Two-Stage Colostrum Collection System with Dynamic Vacuum Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast pump systems are inefficient in collecting thicker colostrum due to the cycling between vacuum and pressure, which suppresses the flow of colostrum, and they fail to maintain a closed system for direct delivery into a syringe without contamination.
Innovation Solution
A colostrum collection system with a breast cup, intermediate reservoir, and syringe, where a vacuum pump maintains a varying vacuum level to continuously draw colostrum into the reservoir and then into the syringe, ensuring continuous flow and using a filter to prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a breast pump system cycles between vacuum and pressure, then breast milk can be drawn into the collection bottle, but the cycling suppresses the flow of thicker colostrum
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts vacuum levels between high and low states. During high vacuum, colostrum is drawn from the breast into the intermediate reservoir. During low vacuum, the reduced pressure allows colostrum to flow from the reservoir into the syringe. This dynamic cycling resolves the contradiction by optimizing conditions for each transfer step.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediate reservoir is introduced as a mediator between the breast cup and syringe. This intermediate chamber facilitates the transfer of thick colostrum by receiving it during high vacuum and allowing it to flow into the syringe during low vacuum, overcoming the direct flow resistance through the small syringe passage.
2Reliability
If colostrum is directly delivered into a syringe through the small passage, then a closed system is maintained, but thick colostrum resists flowing through the small passage
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate reservoir serves as an intermediary chamber that receives colostrum during high vacuum and allows it to flow into the syringe during low vacuum. This mediates the transfer process, overcoming the resistance of thick colostrum through the small syringe passage while maintaining the closed system integrity throughout the cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic action by cycling between high and low vacuum states. During high vacuum, colostrum is drawn into the intermediate reservoir. During low vacuum, the pressure differential enables colostrum to flow from the reservoir into the syringe. This periodic cycling overcomes the flow resistance while maintaining the closed system.
3Reliability
If a filter is added to prevent ambient air contamination, then the closed system is protected, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A filter is introduced as an intermediary element in the fluid path between the breast cup and the closed system. The filter allows fluid passage while blocking ambient air and contaminants, thereby protecting the closed system integrity without requiring complex sealing mechanisms throughout the entire system.
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 effectively collects and delivers colostrum into a syringe while maintaining a closed system free of contaminants, overcoming the inefficiencies of traditional breast pump systems by ensuring continuous vacuum and fluid communication for effective colostrum collection.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump maintains a varying vacuum level to continuously draw colostrum into the reservoir and then into the syringe
Implementation Method 2
During low vacuum, a pressure gradient between the collection bottle and the intermediate reservoir draws colostrum in the intermediate reservoir into the collection bottle
Implementation Method 3
A filter resides in series with tubing connecting the breast pump to the system preventing ambient air from entering the system and contaminating the colostrum collected by the system
Data Source
AI summary
A colostrum collection system includes a breast cup, an intermediate reservoir, a syringe attached below the intermediate reservoir, and a vacuum pump drawing vacuum from the breast cup and syringe, through the intermediate reservoir. The vacuum pump maintains vacuum throughout a vacuum pump cycle, but varies the level of the vacuum between a low vacuum and a high vacuum. During high vacuum, the colostrum is drawn from the breast and into the intermediate reservoir, and air is drawn from the syringe creating reduced air pressure in the syringe. During low vacuum, the colostrum is drawn into the syringe by the reduced air pressure in the syringe.