Breast Pump Contacting Element with Fluid-Driven Deformable Massaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast pump contacting elements are awkward to disassemble and assemble, leading to unreliable sealing, reduced efficiency, and increased user effort, with limited effective massaging due to manual manipulation and unreliable flexible region responses to negative pressure.
Innovation Solution
A breast contacting element with a deformable portion that deflects in response to fluid pressure, forming a significant portion of the breast contacting surface, allowing for efficient massaging even when engaged with the breast, and a method of forming this element using a support element with channels to direct injected material for deformable portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible liner is mounted to a rigid supporting member to provide massaging, then massaging capability is improved, but assembly and disassembly become awkward and sealing reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flexible massaging liner and rigid supporting member into a single integrated breast contacting element. The deformable portion is formed as an integral part of the element, eliminating the need for separate assembly of multiple components. This merging resolves the sealing reliability issue by removing interfaces between parts while maintaining massaging capability through the deformable portion that responds to fluid pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a deformable portion formed from a flexible material that can deflect in response to fluid pressure. This flexible portion is integrated into the breast contacting element, providing massaging action through its ability to deform under pressure without requiring separate assembly components, thus maintaining both reliability and operational effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If multiple parts are used to provide massaging functionality, then massaging capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the massaging functionality directly into the breast contacting element as an integral deformable portion, eliminating the need for separate massaging components. This single-part design reduces assembly time and manufacturing complexity while maintaining the massaging capability through the fluid-pressure-responsive deformable portion.
3Ease of operation
If manual manipulation is used for massaging, then massaging action is provided, but user effort increases and effectiveness is limited to small areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation with a fluid pressure system. The deformable portion responds to fluid pressure delivered through channels within the breast contacting element, eliminating the need for user hand compression. This substitution provides massaging action across larger breast areas without requiring additional user effort, as the fluid pressure system delivers the massaging force automatically.
4Ease of operation
If flexible region responds to negative pressure, then massaging is provided, but response is unreliable and limited to uncovered regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic principles by delivering fluid pressure through channels formed within the breast contacting element to the deformable portion. This controlled fluid delivery system ensures reliable response of the deformable portion regardless of breast engagement, overcoming the unreliability of passive flexible regions that only respond when uncovered by the breast.
5Reliability
If deformable portion is formed across orifice with channel, then fluid pressure response is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs injection molding technology to form the deformable portion across the orifice with integrated channels in a single manufacturing process. This parameter change in manufacturing methodology allows complex three-dimensional structures with internal channels to be produced efficiently as a single integrated component, resolving the apparent manufacturing complexity while ensuring reliable fluid pressure response.
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 solution provides effective and efficient massaging over a larger breast area, reducing user effort and assembly time, while ensuring reliable sealing and comfortable operation with reduced fluid pressure, allowing for single-handed use and improved milk expression.
Implementation Method 1
a channel configured for conveying a fluid pressure from the opening to the deformable portion such that the deformable portion deflects in response to the fluid pressure applied thereto
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a breast contacting element for a breast pump assembly and a method of forming the same. More specifically, there is provided a breast contacting element for a breast pump assembly, including an opening adapted to receive a nipple of a user's breast: a breast contacting surface extending from the opening and comprising a deformable portion for engaging the user's breast; and a channel configured for conveying a fluid pressure from the opening to the deformable portion such that the deformable portion deflects in response to the fluid pressure applied thereto. Specifically, the method includes forming a support element of a first material, the support element comprising an orifice and a channel extending from the orifice, and injecting a second material onto the support element so as to form a deformable portion across the orifice.