Finger feeding tool

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tool (1) for use during the application of the finger feeding technique to support sucking coordination in infants. The invention provides a silicone tool (1) which is worn on the finger. The developed tool (1), besides meeting the hygiene requirement in finger feeding applications, can be used safely thanks to the odourless, tasteless and soft structure of silicone.

Description

[0001] FINGER FEEDING TOOL

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a tool for use during the application of the finger feeding technique for the coordination of sucking in infants.

[0004] Prior Art

[0005] Finger feeding technique is used to support oral stimulation, to ensure sucking coordination and to ensure transition to oral feeding in preterm infants. The application is performed with bare hands or examination gloves. The use of bare hands may cause harmful microorganisms to pass to the baby. Examination gloves, which are commonly made of latex, nitrile and vinyl, may contain harmful components that cause allergic reactions or harmful components that cause tastes or odours that disturb the baby or make the transition to usual feeding difficult.

[0006] In document CN114344166A discloses a finger feeding apparatus comprising a feeding bottle, a feeding hose and a finger glove. It is also indicated that the finger glove may be made of silicone.

[0007] In document US10149801B2 discloses a shield for use during breastfeeding. It is also indicated that the shield may be made of silicone. Although details are not disclosed, it is also mentioned that the protector can be adapted for finger feeding applications.

[0008] Documents EP2191808A2, US10251817B2, US2010308001A1 and US10596073B1 disclose various pacifiers, feeding bottles and stimulating devices. Their surfaces are also characterised by lumpy and similar textures and patterns of various scales and shapes.

[0009] In document US2021315290A1, a finger glove is disclosed. It is also indicated that the tip of the glove may have different roughness and similar textures and patterns for different purposes of use. Purposes of the Invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is the development of a finger feeding tool for the coordination of sucking in infants.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is the development of a hygienic finger feeding tool.

[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a finger feeding tool which does not contain any harmful components, which cause allergic reactions or which cause tastes or odours which disturb the infant or make it difficult to switch to usual feeding.

[0013] Brief Description of Invention

[0014] The invention provides a silicone tool which is slipped onto the finger. This tool meets the hygiene requirement in finger feeding applications and can be used safely thanks to the odourless, tasteless and soft structure of silicone.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in order to facilitate the transition from finger feeding to breastfeeding, the surface of the tool is also formed to resemble the lumpy structure of the areola of the breast.

[0016] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0017] The finger feeding tool for achieving the objects of the present invention is shown in the accompanying figures.

[0018] Figure 1 A perspective view of a finger feeding tool according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0019] Figure 2 Top view of the tool shown in Figure-1.

[0020] Figure 3 Side view of the tool shown in Figure-1.

[0021] Figure 4 Front (end) view of the tool shown in Figure 1.

[0022] Figure 5 A perspective view of a finger feeding tool according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0023] Figure 6 Top view of the tool shown in Figure-5. Figure 7 Side view of the tool shown in Figure-5.

[0024] Figure 8 Front (end) view of a finger feeding tool according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0025] The parts in the figures are numbered one by one and the equivalents of these numbers are given below.

[0026] 1. Tool

[0027] 2. Protrusion

[0028] The inventive finger feeding tool (1) essentially comprises a body in the form of a cylindrical shell suitable to be slipped onto a finger, and an end portion having a convex curved shape which closes one end of the cylindrical shell. The tool (1) is made of silicone. The tool (1) needs to be soft and flexible in order to adapt to the finger. For this purpose, medical silicone is preferably used in the manufacture of the tool (1), in particular medical silicone having a hardness of Shore A 20-60 and preferably a hardness of 30-40. Said silicone also comprises liquid silica gel, which extends the life of the tool (1) by exhibiting desiccant behaviour. Silicone is highly biocompatible, hypoallergenic, BPA-free, resistant to external impacts, tasteless and odourless, easily sterilisable at high temperatures.

[0029] The tool (1) has a thickness of 1-3 mm, preferably 2 mm.

[0030] The inventive tool (1) is suitable for safe use for newborns because the silicone is antiallergic, free from taste and odour, resistant to heat and light and soft.

[0031] A surface roughening process is applied to the inner surface of the tool (1). This prevents the tool (1) from slipping off the finger of the applicator.

[0032] The tool (1) prevents confusion in newborns due to its shape similar to a mother's nipple. In one embodiment of the invention, the end portion of the tool (1) has a textured protrusions (2) in order to resemble the mother's nipple (aerola) more closely. On the outer surface of the protrusion (2) end portion of the tool (1) of the invention, there are protrusions (2) (bubbles) similar to Montgomery tubercles. These protrusions (2) improve the sucking reflex of the newborn and prevent sucking confusion. This also facilitates the transition from breastfeeding to sucking. The said protrusions (2) consist of cylindrical or cone-shaped projections. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tool (1) has 10 to 20 protrusions (2) on the front and rear surfaces of the end portion. These protrusions (2) are positioned in the area between the zone 1 part of the finger, the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), at the middle phalanx and the fingertip.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the protrusions (2) on the tool (1) have the same raw material and structure as the tool (1). The protrusions (2) consist of flat projections which are continuously connected to the surface of the tool (1). This structure enables the tool (1) to be produced by moulding the tool (1) together with the protrusions (2) in one go.

[0034] Compared to bare finger use, the tool (1) prevents harmful microorganisms from passing from the finger to the baby, causing a risk of infection, and the nail of the practitioner (nurse, mother, etc.) from damaging the baby. Compared to use with latex, nitrile or vinyl examination gloves, it does not cause allergies and does not cause discomfort and confusion with taste and odour.

[0035] The tool (1) according to the invention can be produced in different sizes in accordance with the finger sizes of different practitioners. The sizes of the tool (1) according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention and the dimensions thereof are shown in Table 1.

[0036] Table 1 Exemplary size and dimensions of the tool (1) according to the invention

[0037] The inventive tool (1) is used by passing the tool (1) to the index or pinky finger of the practitioner. After the tool (1) is slipped onto the finger, the tip of the tool (1) is touched to the junction of the hard and soft palate of the baby. Thus, the sucking reflex of the baby is triggered. The tool (1) can be used in nutritive applications or non-nutritive applications that provide nutrients to the baby with the help of a tube.

[0038] Neonatal nurses provide muscle stimulation by intervening in perioral and intraoral structures during the transition to oral feeding [1,2], Different pressures are applied to the cheeks, lips, chin, upper palate and tongue with the finger to improve the sucking reflex of the newborn [3,4], These applications to preterm infants facilitate the transition of infants to oral feeding and shorten the transition time [2,4,5], The tool (1) positioned on both surfaces of the tip of the inventive protrusions (2), which are similar to the bubbles on the areola of the mother's breast, prevent the baby from experiencing confusion by providing the development of the sucking reflex.

[0039] The tool (1) can be cleaned in the dishwasher.

[0040] The finger feeding tool (1), which is reliable and easy to use, facilitates the transition to home, provides an alternative feeding method that can be used by nurses, limits the need for bottle use and prevents sucking confusion in the baby. The fact that it can be cleaned and reused also allows the costs related to the use of gloves to be reduced.

[0041] References:

[0042] [1] Geddes, D.T. (2007). Inside the Lactating Breast: The Latest Anatomy Research. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health. 52(6): 556-563.

[0043] [2] Zhao, S. Jiang, H. Miao, Y. et.al. (2024). Effects of implementing non-nutritive sucking on oral feeding progression and outcomes in preterm infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Public Library of Science. 19(4): 1-19.

[0044] [3] Greene, Z. O’Donnell, C. Walshe, M. (2023). Oral stimulation for promoting oral feeding in preterm infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Issue 6. Art. No.: CD009720.

[0045] [4] Bache, M. Pizon, E. Jacobs, J. (2014). Effects of pre-feeding oral stimulation on oral feeding in preterm infants: A randomized clinical trial. Early Human Development.90(3): 1-5.

[0046] [5] Lyu, T. Zhang, Y. Hu, X. Cao, Y. et.al. (2014). The effect of an early oral stimulation program on oral feeding of preterm infants. International Journal of Nursing Sciences. l(l):42-47.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A tool (1) for use during the application of the finger feeding technique to ensure sucking coordination in infants; characterized by comprising a body in the form of a cylinder shell suitable to be slipped onto a finger with an end portion having a convex curved shape that covers one end of this cylinder shell and by being silicone.

2. A tool (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the end portion having an outer surface with protrusions (2).

3. A tool (1) according to claim 2, characterized by comprising cylindrical or cone- shaped protrusions (2) on the end portion.

4. A tool (1) according to claim 2, characterized by comprising 10 to 20 protrusions (2) on the front and rear surfaces of the end portion.

5. A tool (1) according to claim 1, characterized by being silicone having a hardness value of Shore A 20-60.

6. A tool (1) according to claim 5, characterized by being silicone having a hardness value of Shore A 30-40.

7. A tool (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by having a thickness of 1-3 mm.

8. A tool (1) according to claim 7, characterized by having a thickness of 2 mm.

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