Breast Pump Vacuum Control via Nursing Meter Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Breast pumps currently available on the market cause excessive breast milk production and alter the milk composition by applying too much suction power, which is not tailored to the age of the baby, leading to congestion and inappropriate milk adaptation.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a nursing meter to measure and record flow rates and suckling patterns, with control circuitry to translate this data into appropriate vacuum power and pattern for the breast pump, ensuring the milk flow rate and pattern match the baby's age, using a communication cable to connect the nursing meter to the breast pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pump applies high suction power to extract large amount of milk quickly, then the milk extraction efficiency is improved, but the breast milk production becomes excessive leading to congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system dynamically adjusts suction power levels based on real-time feedback from flow rate sensors and cycling patterns. The controller modulates the vacuum level continuously to match the baby's natural suckling rhythm, preventing both insufficient and excessive milk extraction while avoiding breast congestion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates flow rate sensors and cycling detectors that provide continuous feedback to the controller. This feedback loop allows the pump to automatically adjust suction parameters based on actual milk flow characteristics, ensuring optimal extraction without causing excessive production or congestion.
2Speed
If the pump applies high suction power to extract milk quickly, then the milk extraction speed is improved, but the milk composition changes to match an older age instead of the baby's actual age
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts suction power to match the baby's actual age-appropriate suckling pattern rather than applying constant high suction. The controller modifies vacuum levels in real-time based on detected flow rates and cycling patterns, ensuring milk composition remains appropriate for the baby's age while maintaining efficient extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system changes operational parameters (vacuum level, cycling pattern, pulse duration) based on detected flow characteristics. By adjusting these parameters to match the baby's age-appropriate suckling pattern, the system maintains proper milk composition while achieving efficient extraction speed.
3Stability of the object's composition
If manual pumping is used to match natural suckling patterns, then the milk composition is maintained correctly, but the pumping time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system performs self-adjustment based on real-time flow rate detection and cycling pattern analysis. The controller automatically optimizes suction parameters without requiring manual intervention, achieving both accurate milk composition maintenance and efficient extraction timing through autonomous feedback control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses continuous feedback from flow sensors and cycling detectors to automatically adjust pumping parameters. This closed-loop control enables the pump to match natural suckling patterns while reducing overall pumping time by optimizing extraction efficiency at each moment of the pumping cycle.
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 solution effectively controls the flow rate and pattern of milk secretion to match the baby's age, preventing congestion and maintaining natural milk composition, ensuring the milk is adapted correctly for the baby's needs.
Implementation Method 1
The pump's pumping power (vacuum value) is much greater than the vacuum generated by a suckling baby
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus and method to control the flow rates and pattern of human milk secretion while using a breast pump. The apparatus comprises a breast pump having a linear source of vacuum and a communication port for communicating with an external source of information on milk flow rates and patterns of a breastfeeding baby, through an external control circuit.