Breast Pump Nipple Alignment via Light Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in aligning the nipple within a breast pump assembly due to limited visibility, leading to inefficient milk expression and potential discomfort or injury, and existing breast pumps often have inadequate sealing issues due to improper sizing of the horn member.
Innovation Solution
A breast pump assembly equipped with a light source that projects light onto the nipple to facilitate alignment and a breast receiving portion with refractive properties to enhance visibility and sealing, allowing users to correctly position the nipple and determine the appropriate size of the horn member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a horn member is positioned on the breast without alignment assistance, then the positioning process is simple, but the nipple alignment is imprecise leading to discomfort and inefficient milk expression
Solution Approach 1:
A light source is introduced as an intermediary element between the horn member and the user's visual system. The light projects a visual indicator (such as a light pattern or illuminated marking) that serves as a mediator to guide alignment, allowing the user to see the position of the horn member relative to the nipple without adding mechanical complexity to the positioning mechanism itself
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes light projection to create visual indicators that change or appear in specific patterns to indicate alignment status. The light source may project different patterns (such as concentric circles, rings, or focused points) that change appearance based on the alignment state, providing intuitive visual feedback to the user without requiring complex mechanical indicators
2Loss of time
If trial and error positioning is used to achieve correct nipple alignment, then no additional alignment components are needed, but time is wasted and user discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light source provides real-time visual feedback to the user during the positioning process. As the horn member is moved into position, the light projection displays visual indicators that show whether the nipple is correctly aligned with the opening. This immediate feedback eliminates the need for trial and error, as the user can see the correct position and adjust accordingly, significantly reducing positioning time and improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The light source is activated before the positioning is complete, allowing the user to see the alignment indicators in advance of final positioning. The visual guidance is prepared and available beforehand, enabling the user to make precise adjustments without repeated trial and error cycles, thus reducing the time and discomfort associated with positioning
3Reliability
If a horn member is used without proper sealing, then the device structure is simple, but suction efficiency is reduced and milk may leak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a horn member with adjustable parameters such as diameter, shape, and surface profile that can be modified to match different breast sizes and shapes. By changing these geometric parameters, the horn member can achieve proper sealing across a range of user anatomies without requiring complex active sealing mechanisms. The light source also provides visual feedback on the sealing interface, allowing users to adjust positioning to optimize the seal
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 light source enables easy alignment of the nipple within the breast pump assembly, reducing trial and error, and the refractive properties ensure an effective seal, improving milk expression efficiency and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a light source arranged to project light towards the opening, such that, in use, light is projected onto the nipple of the user as the nipple is positioned into the opening
Implementation Method 2
a breast receiving portion configured to receive a breast of the user, wherein the breast receiving portion is refractive to light emitted from the light source
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a breast pump assembly, in particular a breast pump assembly suitable for aligning a nipple within a horn member of the assembly. More specifically, the breast pump assembly comprises a conduit comprising an opening adapted to receive a nipple of a user; and a light source arranged to project light towards the opening, such that, in use, light is projected onto the nipple of the user as the nipple is positioned into the opening. A further breast pump assembly comprises a breast receiving portion comprising an opening for receiving a breast of a user; and a light source arranged to project light from the opening to form a projected light region having an area corresponding to an area of the opening. The present invention also relates to a method of aligning a nipple within a breast pump assembly. Specifically, the method comprises projecting light from an opening of a nipple receiving portion of a breast pump assembly to form a projected light region, positioning the nipple of the user within the projected light region, and guiding the nipple into the opening of the nipple receiving portion whilst maintaining the nipple within the projected light region.