Optical Milk Droplet Sensor for Breast Pump Flow Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional breast pumps rely on inaccurate fluidic measurement gradations on milk catchment bottles, leading to approximations of milk flow rate and volume, which can result in errors and increased risk of milk loss due to the need for additional bottles and complex calculations.
Innovation Solution
A breast pump with a manifold and droplet forming spout, equipped with a sensor that detects and counts uniform milk droplets to accurately measure flow rate and volume, allowing for precise tracking of milk expressed from each breast separately or cumulatively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluidic measurement gradations are used on milk catchment bottles, then mothers can assess milk amount, but measurement precision deteriorates due to bottle tilt and deformable containers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual fluidic measurement gradations system with an optical sensor system. The sensor detects milk droplets and uses image processing to calculate volume, eliminating the need for physical measurement markings on the bottle that are prone to error from tilting or container deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy/representation of the milk volume through sensor detection and image processing, rather than relying on physical measurement markings. The sensor captures optical information and converts it into accurate volume data, providing a virtual measurement system that is independent of bottle orientation or shape.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple milk catchment bottles are used for simultaneous breast pumping, then both breasts can be collected, but device complexity increases and milk loss risk increases due to pouring and calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the measurement functionality into a single integrated sensor system that can track milk from multiple bottles simultaneously. Rather than requiring separate measurement systems for each bottle, the sensor provides unified monitoring that simplifies the overall system while maintaining dual-breast pumping capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system automatically tracks and calculates milk volume from each breast without requiring manual intervention. The system self-monitors the milk collection process, eliminating the need for mothers to manually pour, transfer, or calculate volumes between bottles.
3Quantity of substance
If fluidic measurement gradations are used, then approximate milk volume can be determined, but loss of substance increases due to milk spillage during transfer between bottles
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system provides automatic, continuous monitoring of milk volume in the collection bottles without requiring manual transfer or intervention. This self-monitoring capability eliminates the need for mothers to pour milk between bottles for measurement purposes, thereby preventing spillage loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor provides real-time feedback on milk volume accumulation, allowing the system and user to track total volume without manual measurement. This continuous feedback loop replaces discrete manual measurement steps that involved physical transfer and potential spillage.
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
Provides accurate and precise measurement of milk flow rate and volume, reducing errors and milk loss, while simplifying the process by eliminating the need for multiple bottles and complex calculations.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor is disposed under the droplet forming spout in the breast pump. The sensor detects droplets of milk released from the spout.
Data Source
AI summary
A breast pump milk flow sensor system and apparatus for accurately assessing both a flow rate and amount of milk expressed during a pumping session is provided. The breast pump milk flow rate sensor system and apparatus may be contained within a breast pump.