Compact Breast Pump with Segmented Vacuum Actuation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current breast pumps are either inefficient and bulky or small and tiring to use, lacking features for milk production quantification and mobile device communication, which are essential for enhanced user convenience.

Innovation Solution

A compact and efficient breast milk expression device with an actuatable assembly, breast interface, and tube that forms a vacuum for milk expression, featuring a flexible membrane, tensile element, and integrated valve, along with a controller for milk production quantification and communication with mobile devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If electrically-powered breast pumps are used, then milk expression efficiency is improved, but device size and bulkiness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemilk expression efficiencyVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The breast pump system is divided into separate components: a portable handheld expression device and a separate power/control unit. This segmentation allows the expression device to be compact and lightweight while the motorized components reside in the separate unit, resolving the contradiction between portability and powered efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible tube serves as an intermediary connection between the handheld expression device and the power unit. This allows the transfer of mechanical force and control signals without requiring the motor to be integrated into the handheld device, maintaining compact size while enabling powered operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If manually-actuated breast pumps are used, then device size is reduced, but milk expression efficiency and user effort decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidmilk expression efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates a dynamic actuation system where a small linear actuator or motor in the power unit remotely controls the expression mechanism in the handheld device. This dynamic control system enables efficient milk expression without requiring the user to manually generate the actuation force, resolving the contradiction between compact size and expression efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If breast pumps lack quantification and communication features, then device complexity is reduced, but user convenience and monitoring capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates sensors that measure milk expression volume and provide real-time feedback to the user through the mobile application. This feedback mechanism enables quantification of milk production without significantly increasing device complexity, as the sensing components are integrated into the existing structure and communicate wirelessly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Manual tracking of milk production is replaced with electronic sensing and wireless communication systems. The device uses electronic sensors and mobile application integration to automatically track and report milk expression data, eliminating the need for manual measurement and record-keeping while adding minimal physical complexity to the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical 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 device provides efficient milk expression with reduced user effort, accurate milk production tracking, and convenient communication, significantly improving user experience compared to existing pumps.

Implementation Method 1

The movable member moves in response to actuation of the actuatable assembly and thereby forms a vacuum in the breast interface and applies the vacuum to the breast to express milk therefrom

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

Actuation of the actuatable assembly may displace a fluid that is disposed in the tube. The fluid may be an incompressible fluid such as water or oil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic fluid displacement: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 3

The tensile element may comprise a rope, a wire, or a cable. The tensile element may be operatively coupled with the movable member and the actuatable assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Data Source

PatentUS9616156B2Method, apparatus, and system for expression and quantification of human breast milk

Publication Date: 2017.04.11 WILLOW INNOVATIONS INC

AI summary

A device for expression and collection of breast milk includes an actuatable assembly, a breast interface, and a tube. The breast interface is sized to receive a breast and form a fluid tight seal against the breast. The breast interface includes a deformable member disposed within at least a portion of the breast interface. The deformable member deforms in response to actuation of the actuatable assembly and applies vacuum pressure against the breast to express milk. The tube operatively couples the actuatable assembly to the breast interface.