Stepper Motor Breast Pump Pressure Profiles for Personalized Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional breast pumps lack flexibility in pressure profile customization, particularly in portable models, limiting their effectiveness for individual user needs and preferences.
Innovation Solution
A breast pump system with a stepper motor-driven force unit and control unit that allows users to select from various pressure shape options, enabling customizable expression mode pressure profiles through precise control of pressure variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a portable vacuum pump is used in breast pumps, then the device becomes more portable and compact, but the pressure profile control becomes less flexible and releases pressure very quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing the fixed-speed vacuum pump with a controllable peristaltic pump that can dynamically adjust its pumping speed and pressure profile. The peristaltic pump's roller mechanism can be controlled to create variable pressure patterns, allowing the system to adapt between different expression modes (stimulation and extraction) while maintaining portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the pumping parameters (speed, pressure, duration) of the peristaltic pump based on the selected expression mode. The control system adjusts these parameters to generate different pressure profiles suitable for stimulation phase (higher frequency, lower pressure) and extraction phase (lower frequency, higher pressure), thereby resolving the contradiction between portability and pressure profile flexibility.
2Device complexity
If conventional pressure profiles are used with fixed shapes, then the device structure remains simple, but the user cannot customize pressure profiles for different expression modes
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically switches between different pressure profile shapes based on the expression mode selected by the user. During stimulation mode, the system applies a first pressure profile shape, and during extraction mode, it applies a second pressure profile shape, enabling customization without requiring complex hardware modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a single peristaltic pump system that can perform multiple functions: it can generate different pressure profiles (stimulation and extraction modes) using the same hardware platform. The control unit enables this one system to serve multiple expression modes through software-controlled parameter adjustments.
3Device complexity
If the pressure profile is only scaled in time and amplitude, then the control system remains simple, but the shape of the pressure profile cannot be customized
Solution Approach 1:
The control system changes multiple parameters simultaneously including pressure amplitude, frequency, and crucially the temporal shape of the pressure profile. By independently controlling the peristaltic pump's roller movement, the system can create different pressure waveforms (e.g., sinusoidal, triangular, or custom shapes) beyond simple scaling, enabling users to select from multiple pressure profile shapes for different expression modes.
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
Enables personalized milk extraction by allowing users to choose from multiple pressure shapes, enhancing comfort and efficiency, and reducing the risk of suboptimal pump selection.
Implementation Method 1
wherein optionally the force unit comprises a stepper motor configured to be moved in steps, and configured to transmit a movement to the outlet membrane with each step
Implementation Method 2
the pressure outlet is configured to be fluidly connected to a breast cup configured to be arranged on the breast... a force unit configured to move the at least one outlet membrane for controlling the pressure at the air outlet
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
Pump system for a breast pump comprising a stepper motor; and a control unit configured to receive user input settings, wherein the user input settings relate to a frequency, an amplitude, and a pressure shape chosen from a plurality of predetermined expression mode pressure shapes; determine an expression mode pressure profile based on the user input settings, wherein for a first expression mode pressure profile based on user settings with a first pressure shape, and a second expression mode pressure profile based on user settings with a second pressure shape, the pressure at the air outlet in function of time differ from each other in more and/or other ways than being scaled in amplitude and/or time.