RU2773304C2 - Appliance with a breast pump - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medical equipment.

SUBSTANCE: appliance with a breast pump comprises a set for pumping with a milk flow sensor. The milk flow sensor comprises: a container with a first end provided with a first hole and a second end provided with a second hole. The first end of the container is configured to receive the pumped milk, and the second hole is configured to provide an output milk flow with preset characteristics of the output flow from the inside of the container. The first hole is larger than the second hole. The milk amount sensor is configured to measure the height or volume of milk in the container. The computing unit is configured to calculate the milk flow based on the values of measurement of the height or volume from the milk amount sensor and the preset characteristic of the output flow of the second hole. Disclosed is a computing unit.

EFFECT: provided tracking of the amount of milk pumped by means of the appliance with a breast pump.

12 cl, 6 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0001] The present invention relates to a breast pump accessory and a method for operating a breast pump accessory.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A breast pump device is used by women to express milk from their breasts. The amount of milk that can be extracted by a user with a breast pump attachment may vary over time and may also depend on several other factors. In order to improve milk yield, the user generally wishes to monitor the amount of milk that can be extracted by the breast pump attachment.

[0003] US 2017/0220753 discloses a sensor network for mothers using breast pumps. The sensors are located on the neck of the milk collection container. Sensors measure the flow rate of milk flowing into the milk container. The sensors may be capacitive sensors. In addition, the sensors may be volume sensors that measure the liquid level by means of capacitive sensors, ultrasonic sensors, microphones, or optical sensors. The sensors are located between the breast pad and the milk collection container. A chute is used to allow the milk to pool and drop in drops into the container in a controlled manner. These droplets are detected by sensors. Based on the measured drops falling from the chute, information about the volume of milk can be generated.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a breast pump accessory that would allow a user to monitor the amount of milk that has been expressed by the breast pump accessory.

[0005] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a breast pump accessory that includes at least one pumping set with at least one milk flow sensor. The milk flow sensor contains a container with the first and second ends having the first and second openings, respectively. The first end with the first hole is configured to receive expressed milk. The first hole is larger than the second hole. The second hole is made with the possibility of providing the output flow of milk with a given characteristic of the output flow from inside the container. The milk flow sensor comprises a milk quantity sensor configured to measure the height or volume of milk in the container. In addition, the milk flow sensor includes a computing unit configured to determine the milk flow based on the height or volume measurement values from the milk quantity sensor and the specified output flow characteristic of the second opening.

[0006] By providing a predetermined output flow rate in the container as a characteristic of the output flow, and by determining the amount of milk inside the container, it is possible to determine the flow of milk. The use of a container with specified outlet flow characteristics is preferred as it allows the milk flow and volume of milk recovered to be determined based on this information. When the pump is activated, milk is usually ejected in pulses. The ejected milk can then flow into the container from where some milk, namely according to a predetermined milk outlet flow characteristic, flows out of the container, for example into a bottle. By measuring the height or volume of milk in the container over time, the computing unit can determine how much milk has flowed out of the container, such as into a milk collection bottle. Due to the set characteristic of the milk outlet flow from the inside of the container, during the operation of the breast pump, a certain amount of milk will accumulate in the container. The desired outlet flow characteristic depends on the shape of the container and, in particular, the shape of the second opening. If the diameter of the second hole is smaller, then, obviously, the output flow will be reduced. In addition, the amount of milk inside the container can be taken into account in the characteristic of the output flow. The outlet flow characteristic will be determined by the configuration of the vessel and the second orifice. This is a design decision during the construction of the tank. Once these characteristics are known, the computing unit can use this information to determine the flow of milk. The milk quantity sensor measures the height or volume of this accumulated milk. The calculation unit may integrate the determined milk flow over time to calculate the volume of milk.

[0007] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the milk flow sensor acts as a quasi-integrator. The momentum of milk enters the container through the first end, and the milk will flow out of the container with a predetermined output flow through the second opening.

[0008] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the volumetric output flow of milk from a container is determined as follows:

V _dot = C _c *C _v *A _aperture *sqrt(2*9.81*h)

where V _dot is the volumetric flow of milk,

A _aperture - the area of the hole in the bottom,

C _c is the hole compression factor and

C _v is the milk velocity factor and

h is the height of the milk in the container.

[0009] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the container is rigid, i. the container is not deformed. This is advantageously to prevent any deformation of the container from affecting height or volume measurements.

[0010] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a milk sensor can measure the height or volume of milk based on a measurement of capacitance, resistance, or optical property.

[0011] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a breast pump accessory comprises a breast pump assembly. Part of the milk sensor, namely the electronic components and possibly the calculation unit, may be part of the pump unit.

[0012] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the milk quantity sensor is a capacitive sensor that includes two metal plates along the walls of the container. Preferably, the metal plates are embedded in a non-conductive material. Due to the fact that the container is strong or rigid, the metal plates do not move, thereby not reducing the measurement accuracy. The capacitance of the two plates will change if milk accumulates inside the container and hence between the two plates. These capacitance changes can be determined and the milk flow can be determined.

[0013] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the amount of milk inside the container can be determined by measuring the electrical resistance between two plates. The two electrically conductive plates may be partially lined with a non-conductive material. However, at least a portion of the two electrically conductive plates must not be covered with a non-conductive material in order to provide an electrical connection so that a resistance measurement can be made.

[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the milk sensor is made in the form of an optical sensor containing a plurality of light emitting units and a plurality of detector units along the container wall. The detector units will determine the amount of light emitted by the light units. If milk has accumulated inside the container, this will affect the amount of light detected by the detector units. In this way, the height of the accumulated milk can be determined by means of the optical milk sensor.

[0015] Other aspects of the present invention are described in dependent claims. Additional advantages and embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0016] It should be understood that a preferred embodiment of the present invention may also be any combination of the dependent claims or the above embodiments with the corresponding independent claim.

[0017] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent and explained with reference to the implementation(s) described(e) below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In the presented drawings:

in fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a breast pump device in accordance with one aspect of the present invention,

in fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a milk flow sensor in accordance with one aspect of the present invention,

in fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a milk flow sensor in accordance with one aspect of the present invention,

in fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a milk flow sensor in accordance with one aspect of the present invention,

in fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a milk flow sensor in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, and

in fig. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a milk flow sensor in accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a breast pump device in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. The device with a breast pump contains a pumping kit 100 and a pump unit 400. The pumping set 100 includes a first receptacle 101 in which the suction hood 110 can be placed, as well as a second receptacle 120 and a third receptacle 130 for the bottle 140. In addition, the pumping set 100 includes a milk flow sensor 200, which, if necessary, may be located in the third receiving container 130. The pump unit 400 is connected to the second receiving container 120 via a vacuum tube 410. The pump 400 may be connected to the milk flow sensor 200 via an electrical line 420. The pump unit 400 may include a vacuum pump 430 and a control unit 440 to control the operation of the pump unit 400, in particular to control the pressure to generate a vacuum in the suction cup 110 and part of the set 100 for expressing through the vacuum tube 410 when the breast is placed in the suction cup 110. The control unit 440 can be connected to the milk flow sensor 200 through the electrical line 420. In addition, the pump unit 400 can Obtain a 450 wireless transceiver.

[0020] An intelligent device 300 may communicate with the pump unit 400 via a transceiver 450, comprising a wireless transceiver 310 as well as a display 320. The control unit 440 may transmit milk flow information to an electronic device 300, which may display this information on a display 320.

[0021] In FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a milk flow sensor in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. The milk flow sensor 200 includes a container 240 that has a first end 210 and a second end 220. The first end 210 has a first opening 242 and the second end 220 has a second opening 243. stream with a given characteristic of the output stream. The wall 241 of the container may be shaped like a funnel, for example. Therefore, the width of the first opening 242 is greater than the width of the second opening 243. The outlet flow characteristics of the container are determined by the configuration and shape of the second opening. Therefore, the characteristics of the outlet stream are given, namely during the construction or design of the container. Thus, the flow rate can increase as the volume of milk in the container increases. A milk quantity sensor 250 is used to measure the height or volume of milk in the container 240. The milk quantity sensor 250 may be connected to a calculation unit 260 which determines the flow of milk based on height and volume measurements obtained by the milk quantity sensor 250. The calculation unit 260 may be part of the milk flow sensor 200 or a control unit in the pump unit 400 that can perform calculations. The calculation unit 260 determines the volumetric output flow of milk from the container based on the following equation:

V _dot = C _c *C _v *A _aperture *sqrt(2*9.81*h)

where V _dot is the volume flow of milk,

A _aperture - the area of the hole in the bottom,

C _c - hole compression ratio,

C _v - milk speed coefficient, and

h is the height of the milk in the container.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a milk flow sensor in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. In FIG. 3 shows a specific implementation of the milk quantity sensor 250 as a capacitive sensor. The sensor 250 of the amount of milk contains two metal plates 251 in the wall 241 of the container. The two metal plates 251 act as two capacitor plates to enable capacitance measurement. The measured capacity will depend on the amount of milk inside the container. Thus, any changes in the amount of milk in container 240 will result in changes in container.

[0023] The design of the container with first and second ends and first and second openings substantially corresponds to the container shown in FIG. 2.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a milk flow sensor in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. The milk amount sensor 250 inside the container 240 is implemented as an optical sensor including a plurality of light units 252a for emitting light and a plurality of detector units 252b for detecting emitted light. The specific light will depend on the amount of milk inside the container. The location of the container according to Fig. 4 essentially corresponds to the arrangement of the container according to FIG. 2.

[0025] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the milk quantity sensor may be implemented as a resistive milk quantity sensor comprising first and second electrically conductive plates 251. In particular, the electrical resistance between the two plates on the container wall 241 is determined. Therefore, the plates are at least partially in direct contact with the milk inside the container 240. If necessary, the resistive milk quantity sensor can be made similar to the optical sensor, namely with a number of plates located along the wall 241.

[0026] The optical milk sensor of FIG. 4 determines the height of the volume of milk and thus determines the volume of milk.

[0027] In FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a milk flow sensor in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. A container according to this aspect of the present invention comprises a top that substantially corresponds to the containers of FIG. 2, 3, and 4, as well as a bottom portion 260 that is connected to the second end 220 of container 240. A bottom portion 260 of the container may be added to increase the resolution of the measurement. In particular, the bottom 260 is connected to the second end of the container 240 and has a higher height to width ratio.

[0028] The plurality of funnel-shaped container elements depicted in FIG. 5 can be stacked to provide increased measurement resolution even with weaker milk flows.

[0029] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the second opening 243 provides a predetermined output flow. The desired output flow is determined by the size and shape of the orifice 243.

[0030] The milk sensor of FIG. 3 measures the volume of milk through the container.

[0031] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the container 240 is made of a material that is not amenable to deformation. In particular, the design of the container 240 is strong or rigid to prevent any deformation that would reduce the accuracy of the flow sensor.

[0032] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the milk outlet flow restrictor is shaped such that the milk inside the container exits the container in one complete vacuum cycle.

[0033] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the height of the container may be significantly greater than the width. In other words, the height/width ratio is large. This is an advantage since the angle dependence in this configuration is negligible.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a milk flow sensor in accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention. The container 240 may be placed under the one-way valve 150 of the pump set. A one-way valve is provided due to the need to increase the vacuum pressure with subsequent release in the bottle. Thus, container 240 may be located below valve 150.

[0035] As described with reference to FIG. 1, milk flow or volume of milk can be wirelessly transmitted by transmitter 450 to electronic device 300 and can be displayed on its display 320. Thus, the user can determine the optimal settings for expressing milk.

[0036] Since the pump 400 receives milk flow information from the milk flow sensor 200, the operation of the pump can be adjusted based on this information. In particular, the vacuum cycle can be adapted to improve milk yield. Current milk yield information can be compared with early milk yield information to determine if milk yield has improved or decreased. In addition, a profile with optimal milk yield can be created. Pump 400 can adapt the cycle time and maximum vacuum level to improve milk yield.

[0037] If the current milk output is too low, then the user may receive information to activate stimulation settings to stimulate another milk ejection reflex and hence improve milk output.

[0038] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the settings of the breast pump automatically switch to stimulation settings immediately after the milk flow has fallen below a predetermined level.

[0039] If the flow has fallen below a predetermined level and has been there for a predetermined time, then the user may be advised to stop expressing milk.

[0040] Other variations of the described embodiment can be understood and implemented by a person skilled in the art in the implementation of the present invention in practice after reading the drawings, description and the accompanying claims.

[0041] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps, and singular grammatical indicators do not exclude plurality.

[0042] One unit or device can perform the functions of several elements listed in the claims. The mere fact that some measures are listed in different dependent claims does not in itself indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to an advantage. A computer program may be stored/distributed on a suitable storage medium, such as an optical storage medium or solid state storage media provided with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms such as over the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems.

[0043] No reference signs in the claims should be considered as limiting its scope.

Claims (27)

1. Device with a breast pump, containing at least one pumping set (100) with a milk flow sensor (200), wherein the milk flow sensor (200) comprises: container (240) with a first end (210) having a first hole (242) and a second end (220) having a second hole (243), wherein the first end (210) of the container (240) is configured to receive expressed milk (M ), and the second hole (243) is configured to provide the outlet flow of milk (M) with the specified characteristics of the outlet flow from inside the container (241), and the first hole (242) is larger than the second hole (243), a milk quantity sensor (250) configured to measure the height or volume of milk (M) in the container (240), and a computing unit (260) configured to calculate the milk flow based on the measurement values of height or volume from the sensor (250) of the amount of milk and a given characteristic of the output flow of the second hole (243). 2. A breast pump device according to claim 1, wherein the container (240) is rigid. 3. Device with a breast pump according to claim 1, in which the sensor (250) of the amount of milk is made in the form of a capacitive sensor. 4. Device with a breast pump according to claim 1, in which the sensor (250) of the amount of milk is made in the form of a resistive sensor. 5. Device with a breast pump according to claim 1, in which the sensor (250) of the amount of milk is made in the form of an optical sensor. 6. The device with a breast pump according to claim 1, further comprising a pump unit (400) containing a vacuum pump (430), and the specified pump unit (400) is connected to the set (100) for pumping through a vacuum pipeline (410) to create a vacuum in pumping set (100) to enable milk expression (M), wherein the pump unit (400) further comprises a control unit (440), which is configured to control the operation of the vacuum pump (430) to set the vacuum settings in the set (100) for pumping according to a specific milk flow. 7. The breast pump device of claim 6, wherein the control unit (440) is configured to change the operation of the vacuum pump (430) if a threshold milk flow is exceeded or if the milk flow is below a threshold. 8. The device with a breast pump according to claim 6, further comprising an electrical line (420) connecting the milk flow sensor (200) to the pump unit (400). 9. The breast pump apparatus of claim 7, wherein the pump unit (400) further comprises a wireless transceiver (450) configured to wirelessly transmit a determined flow of milk. 10. The breast pump apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computing unit (260) is configured to calculate the flow (V _dot ) of milk by using the following equation:

where V _dot is the volume flow of milk (M), A _aperture - area of the second hole (243), C _c is the compression ratio of the second hole (243), and C _v - milk speed coefficient (M), h is the height of the milk (M) inside the container (240). 11. Computing unit (260) configured to calculate the milk flow based on the height or volume measurement values from the milk quantity sensor (250) configured to measure the height or volume of milk (M) in the container (240) with the first end (210 ) having a first hole (242) and a second end (220) having a second hole (243), wherein the first end (210) of the container (240) is configured to receive expressed milk (M), and the second hole (243) is with the possibility of providing the output flow of milk (M) with a given characteristic of the output flow from inside the container (241), and the first hole (242) is larger than the second hole (243), and the given characteristic of the output flow of the second hole (243). 12. Computing unit (260) according to claim 11, which is configured to calculate the flow (V _dot ) of milk by using the following equation:

where V _dot is the volume flow of milk (M), A _aperture - area of the second hole (243), C _c is the compression ratio of the second hole (243), and C _v - milk speed coefficient (M), h is the height of the milk (M) inside the container (240).

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