Breast Pump Vacuum Control Using Fullness Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Breast pumps are inefficient in milk extraction, being time-consuming and uncomfortable for users, as they do not adapt to the varying fullness of the breast throughout the day.
Innovation Solution
A breast pump with a controller and breast fullness estimator that adjusts vacuum profile settings based on the estimated breast fullness, using data from previous sessions and the time of day to optimize milk extraction efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a breast pump uses fixed vacuum settings, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity of milk extraction is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum pump settings are made dynamic by automatically adjusting vacuum level and duration based on real-time detection of breast fullness. The system transitions from static fixed settings to dynamic adaptive settings that change during the pumping session, improving milk extraction efficiency without requiring complex manual intervention from the user.
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor detects breast fullness during the pumping session and provides feedback to the controller, which then automatically adjusts vacuum parameters. This closed-loop feedback system enables the pump to adapt to changing breast conditions, resolving the contradiction between simplified operation and improved productivity.
2Productivity
If a breast pump uses adaptive vacuum settings based on breast fullness, then the productivity of milk extraction is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The breast pump performs self-adjustment of vacuum parameters based on automatic detection of breast fullness. The system serves itself by autonomously monitoring its operating conditions and modifying its behavior accordingly, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual adjustment of vacuum settings is replaced with automated sensor-based control. The mechanical or manual intervention required for adaptive pumping is substituted with electronic sensing and automatic controller adjustment, achieving sophisticated adaptive behavior without proportionally increasing mechanical complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If a breast pump operates for a longer duration to extract more milk, then the quantity of milk extracted is increased, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum is applied in optimized periodic cycles with variable duration based on detected breast fullness. Rather than continuous or fixed-duration pumping, the system uses adaptive periodic vacuum application that intensifies extraction during high-fullness periods and reduces intensity when the breast is emptier, increasing milk quantity while reducing total time.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum parameters (level and duration) are changed dynamically during the pumping session based on breast fullness detection. By adjusting these parameters in real-time, the system maximizes milk extraction rate during periods of high fullness and avoids wasteful prolonged pumping when the breast is already empty, thereby increasing quantity while decreasing time.
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 breast pump efficiently extracts a higher amount of milk in a reduced time by adapting vacuum settings to breast fullness, reducing discomfort and improving extraction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump for creating a vacuum in order to enable a milk expression
Data Source
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AI summary
A breast pump (100) is provided comprising a vacuum pump (120) which is configured to be operated at different vacuum profile settings, a controller (140) configured to control an operation of the vacuum pump (120) based on the different vacuum profile settings, and a breast fullness estimator (150) configured to estimate a fullness of a breast based on a duration of a milk expression session. The controller (140) is configured to select a vacuum profile setting based on the breast fullness estimation of the breast fullness estimator (150). Hence, the efficiency of the breast pump is increased as the operation of the vacuum pump is adapted to the estimated breast fullness.