Wearable Breast Pump With Closed-Loop Diaphragm Suction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing breast pump systems are bulky, require tethering to electrical sockets, are uncomfortable, difficult to clean, and inefficient in milk collection, often requiring complex mechanisms and non-reusable collapsible bags, and lack accurate liquid measurement.
Innovation Solution
A wearable breast pump system with a piezo air-pump and closed-loop pneumatic system, featuring a self-sealing design for easy assembly and cleaning, a deformable diaphragm, and a detachable milk collection container with integrated liquid measurement, allowing discreet use and efficient milk collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a large suction generating device connected to mains power is used, then sufficient suction force is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and requires tethering to electrical sockets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the suction generating function from a large mains-powered device and implements it using a miniaturized battery-powered vacuum pump. This allows the core functionality to be retained while removing the bulky components (mains power connection, large housing) that caused the volume increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical system connected to mains power with a battery-powered system. This substitution enables portability and reduces the need for external power connections, directly addressing the tethering and bulk issues while maintaining sufficient suction force through optimized pump design.
2Quantity of substance
If complex mechanisms and non-reusable collapsible bags are used, then milk collection is achieved, but the system becomes difficult to clean and increases waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the milk collection system into separable components: a reusable pump unit and detachable collection bottles. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex integrated mechanisms and non-reusable bags, allowing for easier cleaning and reuse while maintaining adequate milk collection capacity through multiple bottles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a reusable system where collection bottles can be emptied, cleaned, and reused multiple times, replacing the disposable collapsible bags. This recovers the collection vessels for repeated use, reducing waste while maintaining collection functionality.
3Ease of operation
If specialized bras with central slits are used, then discrete pumping is enabled, but comfort is reduced and the system is hard to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal pump system that can be used with regular bras rather than requiring specialized bras with central slits. The miniaturized wearable pump unit can be positioned comfortably within standard bra structures, providing discreet usage without the discomfort and cleaning difficulties associated with modified bras.
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 system provides comfortable, discreet, and efficient milk extraction with easy cleaning, increased milk capacity, and accurate liquid measurement, reducing complexity and waste.
Implementation Method 1
a piezo air-pump fitted in the housing and forming part of a closed loop system that drives a separate, deformable diaphragm to generate negative air pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable breast pump system is provided. The wearable breast pump system can include a housing having a pump, a breast flange, and a milk container. The pump can form part of a closed loop system that drives a separate, deformable diaphragm to generate negative air pressure. The diaphragm can be removably mounted on a breast shield.