Breastmilk Warmer Control Using Forced Air and Temperature Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for warming and cooling breastmilk in neonatal intensive care units are inefficient, unreliable, and risk contamination due to variable water temperatures and handling practices, which can stress infants and increase labor costs for nurses.

Innovation Solution

A bedside or centralized bottle and syringe warmer system using non-liquid heating, such as warm air forced convection, with a heating algorithm to precisely control temperature and minimize milk damage, while also incorporating a cooling feature to accommodate various container sizes and reduce contamination risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If warm water baths are used to heat breastmilk, then the milk can be warmed, but the temperature cannot be precisely controlled and contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemilk temperatureVSAvoidtemperature control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical water bath heating system with an automated heating device that includes a heating element, temperature sensor, and control circuit. The control circuit automatically regulates the heating process based on feedback from the temperature sensor, eliminating the need for manual temperature monitoring and achieving precise temperature control without contamination risk from water baths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Speed

If rapid thawing is performed in warm water, then the thawing rate is accelerated, but the milk composition may be damaged and contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethawing rateVSAvoidmilk composition stability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where a temperature sensor continuously monitors the milk temperature during thawing and heating, and the control circuit adjusts the heating power accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables rapid thawing while preventing overheating that could damage milk composition, maintaining optimal temperature throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If nurses manually warm breastmilk using water baths, then the warming process can be completed, but significant time and labor are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewarming process efficiencyVSAvoidnurse time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs an automated heating device that performs the entire warming process independently without requiring continuous nurse intervention. The device automatically heats the milk to the target temperature and maintains it, allowing nurses to simply place the bottle in the device and retrieve it when ready, significantly reducing time and labor requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Use of energy by moving object

If water is used as a heating medium, then heat transfer is efficient, but contamination of the milk can occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary air medium between the heating element and the milk. Instead of direct water contact, the device uses heated air circulation or a heated container wall as an intermediate heat transfer medium, maintaining efficient heat transfer while completely eliminating the risk of water contamination from the heating medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system efficiently and safely warms and cools breastmilk, reducing nurse time and labor, minimizing contamination risks, and ensuring consistent temperature control for infant care, thereby improving infant health and reducing workload for healthcare staff.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element positioned to transfer thermal energy to the liquid in a safe and efficient manner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a fan positioned to blow air across the heating element and throughout the interior of the chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 3

a temperature sensor positioned to sense the temperature of the liquid within the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal detection: Thermocouple

Data Source

PatentUS10136759B2Breastmilk handling apparatus particularly useful for warming of breastmilk containers such as bottles and syringes

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 MEDELA HLDG AG

AI summary

The present invention relates to an infant feeding warming system useful to repeatedly and precisely warm breastmilk or formula for use in the NICU. The system in one form comprises a bedside unit that is attachable to an IV pole. The system may also comprise a centralized warming station with multiple chambers, wherein one chamber heats a bottle or syringe, and the remaining chambers are used for storage and/or refrigeration. The system will use a non-liquid heating system to heat feedings. A disposable liner may be used inside the chamber. The system may also contain heating algorithms that are based on a user inputting milk parameters such as volume and initial temperature.