Vibratory Waveform for Breast Pump Milk Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current breast pumps are inefficient in expressing milk, as they rely solely on suction cycles without vibrations, leading to incomplete milk extraction and longer pumping times, which can cause breast engorgement and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a vibratory waveform in breast pumps, which applies vibrations during the pumping cycle to reduce shear stress and stimulate milk flow, using mechanisms like modulating vacuum patterns, solenoids, or external vibration devices to enhance milk extraction efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional suction-only waveform is used, then device complexity is low, but milk extraction efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration to the breast tissue during milk extraction by incorporating a vibration motor or eccentric mass mechanism in the breast pump device. The vibration waveform generator creates oscillatory motion that mechanically stimulates milk ducts and reduces shear stress, thereby improving milk flow rates and extraction efficiency without requiring complex additional systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by generating a vibratory waveform that oscillates between vacuum and atmospheric pressure at controlled frequencies (e.g., 2-20 Hz). This periodic variation in pressure, achieved through rhythmic activation of the vibration mechanism synchronized with the pumping cycle, enhances milk ejection reflex and facilitates more complete milk removal compared to continuous static suction
2Quantity of substance
If longer pumping time is used, then milk extraction is more complete, but breast engorgement and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining effective milk extraction throughout the pumping session. The vibratory waveform prevents milk duct collapse and maintains open flow paths continuously during both vacuum and release phases, ensuring that milk extraction remains effective throughout the entire cycle rather than being interrupted by duct closure, thereby achieving complete extraction in shorter time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically varying the vibration frequency and amplitude during different phases of the pumping cycle. The system adjusts vibration parameters (e.g., increasing frequency during vacuum phase, modifying amplitude during release phase) to optimize milk flow at each stage, enabling more complete extraction in reduced time through adaptive parameter optimization
3Productivity
If vibration is added to enhance milk flow, then pumping efficiency increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing the vibration mechanism to serve multiple functions: it stimulates milk ejection reflex, reduces shear stress on milk ducts, prevents duct collapse, and enhances overall milk flow. By integrating a single vibration motor or eccentric mass system that performs these diverse functions, the patent improves milk flow rate without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a vibration waveform generator that mediates between the vacuum source and the breast tissue. This intermediary vibration mechanism translates electrical energy into mechanical oscillations that indirectly facilitate milk flow by stimulating ductal dynamics and reducing resistance, rather than directly increasing vacuum pressure, thereby achieving enhanced productivity with minimal added complexity
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
The vibratory waveform increases milk flow rates, reduces pumping time, and enhances user comfort by stimulating letdown reflexes, allowing for more efficient and complete milk expression.
Implementation Method 1
The breast pump waveform with added vibrations according to the present disclosure is often referred to herein as a 'vibratory waveform.' The vibratory waveform helps the breast pump empty milk from the breast more completely and/or in a shorter time
Implementation Method 2
The vibrations may facilitate improved let down and reduce the shear stress of milk against the inner walls of the milk ducts, to help increase the volume flow rate of milk flowing out of the milk duct
Implementation Method 3
a vacuum motor device for facilitating milk extraction from a breast of a user... a motor configured to cause air to flow into the inlet portion and out of the outlet portion during a breast pumping cycle to create suction for extracting the milk
Data Source
AI summary
Breast pumps allow for increased milk volume flow rates and/or increased pump efficiency. Various devices and techniques are used to introduce a more diverse set of vibration patterns which enable users to customize the performance of the vibration and/or enable vibrations to be present or absent in ways not currently enabled by the state of the art. This can involve applying vibrations to the breast during the breast pump cycle (or “waveform”), to increase the volume flow rate of expressed milk for a given cycle speed and suction level.