Breast Shield One-Way Valve for Reclined Milk Expression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast shields do not allow for effective milk expression while a nursing woman is in a resting position, leading to spills and frustration due to the lack of a one-way valve that mimics the suckling action of an infant.
Innovation Solution
A breast shield with a one-way valve configured to mimic the suckling action of an infant, featuring a duckbill bi-valve positioned between the neck flange and breast pump connection end, along with adjustable milk drain holes and a soft-plastic or soft-rubber material, enabling milk collection while in a resting position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a breast shield is used without a one-way valve in a resting position, then the device structure is simple, but milk spills and back-flow occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the one-way valve function from the overall breast shield system by incorporating a separate valve component (duckbill valve or flapper valve) that can be integrated into existing breast shield designs. This allows back-flow prevention to be added without completely redesigning the breast shield structure, thus improving reliability while minimizing complexity increase
Solution Approach 2:
The one-way valve acts as an intermediary component between the breast shield and the collection container. It mediates milk flow by allowing forward flow during expression while blocking back-flow, solving the reliability issue without requiring fundamental changes to the breast shield itself
2Productivity
If a breast shield is used in a resting position without milk drain holes, then the device structure is simple, but milk spills and collection is ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the breast shield into functional zones: the collection area, the valve mechanism, and the drainage system. By adding milk drain holes as a separate drainage component, the system enables effective milk collection in resting positions without requiring a complete structural redesign, thus improving productivity while limiting complexity increase
Solution Approach 2:
The breast shield is designed to perform multiple functions: collecting milk, preventing back-flow through the valve, and draining milk through holes. This multi-functionality allows the device to work effectively in resting positions without requiring multiple separate devices, improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a one-way valve is added to prevent back-flow, then milk spillage is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive valve designs such as duckbill valves or flapper valves that can be easily manufactured and integrated. These valves are straightforward in design, allowing back-flow prevention to be achieved with minimal complexity addition. The simplicity of these valve types means they can be produced cheaply and integrated without complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism changes the flow parameter directionality by allowing milk to flow in one direction while blocking reverse flow. This parameter change (flow direction control) is achieved through a simple mechanical mechanism rather than a complex system, reducing spillage while adding minimal complexity
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 comfortable and efficient milk expression without spills, allowing nursing women to use a breast pump in a resting position, enhancing the breast feeding experience by mimicking the natural suckling action and reducing nipple discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
a one-way valve configured to mimic the suckling action/motion of a nursing infant
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of holes to drain expressed milk for use by a nursing woman while in a resting position
Implementation Method 3
capturing milk expressed by a nursing woman from a breast while using a breast pump device
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 a plurality of 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.