Breast Shield Volume Sensing for Non-Invasive Milk Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring breast milk volume are inaccurate, inconvenient, or interfere with breastfeeding sessions, and there is a need for non-invasive and accurate devices and methods to assess milk volume expressed from the breast.
Innovation Solution
A device with an expansile portion and a sensor is attached to the breast to sense skin expansion or contraction, calculating volume changes based on these measurements, which can be transmitted to an external computing device for further processing and calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a mechanically rotating device is placed in the milk flow path to measure milk volume, then measurement capability is provided, but milk flow is impeded and breastfeeding sessions are disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement function is extracted from the milk flow path. Instead of placing a sensor in the milk flow, the patent uses a breast shield that measures skin expansion/contraction externally, separating the measurement mechanism from the milk flow path entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses skin expansion/contraction as an intermediary parameter to indirectly measure milk volume. Rather than directly measuring milk flow, the system measures the physical change in breast tissue volume caused by milk expression, which correlates to milk volume without interfering with flow.
2Measurement precision
If components are exposed to milk for measurement purposes, then direct milk flow measurement is achieved, but cleaning frequency increases and convenience decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement components are extracted from direct contact with milk. The breast shield and skin sensors remain outside the milk flow path, eliminating the need for frequent cleaning of measurement components while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system measures a proxy parameter (skin expansion/contraction) rather than the milk itself. This copying approach allows indirect measurement without exposing sensors to milk, reducing cleaning requirements.
3Measurement precision
If weight-based measurement methods are used to determine milk volume, then measurement capability is provided, but convenience decreases due to the need to weigh the baby before and after each feeding
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-measurement by the mother without requiring baby weighing. The breast shield device allows the mother to independently assess milk volume expressed during breastfeeding, eliminating the need for assistant involvement and baby handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is attached to the breast before feeding begins, establishing a baseline measurement state. This preliminary setup allows continuous or post-feeding measurement without requiring pre-feeding baby weighing procedures.
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
Provides a convenient and accurate method to assess milk volume without contacting the milk, allowing for precise tracking of milk production and consumption without disrupting breastfeeding sessions.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to sense an amount of expansion or contraction of skin of the breast to which the device is attached
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for assessing milk volume changes within a breast are described. Also described are systems and methods for assessing volume changes in the stomach of an infant.