Breast Pump With Deformable Member Mimicking Infant Suckling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional breast pumps fail to mimic the natural lactation phenomenon, leading to inefficient milk collection and user discomfort due to continuous suctioning without intermittent stimulation, which does not stimulate the pituitary gland to produce milk.
Innovation Solution
A breast pump with a control system using first and second valve controllers to manage air intake and exhaustion, along with a deformable member that inflates and deflates to mimic infant suckling, and detectors to adjust suction force and frequency for intermittent and automatic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional breast pumps continuously apply negative pressure to suction breast milk, then milk collection is achieved, but user discomfort and pain occur due to lack of intermittent stimulation
Solution Approach 1:
The breast pump control system implements periodic action by alternating between suction phases (negative pressure applied) and rest phases (negative pressure released), mimicking the natural intermittent suckling pattern of infants. This periodic cycling prevents continuous pressure on the breast tissue, eliminating discomfort and pain while maintaining effective milk collection through repeated stimulation cycles that trigger the lactation reflex.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor suction conditions and automatically adjust the suction cycle timing and intensity. Based on detected breast milk flow rates and pressure conditions, the system dynamically modifies the duration and frequency of suction phases, ensuring optimal milk extraction while preventing excessive pressure that would cause user discomfort.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional breast pumps continuously suction breast milk, then current secreted milk is collected, but the pituitary gland is not stimulated to produce more milk
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing periodic suction cycles with rest intervals, the system mimics natural infant suckling patterns that stimulate the pituitary gland to release oxytocin and prolactin. The intermittent nature of the suction allows hormonal responses to accumulate between cycles, triggering milk ejection reflexes and stimulating continued milk production, thereby increasing both immediate collection and ongoing supply.
3Device complexity
If breast pumps use simple continuous suction structure, then device complexity is low, but they cannot mimic natural lactation phenomenon
Solution Approach 1:
The breast pump employs dynamic control of the suction mechanism, transitioning from static continuous suction to dynamic intermittent suction with variable timing and intensity. The control system adjusts suction parameters in real-time based on detected milk flow and pressure conditions, enabling the device to adaptively mimic natural lactation patterns while maintaining relatively simple mechanical components through electronic control logic.
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
Enables efficient, pain-free breast milk collection by mimicking infant suckling behaviors, stimulating the pituitary gland to produce milk and preventing user discomfort through intermittent and automatic suctioning.
Implementation Method 1
The intake port is controlled by a first valve controller to suction the nipple passage and generate a negative pressure
Implementation Method 2
The exhaust port is controlled by a second valve controller to inflate or deflate the at least one deformable member
Data Source
AI summary
A breast pump includes a main body, a breast milk suctioning shield, and one or more air pumps. The breast milk suctioning shield is assembled in an accommodation space of the main body and detachably connected to the main body. A front end of the breast milk suctioning shield has a breast shielding portion, and a nipple passage extends from a rear end of a center portion of the breast shielding portion. One or more deformable members and a non-deformable supporting member are assembled with an annular connection portion located between the breast shielding portion and the nipple passage. The air pump has an intake port and an exhaust port. The intake port is controlled by a first valve controller to suction the nipple passage and generate a negative pressure, and the exhaust port is controlled by a second valve controller to inflate or deflate the deformable member.