Following Up | IV Backpack
We’ve had an incredible response for the I.V. Backpack post, with loads of awesome crew coming out of the woodwork to offer some help, thoughts and ideas. We figured we’d do a follow up post to summarise the key approaches that we think have immediate promise.
Our hope is that with the people that volunteered their time and energy, we might be able to channel it to provide a few diverse solutions to suit the multitude of people that have similar conditions…
1. Small adaptions to existing backpacks
With some simple hooks to keep the fluid bags upright, many backpacks can be modified to provide a neat enough solution (here is one such example). This means users can find a bag that fits their personality, and with a few small tweaks, get it performing well. Our hope with this area is to record some of the better ‘hacks’ for adapting bags.
So far, it seems like the best bags to start from fall into the following categories: hydration packs (nice and slim with cord management built in), laptop packs (adapting the laptop section to hold the fluid bags), kids packs (smaller for the little-uns), and wheeled bags/packs (because all the equipment can be heavy when carried for some time, so having the option of wheels seems to work really well for some people).
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2. Creating a slim bag that can work as an insert
The goal is to create a slim and semi-structured module that can hold a fluid bag, pump, and a few parts to be carried discreetly on its own, or be slipped into another bag or backpack. The tube would be gathered at the top of the module, and the whole thing would be kept compact and neat.
We really like this idea (thanks Jaise), as it allows you to chop and change your bag to suit your activity. It also leaves pocketing in your bag free for whatever other activity you are pursuing. So far some of the key inspiration for this comes from the Acronym concept and the Mattt bags.
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3. Creating a purpose designed backpack with lots of features
This one would be something more like the dream backpack that is purpose built for this role. It would achieve the goals we outlined in the brief, and provide features to really make life easier.
The main goal with all of these is to keep the fluid bags upright, and channel the tubes out through the top of the bag.
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Brandon is getting in touch with those that have already offered help in designing a pack, and we hope we can help them with ideas and feedback as it unfolds.
What do you guys think? Is this heading in the right direction? Does anyone else have thoughts or ideas that might improve these 3 directions?
Thanks so much for contributing your ideas so far, and please keep them coming. There are some really exciting solutions starting to emerge!
Leather
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I think it would be great to have a picture of all IV items on the floor. Looks like there are few things to carry, the fluid bag, the pump. Sometime a second fluid bag etc.
Could do a picture of the minimum to carry and the most carried around. This can help setting the constrains.
I wonder how heavy are all that stuff to carry? Depending on the weight, the back panel and straps have to be design and made in a way that can be efficient for every day. This can change the choice of the bag to hack.
Another idea for the IV cord to be accessed from the side of the bag instead of through the strap. I feel that the connection between the bag and the User is very important at least as important as how the bag works. Less cord tangling would probably better. Just a thought.
Good luck
Hadrien-
I actually took pictures of what my IV supplies look like in the previous post.
http://www.carryology.com/2011/04/13/iv-backpack
Typically having more than one bag really isn’t necessary, because the bag itself pushes 3 liters in size, so it can get a bit bulky once you add the pump, solution, and any other items that you need to throw in there.
The gear itself weighs roughly 6 or 7 pounds…but after a little while it seems like gear weighs a TON.
The side is a great idea, same with the strap; however, being able to conceal the tube as well as a low profile look helps keep the “looks” down. More importantly when you’ve got tubes dangling they can easily get snagged on something…trust me, I know.
Good idea nonetheless.
Not directly related to this post but indirectly related to the whole website:
Who does the illustrations/sketches on this website? Serious Talent!
Keep up the brilliant work!
Hi my name is Tim and for 5yrs I have been watching my daughter struggel with her bag she is on TPN 24hrs a day. Now I took ill 6 months ago and have ended up on TPN 24hrs a day and I really nead a bag that is more functional please keep me in the loop on what you come up with. Thanks Tim
Hello
Has anyone heard from Brandon on this project? I sent him a bag around 6 months ago and have not heard back on it. I asked him to review the pack to see what he liked and didn’t like.
Mr. Gibson, have you had any luck on finding anything for your daughter? I would be willing to discuss her needs with you. Leave me your email address and I’ll send you formal contact information.
Derek
I would like to know if anyone has found a way to drown out the noise from the IV pump while in a backpack (Cadd-Prizm is very loud). Also, if the patient is smaller and more fragile than average and has a muscular condition causing weakness, how is he/she able to carry a liter bag of fluids & heavy pump without further compromising balance? The bag would need to be evenly distributed with its weight to be carried on the back so as to not further hinder the patient’s balance. In other words, the bag does not need to hang from one shoulder.
The IV company that supplies my IV meds supplies me with a very cheaply-made economy-type bag that is not made to last or be comfortable to wear. It’s obviously designed for users with short-term needs (weeks) and not long-term use (years).
Any ideas out there for a functional IV bag, not to mention a little attractive since I’m a lady?
Thank you for any help/suggestions.
I just noticed this website today. I have gastroparesis and am on a pump for 24 hours a day. This would be
I just noticed this website today. I have gastroparesis and am on a pump for 24 hours a day. This would be great to have. Over the last year, I have been outside the home every little. I just can’t bring myself to go out in public with an iv pole. I use the kangaroo epump system. For someone as myself, this would make my disability somewhat tolerable. I wish you well with this project. When your system goes public please let me know. I would love one.
My name is Rhianne Almond and I am currently a third year student studying Product Design at York St John University.
My final dissertation is going to be about emotional design and more specifically how medical products effect the emotions of the user whilst in the home.
As I know TPN can be used within the home and encouraged to be used by the patient themselves, I have been looking into the design on the pumps involved.
I was hoping that I could possibly contact someone closer related to the design of such pumps or people who are in contact with these pumps.
I am also interested in redesigning such pumps or designing a concept which would improve emotions towards such intimate product
I am also doing research on the bags/carry bags for such TPN sets and also looking into redesigning such to appeal more to the user.
I would like the possibility to work with people/nurses/designers within this medical area to be able to enable me to carry out my research and design development on this area.
Thanks in advance Rhianne Almond
this is a letter to be passed on.
Id also like to send out a questionnaire to different sufferers if this is at all possible
just send me an email to Rhianne_8@hotmail.co.uk if you are interested in taking part
thanks
I’m wondering what happened with all of these great ideas. Is there a new backpack out there, or has anyone implemented these ideas to adapt a backpack? We’d love to share ideas that work in the Oley Foundation newsletter.
Hello Lisa
I sent a sample of a pack I was working on. Asked him for feedback. But have not heard back. I hope everything is ok.
Derek
Hello Rhianne. You can connect to me/or me to you, on LinkedIn. I can help you out on your project. And help you with any other questions you have about medical devices and carry cases.
Everyone else. I sent Brandon a sample of a bag I was working that addressed a lot of what everyone was talking about.
I can’t say who my clients are, but they large companies in this area.
I do watch this blog, all your comments are appreciated.
Derek.