Modifying and supplying liquid nutritional feeding

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for modifying and feeding a liquid nutritional feeding composition. The apparatus comprises a chamber ( 3 ) for receiving a beneficial agent for modifying a liquid nutritional feeding composition, the chamber has an inlet ( 7 ) connectable to a container ( 5 ) that contains the nutritional feeding composition and an outlet ( 13 ) connectable to a feeding means ( 8,9 ). A pumping means is associated with the chamber ( 3 ) for pumping the nutritional feeding composition from the container into the chamber and back into the container to mix the beneficial agent with the nutritional feeding composition before the outlet ( 13 ) of the chamber is connected to the feeding means ( 8,9 ). The chamber ( 3 ) may comprise at least one flexible wall capable of being squeezed and released for pumping the nutritional feeding composition. The invention also relates to a method for modifying and feeding a liquid nutritional feeding composition.

1. An apparatus for modifying and feeding, a liquid nutritional feeding composition comprising:
 a chamber comprising a beneficial agent for modifying a liquid nutritional feeding composition, the chamber having an inlet connectable to a container containing the nutritional feeding composition and an outlet connectable to a feeding means, and  
 a pumping means associated with the chamber wherein said pumping means is adapted for pumping said nutritional feeding composition from the container into the chamber and back to the container for mixing the beneficial agent into the nutritional feeding composition.  
 
     
     
       2. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pumping means comprises means for varying the volume of the chamber. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the chamber comprises at least one flexible wall capable of being squeezed and released for pumping of the nutritional feeding composition. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the chamber comprises at least one beneficial agent selected from the group consisting of nutrients, probiotics, medicaments, diagnostic agents and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one beneficial agent is dispersible in the nutritional feeding composition in less than 1 min. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one beneficial agent is dispersible in the nutritional feeding composition in less than 30 sec. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the volume of beneficial agent contributes from: 30% to 50% of the volume of the chamber. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the inlet is provided with a hollow spike for piercing a port on the container to create a fluid path for the nutritional feeding composition. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the feeding means comprises a hollow spike for piercing the outlet of the chamber to create a fluid path for the nutritional feeding composition with the beneficial agent. 
     
     
       10. A method for modifying and feeding a liquid nutritional feeding composition comprising:
 connecting a chamber according to  claim 1  to a container comprising a liquid nutritional feeding composition,  
 pumping liquid feeding composition into the chamber and liquid nutritional feeding composition and beneficial agent back to the container to mix the nutritional feeding composition with the beneficial agent,  
 connecting the feeding means to the outlet of the chamber, and  
 allowing the modified nutritional feeding composition to flow through the chamber into the feeding means.  
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10  wherein the feeding involves enterally supplying the liquid nutritional feeding composition. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10  wherein the feeding involves intravenously supplying the liquid nutritional feeding composition. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the volume of beneficial agent constitutes from 30  5% to  50    70 % of the volume of the chamber. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the nutritional composition contains protein in an amount of up to 25%, lipids in an amount of up to 50%, and carbohydrates in an amount of up to 60%. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus for modifying and feeding a liquid nutritional feeding composition comprising:
   a container containing the nutritional feeding composition comprising protein in an amount of up to  25   % , lipids in an amount of up to  50   % , and carbohydrates in an amount of up to  60   %;      a chamber comprising a beneficial agent for modifying a liquid nutritional feeding composition, the chamber having an inlet connectable to the container containing the nutritional feeding composition and an outlet connectable to a feeding means, and        a pumping means associated with the chamber wherein said pumping means is adapted for pumping said nutritional feeding composition from the container into the chamber and back to the container for mixing the beneficial agent into the nutritional feeding composition;        wherein the at least one beneficial agent is selected from the group consisting of nutrients, probiotics, medicaments, diagnostic agents and mixtures thereof, and constitutes from  30   %  to  50   %  of the volume of the chamber, and further wherein the at least one beneficial agent is dispersible in the nutritional feeding composition in less than  1  min.      
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the volume of beneficial agent constitutes from  5 %  to  70   %  of the volume of the chamber and further wherein the at least one beneficial agent is dispersible in the nutritional feeding composition in less than  30  sec.