Breast pump device, controller for the device and control method
By introducing a controller and sensors into the breast pump, the pressure mode is dynamically adjusted according to the milk flow rate, solving the problem of high energy consumption of the breast pump and achieving a balance between power saving and milk collection efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
- Filing Date
- 2021-09-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing breast pumps have high energy consumption during milk expression, especially in expression mode, which consumes a lot of power and affects the battery life of portable battery-powered devices.
The pressure source of the breast pump is controlled by a controller, which switches between low-energy mode and extrusion mode according to changes in milk flow. The milk flow is monitored by a sensor, and the pump switches to low-energy mode when the milk flow is low or there is no milk flow, thereby reducing power consumption.
It effectively reduces the power consumption of the breast pump, extends battery life, and maintains milk expression efficiency, adapting to the different breastfeeding characteristics of different users.
Smart Images
Figure CN116194163B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a breast pump device and a method of operating a breast pump device. Background Technology
[0002] Women who breastfeed use breast pumps to express milk from their breasts so that the expressed milk can be fed to their babies later.
[0003] It is well known that breast milk is the best nutrition for infants. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding for at least one year, preferably longer. However, mothers often return to work after only a few weeks or months. To provide their babies with the best nutrition, mothers can use a breast pump to express milk. The expressed milk is stored and fed to the baby at later stages and / or by others.
[0004] Typically, the breast is placed in a funnel-shaped cup, and a vacuum is applied to extract milk. Breast pumps usually have stimulation and extraction modes to activate the milk ejection reflex (MER).
[0005] Typically, the transition from stimulation mode to extrusion mode is not based on MER detection. It is either time-based, i.e., a fixed time after opening, or manually controlled by pressing a button.
[0006] It has been recognized that automatic detection of MER can be used to automatically switch between different modes.
[0007] WO2011 / 010255 discloses a breast pump with multiple modes, including a stimulation mode (called the release mode) and a squeezing mode. It can automatically switch from the stimulation mode to the squeezing mode based on various sensed values.
[0008] Once in expression mode, the breastfeeding session continues until a certain amount of milk has been collected, or a certain time has elapsed, or the mother chooses to stop.
[0009] US2020 / 0078503 discloses a breast pump in which milk flow parameters are sensed for automatic control of the milk expression process. One proposed operating mode is to alternate between a stimulation mode and a squeezing mode.
[0010] WO2016 / 014469 discloses a breast pump with, for example, a sensor for measuring pressure, which allows pressure waveforms to be plotted during pump operation. The waveforms can be used to determine when milk flow begins. Based on feedback, the circulation frequency or pressure amplitude can be controlled to optimize milk extraction.
[0011] WO00 / 57934 discloses a breast pump that enables non-nutrient sucking cycles (i.e., stimulation cycles with rapid, repeated low vacuum pulses) and nutrient sucking cycles (i.e., extrusion cycles with slow, repeated strong vacuum pulses).
[0012] Many breast pumps are battery-powered to make them portable. Therefore, power consumption is an issue, and it's desirable to operate the pump as efficiently as possible. However, the extrusion mode consumes a significant amount of power due to the application of high vacuum levels (high negative pressure). Summary of the Invention
[0013] This invention is defined by the claims.
[0014] According to an example of one aspect of the invention, a controller for a breast pump device is provided, wherein the controller is used to control the operation of a pressure source of the breast pump device to apply negative pressure, the controller comprising:
[0015] Input, used to receive input signals related to milk flow during a breast pump session using the breast pump device; and
[0016] The output is used to control the operation of the pressure source according to the input signal, thereby switching from a low-energy mode with a first pressure curve of the pressure source to an extrusion mode with a different second pressure curve of the pressure source during milk expression, and switching from the extrusion mode to the low-energy mode.
[0017] There is also a stimulation pattern with a third pressure curve having a pressure source, where the first through third pressure curves are all different. The output is then used to control the operation of the pressure source to follow a sequence including stimulation patterns followed by alternating extrusion and low-energy modes.
[0018] A breast pumping session therefore consists of multiple time cycles with a low-energy mode and multiple time cycles with a squeezing mode.
[0019] The controller monitors milk flow during a pumping session (not just at the beginning), allowing the pump to switch between low-energy and squeezing modes throughout the session. Squeezing mode is used when milk is flowing, while low-energy mode is used when milk flow has stopped, is decreasing (thus indicating the end of a squeezing cycle), or has fallen below a threshold level. This minimizes the duration of the most power-intensive mode (squeezing mode). Multiple low-energy mode times and multiple squeezing mode times are possible (depending on the mother's milk flow profile).
[0020] The breast pumping session begins in stimulation mode, followed by expression mode. However, the expression mode is interrupted by a low-energy mode.
[0021] Therefore, stimulation is performed at the beginning of pumping, followed by a low-energy pattern of expression patterns distributed throughout the pumping session.
[0022] The low-energy mode has a different pressure profile than both the initial stimulation mode and the extrusion mode. For example, it can have a frequency corresponding to the extrusion mode but with a lower negative pressure level. Compared to the extrusion mode, it can have a different dwell-in or dwell-out time.
[0023] The low-energy mode is "low-energy" because it has lower electrical power consumption (i.e., energy usage per unit time) than the squeeze mode or stimulation mode.
[0024] This invention is partly based on the understanding that within what is generally considered the milk expression time, there exist time periods of high milk flow and time periods of low or no milk flow, thus generating locally varying milk flow patterns. The low-energy mode is used during periods of low or no milk flow. The low-energy mode can be considered any mode that maintains the cyclic pressure waveform, suitable for waiting for milk expression. It has a different pressure profile than the expression mode, particularly a reduced maximum negative pressure level, as it is designed to conserve power rather than achieve maximum milk flow. It also has a different pressure profile than the initial stimulation mode.
[0025] A breast pumping session preferably comprises a continuous sequence of time cycles of low-energy mode and expression mode.
[0026] Different types of pressure profiles can be used for low-energy modes, and different types of pressure profiles can be used for extrusion modes. A continuous sequence means that these different modes (each with the same pressure profile or with different pressure profiles) are used multiple times in the same session (rather than each being a separate session).
[0027] As mentioned above, the low-energy mode consumes less electrical power than the extrusion mode and less electrical power than the stimulation mode. Therefore, energy saving is achieved by switching from the extrusion mode to the low-energy mode whenever the sensed milk flow is appropriate.
[0028] The low-energy mode, for example, has a lower maximum negative pressure level than the extrusion mode. This allows for reduced power consumption. The extrusion mode, for example, has a maximum negative pressure higher than 200 millibars (20 kPa), while the low-energy mode has a maximum negative pressure lower than 200 millibars (20 kPa). The negative pressure level is the pressure level relative to (and below) the ambient pressure level.
[0029] The input signal can indicate the detection of one or more milk droplets or cumulative milk flow rate or milk flow rate gradient or trend of milk flow rate gradient. In each case, the input signal can be used to indicate that a local cycle of milk expression is about to end or has already ended.
[0030] The controller can be adapted to derive the relationship between cumulative milk flow and time for a specific user, and from this relationship, to derive the operating procedure for the pressure sources of that specific user. Therefore, the controller can learn from sensing to derive a customized pressure sequence for a specific user. This customized pressure sequence can then have lower power consumption than when using sensor feedback, because the sensor can then be deactivated.
[0031] This invention also provides a breast pump device, including
[0032] At least one breast receiving portion is configured to receive a user's breast;
[0033] A pressure source, the pressure source being coupled to the at least one breast receptacle and configured to generate at least negative pressure;
[0034] Sensors are used to generate the input signal related to milk flow during a breast pumping session; and
[0035] The controllers specified above.
[0036] Sensors include, for example, optical sensors. This can be used to detect the passage of milk droplets during breast pumping, such as between the breast receiving section and the collection container.
[0037] The sensor includes, for example, an optical transmitter device, an optical detector device, and an output that provides a signal indication of the presence of expressed milk.
[0038] The device preferably includes a battery-operated device. Therefore, the gain in power efficiency enables the extension of battery life.
[0039] The present invention also provides a computer-implemented non-therapeutic method for controlling a breast pump device, the breast pump device including at least one breast receiving portion configured to receive a user's breast and a pressure source coupled to the at least one breast receiving portion and configured to generate at least negative pressure, the method comprising:
[0040] Receive input signals related to milk flow during a breast pump session using the breast pump device; and
[0041] The operation of the pressure source is controlled according to the input signal, thereby switching from a low-energy mode with a first pressure curve of the pressure source to an extrusion mode with a different second pressure curve of the pressure source during a breast pumping session, and switching from the extrusion mode to the low-energy mode.
[0042] There is also a stimulation pattern with a third pressure curve from a pressure source, where the first through third pressure curves are all different. The method involves controlling the operation of the pressure source to follow a sequence of stimulation patterns, which are followed by alternating extrusion and low-energy modes.
[0043] Therefore, a breast pumping session can include multiple time cycles with a low-energy mode and multiple time cycles with a squeezing mode.
[0044] Compared to the extrusion mode, the low-energy mode preferably has lower power consumption and a lower maximum negative pressure level. The input signal indicates the detection of milk droplets or milk flow rate level or milk flow rate gradient.
[0045] Compared to extrusion mode, low-energy mode has, for example:
[0046] Lower power consumption; and
[0047] Lower maximum negative pressure level and / or longer ingress time and / or longer egress time and / or longer rise time.
[0048] This method can be implemented in software.
[0049] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below. Attached Figure Description
[0050] To provide a better understanding of the invention and to more clearly illustrate how the invention can be implemented, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings by way of example only, wherein:
[0051] Figure 1 A breast pump system according to the present invention is shown;
[0052] Figure 2 An example of a breast pump design is shown in more detail;
[0053] Figure 3 An example of a typical pressure cycle during extrusion is shown in schematic form;
[0054] Figure 4 It shows a more realistic pressure waveform;
[0055] Figure 5 A typical milk expression pattern during a breast pumping session is shown;
[0056] Figure 6 It shows the relationship with Figure 5 The same graph, but showing that low-energy modes (e.g., stimulation modes) can be used multiple times within a breastfeeding session; and
[0057] Figure 7 An example of a sensor implemented as an optical sensor is shown. Detailed Implementation
[0058] The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0059] It should be understood that while the detailed description and specific examples indicate exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method, they are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus, system, and method of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are merely schematic and not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used in all the drawings to denote the same or similar parts.
[0060] This invention provides a breast pump device and a controller for a pressure source for operating the breast pump device. Milk flow rate is monitored during a breast pumping session. The pressure source is controlled based on the flow rate, thereby switching between a first pressure profile for a low-energy mode and a second pressure profile for a squeezing mode during breast pumping. Thus, a breast pumping session can, for example, include multiple time periods with a low-energy mode and multiple time periods with a squeezing mode to reduce power consumption.
[0061] Figure 1 A breast pump system according to the present invention is shown.
[0062] The basic known components will be described first. The breast pump system 1 includes a breast pump 2 (also called an extrusion unit) and an operating unit 3. The operating unit is basically a pump unit (vacuum pump), related hardware, and a pump controller 3'.
[0063] The breast pump 2 and the operating unit 3 are connected via a hose 4. The hose 4 provides fluid communication between the breast pump 2 and the operating unit 3. The hose 4 can also be used to provide an electrical connection between the breast pump 2 and the operating unit 3. For example, the hose 4 can provide an operating signal or power between the breast pump and the operating unit. In an alternative embodiment, the operating unit 3 is directly mounted and connected to the breast pump 2.
[0064] The breast pump 2 has a body 5, a funnel 6, and a collection container 7. The collection container 7 collects the milk expressed from the user's breast and can be in the form of a milk bottle, bag, or any suitable container. The collection container 7 is threadedly attached to the body 5; however, it should be understood that other releasable connection devices, such as clips (not shown), can also be used.
[0065] A funnel 6 for receiving the breast extends from the main body 5. The funnel 6 is configured to receive the user's breast. The funnel 6 has a mouth 8 and a throat 9. The mouth 8 opens at the outer end of the funnel 6 to receive the user's breast, and the funnel 6 converges from the outer end toward the throat 9 to form a hollow recess for receiving the breast.
[0066] The main body 5 connects the funnel 6 to the collection container 7. A fluid channel 10 is formed from the breast-containing space of the funnel 6 through the main body 5 to the collection container 7 (e.g., Figure 2 (As shown). The body 5 is formed of an outer shell. The body 5 is integrally formed with the funnel 6; however, it should be understood that the funnel 6 may be removable. In this arrangement, the body 5 is formed of polypropylene; however, it should be understood that suitable alternative materials may be used.
[0067] In addition to the standard components mentioned above Figure 1 A sensor 30 for sensing milk flow information is shown. As described below, the controller 3' uses this information to adjust the applied pressure curve.
[0068] Now refer to Figure 2 A chamber 12 is formed within the main body 5. This chamber forms part of a vacuum path. The chamber 12 is in fluid communication with a fluid passage 10 between the funnel 6 and the collection container 7. The chamber 12 has a vacuum port 13. The vacuum port 13 provides a port for communication with the operating unit 3. A hose 4 can be installed to the vacuum port 13 to fluidly connect the chamber 12 to the operating unit 3.
[0069] Membrane 14 is housed within chamber 12. Membrane 14, also called a diaphragm, is flexible. The outer edge of membrane 14 is attached to chamber 12. Membrane 14 divides chamber 12 into a first space 15 and a second space 16. First space 15 communicates with vacuum port 13. First space 15 forms part of the first segment of the vacuum path. Second space 16 communicates with fluid channel 10 between the breast-containing space of funnel 6 and collection container 7. Second space 16 forms part of the first segment of the vacuum path.
[0070] A check valve 17 is provided in the fluid passage 10. The check valve 17 prevents a pressure drop from forming in the collection container 7. The check valve is, for example, a duckbill valve.
[0071] Membrane 14 is formed, for example, from silicone resin. However, it should be understood that membrane 14 can be formed from another suitable material.
[0072] The flexible membrane 14 has a predetermined shape. In this device, the membrane 14 has a substantially cup-shaped arrangement in the neutral state. That is, when the membrane 14 is contained in the chamber 12, the membrane 14 does not deform. However, it should be understood that the membrane 14 may have alternative shapes.
[0073] Operating unit 3 includes a pump controller 3', a power source, a motor, and a pump unit actuated by the motor. The pump unit is configured to generate and release pressure reduction (i.e., vacuum) in a vacuum path, for example, using pressure reducing valves separate from the pump unit, although these pressure reducing valves can be combined into a single unit. The controller 3' controls the operation of these components of operating unit 3.
[0074] The controller 3' operates the pump unit in a stroke sequence, each stroke including a vacuum generation phase and a vacuum release phase. During vacuum generation, the udder is stimulated to express milk. This milk flows to the fluid channel 10. During the vacuum release phase, the milk enters the collection container through the one-way valve 17. A small opening may be provided to allow air to escape from the bottle. This can be located at the threaded connection.
[0075] This is just one example of a breast pump design. The present invention relates to the pressure profile applied during a breast pumping session and can be applied to any known breast pump design.
[0076] Figure 3 A typical pressure cycle applied by the pump unit of operating unit 3 during the extrusion process is illustrated in schematic form. This includes control signals to the pump unit, and thus the pressure cycle between the baseline vacuum "Baseline_Vac" and the maximum vacuum (i.e., maximum undervoltage) "Max_Vac".
[0077] First, there is the time to reach (maximum) vacuum, TTV; then the dwell time, DI; then the time to reach atmospheric pressure (or baseline vacuum), TTA; and finally the dwell time, DO. Vacuum rate is defined as Max_Vac / TTV, and atmospheric rate is defined as Max_Vac / TTA.
[0078] By example:
[0079] Baseline_Vac = Atmospheric pressure
[0080] Maximum vacuum Max_Vac / TTV = 300 millibars (30 kPa) at atmospheric pressure.
[0081] The time to reach (maximum) vacuum is TTV = 0.85s.
[0082] Incubation time DI = 0.3s
[0083] The time to reach atmospheric pressure (or baseline vacuum) is TTA = 0.05 s.
[0084] Stationary time DO = 0.35s
[0085] This gives a total cycle time of 1.55 seconds, T_cycle.
[0086] These values are just examples. The maximum negative pressure can be higher, for example, 350 millibars (35 kPa), and the duration can vary. The cycle time is typically on the order of 1-2 seconds.
[0087] Figure 4 A more realistic pressure waveform is shown. Arrows representing vacuum rates are also shown.
[0088] During a breastfeeding session, the milk flow pattern evolves primarily due to the occurrence of the milk ejection reflex (MER). Therefore, several MERs can occur within a single session.
[0089] exist Figure 5 The diagram illustrates a typical pattern for a complete 800-second breast pumping session. The stimulation pattern occurs during time cycles of 50, for example, lasting 50 seconds. The stimulation pattern features a faster frequency (and therefore a shorter cycle time of approximately 0.5 seconds) and a lower vacuum (e.g., a maximum negative pressure level of 150 mbar (15 kPa). The expression pattern typically occurs for the remainder of the breastfeeding session.
[0090] Curve 52 shows the cumulative mass of milk collected over time (in grams, using the left y-axis scale). Curve 54 shows the milk flow rate (in g / s, using the right y-axis scale), thus illustrating the first derivative of curve 52. The derivative of the flow rate signal 52 (not shown) has a positive period as the flow rate increases and a negative period as the flow rate decreases.
[0091] This invention provides a system for controlling a pressure source to switch between, and typically multiple times, a squeezing pressure profile and a low-energy pressure profile (in both directions) during a breastfeeding session. Different pressure profiles are selected based on milk flow rate captured by sensor 30.
[0092] Figure 6 It shows the relationship with Figure 5 The same graph, but showing that the low-energy mode can be used multiple times within a breastfeeding session. Three additional cycles of the low-energy mode have been added.
[0093] The system can switch to low-energy mode based on analysis of cumulative milk volume (curve 52), milk flow rate (curve 54), or milk flow rate trend (derivative of curve 54). Figure 6 The diagram shows a decrease in milk flow rate from a local peak by a given amount, indicating that the extrusion cycle is about to end. For example, a specific gradient threshold for the milk flow rate (i.e., when curve 54 increases at a specific rate) can be used to trigger the extrusion mode.
[0094] One example involves switching to low-energy mode when a decrease in milk flow rate from a local peak (curve 54), for example, a decrease of 30%. This triggers a switch in the vacuum profile setting. Similarly, a switch back to extrusion mode can be achieved by increasing the milk flow rate by a certain amount from a local minimum.
[0095] Another example is detecting the slope of the milk flow rate curve 54 and switching to a low-energy mode when the slope transitions from positive to negative. When the slope transitions from negative to positive, the system can switch to extrusion mode. After transitioning to a negative slope, a waiting time, such as 10 seconds, can be implemented before the transition to allow a partial cycle of milk extrusion to complete.
[0096] It can be seen that various measures can be used to detect when a mode transition occurs.
[0097] Therefore, there are multiple time cycles with a low-energy mode (plus the initial stimulation mode, which is 3 in this example) and multiple time cycles with a squeezing mode (which is 4 in this example). They alternate as shown in the figure and define the entire continuous time series (i.e., they are parts of the same breast pumping session).
[0098] Depending on the mother's feeding characteristics, there may be, for example, 1 to 10 low-energy pattern cycles (in addition to the initial stimulation pattern) and 2 to 10 squeezing pattern cycles. This number will depend on the number of MERs, which is typically 1 to approximately 10.
[0099] The time cycle of low-energy modes has, for example, a lower negative pressure than that of extrusion modes; for instance, a negative pressure of 15 kPa in stimulation modes instead of 30 kPa in extrusion modes. Conversely, they can have a lower negative pressure than stimulation modes.
[0100] Low-energy modes can include long-duration cycles, thereby reducing switching energy. Low-energy mode cycles can, for example, have the same period as the extrusion mode, i.e., the aforementioned longer duration (e.g., 1.5 s) cycles.
[0101] Low-energy modes can have different time curves and pressure levels than stimulation and extrusion modes.
[0102] The low-energy mode can, for example, have the same rise and fall times (TTV, TTA) as the extrusion mode, but with increased dwell time (DI) and / or dwell time (DO), thus extending the cycle time to a longer duration than that of the extrusion mode.
[0103] Low-energy modes can, for example, have longer (i.e., lower gradients, i.e., slower) rise times (TTV). Similarly, this will prolong the cycle period.
[0104] In all cases, the low-energy mode is designed to reduce power consumption while still enabling restarting the extrusion process.
[0105] Therefore, when a short-term (temporally) extrusion cycle is detected to be about to end or has already ended, the breast pump switches from stimulation mode to extrusion mode (as is known), and also from extrusion mode to low-energy mode. The breast pump then switches between low-energy mode and extrusion mode.
[0106] Sensing to determine when to switch between modes can be performed in various ways.
[0107] Figure 7 An example of sensor 30, implemented as an optical sensor located at the neck of the extrusion kit, is shown. It shows a cross-section through the fluid channel 10 as viewed from above. It shows valve 17 and a milk droplet 60 at the valve. The extruded milk passes through the neck before reaching the bottom of the collection container. Therefore, the passage of the milk droplet through the neck can be sensed.
[0108] The detection can be based on the interruption of the detection beam, or it can be based on measuring changes in reflected or scattered light returning from the emulsion layer on the inner wall of the extrusion kit.
[0109] In this example, the optical sensor may include a snap-hold retainer that can snap onto the neck of the extrusion kit.
[0110] One or more emitters and one or more detectors can be mounted on the exterior of the extrusion kit. This design can utilize the diffusion properties of the material used to manufacture the extrusion kit (e.g., silicone). As the emitter, an LED with a large divergence angle (approximately 120 degrees) can serve as the illumination source, and the light emitted from the interior after passing through the material presents a near-diffuse illumination pattern across the entire head of the illuminating bottle. This allows for the detection of any small changes on the detector caused by variations in absorption and scattering due to the flowing emulsion. Therefore, a single emitter and a single detector are sufficient.
[0111] Figure 7 Instead, the example includes three emitters (LEDs) Led0, Led1, and Led2, and three detectors (photodiodes) PD0, PD1, and PD2. The signals obtained from the detectors are processed to determine the presence of milk droplets based on the changes in light intensity detected in all detectors.
[0112] Other sensor designs are also possible, such as those based on sound sensing (sensing the sound of falling droplets). In fact, any known sensor design can be used to detect or measure liquid flow.
[0113] In the example above, the presence of milk droplets is sensed and used to switch between settings. For example, a low-energy mode is activated when no milk is detected, and a squeezing mode is activated when milk droplets are detected. Alternatively, the switching can be based on a threshold level of milk flow rate, i.e., when a certain amount of additional flow (not just droplets) has occurred. Alternatively, the switching can be based on the slope of the milk flow volume, i.e., the gradient of the milk flow volume curve and the resulting flow rate.
[0114] Switching can be based on the trend of milk flow rate, i.e., the second derivative of the milk flow volume curve. Typically, when the flow rate decreases (negative second derivative), the pump can switch to a low-energy mode, while when the milk flow rate increases (positive second derivative), the pump can switch to an extrusion setting.
[0115] Therefore, sensing can be used for droplet detection, flow rate detection, flow rate detection, or flow rate trend detection. Any or all of these metrics can be used to determine when extrusion is occurring and when extrusion is ending or has ended.
[0116] In its simplest implementation, the breast pump has only a stimulation mode (as a low-energy mode) and a delivery mode. However, other modes may exist, such as a massage mode, and the low-energy mode may differ from the initial stimulation mode.
[0117] When the user turns on the pump, the initial stimulation mode is activated. As milk begins to flow, sensors detect the milk and switch the pump settings to extrusion mode. When the milk flow rate decreases to a certain level, the pump then switches back to a low-energy mode (such as stimulation mode) to conserve energy.
[0118] When the milk flow increases again, the pump switches back to extrusion mode.
[0119] The energy-saving method of the present invention has been evaluated for its effectiveness in milk collection based on a volunteer study, which has two types of vacuum curve settings applied to multiple volunteers.
[0120] The first type is the standard extrusion setting, where the maximum negative pressure is 350 mbar (35 kPa). The second type alternates between the standard extrusion setting (also with a maximum negative pressure level of 350 mbar (35 kPa)) and the low energy setting (with a maximum negative pressure level of 150 mbar (15 kPa)) (in which case the milk flow is low or non-existent).
[0121] The results showed that the same average time and the same average collection quality for the session indicated that a high-power extrusion profile was only required during the milk flow period, while switching to a low-energy mode at other times did not reduce the overall milk extrusion efficiency.
[0122] It has been shown that after the initial initiation of milk flow, the milk flow pattern is similar for any individual mother. Therefore, after initially determining the milk flow pattern, a program can be derived that switches between pump settings that are optimal for a particular user. Thus, a personalized, fixed program can be designed for the mother, rather than continuously modifying the pump curve.
[0123] The above method can then be incorporated into a calibration routine. This calibration routine can be applied only once or periodically. For example, calibration can be performed when mains power is available, and a fixed routine can be used when operating from battery to save power.
[0124] This method is non-therapeutic because it is only used to enable mothers to express milk for later feeding to the baby.
[0125] By studying the accompanying drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, those skilled in the art can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments in practicing the claimed invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.
[0126] The fact that certain measures are described in mutually different dependent claims does not mean that combinations of these measures cannot be used advantageously.
[0127] If the term “suitable” is used in the claims or specification, it should be noted that the term “suitable” is intended to be equivalent to the term “configured as”.
[0128] Any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.
Claims
1. A controller for a breast pump device, wherein the controller is used to control the operation of a pressure source of the breast pump device to apply negative pressure, the controller comprising: Input, used to receive input signals related to milk flow during a breast pumping session using the breast pump device; as well as An output for controlling the operation of the pressure source based on the input signal, characterized in that the output controls the operation of the pressure source to switch between three modes during the milk expression: Low-energy mode, having the first pressure curve of the pressure source; Extrusion mode, having a second pressure curve of the pressure source; and The stimulation mode has a third pressure curve of the pressure source, wherein the first pressure curve to the third pressure curve are all different. The output is used to control the operation of the pressure source to follow a sequence including the stimulation patterns, which are followed by alternating extrusion and low-energy patterns.
2. The controller of claim 1, wherein the breast pumping session comprises a continuous sequence of time periods of the low-energy mode and the pumping mode following the stimulation mode.
3. The controller according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the low-energy mode has a lower power consumption than each of the extrusion mode and the stimulation mode.
4. The controller according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the low-energy mode has a lower maximum negative pressure level and / or a longer dwell time and / or a longer dwell time than the extrusion mode.
5. The controller according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the extrusion mode has a maximum negative pressure higher than 20 kPa, and the low-energy mode has a maximum negative pressure lower than 20 kPa.
6. The controller according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the input signal indicates at least one of the following: detection of milk droplets; cumulative milk flow rate; milk flow rate gradient; and trend of the milk flow rate gradient.
7. The controller of claim 6, adapted to derive the relationship between the cumulative milk flow rate and time for a specific user, and adapted to derive the operating procedure of the pressure source for the specific user from the relationship.
8. A breast pump device, comprising: The controller according to any one of claims 1 to 7; At least one breast receiving portion is configured to receive a user's breast; A pressure source is coupled to the at least one breast receptacle and configured to generate at least negative pressure; as well as A sensor is used to generate the input signal related to the milk flow rate during the breast pumping session.
9. The breast pump device according to claim 8, wherein the sensor comprises an optical sensor.
10. The breast pump device according to claim 9, wherein the sensor comprises: Light emitter device; Optical detector device; as well as The output is used to provide a signal indicating the presence of expressed milk.
11. The breast pump device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, including a battery-operated device.
12. A computer-implemented non-therapeutic method for controlling a breast pump device, the breast pump device comprising at least one breast receiving portion and a pressure source, the at least one breast receiving portion being configured to receive a user's breast, and the pressure source being coupled to the at least one breast receiving portion and configured to generate at least negative pressure, the method comprising: During a breast pumping session using the breast pump device, an input signal related to milk flow rate is received; as well as The operation of the pressure source is controlled according to the input signal, thereby switching between the following during the milk pumping: Low-energy mode having the first pressure curve of the pressure source; Extrusion mode having a second pressure profile from the pressure source; as well as A stimulation pattern having a third pressure curve from the pressure source, wherein the first to the third pressure curves are all different. The method includes controlling the operation of the pressure source to follow a sequence including the stimulation pattern, which is followed by alternating extrusion and low-energy patterns.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the low-energy mode, compared to the extrusion mode, has: Lower power consumption; and Lower maximum negative pressure level and / or longer ingress time and / or longer egress time and / or longer rise time.
14. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 13, wherein the input signal indicates the detection of milk droplets or milk flow level or milk flow gradient.
15. A computer program comprising computer program code adapted to run on a controller of a breast pump device, wherein the computer program is adapted to implement the method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, and the breast pump device comprises: At least one breast receiving portion is configured to receive a user's breast; A pressure source is coupled to the at least one breast receptacle and configured to generate at least negative pressure; as well as A sensor is used to generate the input signal related to the milk flow rate during the breast pumping session.