Wearable Breast Pump Holding Force Control During Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable breast pumps often malfunction and leak due to sudden movements by the user, leading to incorrect nipple position, discomfort, and reduced effectiveness, as they fail to maintain proper placement during physical activities.
Innovation Solution
A system that adapts the holding force of a breast pump by controlling parameters based on user physical activity data, using sensors and a controller to adjust suction force and clamping force to maintain secure attachment during movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wearable breast pump is designed with small form factor to fit in bra, then ease of operation and freedom of movement are improved, but reliability and stability of placement deteriorate due to shifting during physical activity
Solution Approach 1:
The breast pump system dynamically adjusts the suction force parameter in real-time based on detected user movement intensity. During low-activity periods, normal suction levels are maintained for effective pumping. When movement intensity exceeds thresholds (indicating potential displacement risk), the system automatically increases suction force to strengthen the holding force and prevent shifting, thus resolving the contradiction between freedom of movement and placement stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor user movement and provide feedback to the controller. This feedback loop enables the controller to detect changes in movement intensity and相应地 adjust suction force parameters, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains placement stability while allowing freedom of movement during normal pumping operations.
2Reliability
If holding force is increased to prevent displacement during movement, then reliability of placement is improved, but comfort and risk of nipple damage worsen due to excessive suction force
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically modulates suction force based on real-time movement detection, rather than maintaining constantly high suction force. During normal conditions, suction remains at comfortable levels for the nipple. Only when movement intensity exceeds predefined thresholds does the system temporarily increase suction force to prevent displacement, thereby maintaining placement stability while minimizing harmful effects on the nipple through dynamic rather than static high-force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the suction force parameter dynamically based on detected movement conditions. By adjusting this critical parameter in response to movement intensity, the system optimizes the balance between holding force needed for placement stability and the maximum force that could cause nipple damage, applying higher force only when necessary and for limited durations.
3Reliability
If suction force is continuously increased to maintain attachment during physical activity, then placement stability is improved, but pumping effectiveness and comfort deteriorate due to excessive force at all times
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic adjustment of suction force parameters based on real-time movement detection. During periods of low movement intensity, the system maintains optimal pumping parameters for maximum productivity. When movement intensity increases, the system temporarily raises suction force to ensure placement stability, then returns to optimal pumping parameters once movement subsides, thus preventing continuous excessive force that would harm pumping effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically monitors movement intensity and adjusts suction force accordingly, creating a rhythm of normal pumping interrupted by periodic increases in suction force when movement is detected. This periodic adjustment ensures placement stability is maintained only when necessary, allowing optimal pumping effectiveness to be achieved during stable periods without the continuous compromise of excessive suction force.
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
Prevents breast pump displacement and leakage by dynamically adjusting suction force and clamping force in response to user movements, enhancing comfort and pumping effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the holding force comprises a suction force induced by the negative pressures (relative to ambient) of the breast pump used to extract milk
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a system for adapting a holding force of a wearable breast pump system exerted on a user during operation of the breast pump system. A controller is used to receive data relevant to physical activity of the user. The controller is configured to adapt, based on the received data, one or more parameters of the breast pump system. The adapted one or more parameters are such as to enable control over the holding force while the holding force remains being exerted on the user during said operation.