A preterm infant human milk feeding device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a premature infant breast feeding device, including feeding instrument, stomach tube, breast pump and nipple, the breast pump has wired or wireless connection with feeding instrument, the milk outlet end of breast pump is connected with the lactation end of feeding instrument, the nipple is connected with feeding instrument, be provided with the sucking detector of detection baby sucking state in the nipple, when sucking detector detects the sucking action of baby, produces corresponding electric signal feedback to feeding instrument, the feeding instrument controls breast pump to start sucking, and makes the breast milk that sucks to send into the stomach of baby through stomach tube, spares breast milk storage link, reduces the pollution risk, keeps the fresh nutrition, especially suitable for premature infant and weak infant of swallowing function, satisfies the feeding demand of its because sucking force is insufficient, simultaneously, the continuous breast feeding can solve the breast distension of mother, the back milk trouble.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of newborn feeding technology, and in particular to a breastfeeding device for premature infants. Background Technology

[0002] Newborn feeding has always been a crucial aspect of medical care and family childcare. For newborns who cannot feed themselves through sucking, especially premature infants or those with certain illnesses, traditional feeding methods present numerous challenges. Although breast milk is the best source of nutrition for newborns, these infants often have weak sucking abilities and cannot obtain enough milk to meet their feeding needs through independent sucking. They are typically fed via a feeding tube connected to a feeding device.

[0003] Currently, most premature infants are primarily fed formula, supplemented with mixed feeding using breast milk stored by their mothers in the hospital. Taking the invention patent CN202310291945.2, entitled "An Intelligent Feeding Method, System, and Electronic Equipment for Premature Infants," as an example, while the device can deliver both formula and breast milk, when breastfeeding, the breast milk needs to be expressed and stored in the device before being pumped into the premature infant's stomach. Therefore, the breastfeeding process is not only cumbersome, but the method of pre-expressing and refrigerating breast milk may also affect its freshness and active ingredients. Furthermore, throughout the feeding process, the mother and premature infant are separated; the mother cannot see her child or witness the infant suckling for extended periods, which is detrimental to promoting breast milk production.

[0004] Therefore, existing technologies still need to be improved and enhanced. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a breastfeeding device for premature infants, which allows the mother to suck out breast milk and deliver it directly to the infant's stomach while holding the baby, so that infants with weak sucking or swallowing abilities can eat fresh breast milk.

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A breastfeeding device for premature infants includes a feeding device and a gastric tube. The gastric tube is connected to the milk outlet of the feeding device. The device also includes a breast pump and a nipple. The breast pump is connected to the feeding device via wired or wireless connection. The milk outlet of the breast pump is connected to the milk inlet of the feeding device. The nipple is connected to the feeding device. The nipple is equipped with a sucking detector that detects the infant's sucking action. When the sucking detector detects the infant's sucking action, it generates a corresponding electrical signal and sends it back to the feeding device. The feeding device then controls the breast pump to start pumping milk and delivers the pumped breast milk into the infant's stomach through the gastric tube.

[0008] In the aforementioned premature infant breastfeeding device, the feeding instrument is equipped with a milk storage bag, and the milk storage bag is equipped with a milk inlet connector and a milk outlet connector.

[0009] In the aforementioned premature infant breastfeeding device, the breast pump is a non-assisted breast pump, which includes a massage cup for adsorbing the breast, a breast pump main unit, a milk delivery tube, and a shell. The massage cup is fixed to the shell, the breast pump main unit provides negative pressure to the massage cup, and the milk delivery tube is connected to the milk outlet of the massage cup.

[0010] In the aforementioned premature infant breastfeeding device, the massage cup is provided with a suction hole, and the breast pump main unit includes an air pump and a pipeline, one end of which is connected to the air pump and the other end of which is connected to the suction hole.

[0011] In the aforementioned premature infant breastfeeding device, the bottom of the massage cup is provided with a milk outlet, the milk outlet is provided with a one-way valve, and the outer shell has a fixing slot for the milk outlet to extend out.

[0012] In the aforementioned breastfeeding device for premature infants, the gastric tube is equipped with a speed regulator and a flow meter.

[0013] In the aforementioned premature infant breastfeeding device, the speed controller includes a housing, a speed regulating component, and a rotary control component. The housing has a through hole for a milk delivery tube or gastric tube to pass through. The rotary control component is located at one end of the speed regulating component, and the other end of the speed regulating component is suspended and can extend into the through hole to block a portion of the through hole. The speed regulating component is screwed to the housing. The housing has a digital label for indicating the speed setting at one end of the rotary control component, and the rotary control component has an indicator label.

[0014] In the aforementioned premature infant breastfeeding device, the breast pump and the feeding device are detachably connected.

[0015] In the aforementioned premature infant breastfeeding device, the nipple is provided with a head-locking rope, a fastening rope, or Velcro on both sides.

[0016] Compared to existing technologies, the premature infant breastfeeding device provided by this invention incorporates a sucking detector within the nipple to detect the infant's sucking action. When the detector detects the infant's sucking motion, it generates a corresponding electrical signal that is fed back to the feeding device. The feeding device then controls the breast pump to begin pumping, delivering the pumped breast milk through a gastric tube into the infant's stomach. This eliminates the need for breast milk storage, significantly reducing the risk of breast milk contamination and maximizing the preservation of freshness and nutritional activity. During feeding, the mother can easily hold and gently stroke the infant, establishing a close emotional bond through skin contact, gentle touch, and witnessing the infant sucking on the nipple, which promotes breast milk production. Simultaneously, the gastric tube feeding method is beneficial for infants with weak sucking and swallowing abilities, meeting nutritional needs while gradually developing the infant's sucking skills. Furthermore, the device's continuous pumping function alleviates concerns such as engorgement and milk reduction for mothers. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the breastfeeding device for premature infants provided by this utility model.

[0018] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the milk storage bag in the breastfeeding device for premature infants provided by this utility model.

[0019] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the breast pump in the premature infant breastfeeding device provided by this utility model.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the breast pump in the premature infant breastfeeding device provided by this utility model.

[0021] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the speed regulator in the premature infant breastfeeding device provided by this utility model.

[0022] Attached image annotations:

[0023] 1. Feeding device; 11. Milk storage bag; 12. Milk inlet connector; 13. Milk outlet connector; 14. Sealing clip; 2. Gastric tube; 3. Breast pump; 3. Massage cup; 31. Suction hole; 311. Milk outlet; 312. One-way valve; 313. First massage protrusion; 315. Second massage protrusion; 316. Breast pump main unit; 32. Air pump; 321. Tubing; 322. Milk delivery tube; 33. Outer shell; 34. Fixing clip; 341. Tube opening; 342. Nipples; 4. Suction detector; 41. Head fixing rope; 42. Attachment part; 43. Speed ​​controller; 5. Housing; 51. Speed ​​adjustment component; 52. Knob control component; 53. Flow meter; 6. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model.

[0025] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "mounted on," "fixed to," or "set on" another component, it can be directly on the other component or may have an intervening component present. When a component is referred to as being "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or may have an intervening component present.

[0026] It should also be noted that the directional terms such as left, right, up, and down in the embodiments of this utility model are only relative concepts or are based on the normal use state of the product, and should not be considered as restrictive.

[0027] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The premature infant breastfeeding device provided by this utility model includes a feeding device 1, a gastric tube 2, a breast pump 3, and a nipple 4. The breast pump 3 is connected to the feeding device 1 via wired or wireless means, that is, the breast pump 3 and the feeding device 1 can communicate via wired or wireless means. For wireless communication, both the breast pump 3 and the feeding device 1 can be equipped with a wireless transceiver module (such as a Bluetooth module or a Wi-Fi module). The wireless transceiver module is existing technology and will not be described in detail here.

[0028] The milk outlet of the breast pump 3 is connected to the milk inlet of the feeding device 1, and the nipple 4 is connected to the feeding device 1. The nipple 4 can be connected to the feeding device 1 in a wired or wireless manner.

[0029] The nipple 4 is equipped with a sucking detector 41, such as a pressure detector, to detect the baby's sucking action. When the sucking detector 41 detects the baby's sucking action, it generates a corresponding electrical signal and sends it back to the feeding device 1. The feeding device 1 then controls the breast pump 3 to start pumping, and the pumped breast milk is delivered to the baby's stomach through the gastric tube 2. This integrated design not only achieves a deep integration of breast pumping and feeding functions, but also significantly improves the baby's feeding experience. By directly delivering the collected breast milk to the baby's stomach, the breast milk storage process is effectively eliminated, allowing the baby to consume fresh breast milk, fundamentally reducing the risk of breast milk contamination, and maximizing the preservation of the freshness and nutritional activity of the breast milk.

[0030] This device is particularly suitable for premature infants and infants whose swallowing function is not yet fully developed. Premature infants have a strong sucking instinct, but due to insufficient strength, they have difficulty obtaining breast milk independently. This device can meet their sucking and breastfeeding needs while ensuring safety. During feeding, mothers can easily hold and gently stroke their babies, establishing a close emotional bond through skin contact, gentle touch, and seeing the baby sucking on the nipple, which can promote breast milk production. At the same time, the feeding method via gastric tube is beneficial for infants with weak sucking and swallowing abilities, meeting nutritional needs while gradually training the baby's sucking ability. In addition, the device's continuous milk expression function also solves problems such as breast engorgement and milk reduction for mothers.

[0031] Preferably, the feeding device 1 is equipped with a milk storage bag 11, with a milk inlet connector 12 and a milk outlet connector 13 at its two ends. The milk inlet connector 12 is the milk inlet of the feeding device and is connected to the milk delivery tube 33 of the breast pump 3, while the milk outlet connector 13 is the milk outlet of the feeding device and is connected to the gastric tube 2. During feeding, the breast pump 3 pumps breast milk through the milk delivery tube 33 into the milk storage bag 11, and then delivers it to the infant's stomach through the gastric tube 2.

[0032] Furthermore, both the milk inlet connector 12 and the milk outlet connector 13 are equipped with sealing clips 14. When the baby is full but there is still breast milk remaining, the delivery of milk through the gastric tube 2 can be paused (while the breast pump 3 continues to pump), and the sealing clips 14 of the gastric tube 2 can be clamped to prevent leakage and bacterial invasion. After the breast is emptied, the milk inlet connector 12 is sealed with the sealing clips 14, and the gastric tube 2 and milk delivery tube 33 are removed to properly store the excess breast milk, which can then be fed directly to the baby through the gastric tube 2. The milk storage bag 11 can also be equipped with graduation lines so that medical staff can monitor the amount of breast milk.

[0033] Furthermore, the feeding device 1 is also equipped with a heating device (not shown in the figure), which can maintain the breast milk in the milk storage bag 11 at a constant temperature of about 37°C, ensuring that the baby can enjoy breast milk at a suitable temperature at any time. Since the heating device is a mature existing technology, it will not be described in detail here.

[0034] The feeding device 1 may include a control module (not shown in the figure), a start module (not shown in the figure), and a pumping module (not shown in the figure). The control module includes a Bluetooth module, which is paired and connected to the sucking detector 41 and can receive sucking action signals fed back by the sucking detector 41. The start module is connected to the breast pump 3 and flexibly controls the opening and closing of the breast pump 3 according to the start information output by the control module, ensuring that the breast pump's milk expression function is activated in time when the baby has a sucking need. The pumping module may use a peristaltic pump, with the gastric tube located in the pumping module. When there is breast milk in the milk storage bag 11, it can smoothly and efficiently deliver breast milk to the baby's stomach, thereby automatically and intelligently completing a series of milk expression and feeding operations according to the baby's sucking action, bringing users a convenient and efficient intelligent experience. This utility model does not limit the structure of the feeding device 1, as long as it can receive the sucking action information output by the sucking detector 41 and control the power on and off of the breast pump and peristaltic pump. The structure and function of the feeding device 1 are not the protection points of this utility model. Of course, existing feeding devices, such as feeding devices from brands such as Medela, Fresenius Kabi, and Smiths Medical, can also be used.

[0035] Please refer to the following: Figure 4 The breast pump 3 is a hands-free breast pump, comprising a massage cup 31 for suctioning the breast, a breast pump main unit 32, a milk delivery tube 33, and a housing 34. The massage cup 31 is fixed to the housing 34, and the breast pump main unit 32 provides negative pressure to the massage cup 31. The milk delivery tube 33 is connected to the milk outlet 312 of the massage cup 31. In use, the mother simply needs to gently press the massage cup 31 against her breast and secure it with a bra to easily begin the pumping process. This thoughtful design completely eliminates the hassle of holding the breast, allowing the mother to hold her baby while pumping and enjoy intimate contact with her child.

[0036] Specifically, the massage cup 31 is provided with a suction hole 311, and the breast pump main unit 32 includes an air pump 321 and a tubing 322. One end of the tubing 322 is connected to the air pump 321, and the other end of the tubing 322 is connected to the suction hole 311. The end of the air pump 321 is connected to a one-way valve on the outer casing, so that the air pump 321 can promptly produce the suction gas when it is working. When the air pump 321 is started, the strong airflow passes through the tubing 322 and the suction hole 311, which quickly creates a negative pressure inside the massage cup 31, and the milk suction action is completed.

[0037] The massage cup 31 has a milk outlet 312 at its bottom, and a one-way valve 313 is provided at the milk outlet 312. The one-way valve 313 acts as a seal when the air pump 321 generates negative pressure, preventing air from entering the massage cup 31 and ensuring efficient and stable milk expression. When the air pump 321 is running, it cycles between compression and automatic reset. In the automatic reset state, breast milk can be smoothly discharged through the milk delivery tube 33 into the milk storage bag 11. The outer shell 34 has a fixing slot 341 for the milk outlet 312 to extend out, which secures the milk outlet 312 and prevents displacement during milk expression. The bottom of the outer shell 34 also has a tube opening 342, to which one end of the milk delivery tube 33 is connected, and the other end of the milk delivery tube 33 is connected to the milk inlet connector 12 of the milk storage bag 11, allowing the expressed breast milk to be smoothly delivered into the milk storage bag 11.

[0038] To enhance milk extraction, a first massage protrusion 315 is provided on the inner wall of the end of the massage cup 31 (i.e., the end near the milk outlet 312). When negative pressure is generated inside the massage cup 31, the first massage protrusion 315 cooperates with the inner wall of the end of the massage cup 31 to gently and precisely press against the nipple. This unique design cleverly mimics the effect of a baby sucking on a nipple, providing just the right amount of stimulation to the nipple, thereby effectively promoting milk secretion and significantly improving milk extraction efficiency.

[0039] Furthermore, the cavity wall of the massage cup 31 is evenly distributed with multiple second massage protrusions 316. These second massage protrusions 316 are used for breast massage. As the air pump 321 cycles between tightening and automatically resetting states, the first massage protrusions 315 rhythmically rub the breast in sync with this movement. This gentle and continuous massage effectively promotes blood circulation in the breast, encouraging more milk to flow from the nipple, thereby further improving milk extraction efficiency.

[0040] Please continue reading. Figure 1 The gastric tube 2 is equipped with a speed controller 5 and a flow meter 6. The speed controller 5 can more accurately control the milk flow rate according to the actual needs of the newborn. With the digital speed controller 5, the feeder can flexibly adjust the milk flow rate according to the actual needs of the newborn to ensure that the milk flow rate is moderate and avoid the newborn from choking due to the milk flow rate being too fast, thereby ensuring the safety of newborn feeding.

[0041] Furthermore, the flow meter 6 can accurately measure the amount of breast milk flowing into the baby's stomach in real time, effectively avoiding common problems during feeding. On the one hand, it prevents overfeeding from overburdening the baby's digestive system, leading to discomfort such as spitting up and indigestion; on the other hand, it also avoids insufficient feeding, causing the baby to be hungry and cry incessantly. This precise feeding control provides a reliable guarantee for the baby's healthy growth.

[0042] In an alternative embodiment, please refer to Figure 5 The speed controller 5 is a digital speed controller. The speed controller 5 includes a housing 51, a speed regulating component 52, and a knob control component 53. The housing 51 has a through hole (not labeled in the figure) for the milk delivery tube 33 or the gastric tube 2 to pass through. The knob control component 53 is located at one end of the speed regulating component 52. The other end of the speed regulating component 52 is an arc surface and is suspended. The other end of the speed regulating component 52 can extend into the through hole and block part of the through hole. That is, the other end of the speed regulating component 52 can press against the milk delivery tube 33 or the gastric tube 2, causing the milk delivery tube 33 or the gastric tube 2 to deform and control the dripping speed of the milk. The speed regulating component 52 is threadedly connected to the housing 51. One end of the housing 51, located on the knob control component 53, is provided with a digital indicator for indicating the speed setting. The knob control component 53 is correspondingly provided with an indicator 54. During speed adjustment, the screw length between the speed regulating component 52 and the housing 51 is adjusted by rotating the knob control component 53, thereby adjusting the depth of the other end of the speed regulating component 52 extending into the through hole. This controls the cross-sectional size of the milk delivery tube 33 or the gastric tube 2 within the speed regulator 5, thus regulating the milk flow rate. This allows for more precise control of the milk flow rate. Furthermore, the speed regulator 5 has a simple structure, low cost, and is suitable for disposable feeding products. The curved end face also facilitates deformation of the milk delivery tube 33 or the gastric tube 2 during rotation.

[0043] Of course, the structure of the speed controller 5 is not limited to this. It can also use the infusion drip rate regulator on the existing infusion tube, or other types of digital speed controller 5, such as the speed controller 5 disclosed in the patent with patent number 202323646116.6. It can be used to adjust the liquid flow rate simply by installing it on the milk infusion tube 33 or the gastric tube 2.

[0044] The breast pump 3 and the feeding device 1 are detachably connected. This design not only allows users to perform deep cleaning of both components separately, effectively ensuring hygiene and safety, but also makes the product more flexible in its use. Users can use them together for efficient integrated milk expression and feeding; or they can separate the breast pump 3 and the feeding device 1 for independent use, easily meeting the needs of either milk expression and storage or feeding alone, greatly improving the product's ease of use and applicability. The gastric tube 2 is also detachably connected to the feeding device 1, allowing for direct replacement with a new gastric tube 2 after each feeding to ensure hygiene.

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, the nipple 4 is provided with a head-locking rope 42, a fastening rope, or Velcro on both sides to help secure the nipple 4 and prevent it from falling off during use. The head-locking rope 42 or the fastening rope is an elastic rope, which can better fit the newborn's face, ensure the stability of the nipple 4, and avoid causing pressure on the newborn, thus improving the comfort of use.

[0046] The nipple 4 has attachment portions 43 on both sides. A hydrocolloid is provided on the side of the attachment portion 43 that adheres to the newborn's face. The hydrocolloid has good adhesion, which helps to fix the nipple 4 in place, ensuring it will not easily fall off during the newborn's sucking process. Furthermore, the hydrocolloid material is soft and will not cause allergic reactions to the newborn's delicate skin, ensuring safety and comfort during use.

[0047] In summary, the premature infant breastfeeding device provided by this utility model includes a feeding device, a gastric tube, a breast pump, and a nipple. The breast pump is connected to the feeding device via wired or wireless connection. The milk outlet of the breast pump is connected to the milk inlet of the feeding device. The nipple is connected to the feeding device, and a sucking detector is installed in the nipple to detect the infant's sucking status. When the sucking detector detects the infant's sucking action, it generates a corresponding electrical signal and sends it back to the feeding device. The feeding device then controls the breast pump to start pumping, and the pumped breast milk is delivered to the infant's stomach through the gastric tube. This eliminates the need for breast milk storage, reduces the risk of contamination, and preserves the freshness and nutrition of the breast milk. This device is particularly suitable for premature infants and infants with underdeveloped swallowing functions, who, although possessing a sucking instinct, lack sufficient strength. The device can meet their breastfeeding needs while ensuring safety.

[0048] During feeding, mothers can hold their babies to establish a close emotional bond. Gastric tube delivery prevents choking and helps develop the baby's sucking ability. Simultaneously, continuous breastfeeding can resolve issues like breast engorgement and milk reduction in the mother, achieving multiple benefits including safe feeding, emotional bonding, and maternal health maintenance.

[0049] It is understood that those skilled in the art can make equivalent substitutions or changes based on the technical solution and inventive concept of this utility model, and all such substitutions or changes should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A breastfeeding device for premature infants, comprising a feeding device and a gastric tube, wherein the gastric tube is connected to the milk outlet end of the feeding device, characterized in that, It also includes a breast pump and a nipple. The breast pump is connected to the feeding device via wired or wireless connection. The milk outlet of the breast pump is connected to the milk inlet of the feeding device. The nipple is connected to the feeding device. The nipple is equipped with a sucking detector to detect the baby's sucking status. When the sucking detector detects the baby's sucking action, it generates a corresponding electrical signal and feeds it back to the feeding device. The feeding device controls the breast pump to start pumping and delivers the pumped breast milk into the baby's stomach through a gastric tube.

2. The premature infant breastfeeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding device is equipped with a milk storage bag, which has an inlet connector and an outlet connector.

3. The premature infant breastfeeding device according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both the milk inlet and milk outlet connectors are equipped with sealing clips.

4. The premature infant breastfeeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The breast pump is a hands-free breast pump, which includes a massage cup for adsorbing the breast, a breast pump main unit, a milk delivery tube, and a shell. The massage cup is fixed to the shell, the breast pump main unit provides negative pressure to the massage cup, and the milk delivery tube is connected to the milk outlet of the massage cup.

5. The premature infant breastfeeding device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The massage cup is provided with a suction hole, and the breast pump main unit includes an air pump and a pipeline. One end of the pipeline is connected to the air pump, and the other end of the pipeline is connected to the suction hole.

6. The premature infant breastfeeding device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The bottom of the massage cup is provided with a milk outlet, and a one-way valve is provided at the milk outlet. The outer shell has a fixing slot for the milk outlet to extend out.

7. The premature infant breastfeeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gastric tube is equipped with a speed controller and a flow meter.

8. The premature infant breastfeeding device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The speed controller includes a housing, a speed regulating component, and a rotary control component. The housing has a through hole for a milk tube or gastric tube to pass through. The rotary control component is located at one end of the speed regulating component, and the other end of the speed regulating component is suspended and can extend into the through hole to block a portion of the through hole. The speed regulating component is screwed to the housing. The housing has a digital label for indicating the speed regulation level at one end of the rotary control component, and the rotary control component has an indicator label.

9. The premature infant breastfeeding device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The breast pump and gastric tube are detachably connected to the feeding device.

10. The premature infant breastfeeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The nipple is provided with a head-locking rope, a fastening rope, or Velcro on both sides.

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