Breast Shield One-Way Valve for Resting Position Milk Expression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast shields are not designed for use in resting positions, leading to milk spillage and frustration when trying to express milk with a breast pump, and lack a one-way valve that mimics the suckling action of a nursing infant.
Innovation Solution
A breast shield with a one-way duckbill bi-valve configured to mimic the suckling action, featuring a breast receiving cone with a breast cup, a funnel, and adjustable milk drain holes to prevent backflow, allowing for comfortable milk expression in a resting position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing breast shields are used in a resting position, then the nursing woman can attempt to express milk, but milk spills and the experience becomes frustrating
Solution Approach 1:
The breast shield incorporates a movable one-way valve that dynamically responds to pressure changes during milk expression. The valve opens to allow milk flow in the forward direction and automatically closes to prevent backflow, adapting its state based on the pumping action and user position, thereby enabling reliable milk containment in resting positions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flow direction parameter by introducing a one-way valve that permits milk flow in only one direction. This parameter change ensures that milk cannot flow backward or spill when the user is in a resting position, while still allowing effective milk expression during pumping
2Reliability
If a one-way valve is added to prevent backflow, then milk containment improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The one-way valve is designed to function automatically without external control or power source. It self-regulates milk flow based on pressure differential, opening when milk needs to flow forward and closing when backflow is detected, thereby providing reliable backflow prevention without adding complex control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The one-way valve incorporates a flexible membrane or thin film that bends and deforms in response to pressure changes. This flexible component allows the valve to open and close smoothly, providing effective backflow prevention while maintaining a simple, compact structure that integrates easily into the breast shield
3Adaptability or versatility
If the breast shield is designed for vertical position only, then the structure remains simple, but the nursing woman cannot use it in resting positions
Solution Approach 1:
The breast shield is designed with a one-way valve and strategically positioned milk drain holes that enable it to function effectively in multiple body positions. The valve ensures proper milk flow direction regardless of orientation, and the drain holes are positioned to utilize gravity and pressure differentials in various positions, making the device universal for both vertical and resting usage
Solution Approach 2:
The invention addresses the positional limitation by adding a new functional dimension through the one-way valve system. Instead of relying solely on gravity-dependent drainage in vertical positions, the valve creates a pressure-dependent flow control mechanism that works independently of orientation, enabling effective milk expression in resting positions without compromising the simple structure
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
Enables a nursing woman to use a breast pump in a resting position without spilling milk, enhancing the breast feeding experience by mimicking the suckling action and reducing nipple irritation, while maintaining effective milk collection.
Implementation Method 1
a one-way duckbill bi-valve (ODB) having a suckling action
Implementation Method 2
configured to prevent a back-flow
Data Source
AI summary
The breast shield with suckling motion one-way valve of the present invention is a breast shield for use with a breast pump wherein the breast shield has a one-way valve configured to mimic the suckling action/motion of a nursing infant which can optionally be located beneath many holes to drain expressed milk. The breast shield of the present invention is used to improve the breast pumping experience, it can be used from any body position from sitting upright to laying fully recumbent, and it reduces or eliminates back flow of expressed milk.