HMO Fortifier Composition for Primiparous Breast Milk

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Solution Overview

Problem

Infants born to primiparous mothers are at increased risk of health issues due to lower concentrations of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in breast milk, which are crucial for optimal growth and development.

Innovation Solution

A human milk fortifier composition tailored for primiparous mothers, enriched with specific HMOs such as 2′-Fucosyllactose, 3′-Fucosyllactose, and Lacto-N-Fucosylpentaose-II, to supplement breast milk and optimize HMO intake.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If breast milk from primiparous mothers is used, then the natural feeding is simple and direct, but the HMO concentration is lower which may compromise infant health

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveHMO concentrationVSAvoidfeeding system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A fortifier composition is introduced as an intermediary substance that bridges the gap between primiparous mothers' breast milk and the desired HMO concentration. The fortifier contains specific HMOs (2'-FL, 3'-FL, LNFP-I, LNFP-II, LNFP-III) that supplement the naturally lower concentration in primiparous milk, achieving levels comparable to multiparous milk without changing the feeding method itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the concentration parameter of HMOs in the breast milk system by adding a fortifier. The fortifier specifically increases HMO concentration from the naturally lower levels in primiparous milk to target ranges (e.g., 2'-FL: 1-10 g/L, 3'-FL: 0.5-5 g/L) while maintaining other breast milk properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If HMO concentration is increased to match multiparous mothers, then infant health risk is reduced, but the breast milk composition becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfant health outcomeVSAvoidmilk composition complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fortifier applies local quality enhancement by specifically targeting HMO concentration without altering other breast milk components. The composition focuses on five key HMOs (2'-FL, 3'-FL, LNFP-I, LNFP-II, LNFP-III) at defined concentration ranges, leaving the natural breast milk matrix unchanged while locally improving the HMO profile to match multiparous milk standards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If a generic fortifier is used, then the product development is simpler, but it cannot specifically address the needs of primiparous mothers' infants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefortifier customizationVSAvoidproduct development complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fortifier market is segmented into parity-specific products. This invention creates a dedicated fortifier formulation for primiparous mothers that differs from generic or multiparous-targeted fortifiers. The segmentation is based on the documented difference in baseline HMO concentrations between primiparous and multiparous milk, allowing customized supplementation strategies for each group

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12628859B2Human milk fortifier

Publication Date: 2026.05.19 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA

AI summary

A human milk fortifier composition comprising one or more human milk oligosaccharides. Said human milk fortifier composition may be tailored to fortify the breast milk of a primiparous woman.