Acoustic Milk Volume Tracking in Breast Pump Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing breast pump devices require manual tracking of milk volumes, which is cumbersome and prone to errors, lacking an efficient method to automatically determine the total volume of expressed breast milk during a pumping session.

Innovation Solution

The breast pump device incorporates an acoustic milk expression assessment system, featuring an acoustic sensor and a processor that analyze the acoustic signals generated during milk expression to automatically determine the total milk volume and other expression characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual tracking of milk volumes is used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of milk expression data and ease of operation deteriorate due to cumulative errors and user burden

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of milk expression dataVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical tracking system with an acoustic sensing system that automatically measures milk volume. The acoustic sensor detects sound waves generated during milk expression, and the processor analyzes these signals to determine volume, eliminating the need for manual measurement and improving data reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-measurement of milk volume through acoustic detection during the pumping process. The breast pump device automatically tracks its own output without requiring user intervention to record volumes, reducing user burden and eliminating cumulative tracking errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If manual tracking of milk volumes is used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity deteriorates due to time spent on manual recording and calculation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproductivity of milk expression trackingVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The manual recording and calculation process is replaced by an automated acoustic measurement system. The processor continuously analyzes acoustic signals during pumping to determine milk volume in real-time, eliminating the time users would spend on manual tracking and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides real-time feedback on milk volume expression through automatic acoustic measurement. The processor analyzes sound signals during the pumping session and delivers immediate information about milk output, enabling users to make informed decisions during the pumping process without delayed manual calculation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If acoustic sensor and processor are added, then the measurement precision of milk volume improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precision of milk volumeVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an acoustic sensor and processor to replace imprecise manual measurement methods. The acoustic sensor detects sound wave characteristics during milk expression, and the processor analyzes these signals to precisely determine volume, achieving accurate measurement despite the added electronic components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The acoustic sensor and processor serve multiple functions: detecting milk volume, analyzing expression characteristics, and providing real-time feedback. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering comprehensive measurement capabilities that improve overall system performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution enables accurate and automatic tracking of milk volumes, reducing user burden and improving the reliability of milk expression data, allowing for better planning and management of breast milk storage.

Implementation Method 1

an acoustic sensor and a processor configured to process an acoustic signal received from the acoustic sensor during operation of the breast pump device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic signal detection: Sound

Data Source

PatentUS12208184B2Breast pump device comprising an expression kit, a vacuum unit and a milk expression assessment system

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

A breast pump device (1) comprises an expression kit (2) and a vacuum unit (3) configured to realize a pressure cycle in the expression kit (2). For a purpose of determining one or more milk expression characteristics such as total volume of expressed milk, the device (1) is equipped with an acoustic milk expression assessment system (6) including an acoustic sensor (61) and a processor (62) configured to process an acoustic signal received from the sensor (61) during operation of the device (1) when a receptacle (4) is used with the device (1) for receiving expressed the milk. By recording sound during a pumping session, it is possible to determine a value of a time duration of a free fall of droplets of expressed the milk from the expression kit (2) to the receptacle (4), which can be taken as a measure of a number of interesting milk expression characteristics.