Compression Sleeve Nursing Brassiere for Milk Duct Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brassieres fail to provide uniform compression to assist in preventing and alleviating clogged milk ducts, and effectively releasing breast milk, while also providing comfort and support for nursing mothers.
Innovation Solution
A nursing brassiere with compression sleeve breast cups that apply equal and uniform pressure to the periphery of the breast, made of stretchable material without wires, featuring wide straps with VELCRO attachment, a detachable abdominal cover, timer, and accessible pocket for easy nursing and hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional brassieres with smooth lines and stretchable material are used, then comfort and support are improved, but the ability to apply uniform compression to assist milk release is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The breast cup is segmented into a compression sleeve that encircles the breast and an aperture portion that exposes the areola and nipple. This segmentation allows the compression sleeve to apply uniform pressure around the breast periphery while the aperture provides targeted access for nursing, resolving the contradiction between comfort and compression effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The brassiere features localized compression through the compression sleeve that encircles only the breast area, while the aperture portion provides localized exposure for nursing. This local quality approach allows uniform compression to be applied where needed without compromising comfort or nursing access.
2Ease of operation
If the breast is fully exposed for nursing access, then ease of nursing is improved, but bacterial exposure and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture portion of the breast cup is designed to expose only the areola and nipple areas necessary for nursing, while the compression sleeve maintains coverage over the rest of the breast. This localized exposure minimizes bacterial exposure risk while preserving adequate nursing access.
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 brassiere effectively assists in releasing milk from clogged ducts, provides comfort and support, reduces bacterial exposure, and facilitates easy nursing with minimal breast handling.
Implementation Method 1
The compression sleeves can provide enough pressure on the breast to assist in releasing milk from the milk ducts
Implementation Method 2
The brassiere includes stretchable material (like spandex) and would provide as much support as a regular brassiere to the breast. This patent noted the ability of the brassiere to comfortably expand and contract due to stretchable material
Implementation Method 3
this patent, in particular, notes the use of a wide strap which connects and attaches by the use of hook and loop members, such as VELCOTM being sewn to the straps
Data Source
AI summary
A brassiere for use while nursing or pumping to help in the release of breast milk from the milk ducts of a woman's breast by applying steady and uniform pressure to the periphery of the breast with a stretchable compression material, with the pressure directed radially inward toward a centerline of the breast and outwardly through the nipple of the breast, to place pressure on the milk ducts and to assist in pushing milk out of the nipples. The nursing brassiere lifts the breast to assist in handling the breast while nursing and enables for a more relaxed breast-feeding or pumping experience.