Disposable Breast Pump Shield with Lubricant Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Breast pumps often cause discomfort and pain due to lack of adjustable settings, making it difficult for mothers to express milk outside the home, leading to discouragement in breastfeeding.
Innovation Solution
A disposable breast pump kit with a breast pump shield featuring a lubricant layer, support layer, and wiping layer for comfort and sanitation, along with a leak-resistant milk bag and ergonomic handle, designed for easy use and portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a breast pump is used without variable settings, then the device is simpler and faster to use, but it causes pain and discomfort to the user
Solution Approach 1:
The breast pump shield incorporates a lubricant layer that dynamically adapts to the user's needs during pumping. The lubricant is applied in a controlled manner to reduce friction and pain only when needed, allowing the device to provide comfort without requiring complex variable settings. This dynamic lubrication approach resolves the contradiction by providing pain relief while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricant layer acts as an intermediary substance between the breast pump shield and the user's breast tissue. This intermediary reduces direct contact and friction, thereby minimizing pain and discomfort during pumping. The lubricant mediator allows the pump to operate effectively while protecting the user from harmful friction, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reduction of pain.
2Reliability
If breast pump components are cleaned frequently, then sanitation is improved, but it becomes difficult to clean when away from home
Solution Approach 1:
The breast pump shield is designed as a disposable article that is used once and then discarded. This eliminates the need for cleaning and sanitization after use, resolving the contradiction between maintaining sanitation reliability and the difficulty of cleaning when away from home. The disposable nature ensures sanitation without requiring cleaning facilities or actions in various locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricant layer is pre-applied to the breast pump shield before use, preparing it in advance for comfortable operation. This preliminary lubrication action eliminates the need for post-use cleaning and sanitation steps, allowing users to simply discard the shield after single use. The preliminary preparation resolves the contradiction by ensuring sanitation through disposal rather than cleaning.
3Ease of operation
If a disposable breast pump kit is used, then convenience and sanitation are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable breast pump kit merges multiple functions into a single integrated shield structure. The lubricant layer, support layer, and wiping layer are combined in one disposable unit that performs all necessary functions (lubrication, support, cleaning) in a single component. This merging reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate adjustable settings and multiple components, while maintaining high convenience through disposable ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable breast pump shield is designed to be self-sufficient, with the lubricant layer automatically providing lubrication and the wiping layer ready for immediate use. The shield serves itself by incorporating all necessary functions in a pre-prepared, single-use design. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by providing convenience through all-in-one functionality while avoiding the complexity of adjustable mechanisms and multiple separate components.
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 a comfortable and sanitary solution for breast pumping, reducing irritation and pain, allowing mothers to express milk efficiently and hygienically anywhere, promoting continued breastfeeding.
Implementation Method 1
one or more of the covers can include at least two layers, namely, a lubricant layer and a support layer
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a breast pump kit are disclosed herein. The breast pump kit can include one or more of a breast pump shield and a breast pump milk bag. According to various embodiments, the breast pump shield can include a body portion that has a breast engagement portion that can receive at least a portion of a breast of a user. The breast pump shield also can include a suction chamber located in proximity to the breast engagement portion. Milk can pass into the suction chamber and into the breast pump milk bag. A one-way valve can prevent reverse flow of fluids from the breast pump milk bag into the breast pump shield. The breast pump kit also can include a cover that can seal the breast pump shield, if desired.