the first embodiment except as described hereinafter. Accordingly, like components are indicated by corresponding reference numerals followed by a prime. The support <NUM>' may comprise a base <NUM>' for resting on a surface (not shown), and a pole assembly <NUM>' configured for attachment to the base to suspend a medical bag (not shown) above the support surface. The base <NUM>' may comprise a support portion <NUM>' for supporting the support <NUM>' on the support surface and an attachment portion <NUM>' for attaching the pole assembly <NUM>' to the base and movably attaching a medical device mounting assembly <NUM>' to the base. The support portion <NUM>' may be configured to engage the support surface. The support portion <NUM>' may include a body <NUM>' and legs <NUM>' extending from the body. Feet <NUM>' may be attached to the legs <NUM>' for engaging the support surface to stabilize the support <NUM>' on the support surface. The feet <NUM>' may each include a first portion 28A', a least a portion of which is received in a respective leg <NUM>' in telescoping fashion. A second portion 28B' of the foot <NUM>' is wider than the first portion 28A' and disposed on an end of the first portion. The wider second portion 28B' can provide added stability to the support <NUM>'.

Referring to <FIG>, each foot <NUM>' is slidably attached to a respective leg <NUM>' of the support portion <NUM>' and movable along a longitudinal axis of the leg between retracted and extended positions. The sliding movement of each foot <NUM>' may be guided through the engagement of first slide members 29A' disposed on the first portion 28A' of the foot <NUM>' and channels <NUM>' formed in the legs <NUM>'. As the feet <NUM>' are moved relative to the legs <NUM>', the first slide members 29A' slide along the channels <NUM>' guiding the movement of the feet. A second slide member 29B' on the legs <NUM>' slides along a channel <NUM>' in the first portion 28A' of the feet <NUM>'. The second slide member 29B' is retained in the channel <NUM>' by hooks <NUM>' on the second slide member. The engagement between the second slide members 29B' and the channels <NUM>' also guides the sliding movement of the feet <NUM>' relative to the legs <NUM>'. In the illustrated embodiment, the hooks <NUM>' are formed integrally with a remainder of the second slide member 29B'. The hooks <NUM>' could be formed separately from the second slide member 29B' and attached to the second slide member by suitable means.

Each foot <NUM>' can be selectively and releasably locked in incremental positions along the longitudinal axes of the legs <NUM>'. In the illustrated embodiment, the legs <NUM>' each have tabs <NUM>' including a rounded projection <NUM>' configured to releasably engage in any one of slots <NUM>' in the feet <NUM>'. A pulling or pushing force of a sufficient amount on one of the feet <NUM>' along the longitudinal axis of the respective leg <NUM>' can cause the tab <NUM>' on the leg to resiliently flex as the projection <NUM>' engages an edge of a slot <NUM>' in the foot moving the projection out of the slot and into an adjacent slot <NUM>'. Each foot <NUM>' can be individually pushed or pulled to place the foot in a selected position. The feet <NUM>' could be fixedly attached to the support portion <NUM>' without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, there are four feet <NUM>' attached to the support portion <NUM>'. However, any number of feet is envisioned.

Referring to <FIG>, the support <NUM>' may be carried in a backpack BP such that a medical bag (not shown) is suspended by the support inside the backpack. The feet <NUM>' of the support <NUM>' may be moved to the retracted position (<FIG>) to facilitate inserting the support into the backpack BP. However, the feet <NUM>' may be moved to the deployed position (<FIG>) and inserted into the backpack BP without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The backpack BP allows the patient the freedom to be mobile while using the support <NUM>' and a pump mounted on the support.

Referring to <FIG>, an enteral feeding bag support of a third embodiment is indicated generally at <NUM>". The support <NUM>" of the third embodiment is similar to the support <NUM> of the first embodiment except as described hereinafter. Accordingly, like components are indicated by corresponding reference numerals followed by a double prime. The support <NUM>" may comprise a base <NUM>" for resting on a surface (not shown), and a pole assembly <NUM>" configured for attachment to the base to suspend a medical bag (not shown) above the support surface. The pole assembly <NUM>" may include padding <NUM>". The base <NUM>" may comprise a support portion <NUM>" for supporting the support <NUM>" on the support surface and an attachment portion <NUM>" for attaching the pole assembly <NUM>" to the base and movably attaching a medical device mounting assembly <NUM>" to the base. The support portion <NUM>" may be configured to engage the support surface. Feet <NUM>" may be attached to a bottom of the support portion <NUM>" for engaging the support surface to stabilize the support <NUM>" on the support surface. In the illustrated embodiment, each foot <NUM>" is pivotably attached to the bottom of the support portion <NUM>" and movable between a deployed position (<FIG>) and a stowed position (<FIG> and <FIG>). In the stowed position, the feet <NUM>" may be received in pockets <NUM>" in the bottom of the support portion <NUM>" so that the feet are substantially within an outer perimeter of the support portion. In the deployed position the feet <NUM>" may extend outward past the outer perimeter of the support portion <NUM>" to provide a wider support base for the support <NUM>". The feet <NUM>" could be fixedly attached to the support portion <NUM>" without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, there are four feet <NUM>" attached to the support portion <NUM>". However, any number of feet is envisioned.

The support portion <NUM>" may have a top surface <NUM>". Sides <NUM>" of the support portion <NUM>" may have cutouts <NUM>". In the illustrated embodiment, there are two cutouts <NUM>" in a front side <NUM>" of the support <NUM>", and one cutout <NUM>" in each of the lateral sides <NUM>" of the support. A portion of each cutout <NUM>" may be aligned with at least a portion of a respective foot <NUM>" when the foot is in the stowed position. The cutouts <NUM>" provide access to the feet <NUM>" from a side and/or from above the support portion <NUM>" so that the feet can be grasped and moved to the deployed position when the support <NUM>" is supported on a support surface. A tab <NUM>" on a top of each foot <NUM>" may provide structure to facilitate grasping the foot and moving it between the stowed position and the deployed position.

Referring to <FIG>, each foot <NUM>" may include an anchor portion <NUM>" that is pivotably attached to the bottom of the support portion <NUM>" by a fastener <NUM>". The anchor portion <NUM>" may have an opening <NUM>" (<FIG> and <FIG>) and a plurality of notches <NUM>" formed in a top surface of the anchor portion <NUM>" around the opening. A plurality of flanges <NUM>" extend from a bottom surface of the anchor portion <NUM>" partially across the opening <NUM>". The flanges <NUM>" may comprise discrete flexible members defining gaps <NUM>" between adjacent flanges.

Detents <NUM>" (<FIG>) may be formed on a bottom surface of an associated pocket <NUM>" in the support portion <NUM>" of the base <NUM>". A post <NUM>" may extend from the bottom surface of the pocket <NUM>" and ribs <NUM>" may be formed on an outer surface of the post <NUM>". The post <NUM>" is received in the opening <NUM>" in the foot <NUM>" and the foot is secured to the support portion <NUM>" by the fastener <NUM>". The detents <NUM>" in the pocket <NUM>" may be configured to be removably received in the notches <NUM>" on the foot <NUM>", and the ribs <NUM>" on the post <NUM>" may be configured to engage a surface extending around the opening <NUM>" to releasably hold the foot in any of several positions with respect to the support portion <NUM>". Pivoting the foot <NUM>" causes the notches <NUM>" on the foot to move relative to the detents <NUM>". For the notches <NUM>" to clear the detents <NUM>" during rotation of the foot <NUM>", the anchor portion <NUM>" of the foot must move away from the support portion <NUM>" to provide the necessary clearance. The angled surfaces on the notches <NUM>" and detents" urge the foot <NUM>" away from the support portion <NUM>" when a rotational force is applied to the foot. To allow for this separation, the flanges <NUM>" on the foot <NUM>" engage a washer <NUM>" of the fastener <NUM>" and flex upward allowing the notches <NUM>" to slide down the detents <NUM>" to at least partially disengage from the detents (<FIG>). Once the notches <NUM>" clear the detents <NUM>", the foot <NUM>" can be rotated to a desired position. After rotating the foot <NUM>" to the desired position, the foot is released and the flanges <NUM>" will urge the notches <NUM>" back into engagement with the detents <NUM>" and hold the foot in the new position. It will be understood that the engagement between the detents <NUM>" and notches <NUM>", the engagement between the ribs <NUM>" and the surface around the opening <NUM>", and the engagement between the flanges <NUM>" and the washer <NUM>" hold the foot <NUM>" in both the fully stowed and fully deployed positions.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the attachment portion <NUM>" of the base <NUM>" may comprise an attachment member <NUM>" and the attachment portion may be formed integrally with the support portion <NUM>". The attachment portion <NUM>" may be disposed generally at the back of the support portion <NUM>" and may extend upward from the support portion. The attachment member <NUM>" may be fixedly attached to a remainder of the attachment portion <NUM>". In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment member <NUM>" is formed as one piece with the remainder of the attachment portion <NUM>". The attachment member <NUM>" can be formed in other ways without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

The attachment member <NUM>" may pivotally attach a mounting portion <NUM>" of the medical device mounting assembly <NUM>" to the attachment portion <NUM>" of the base <NUM>". The attachment member <NUM>" may comprise a tab <NUM>" projecting from an arcuate section <NUM>" of the attachment portion <NUM>". The tab <NUM>" may include a pivot hole <NUM>" generally at a front end of the tab and a plurality of locking holes <NUM>" arcuately spaced from one another and extending generally along a back end of the tab adjacent the arcuate section <NUM>" of the attachment portion <NUM>". The locking holes <NUM>" are arranged at an approximately constant distance from the pivot hole <NUM>". The locking holes <NUM>" may be arranged to provide about <NUM> degrees of pivot adjustment between the mounting portion <NUM>" and the attachment member <NUM>" about a pitch axis extending through the pivot hole <NUM>". In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot hole <NUM>" is disposed at a top of the front end of the tab <NUM>", and a topmost locking hole <NUM>" is disposed near a top of the back end of the tab. It is envisioned that the attachment member <NUM>" may have other shapes and the pivot hole <NUM>" and locking holes <NUM>" may be disposed in other locations.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the attachment portion <NUM>" further comprises a spacer <NUM>" mounted at a back of the attachment portion by an extension portion <NUM>" (<FIG>). An annular gap <NUM>" extending around the extension potion <NUM>" is formed between the flange portion <NUM>" and the arcuate section <NUM>". The gap <NUM>" may hold any excess medical tubing in a wrapped configuration. A tube holder <NUM>" may be disposed on the flange portion <NUM>" to retain a portion of the medical tubing. The gap <NUM>" and tube holder <NUM>" may individually or collectively be considered a tube holder. A padding <NUM>" may be attached to the spacer <NUM>". The function of the spacer <NUM>" including the padding <NUM>" will be explained below.

Referring to <FIG>, the support <NUM>" may be carried in a backpack BP within an internal compartment thereof such that a medical bag <NUM>" is suspended by the support inside the backpack. The feet <NUM>" of the support <NUM>" may be moved to the stowed position (<FIG>) and the support inserted into the backpack BP. However, the feet <NUM>" may be moved to the deployed position (<FIG>) to facilitate inserting the support into the backpack BP without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The backpack BP allows the patient the freedom to be mobile while using the support <NUM>" and pump <NUM>" mounted on the support. The same support <NUM>" can be used for table top support out of the backpack BP by moving the feet <NUM>" to the deployed position for stability. The spacer <NUM>", and in particular the padding <NUM>" is positioned to engage the back of the wearer. The contact holds off the base <NUM>" of the support <NUM>", thereby providing space between the wearer's back and the pole <NUM>". Thus, the bag of nutrients will not be likely to be compressed against the wearer's back which could detrimentally affect operation of the feeding system. Additionally, the padding <NUM>" provides a soft surface for engaging the wearer making the assembly more comfortable to wear.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements.

Claim 1:
A combination backpack (BP) and medical fluid bag support (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>"), comprising:
a medical fluid bag support (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>") comprising a base assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>") having at least one selectively adjustable foot (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>"), and means for attaching a medical device comprising a medical pump (<NUM>) to the base assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>"), a pole assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>") coupled to the base assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>"), the pole assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>") having a medical fluid bag attachment portion configured to support a feeding bag (<NUM>) thereunto and means for disposing the medical fluid bag attachment portion at at least one predetermined head height above said means for attaching the medical device; and
a backpack portion (BP) configured to be supported on a wearer's shoulder and defining an internal storage compartment sized to receive therein the medical fluid bag support (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>");
characterized in that the medical fluid bag support (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>") is in an upright position such that the backpack portion (BP) allows the wearer to be mobile while using the medical fluid bag support (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>") and the medical pump (<NUM>) mounted on the medical fluid bag support (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>") for fluid infusion.