Vibrating Pacifier Nipple for Infant Suck-Swallow-Breathe Training

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Solution Overview

Problem

Infants face difficulties in developing the suck-swallow-breathe pattern necessary for nutritive and non-nutritive sucking, leading to challenges in bottle feeding and self-soothing with a pacifier due to low tone, tethered oral tissues, or underdeveloped mouth structures.

Innovation Solution

An infant training device comprising a bulbous nipple, vibration mechanism, controller, and power supply, which provides controlled vibrations to aid in developing the suck-swallow-breathe pattern through tactile stimulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vibration mechanism is added to provide tactile stimulation, then the effectiveness of training infant suck-swallow-breathe pattern is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of trainingVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration mechanism is inserted within the inner diameter of the bulbous nipple, nesting the motor inside the existing pacifier structure. This eliminates the need for external mounting components and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the training function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The device combines multiple functions into a single pacifier unit: soothing through vibration, training suck-swallow-breathe pattern, and providing tactile stimulation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate training devices, thereby reducing overall device complexity in the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If controller with multiple vibration modes is implemented, then the adaptability to different infant needs is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller provides dynamically adjustable vibration modes (continuous, short pulse, long pulse) that can adapt to different infant needs and training stages. This dynamic control capability enhances adaptability while using a simple switching mechanism rather than complex control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller implements periodic vibration patterns (pulses) with different durations to simulate natural feeding rhythms. This periodic action provides adaptability for different training phases without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If vibration range is increased to enhance tactile stimulation, then the training effectiveness is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraining effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration mechanism operates within an optimized range (6000-17000 rpm) that balances tactile stimulation effectiveness with energy consumption. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient training effect while minimizing power usage during vibration phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The controller uses periodic pulse modes rather than continuous vibration, allowing the motor to rest between pulses. This reduces average energy consumption while maintaining effective tactile stimulation during active vibration periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Enhances the development of the suck-swallow-breathe pattern, facilitates effective bottle feeding, and provides soothing tactile input, reducing frustration and gastrointestinal issues in infants.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration mechanism connected to the body portion of the mouthpiece

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a vibrator that includes an unbalanced weight motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUnbalanced weight motor: Eccentric

Implementation Method 3

a solenoid vibration motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolenoid vibration motor: Solenoid

Data Source

PatentUS12544318B2Infant training devices and methods for the use thereof

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 MONAHAN LAUREN

AI summary

Infant training devices and methods for the use thereof are disclosed herein. A benefit to the devices and methods herein can be the effective training of an infant to develop the suck-swallow-breathe pattern of nutritive and non-nutritive sucking required for feeding from an infant bottle, or for self-soothing with a pacifier. A further benefit to the devices and methods herein can be providing versatile devices for the use of vibration therapy as an infant training aid for feeding from an infant feeding bottle, or as an infant soothing pacifier.