Breast Pump Kit With Eversible Flange and Ergonomic Lever Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast pumps, both lever-operated and passive, face limitations in versatility and ease of use, particularly in accommodating different nipple sizes and requiring complex manipulation for milk expression.
Innovation Solution
A breast pump kit that includes a lever-operated assembly with a flexible breast flange and a passive assembly with a tabbed elastomeric flange, allowing for interchangeable use with both types of pumps and facilitating easy eversion of the flange before application, along with ergonomic design features for user comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid handle and bottle are used in lever-operated breast pump, then structural stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The breast pump system is divided into distinct modular components: a rigid lever-operated pump assembly, a flexible breast flange, and a milk collection bottle. This segmentation allows each component to have optimized properties - the rigid pump provides structural stability while the flexible flange provides ease of operation and application.
Solution Approach 2:
The breast flange is constructed from flexible elastomeric material that can be easily deformed and applied to the breast. This flexible component interfaces between the rigid pump mechanism and the user's body, providing the necessary compliance and ease of operation that rigid materials cannot achieve.
2Device complexity
If a single breast pump design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to accommodate different pump types and nipple sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The breast pump system is designed with universal compatibility features that allow it to function with both lever-operated and passive pump mechanisms. The flexible breast flange and modular assembly can be adapted to different pump types and can accommodate various nipple sizes, providing multi-functionality without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The breast flange incorporates dynamic elements including tabs that can be pulled to expand the flange opening for easier application, and the flexible material allows the flange to adapt its shape to different breast and nipple configurations. This dynamic adaptability enables a single design to serve multiple functions and user needs.
3Ease of operation
If a flexible breast flange is used, then ease of operation is improved for application, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to material flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The breast flange is pre-formed during manufacturing with integrated tabs at specific positions and angles. These tabs are pre-positioned to facilitate proper orientation and expansion of the flange during application, ensuring that even though the material is flexible, the final applied configuration achieves the desired precision and seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing process controls key parameters of the flexible flange including wall thickness, tab dimensions and angles, and overall geometry. By precisely controlling these parameters during molding, the flexible material maintains consistent performance and achieves reliable sealing while still providing ease of application through its inherent flexibility.
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 kit provides enhanced versatility and ease of use by accommodating various nipple sizes and simplifying the application process, ensuring effective milk expression through stable vacuum creation.
Implementation Method 1
A breast pump flange has a body formed of an elastomer... The body of the breast flange is capable of assuming normal and everted states, both of which are stable.
Implementation Method 2
An elastomeric vessel is squeezed by the user, and is released only after application of the breast flange to the breast, so that a partial vacuum occurs at the breast and encourages milk expression.
Implementation Method 3
When the user squeezes the handle, the diaphragm is lifted, expanding an adjacent volume, and subjecting the interior space and the user's breast to a partial vacuum.
Implementation Method 4
A duckbill valve selectively communicates the interior space of the assembly to an interior of the collection bottle.
Data Source
AI summary
A milk collection vessel with a flexible sidewall and a rigid collar may be attached either to a lever-operated breast pump assembly or to a passive breast pump assembly. The lever-operated assembly has a vessel tube axis offset from the vessel axis to make the lever easier to operate with a small hand. The breast flange of the passive breast pump assembly is formed of an elastomer and, prior to application to the breast, may be everted with the aid of manual tabs.