Enteral feeding is a method of delivering nutrients to the body through a feeding tube that is inserted into the stomach or small intestine. Enteral feeding pumps are devices used to deliver liquid nutrition through the feeding tube at a controlled rate. They are most often used for continuous feedings, overnight feedings, or on-the-go feedings to facilitate an accurate feeding rate. There are a few types of enteral feeding pumps available (but not many), each with its own features and benefits. In the past, we’ve looked at the different types of tubes available for enteral nutrition; in this blog, we will cover the options of enteral feeding pumps available in the United States:
A note from us: The pumps below are not arranged in any specific order. We added direct links to make finding relevant information easier, but Mighty Well doesn’t make a commission for any links added below.
1. The Infinity Enteral Feeding Pump
The Moog Infinity is a small, lightweight pump that can run in any position. The latest version also has an “auto prime” feature, as shown in the video below. This is the most common feeding pump used by the Mighty Well community.
Key stats:
- Manufacturer Name: Moog Medical
- Link: https://www.moogmedical.com/enteral/infinity/
- Weight: 14.4 oz (Less than a pound!)
- Dimensions/size: Height: 4.05” | Width: 5.65” | Depth: 1.95”
- Flow Rate Range: 0.1 – 600 mL/hr
- Flow Rate Accuracy: ± 5%
- Dose Range: 0.1 mL – 3000 mL, or infinite dose
More of a visual person? Check out this Infinity Pump features video. You can also see a quick video below of a Mighty Well customer setting up the Infinity Pump (Note that she’s using the former version: EnteraLite® Infinity) on the Fluid Motion Backpack:
@addeson.22 Sorry this video was so long 😂 but it takes me about 20 minutes to set up everything in the morning #ivfluids #feedingtube #gjtube #broviacline #formula ♬ original sound – Addeson
2. Infinity Orange Small Volume Enteral Feeding Pump
The Infinity Orange Pump is the same size as the Infinity pump (shown above), but it is optimized for small-volume feedings, making it ideal for babies and young children. The Moog Infinity Orange pump can be used with bag sets that hold 100ml (about 3 ounces).
Key stats:
- Manufacturer Name: Moog Medical
- Link: https://www.moogmedical.com/enteral/orange/
- Weight: 14.4 oz (Less than a pound!)
- Dimensions/size: Height: 4.05” | Width: 5.65” | Depth: 1.95” (Same size as the Infinity Pump shown above)
- Flow Rate Range: 0.1 – 300 mL/hr
- Flow Rate Accuracy: ± 5%
- Dose Range: 0.1 mL – 3000 mL
More of a visual person? Seattle Children’s Hospital created this video which walks you through step-by-step instructions on how to use the Infinity Orange Pump.
3. The Kangaroo™ Joey
The Kangaroo™ Joey is larger and heavier than the ones shared above, but it also has more adaptable features. Kangaroo™ Joey bags come in 500ml (about 17 ounces) and 1000ml (about 34 ounces) sizes.
Key stats:
- Manufacturer Name: Covidien
- Distributed By: Cardinal Health
- Feeding Formula Delivery Rate: 1-400 mL/hr (in 1 mL increments)
- Tubing length: 9″ (From pump to feeding container)
- Weight: 1.7 lbs. (2.3 lbs. with pole clamp)
- Dimensions/size: Height: 4.1” | Width: 5.1” | Depth: 3.6”
- Battery life: 18 hours
Want to see all the nitty gritty? See the manufacturer’s manual here.
More of a visual person? Cardinal Health has created several helpful videos which walk you through step-by-step instructions on how to use the Kangaroo™ Joey. You can also see a quick video below of a Mighty Well customer setting up the Kangaroo™ Joey on the Fluid Motion Back:
@septembersapphic Forgot I had this in the drafts. Feel free to ask me any questions 🙂 ft. @Mighty Well backpack! #feedingtubeawareness #chronicillness #tubielife #gtubelife ♬ Lo-fi hip hop – NAO-K
4. Kangaroo™ ePump
The Kangaroo™ ePump is the biggest and heaviest feeding pump on this list. As its name suggests, this feeding pump features step-by-step prompts to guide programming and operation, and can deliver continuous feeding, bolus feeding, or automatic flushing/hydration.
Key stats:
- Manufacturer Name: Covidien
- Distributed By: Cardinal Health
- Feeding Formula Delivery Rate: 1-400 mL/hr (1 mL increments)
- Weight: 2.4 lbs (2.7 lbs. with pole clamp)
- Dimensions/size: Height: 6.6” | Width: 6.4” | Depth: 4.6”
- Battery life: 15 hours
More of a visual person? Cardinal Health has created several helpful videos which walk you through step-by-step instructions on how to use the Kangaroo™ ePump.
Want to see all the nitty gritty? See the manufacturer’s manual here.
5. Kangaroo™ Connect
The Kangaroo™ Connect is a quiet, compact, lightweight pump with continuous or intermittent feeding capabilities. It features a large, color LCD display with animated illustrations and wireless connectivity – it’s designed for use from the hospital to the home. The Kangaroo™ Connect pump can be used for both adult, and pediatric patients provided the patient can tolerate the flow rates and accuracy level of the pump.
Key stats:
- Manufacturer Name: Covidien
- Distributed By: Cardinal Health
- Feeding Formula Delivery Rate: 1-600 mL/hr (in 1 mL increments)
- Weight: 0.73 lbs (1.4 lbs. with pole clamp)
- Dimensions/size: Height: 3.9” | Width: 6.1” | Depth: 1.6”
- Battery life: hours
More of a visual person? Cardinal Health has created several helpful videos which walk you through step-by-step instructions on how to use the Kangaroo™ Connect.
Want to see all the nitty gritty? See the manufacturer’s manual here.
Which pump is right for you will depend on several factors, including your feeding requirements, nutritional needs, and ideal feeding cycles. Note that some suppliers also only carry one brand of pumps, and some insurers only cover one brand, which is important to consider since these pumps can be very expensive when paid out of pocket.
Whichever pump you end up using, having a good backpack to carry all of your feeding tube supplies is essential. Learn more about the Fluid Motion Backpack – the best tube feeding backpack specifically designed to give you mobility and freedom on the go.
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