RU2785285C2 - Method for monitoring of operation of electric breast pump - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: electrical devices.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to a method for control of an electric breast pump. A system is proposed, containing a machine-readable carrier and a device, for implementation of a method for monitoring of operation of an electric breast pump, using an external smart device containing a vibration detection unit. In this case, the method includes following stages: detection of vibrations coming from the electric breast pump by means of the vibration detection unit in the smart device, analysis of detected vibrations for extraction of information relatively to operation of the electric breast pump, wherein information contains at least one of an operation mode and settings of operation modes of the electric breast pump, and issue of extracted information, wherein the detected vibration is analyzed in an analysis unit in the smart device. The analysis stage includes comparison of the detected vibration with given vibration models for determination of information relatively to the operation of the electric breast pump, while, at the analysis stage, spectral analysis of detected vibrations of the electric breast pump is performed, and time coverage of vibration is analyzed in two frequency bands.

EFFECT: group of inventions provides quality monitoring of operation of an electric breast pump.

9 cl, 2 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling an electric breast pump, an intelligent device, and a breast pump system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Breast pumps are used by a breastfeeding woman to extract milk so that the milk can be fed to the baby later. As a rule, electric breast pumps have different settings or modes of operation. In particular, the breast pump has a stimulation phase and a pumping phase during which the milk is expressed. Typically, a breast pump has a user interface through which the user can control or monitor the breast pump. In particular, inexperienced users may not be fully familiar with the operation and various operating modes of the breast pump. Thus, there is a possibility that less milk than expected can be expressed by the breast pump.

[0003] US 2016/0183602 A1 discloses a sound detection method for distinguishing data collected while breastfeeding an infant from data collected while using a breast pump.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for monitoring the operation of an electric breast pump, which would enable simple and effective monitoring of the breast pump.

[0005] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method for monitoring the operation of an electric breast pump using an external intelligent device is provided. The external intelligent device contains a vibration detection unit. The vibration detection unit detects vibrations coming from the breast pump. The detected vibrations are analyzed to extract information regarding the operation of the electric breast pump. The information contains at least one of the operating mode and operating mode settings of the breast pump. The extracted information can be released.

[0006] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to monitor an electric breast pump by an external device without the need to be connected to a breast pump. The breast pump does not have to be adapted in any way. Thus, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, existing breast pumps can also be used.

[0007] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the detected vibration is analyzed in an analysis unit in an intelligent device. In this way, vibration analysis can be performed by an intelligent device without the need for, for example, an Internet connection.

[0008] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the analysis step includes comparing the detected vibration with predetermined vibration patterns to determine information regarding the operation of the breast pump.

[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, based on the detected vibration, the operation of an electric breast pump with coverage can be determined.

[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, based on the detected vibration from the breast pump, the fit of the bowls or funnels can be determined. Thus, it is possible to determine whether the cups or funnels of the breast pump are securely pressed against the user's breast or not.

[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the vibration detection unit is implemented as a microphone. Because smart devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, computers, or the like typically have an internal microphone, no additional external devices are required. The vibration detection device can also be implemented as a speed sensor, an accelerometer, or a proximity sensor. Since typical smart devices such as smartphones, tablets contain a speed sensor or an accelerometer, no additional external devices are required to monitor the operation of the electric breast pump.

[0012] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the detected settings or detected operating modes of the breast pump may be displayed, for example, on the display of a smart device in order to help the user improve milk expression.

[0013] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, in the analysis step, a spectral analysis of the detected vibrations of the electric breast pump can be performed, and the temporal coverage of the vibrations in two frequency bands can be analyzed.

[0014] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an intelligent device is provided that includes a microphone configured to detect sound from a breast pump. In addition, the intelligent device includes an analysis unit configured to analyze the sound detected by the microphone to extract information regarding the operation of the electric breast pump. This information contains at least one of the operating mode and operating mode setting of the breast pump.

[0015] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a breast pump system comprising an electric breast pump and an intelligent device as described above.

[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a computer program for controlling the smart device of claim 6 is provided. The computer program contains program code means for causing the analysis unit in the smart device to execute the method of claim 1 when the computer program is running on the smart device.

[0017] The present invention relates to the concept of using an intelligent device that contains a microphone to detect the sound of a breast pump during its operation. Based on the sound detected, the operation of the breast pump can be monitored, in particular by the fact that different modes of operation give different sounds or sound patterns. The analysis unit in the smart device can analyze the sound model to determine the operating mode of the electric breast pump. In other words, the operation of the breast pump can be analyzed and monitored based on the detected sound. In particular, various pumping sound patterns can be detected, and the detected sound can be used to extract information regarding breast pump settings (pumping mode, duty cycle, sound frequency, etc.). If necessary, this information can be displayed on a smart device. The detected sound can be analyzed, for example, by spectral analysis to determine the operating modes of the pump. Moreover, information can be obtained from the sound data regarding the proper "attachment" of the pumping set contained in the breast pump to the breast (eg loss of vacuum). This feedback can be given to the user to provide the most efficient expression.

[0018] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the operation of the breast pump may be monitored by an external intelligent device that does not require a connection, such as a wireless connection to the breast pump. In particular, an external intelligent device detects and analyzes the sound of the breast pump. From the detected sound, the operating settings and operating modes of the breast pump are obtained. Thus, the method of monitoring the operation of a breast pump according to an aspect of the present invention is advantageous because the breast pump does not require any additional hardware and since no physical connection is required between the breast pump and the smart device. Thus, the method of monitoring the operation of a breast pump can also be used for already existing breast pumps.

[0019] The smart device can be a smartphone, tablet, smart wearable device such as a smart watch, or a computer if it has or is connected to a microphone and can analyze data. The analysis block uses an algorithm to analyze the sound recorded by the microphone. The analysis unit can also be implemented as an application running on a smart device.

[0020] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a smart device may store information regarding operational settings and operation of the smart device. This information can be obtained through an application running on a smart device. For this purpose, for example, the user may enter the name and manufacturer or part number, and the smart device may access a database over the Internet to retrieve a breast pump-specific sound pattern. These sound models can then be stored on the smart device and used during analysis of the detected sound. Therefore, these sound models of sound are given sound models. Alternatively, an app running on a smart device can recognize the pump itself based on the detected sound.

[0021] Based on the extracted information regarding the operation of the breast pump, the intelligent device may determine or detect the behavior of the user when extracting milk.

[0022] 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, or aspects of the respective independent claims.

[0023] 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

[0024] In the presented drawings:

in fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a breast pump as well as an intelligent device in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, and

in fig. 2 is a graph showing the different breast pump settings detected by the smart device.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] FIG. 1 schematically depicts a breast pump as well as an intelligent device, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. The electric breast pump 100 is used by the user to extract milk. The breast pump 100 includes a pump 110 that is used to create a vacuum to express milk, and a bowl or funnel 120 that can be pressed against the user's chest.

[0026] The smart device 200 may be placed near the breast pump 100. The smart device 200 includes at least one vibration detection unit, such as a microphone 210, and an analysis unit 220. Optionally, the smart device 200 may include a display 230 as well as a wireless communication unit 240 and a processing unit 250 that may be configured to run applications that may be stored on the smart device.

[0027] To monitor the operation of the breast pump 100, the smart device 200 may be placed near the breast pump, and at least one microphone 210 is activated to detect sound from the breast pump.

[0028] The sound of the breast pump 100 detected by the microphone 110 (or the vibration detected by the vibration detection unit) is analyzed in the analysis unit 220. The analysis block 220 may also be part of the processing block 250 . In parsing block 220, an algorithm may be used to analyze the detected sounds to extract information regarding operation or operation mode and operation mode settings of the breast pump. The breast pump 100 may have several modes of operation, such as pumping modes (eg, first, second, and third pumping modes E1, E2, E3, and stimulation mode S). Based on the detected sound, the analysis unit 220 analyzes the sound to determine which of the operating modes and, if necessary, which operating mode settings are being used by the breast pump. The various operating mode settings can be, for example, duty cycle, vacuum, cycle time, and time to vacuum.

[0029] The above settings (such as vacuum, cycle time, and time to vacuum) of the various modes can be as follows:

# Mode Max. vac. [mbar] Cycle time [s] Time to vacuum [s] Mean Standard Mean Standard Mean Standard one Stimulation S -170 0.600 0.4 2 Expression I E1 -225 1,250 0.775 3 Pumping II E2 -279 1.275 0.85 four Pumping III
E3 -333 1.320 0.90

[0030] If necessary, the analysis unit 220 may use predetermined or predefined sound patterns or sound features that are unique to a particular breast pump to determine which operating settings the breast pump is using. The given sound models, for example, can be transmitted to an intelligent device via the wireless communication unit 240.

[0031] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the settings of the breast pump can be slightly modified (for example, the duty cycle can be somewhat longer) to improve the distinctness of different operating modes (pumping mode, stimulation mode) and different operating mode settings. However, care must be taken that the efficiency of the pump does not suffer too much.

[0032] If necessary, the detected modes of operation and/or the detected settings can be displayed on the display 230.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a graph showing the different breast pump settings detected by the smart device. In FIG. 2 shows the resulting values of the operating settings of the breast pump, detected by the microphone in the smart device, as a function of time. In the first graph, after six seconds, the second working mode E2 pumping is detected. In the following graph, the third operating mode E3 pumping is found. In the third graph, the operating mode S of stimulation is found. In the fourth graph, the first pumping operating mode E1 is found. The lower graphs essentially correspond to the upper graphs.

[0034] The intelligent device, in particular the analysis units 220, can also detect the time during which the breast pump is in a particular mode of operation, such as stimulation mode or pumping mode.

[0035] Based on the detected operating settings and operating mode of the breast pump, information may be displayed on the display 230 in order to help the user improve milk expression. For example, if the user is in stimulation mode for a long time (eg, longer than 3 minutes), then the smart device may display information regarding the importance of relaxation for pumping milk. In addition, this may also include making recommendations for relaxation or a relaxing sound or music.

[0036] The information detected by the smart device 200 may also be collected over several days or weeks to determine the procedure the user is following. Based on this information, the smart device can remind the user of the next time to express milk.

[0037] In addition, a calendar application may also be running on the smart device. The information from this calendar application may be included in a recommendation given to the user of the breast pump 100 and smart device 200. In particular, the smart device 200 may assist the user in scheduling pumping sessions based on the timing of previous pumping sessions, breastfeeding sessions for a preferred amount of time between these sessions. , as well as information or appointments in the calendar on the smart device.

[0038] In addition, the smart device may include a camera that can be used to detect the amount of milk expressed by the breast pump. For this purpose, the user may only need to take a photograph of the milk inside the breast pump container.

[0039] The smart device can also archive the amount of milk, time and duration of pumping sessions, breast pump settings, as well as the volume of milk expressed, to increase the volume of expressed milk.

[0040] The application running on the smart device can also detect the user's routine, such as pumping once in the morning and twice in the afternoon, and that the user is expressing more milk in the morning than during the day. This can be used to provide a better understanding of a woman's milk production, which may be higher in the morning than during the day. This information can be used to make a recommendation, for example, to pump twice in the morning rather than twice in the afternoon.

[0041] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the application can be used to track the use of the breast pump by the user to determine if the user is following the recommendations from the application.

[0042] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the detected information, as well as the analysis performed by the analysis unit, may be displayed on the display 230. This information may contain information regarding pumping speed, amount expressed, etc. In particular, it may contain the following information: "You have expressed the same amount of milk using setting 2 as 3, but you do it faster using setting 3." Or it could read: “If you need comfort you can pump using setting 2 and you will have enough milk for your baby, but if you need to be quick you can use setting 3 and save x minutes of pumping time.” ".

[0043] Moreover, the application and the smart device can be configured to detect the end of a download session and trigger additional events. For example, if the user has finished expressing milk, they can take a picture of the milk inside the container to determine how much milk has been expressed.

[0044] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an application running on a smart device can determine whether the breast pump funnel has been properly attached to the breast. If the cup or funnel is completely sealed against the chest, the pump will need more effort to create volume. This will put more stress on the pump motor and therefore lower pump speed. This can be detected by the sounds emitted by the pump unit 110. Analysis unit 220 may use time-spectrum analysis to detect this change and rotational speed. This information can be used to determine if the breast is properly sealed with a funnel or cup.

[0045] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the intelligent device can also determine the presence of a defect or failure of the pump, since this will give a different sound.

[0046] In addition, the algorithm used by the analyzer 220 may be a machine learning algorithm such as a deep neural network. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a spectral analysis of the detected sound of a breast pump can be performed. In particular, the temporal coverage of sound in two frequency bands at 6.82-8 kHz and at 19.9 kHz can be analyzed, since the frequency bands can contain specific information for each operating mode of the breast pump. If necessary, 5.8 second frames can be taken using these two frequency bands. The calculation of the mean value of the 2 autocorrelation functions can be performed from the smoothed and windowed energy profiles. The autocorrelation delay may correspond to the swing profile cycle time.

[0047] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a vibration detection unit can be used to detect vibrations of an electric breast pump. The vibration detection unit can be implemented as a microphone, as described above.

[0048] Alternatively, the vibration detection unit may be implemented as an accelerometer, speed sensor, or proximity sensor (eg, within an intelligent device). If the smart device is placed on an electric breast pump, then the accelerometer can detect the vibration of the breast pump and can analyze the vibration as described above.

[0049] 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.

[0050] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps, and singular grammatical indicators do not exclude the plural.

[0051] One unit or device may satisfy the functions of several elements listed in the claims. The mere fact that some measures are listed in mutually distinct dependent clauses does not in itself indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. A computer program may be stored/distributed on a suitable storage medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid state storage medium supplied with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunications media. systems.

[0052] No reference signs in the claims should be considered as limiting its scope.

Claims (18)

1. A method for monitoring the operation of an electric breast pump (100) using an external intelligent device (200) containing a vibration detection unit (210), including the following steps: detection of vibrations coming from the electric breast pump (100) by means of the vibration detection unit (210) in the smart device (200), analysis of detected vibrations to extract information regarding the operation of the electric breast pump (100), moreover, the information contains at least one of the operating mode and operating mode settings of the electric breast pump (100), and release of extracted information, moreover, the detected vibration is analyzed in the analysis unit (220) in the intelligent device (200), the analysis step includes comparing the detected vibration with predetermined vibration patterns to determine information regarding the operation of the electric breast pump (100), and characterized in that the analysis step performs a spectral analysis of the detected vibrations of the electric breast pump (100) and analyzes the temporal coverage of the vibration in two frequency bands. 2. The method for monitoring the operation of the electric breast pump (100) according to claim 1, further comprising the step of determining a malfunction of the electric breast pump (100) based on the detected vibration of the electric breast pump (100). 3. The method for monitoring the operation of the electric breast pump (100) according to claim 1, further comprising the step of determining the fit of the cups or funnels (120) of the electric breast pump (100) based on the detected vibration of the electric breast pump (100). 4. The method for monitoring the operation of the electric breast pump (100) according to claim 1, wherein the vibration detection unit is a microphone (210), a speed sensor, an accelerometer, or a proximity sensor. 5. The method for monitoring the operation of the electric breast pump (100) according to claim 1, wherein the detected settings or operating mode of the electric breast pump (100) can be displayed in order to help the user improve milk expression. 6. Intelligent device (200) for monitoring the operation of an electric breast pump, containing: a vibration detection unit (210) configured to detect vibrations coming from the electric breast pump (100), and an analysis unit (220) configured to analyze the vibrations detected by the vibration detection unit (210) to determine information regarding the operation of the electric breast pump (100) by comparing the detected vibrations with predetermined vibration patterns and performing a spectral analysis of the detected vibrations, as well as by analyzing temporal coverage of detected vibrations in two frequency bands, moreover, the information contains at least one of the operating mode and operating mode settings of the electric breast pump (100). 7. System for pumping milk using a breast pump, containing an electric breast pump (100) and an intelligent device (200) according to claim 6. 8. A storage medium for controlling the smart device according to claim 6, which contains program code means for causing the block (220) to perform the analysis of the method according to claim 1 when the computer program is running on the smart device (200).

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