Breast Milk Expression Device Single Line Vacuum Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast milk expression devices face challenges with high pumping power requirements, noise, and conspicuous designs, as well as limitations in user mobility due to the need for separate vacuum and milk lines, which can lead to discomfort and reduced discretion.
Innovation Solution
A device that converts from a pneumatic to a hydraulic pumping system using a single line for both vacuum and milk transport, where expressed milk acts as the working fluid, allowing for a smaller, quieter, and more discreet vacuum pump, and enabling 'hands-free' operation with a small breast shield that can be worn under a bra.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate vacuum line and milk line are used in traditional breast milk expression devices, then the vacuum can be effectively transmitted to the breast shield, but the device complexity increases and user mobility is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vacuum line and milk line into a single dual-purpose line. The line has a first lumen for transmitting vacuum from the pump to the breast shield, and a second lumen for transporting expressed milk from the breast shield to the collection container. This merging eliminates the need for separate lines while maintaining both vacuum transmission and milk transport functions, thereby reducing device complexity and improving user mobility.
2Quantity of substance
If a large volume milk collecting container is used, then more milk can be collected, but the dead volume increases and pumping power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the milk collection system into two parts: a small-volume container positioned close to the breast shield for immediate collection, and a larger storage container that receives milk from the small container. This segmentation allows the pump to only evacuate the small container volume, reducing dead volume and pumping power requirements, while still achieving large total collection capacity through the additional storage container.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to milk collection by using a two-stage system. Milk is first collected in the small container during the expression phase, then transferred to the large storage container during a subsequent transfer phase. This dimensional approach allows the system to achieve large total capacity without requiring the pump to handle large volumes simultaneously, thereby reducing pumping power requirements.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the vacuum pump is made smaller and quieter, then discretion and comfort are improved, but pumping power may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses gravity as a counterweight to compensate for the reduced pumping power of the smaller, quieter pump. The large storage container is positioned at a higher elevation than the small collection container, creating a gravitational potential energy difference. This gravitational force assists the pump in transferring milk from the small container to the large container, allowing the use of a lower-power pump that is smaller and quieter while still achieving effective milk transfer.
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 reduces pumping power and noise, enhances user comfort and discretion, allows for easier control of vacuum pressure, and enables milk expression without the need for separate vacuum lines, facilitating more flexible use, including while lying down.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump for generating a vacuum
Implementation Method 2
the negative pressure required for the expressing operation is generated
Data Source
AI summary
A device for expressing human breast milk has a breast shield for bearing against a mother's breast, a vacuum pump for generating a vacuum, a line which connects the vacuum pump to the breast shield and is intended for transmitting the vacuum generated to the breast shield, and a chamber. The line ends on the pump side in a first port of the chamber. The chamber has a second port for connection to a milk collecting container. The two ports in the chamber are connected to each other in terms of fluid communication. During the expressing operation, the line forms a milk line for transporting breast milk expressed in the breast shield to the chamber and from the chamber to the milk collecting container. The pump can be designed to be quiet and small.