Instrumented Feeding Bottle Pressure Sensing for Infant Sucking Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assessing infant feeding patterns are limited, subjective, and impractical for home environments, leading to inaccurate estimation of growth risks and feeding optimization.
Innovation Solution
An instrumented feeding bottle equipped with a pressure sensor, computer, and optional camera and accelerometer to objectively measure sucking pressures, bottle orientation, and environmental data, providing real-time feedback and assistive delivery of milk based on infant sucking patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure sensor and computer are integrated into the bottle, then measurement precision of sucking pressures is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bottle is divided into separate functional modules: the bottle enclosure, the bottom housing containing the pressure sensor, and the computer processing unit. This segmentation allows the sensor to be integrated without making the entire bottle complex, as each component can be manufactured and assembled independently.
Solution Approach 2:
A passageway is introduced as an intermediary structure connecting the pressure sensor to the bottle enclosure interior. This passageway allows the pressure sensor to detect sucking pressures accurately while maintaining a clean separation between the sensing mechanism and the feeding chamber, simplifying the overall design.
2Ease of manufacture
If detachable bottom housing is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability of pressure detection may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom housing is designed as a detachable module that can be separated from the main bottle enclosure for manufacturing and cleaning purposes. This segmentation enables easier production and sterilization while maintaining reliable pressure detection through the integrated passageway when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The passageway is pre-formed during the manufacturing of the bottom housing, ensuring that when the housing is assembled to the bottle enclosure, the pressure sensor is already positioned and connected to detect pressures accurately from the start of use.
3Productivity
If real-time pressure monitoring is implemented, then productivity of feeding assessment is improved, but use of energy by moving object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the infant's own sucking action to generate the pressure changes that trigger data collection. The pressure sensor passively detects the natural pressure variations caused by sucking, rather than requiring active energy input from the system to monitor feeding patterns, thus improving productivity without significantly increasing energy consumption.
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
Facilitates accurate assessment and optimization of infant feeding practices, promoting healthy growth by quantifying sucking behaviors, meal patterns, and caregiver interactions, and assisting with feeding difficulties.
Implementation Method 1
A pressure sensor is positioned adjacent the separation surface of the bottom housing and connected by a passageway to the instrument compartment in the bottom housing, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to detect changes of pressure in the bottle enclosure
Data Source
AI summary
A feeding bottle includes a bottle enclosure defining a hollow bottle chamber, wherein the enclosure defines a feeding outlet at a first end and an attachment structure 26 at a second end. A bottom housing defines an instrument compartment extending between a closed exterior portion of the bottom housing and a separation surface within the bottom housing, wherein the bottom housing is configured for detachable connection to the attachment structure 26 of the bottle enclosure. A relief valve is positioned within the separation surface of the bottom housing. A pressure sensor is positioned adjacent the separation surface of the bottom housing and connected by a passageway to the instrument compartment in the bottom housing, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to detect changes of pressure in the bottle enclosure.