Abstract: A medical pump, for use with a cassette having a pumping chamber, includes a pumping element with a piston slider assembly which intermittently pressurizes the pumping chamber during a pumping cycle and has a piston head connected to a main body with a single pressure sensor positioned therebetween. A camshaft is associated with the pumping element, an inlet control element, and an outlet control element for closing the pumping chamber to flow when the pumping chamber is pressurized. A processing unit receives pressure and position data from the pressure sensor and a position sensor associated with the pumping element, and processes this data to determine the operating condition of the pump. The operating conditions determined include: blocked fluid flow, no fluid in the line, no cassette associated with the pump, proper pump priming, or proper valve sealing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a test container for the release and containment of headspace gases from pouches comprises a housing sealed with a lid and a pouch opening device. Determination of the concentration of a particular gas component is conducted by analyzing a background sample of gas within the test container prior to opening the pouch within the sealed test container. An equilibrated mixture of background and pouch headspace gas is analyzed and compared to results of background gas analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a thin texture, ready-to-drink, shelf-stable refreshing juice/soy beverage. Other aspects of this invention relate to methods of providing phytochemicals from soy, fruit and vegetable juices to a health conscious population.

Abstract: The two carbohydrate mixture of this invention utilizes a source of fructose in combination with at least one readily digestible glucose polymer source. The addition of the fructose significantly decreases the glycemic response when compared to the digestible glucose polymer alone. Additional components may be added to the simple two component carbohydrate mixture to form a carbohydrate system suitable for incorporation into an enteral nutritional. This carbohydrate system optionally incorporates nonabsorbent carbohydrates, dietary fiber and indigestible oligosaccharides. The present invention is also directed to an enteral nutritional which incorporates the two component carbohydrate mixture and less than 37% of calories from fat. Additionally, the invention is directed to a method of delivering nutrients to a person with diabetes by feeding the enteral nutritional.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for increasing the bone mineralization of a human, and more preferably an infant or toddler. The method comprises administering to said human a source of calcium and a fat blend that is low in palmitic acid. The enhanced mineralization results in the production of a higher peak bone mass and correspondingly lowers the incidence of osteoporosis.

Abstract: Methods for providing nutrition and for enhancing neurological development of preterm infants are disclosed. Also disclosed is an improved nutritional composition containing specified amounts of DHA and AA as well as their precursor essential fatty acids alpha-linolenic and linoleic acids. The methods involve feeding LCP supplemented, nutrient-enriched formulas for an extended feeding regimen, typically until at least 3 months corrected age (CA), preferably to 6 or even 12 months CA. The neurological developments, for example, visual development, motor development and language development were enhanced without findings of anthropometric growth faltering or inhibition.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved pediatric formula and methods for providing nutrition to and enhancing tolerance in pediatric patients. The formula may be provided in powder, concentrate or ready-to-feed forms. The pediatric formula comprises, based on a 100 kcal basis, about 8 to about 16 grams carbohydrate (preferably about 9.4 to about 12.3 grams), about 3 to about 6 grams lipid (preferably about 4.7 to about 5.6 grams), about 1.8 to about 3.3 grams protein (preferably about 2.4 to about 3.3 grams), and a tolerance improver comprising a sufficient quantity for xanthum gum to produce a viscosity of no greater than about 200 centipoise at a pH of 4.0, or less. The formula may also be provided in a powder. The formula preferably further comprises vitamins and minerals and may further comprise a stabilizer. The methods comprise administering to a pediatric patient an effective amount of a pediatric formula according to the invention, as described above.

Abstract: A nested cooler system for temporary storage of perishable foodstuffs and more particularly to articles for convenient, temporary storage of human breast milk and infant formulas. The inner and outer coolers jointly or independently receive the perishable foodstuffs and freezable gel packs for cooling the perishable foodstuffs. The gel packs can be frozen and thawed several times and temporarily keep containers of milk within an acceptable temperature range to prevent spoilage. The gel packs fit within pockets in the coolers to maintain proper positioning of the gel packs relative to the bottles.

Abstract: Methods for providing nutrition and for enhancing neurological development of preterm infants are disclosed. Also disclosed is an improved nutritional composition containing specified amounts of DHA and AA as well as their precursor essential fatty acids alpha-linolenic and linoleic acids. The methods involve feeding LCP supplemented, nutrient-enriched formulas for an extended feeding regimen, typically until at least 3 months corrected age (CA), preferably to 6 or even 12 months CA. The neurological developments, for example, visual development, motor development and language development were enhanced without findings of anthropometric growth faltering or inhibition.

Abstract: The invention comprises methods and devices that are developed using subject modeling functions of the form ƒa,b,c(t)=a exp (b(1−exp(−ct))). These methods and device are particularly useful in the study and interpretation of subject growth. The function parameters are calculated to give optimal curve fit to subject data, such as anthropometric growth date like weight, length, and head circumference as a function of an age measure, t. Preferably the subject is an infant and the age measure, t, is gestation-adjusted age. The fitted functions can be used to estimate subject sizes at a different, predetermined age, and the estimated sizes may be subjected to statistical analysis to determine which factors, if any, have affected growth of the infant.

Abstract: Enteral formulas that contain long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), e.g., arachidonic acid (AA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), essentially free of cholesterol, are described for use in methods for reducing the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis. Compositions from egg yolk lipids are preferred as they contain &ohgr;-6 and &ohgr;-3 long chain PUFAs and are predominantly in a phosphtidylcholine form. This is believed to provide a synergetic effect.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the use of triglycerides containing fatty ester moieties that include arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in enteral nutritionals or nutritional supplements. These triglycerides are derived from lipid mixtures which have high levels of sterols and phosphorous. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises an infant or enteral nutritional, or nutritional supplement, that comprises a lipid source derived from egg yolk. The lipid source derived from egg yolk is prepared by transesterification or hydrolysis, subjecting the mixture to distillation, and esterification with glycerin to result in a triglyceride containing the desired fatty acids of AA and DHA and little or no sterols and phosphorus.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a complete nutritional product that provides soy protein and enhanced levels of isoflavones. Preferably, the soy protein comprises at least 0.7 mg isoflavones / gm soy protein and at least 0.5 mg genistein / gm soy protein. The product is fortified at 35% of the RDI for calcium and contains an antioxidant package. The invention also describes the method to produce a heat stable isoflavone-enriched soy protein complete nutritional.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved infant formula containing a lipid blend that softens the firmer stools associated with typical infant formula. A specific formula in accordance with the invention comprises carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals and a lipid mixture of high oleic safflower oil, soy oil and coconut oil at specific levels and ratios. The invention also discloses novel mixtures of fatty acids that provides infant stool patterns more closely resembling the breast-fed infant.

Abstract: Enteral formulas that contain long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), as arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that are essentially free of cholesterol, are described. More particularly, the invention relates to methods for reducing the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis by administering compositions which provide .omega.-6 and .omega.-3 long chain PUFAs, phospholipids and/or choline. Compositions from egg yolk lipids are presently preferred as they contain .omega.-6 and .omega.-3 long chain PUFAs and are predominantly in a phosphtidylcholine form. This is believed to provide a synergistic effect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and nutritional compositions for the prevention and treatment of cachexia and anorexia. The methods of the invention comprise administering a composition comprising effective amounts of .omega.-3 fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid, stearidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid or mixtures thereof; of branched-chain amino acids valine, leucine, isoleucine or mixtures thereof; with or without reduced levels of tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan; and of antioxidant system selected from the group comprising beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Enteral formulas that contain long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and a process for making such enteral compositions are described. More particularly, the invention relates to enteral compositions which provide long chain PUFAs arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) essentially free of cholesterol and may be derived from egg yolk lipids, and thus are predominantly in a phospholipid form. The process of making such a composition provides improved organoleptic and stability properties. Enteral compositions according to this invention may be used to feed infants, particularly pre-term infants, to promote neural development and development of visual acuity, and to reduce the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis.