Acidified Liquid Human Milk Supplement for Preterm Infants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Preterm infants have difficulty consuming adequate breast milk due to immature digestive systems and nutritional deficiencies, particularly in protein, energy, and minerals, necessitating a supplement that also maintains microbiological quality and is well-tolerated.
Innovation Solution
A liquid human milk supplement with a pH between 4.0 and 4.6, comprising a protein component, fat component, carbohydrate component, vitamins, and minerals, where the fat component accounts for greater than 30% of the caloric content and the carbohydrate component less than 10%, designed to be added to human milk at various ratios to enhance nutritional content while minimizing osmotic activity and microbial growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the caloric content of human milk is increased to meet the energy needs of preterm infants, then the energy density is improved, but the volume of milk required exceeds the tolerance of the infants' immature digestive systems
Solution Approach 1:
The supplement divides the nutritional requirements into separate functional components: human milk provides the base volume and some nutrients, while the concentrated supplement provides additional calories, protein, and minerals. This segmentation allows the infant to receive adequate nutrition without exceeding volume tolerance limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The supplement changes the chemical composition parameters of the milk by adding concentrated sources of fat (30-60% of calories), protein (10-20% of calories), and minerals, while keeping the carbohydrate content low (less than 10% of calories). This parameter adjustment increases energy density without proportionally increasing volume.
2Quantity of substance
If protein and minerals are supplemented into the diet to meet the demands for rapid growth, then the nutritional content is improved, but the osmotic activity increases causing gastrointestinal side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The supplement carefully adjusts the concentration parameters of protein (10-20% of calories) and minerals while maintaining low carbohydrate content (less than 10% of calories). This parameter control increases nutritional density while managing osmotic activity to minimize gastrointestinal side effects.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the shelf-life of the supplement is extended to ensure stability during storage and distribution, then the product stability is improved, but the growth of microorganisms is facilitated
Solution Approach 1:
The supplement uses acidification to change the pH parameter to between 4.0 and 4.6, creating an environment that inhibits microbial growth. This parameter modification allows the product to maintain stability and safety throughout its shelf-life during storage and distribution.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the caloric content is increased using carbohydrates to meet energy needs, then the energy density is improved, but the osmotic activity increases leading to gastrointestinal side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The supplement changes the macronutrient composition parameters by limiting carbohydrates to less than 10% of total calories and instead deriving the majority of calories from fat (30-60%). This parameter adjustment increases energy density while minimizing osmotic activity and associated gastrointestinal side effects.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The supplement provides enhanced nutritional support to preterm infants, ensuring adequate energy and nutrient delivery while maintaining product quality and safety, reducing the risk of microbial growth and osmotic side effects, and allowing for standard feeding equipment and methods.
Implementation Method 1
The pH of the human milk supplement may be between about 4.0 and 4.6... the presence of microorganisms of public health significance and those of non-health significance, yet capable of reproducing in the product under storage and distribution conditions, are reduced or rendered harmless
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a liquid human milk supplement comprising a protein component, a fat component, a carbohydrate component, vitamins, and minerals, where the pH of the human milk supplement is between about 4.0 and 4.6.