Compact Breastshield With Movable Media Separation Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breastshield units with media separation devices are bulky, which is unsuitable for 'hands-free' solutions, and increase the dead volume that needs to be evacuated during milk expression.
Innovation Solution
A compact breastshield unit design with a movable media separation membrane that shares space with the nipple receiving area, allowing for synchronous movement and minimizing dead volume, while maintaining effective milk flow and preventing membrane-nipple interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a media separation device is integrated into the breastshield unit, then the pump is protected from milk contamination, but the breastshield volume increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The media separation device is merged with the breastshield unit by integrating the media separation membrane directly into the breastshield structure. The membrane is positioned in the receiving area where it shares space with the nipple, allowing the breastshield to perform both milk collection and media separation functions simultaneously without requiring separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The media separation membrane utilizes the radial dimension of the breastshield by being arranged substantially radially with respect to the longitudinal axis. This dimensional reorientation allows the membrane to occupy space that would otherwise be unused, achieving media separation without increasing the overall longitudinal volume of the breastshield.
2Volume of stationary object
If the media separation membrane is positioned in the receiving area, then the breastshield volume is minimized, but there is risk of membrane-nipple contact interfering with milk flow
Solution Approach 1:
The media separation membrane is designed to be movable between two positions in response to pressure changes. During the expression phase, the membrane moves away from the nipple to allow unobstructed milk flow. During the non-expression phase, it returns to its initial position in the receiving area to minimize dead volume. This dynamic positioning eliminates persistent milk flow obstruction while maintaining volume minimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane operates through periodic movement synchronized with the pumping cycle. It alternates between being positioned in the receiving area (minimizing volume) and moving away from the nipple (preventing obstruction). This periodic action ensures that at no point during the cycle is there both minimal volume and potential obstruction, as the membrane position changes rhythmically with the pump operation.
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 design results in a highly compact breastshield unit that minimizes dead volume and prevents membrane-nipple contact, ensuring efficient milk expression and ease of use in 'hands-free' applications, while being cost-effective for production and suitable for disposable products.
Implementation Method 1
a media separation membrane (9) which, for the purpose of transferring the vacuum, is movable to and fro between two positions
Data Source
AI summary
A breastshield unit for use with a breastpump for expressing human breastmilk has a breastshield for receiving a mother's breast and a media separation device for transferring a vacuum into the interior of the breastshield. The breastshield has a receiving area for receiving a nipple of the mother's breast. The media separation device has a media separation membrane which, for the purpose of transferring the vacuum, is movable to and fro between two positions. The media separation membrane is located in the receiving area at least in one of the two positions. Despite the integrated media separation, the breastshield unit can be made extremely compact and minimizes the dead volume.