Medical Backpack Redesign for IV Therapy Programs

A leading medical device company partnered with SI Jacobson Manufacturing to reimagine its IV pump-carrying program with a next-generation medical backpack designed for safety, efficiency, and real-world clinical use. Serving hospitals and care facilities nationwide, the customer is dedicated to connecting patients and caregivers through life-saving IV therapy products, systems, and services.

This company’s mission centers on intuitive, patient-centric design, creating IV solutions that improve clinical workflows while maintaining strict safety and hygiene standards. As IV pump technology advanced and care environments evolved, the customer saw an opportunity to update its existing carry systems to better support nurses, technicians, and caregivers in demanding hospital settings.

SI Jacobson was selected as a manufacturing partner for its deep experience in soft goods engineering, medical-grade materials, and collaborative domestic development. Together, the teams set out to create a medical backpack solution that balanced ergonomics, infection control, durability, and modern design.

Situation: Evolving Clinical Demands Require Smarter Carry Solutions

The customer supplies IV therapy products to hospitals, oncology centers, and critical care environments where speed, accuracy, and cleanliness are essential. Their IV pumps are used daily by healthcare professionals who must move efficiently between patient rooms while managing complex equipment.

However, the existing IV pump carry solutions were beginning to show limitations. Loading and unloading pumps could be time-consuming, access to diagnostics was not always intuitive, and older designs did not fully align with updated hospital hygiene and cleaning protocols. Additionally, caregivers reported discomfort during extended use, particularly when carrying equipment for long periods or across large facilities.

The challenge was compounded by the need to support both single-use and multiple-use applications. Any new medical backpack design had to withstand frequent industrial cleaning, remain compliant with medical standards, and maintain structural integrity after repeated use. Our team needed to achieve this all while offering a more refined, everyday appearance suitable for modern healthcare environments.

Task: Redesign the Medical Backpack for Performance, Hygiene & Comfort

The customer tasked SI Jacobson Manufacturing with updating and advancing its IV pump carry program through a comprehensive redesign. The objective was not simply cosmetic improvement, but a functional evolution that addressed the realities of clinical workflows.

Key requirements included:

• Designing a medical backpack that allows faster, more intuitive loading and unloading of IV pump systems

• Improving access to pump diagnostics and controls without removing equipment from the bag

• Ensuring compliance with updated hygiene standards, including compatibility with industrial washing and cleaning methods

• Enhancing ergonomic performance for users of varying sizes and body types

• Maintaining a clean, approachable design suitable for everyday hospital use

All solutions needed to meet FDA compliance requirements, support repeated cleaning cycles, and integrate seamlessly into existing hospital environments. The redesign also had to remain scalable, allowing for future updates as IV pump technology continued to evolve.

Action: Collaborative Design & Domestic Prototyping

SI Jacobson’s design and engineering teams worked closely with the customer’s product development and clinical stakeholders to understand real-world use cases. Early discovery sessions focused on how nurses and technicians interact with IV pumps during transport, setup, and monitoring.

From there, SI Jacobson developed multiple medical backpack concepts that prioritized accessibility, protection, and ease of use. A new identification and orientation system was introduced to guide faster pump loading and ensure correct positioning every time. Strategic access points allowed caregivers to view diagnostics, manage tubing, and monitor performance without removing the pump from the backpack.

Material selection played a critical role. SI Jacobson sourced FDA-compliant textiles and components engineered to withstand more than 25 industrial wash cycles without degradation. These materials balanced durability with flexibility, ensuring the backpack remained lightweight and comfortable while protecting sensitive medical equipment.

Ergonomics was refined through adjustable carry systems designed to accommodate a wide range of users. Load distribution was carefully engineered to maintain proper weight balance, reducing strain during extended use. Domestic prototyping enabled rapid iteration, allowing the teams to test, refine, and validate designs quickly while incorporating direct feedback from clinical users.

Result: A New Standard for Medical Backpack Performance

The redesigned medical backpack was launched successfully and quickly set a new benchmark for hospital acceptance and user satisfaction. Nurses and technicians reported faster setup times, easier access to diagnostics, and greater confidence in the security of equipment during transport.

The ergonomic improvements reduced fatigue, while the upgraded materials and construction supported rigorous cleaning protocols required in modern healthcare settings. Most importantly, the backpack design aligned seamlessly with the customer’s patient-centric philosophy.

SI Jacobson continues to support the customer with ongoing updates and refinements as IV pump technology advances. Through a collaborative, domestic manufacturing approach, the partnership delivers reliable, compliant, and scalable solutions that evolve alongside the needs of healthcare providers.

This case study demonstrates how thoughtful design, material expertise, and disciplined execution can transform a medical backpack into a critical component of modern IV therapy programs, improving outcomes for caregivers and patients alike.

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