JP2009519760A - Apparatus and method for measuring fluid flow to a nursing infant - Google Patents

Abstract

It is a device that measures fluid intake by breastfeeding infants. The apparatus has a lactation path for fluid flow from the fluid source to the infant's mouth and an indicator path to indicate the amount of fluid delivered to the infant's mouth via the lactation path. The lactation path has a first opening in communication with the fluid source and a second opening in communication with the infant's mouth, and the indicator path is in communication with the first opening in communication with the fluid source and the infant's mouth. Second opening. The amount of fluid drawn into the indicator path indicates the amount of fluid drawn into the lactation path.

Description

  This application is a continuation-in-part of US patent application Ser. No. 10 / 774,939, filed Feb. 9, 2004, and is filed on Dec. 15, 2005. , 515 claims priority.

  The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for indicating fluid flow, and more particularly to fluid flow by exploiting the suction generated by a lactating infant on more than one pathway. The method and apparatus according to

  The biggest question for unfamiliar parents is "Is my baby drinking enough milk?" Typically, newborns are breastfeeded at least 8-12 times during a 24-hour period for 4-6 weeks after birth. Many infants require at least one breastfeeding at night for 6 to 8 weeks after birth. There is no way to measure the amount of milk or powdered milk that an infant receives, and the mother can only follow subjective signs that her baby gives to her. This is especially a problem for mothers who raise their babies with breast milk.

  Those skilled in the art have utilized complex electronic fluid measurement devices to measure the volume of fluid delivered to an infant. Such devices typically include attaching an electronic or electromechanical flow meter to the fluid flow path to measure the fluid flow. However, such devices are expensive and complex and require the installation of huge devices for breast milk or powdered milk supplies. In addition, the use of such a device is limited to baby bottle feeding devices and is not applicable to breastfeeding infants. As the benefits of breastfeeding are well known, there is a clear need for a method to indicate infant fluid intake, as more mothers are breastfeeding once more.

  The device and method according to the present invention aims to overcome one or more problems associated with prior art devices.

  A method in accordance with the principles of the present invention provides a feeding pathway for fluid flow from a fluid source to an infant's mouth, and the amount of fluid provided to the infant's mouth via the lactation pathway. Providing an indicator pathway to indicate The feeding path has a first opening in communication with the fluid source and a second opening in communication with the infant's mouth, and the indicator path is in communication with the first opening and the infant's mouth in communication with the fluid source. A second opening. The amount of fluid drawn into the indicator path indicates the amount of fluid drawn into the lactation path.

An apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention has a lactation path for fluid flow from a fluid source to an infant's mouth, and an indicator path that indicates the amount of fluid delivered to the infant's mouth via the lactation path. . The feeding path has a first opening in communication with the fluid source and a second opening in communication with the infant's mouth, and the indicator path is in communication with the first opening and the infant's mouth in communication with the fluid source. A second opening. The amount of fluid drawn into the indicator pathway indicates the amount of fluid drawn into the lactation pathway,
A method according to the principles of the present invention includes receiving suction from an infant's mouth, applying suction to at least the first path and the second path, and determining the presence of suction in the second path. The steps shown in FIG.

  The foregoing background and summary are not intended to be exhaustive and serve to understand the following implementations in accordance with the invention as set forth in the appended claims. In addition, the foregoing background and summary are intended to provide independent limitations in the present application.

  The accompanying drawings illustrate the features of an embodiment according to the present invention and together with the corresponding description, illustrate the principles associated with the present invention.

  The following description refers to the accompanying drawings. In the figures, the depiction on the opposite side is lacking, and the same reference signs in different figures indicate similar elements. The executions in the following description do not represent all executions according to the present application. Instead, the implementation is just a few examples of the apparatus and method according to the present invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention utilize the “milk split principle” to provide two fluid sources, for example milk from a mother's breast, milk from a baby bottle, or milk powder from a baby bottle. Or make use of the infant's suction force to distribute to more routes. For a two-path system having an indicator path and a lactation path, the amount of fluid going to the indicator path indicates the amount of fluid going to the lactation path. The indicator and breastfeeding path can have any shape, length, diameter, and resistance. The shape, diameter, and resistance may be variable depending on the length of the indicator and lactation pathway.

  The milk split principle described above is brought about by the infant's suction, and can be used to indicate, inter alia, the total milk consumed by the infant, the infant's suction pressure, or simply to indicate that the infant has consumed. . The milk split principle takes advantage of the infant's suction to measure fluid flow, and the infant does not have to do anything more difficult than usual during breastfeeding.

  A lactation measurement device ("FMD") according to the principles of the present invention has a lactation path and an indicator path. The lactation pathway has a first opening in communication with the milk source and a second opening in communication with the infant's mouth. The indicator path indicates the approximate amount of milk delivered to the infant's mouth via the lactation path by providing a gradation with markings indicating the fluid volume in one or more gradations along the indicator path. . The indicator path has a first opening in communication with the milk source and a second opening in communication with the infant's mouth. Since the negative pressure drawn by the infant's mouth is the same on both the indicator and lactation routes, the amount of milk drawn into the indicator route indicates the amount of milk drawn into the lactation route.

  The breastfeeding pathway and indicator pathway opening communicating with the infant's mouth can be formed by the Y branch of the milk delivery pathway. This assists in providing a proportional pressure from the infant's suction to both the lactation pathway and the indicator pathway.

  In order to facilitate further analysis of the volume of fluid taken up by the infant via the lactation pathway, the indicator pathway can be a narrower cross-sectional area, a longer length, or a combination of both compared to the lactation pathway .

  The FMD can be separated from the nipple or integrated with the nipple. An FMD integrated with a nipple or an integrated FMD (“IFMD”) can be attached to a mother's breast during breastfeeding or can be manufactured to attach to a baby bottle. When attached to the mother's breast, the IFMD indicates the amount of milk that has flowed from the mother's nipple to the infant's mouth via the feeding route via the indicator route. By breastfeeding the infant via IFMD, the mother not only receives an indication of the milk flow for her baby, but can sometimes relieve the mother from the nipple pain or nipple injury associated with breastfeeding.

  During breastfeeding through IFMD, the infant grabs the IFMD teat-like mouthpiece and begins breastfeeding. The negative pressure introduced into the lactation pathway and indicator pathway draws breast milk into both pathways. Milk flows to the infant's mouth via a relatively large breastfeeding pathway and at the same time is slowly drawn into a relatively smaller indicator pathway. Since the negative pressure from the sucking infant is applied to both the feeding route and the indicator route, the amount of milk flowing into the indicator route indicates the amount of milk flowing through the feeding route. In this way, the total volume of fluid taken by the infant via the lactation pathway can be easily seen on the indicator pathway. In practice, the indicator pathway can be designed with a length and cross section that can have sufficient volume of milk to show the total intake for a single breastfeed without “spilling” into the infant's mouth. Thus, a larger volume indicator path (longer length, larger cross-sectional area, multiple indicator paths, or combinations thereof) may be used for larger infants, as well as a smaller volume indicator path Can be used for smaller infants. A variety of designs can be manufactured to fit the infant's dimensions, weight, and age, and the dimensions of the mother's breast or nipple.

  FIG. 1 shows a side cross-sectional view of a prior art teat protector 110. The nipple protector 110 has a nipple tip 120 that begins at the nipple base 130. The nipple tip 120 has one or more nipple openings 140. The nipple protector 110 is attached to the mother's breast and when the infant sucks on the nipple tip 120, the milk flows from the mother's nipple to the infant's mouth through the opening 140 at the nipple tip 120. To be done.

  One skilled in the art will appreciate that the nipple protector is not limited to the shapes or features described above. For example, the nipple tip 120 may feature multiple openings in different geometrical arrangements and dimensions. FIG. 2 shows various top-down views of possible arrangements, dimensions, and shapes of openings that are possible in the nipple or nipple protector 110. For example, the nipple tips 120a-e are illustrated with various openings 140j-n. The IFMD can also have a similar opening geometry.

  FIG. 3 shows a side cross-sectional view of an IFMD according to the present invention. The IFMD 310 is attached to the female breast 340. The nipple tip 320 is connected to the nipple base 330. When placed on the breast 340, the milk cavity region 345 is formed between the teat tip 320 and the breast 340. As the infant sticks to the nipple tip 320, negative pressure is sent via a lactation path 350 that communicates pressure from the infant's mouth to the breast 340. This draws milk into the milk cavity area 345 and into the infant's mouth via the lactation pathway 350. Although a single breastfeeding path 350 is shown in FIG. 3, those skilled in the art will appreciate that multiple breastfeeding paths 350 of various shapes, dimensions, and arrangements can be used.

  The same negative pressure is applied to the indicator path 380 at the first opening 395 because the infant applies a negative pressure via the lactation path 350. The indicator path 380 has a second opening 390 that communicates with the milk cavity area 345, and the pressure causes the indicator path 380 to draw milk from the milk cavity area 345 through the second opening 390 to the indicator path 380. Sent through. To assist operation in accordance with the present invention, the second opening 390 of the indicator path 380 is normally in constant communication with the milk in the milk cavity region 345. The indicator path 380 is more easily seen and understood with reference to FIG.

  4 is a top-down view of the IFMD in FIG. 3 according to the present invention. In the illustrated IFMD, the second opening 390 in the indicator path opens into the milk cavity area 345. The indicator path 380 then exits the nipple base 330 through the first nipple tip transition opening 360, wraps around the nipple base, returns through the second nipple tip transition opening 370, and the infant The first opening 395 is provided so as to receive the negative pressure due to the sucking. As the infant sucks, the indicator path takes in milk that moves in the direction indicated by arrow 410.

  For example, gradations indicated as 50 cc, 100 cc, and 150 cc can be placed at one or more points along the indicator path and the total volume of fluid received by the infant via the lactation path can be read. In the present specification, the calculation for generating the number of gradations will be described later. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that gradation is not necessary to indicate fluid flow, but is merely useful in indicating the approximate amount of fluid that an infant will consume. For example, it is in accordance with the principles of the present invention not to provide a gradation and to provide a single gradation to indicate when an infant has taken a sufficient amount. Alternatively, for example, color zones can be used to indicate proper intake for infants. In this way, FMD or IFMD can be manufactured with a variety of features on, in, or along the indicator path, depending on the infant's size, age, or weight. .

  In accordance with the principles of the present invention, multiple indicator paths may be provided. The indicator path can have any shape, length, diameter, and resistance. The shape, diameter, and resistance may also be variable depending on the length of the indicator and lactation pathway. As an example, the indicator path can be a continuous path, eg, as shown in FIG. 7, or one or more positioned between segments (fractions) of the path, eg, as shown in FIG. 7a. There can be many intermediate chambers. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, different materials can be used to construct the indicator pathway and the nipple. The indicator path can have a translucent material so that the amount of fluid in the indicator path can be clearly seen. Alternatively, the indicator path may have a material that changes color when in contact with the fluid. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the FMD or IFMD can have reusable or disposable materials.

  The indicator path and other features of the present invention can be configured as an integral part of the teat or as a separate mounting part. It should be understood that the path of the indicator path and its exact location is not important in the present invention. As long as the pressure from the infant suction is applied to one end of the indicator path and the fluid source is placed at the other end of the indicator path, the present invention will function properly. The indicator path may be placed in the nipple tip and base, on the nipple tip and base, at the nipple tip and base, or a combination thereof. In addition, multiple indicator pathways and lactation pathways can be used.

  The indicator path may be designed so that no bubbles are taken into the indicator path. A check valve may also be used to prevent back flow of fluid from the indicator path to the milk cavity. The check valve can be placed in the indicator path or on either end of the indicator path. Also, multiple check valves can be used.

  Although IFMD is illustrated with respect to attachment to the mother's breast, those skilled in the art will appreciate that IFMD can be used as a teat on a baby bottle for infants fed in baby bottles. . Similarly, FMD can be utilized for infants breastfeeding.

  FIG. 5 illustrates the flow of breast milk from milk cavity area 345 to indicator path 380 in a side cross-sectional view of an IFMD according to the principles of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates the flow of breast milk from milk cavity area 345 to indicator path 380 in a top view of an IFMD according to the principles of the present invention. As indicated by the shaded area of the indicator path 380, milk flows from the milk cavity area 345 to the opening 390 of the indicator path 380 as the infant sucks over the opening 395 of the indicator path 380.

  As previously mentioned, the path taken by the indicator path may vary in different embodiments according to the present invention. Two examples of suitable indicator paths are shown in FIGS. 7 and 7a.

  FIG. 7 shows a top-down view of an IFMD having a spiral indicator path according to the present invention. In this figure, the spiral indicator path 780 starts at the suction opening 795 and spirals around the teat base 730 or teat tip 720 and exits the transition opening 760 to the milk cavity, where the milk cavity opening The process ends at 790. This indicator path 780 provides an expanded and more detailed use of gradations that more accurately indicate fluid consumption.

  Instead of or in combination with the spiral indicator path 780 in FIG. 7, one or more intermediate chambers can be introduced along the indicator path, eg, to provide an alternative fluid measurement mechanism. Alternatively, the measurement capacity of a single supply is increased without determining the additional length of the indicator path. An example of such an indicator path with an intermediate chamber is shown in Fig. 7a.

  In FIG. 7 a, indicator path 780 in FIG. 7 is replaced by indicator path 782. All other elements in FIG. 7a are identical or substantially similar to the reference signs in FIG. Chambers 784-788 are shown positioned intermediate along indicator path 782. Although three such chambers are illustrated in this example, it is understood that multiple chambers having various dimensions can be implemented without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the number and dimensions of the chambers can be determined based on the desired measurement capacity, reliability, and scalability of the chamber capacity, or other suitable criteria.

  In use, fluid may flow through the milk cavity opening 790 to the indicator path 782 at the other end when infant suction is applied to the suction opening 795 at one end of the indicator path 782. When fluid reaches chamber 784, chamber 784 can be filled via first chamber opening 792. The relative position of the first chamber opening 792, for example, the position toward the bottom of the chamber 784, may ensure a free flow of fluid into the chamber 784 that does not require application of additional pressure. The chamber 784 is associated with a graduated reader or other suitable measurement mechanism to reflect the amount of fluid being delivered to the infant via, for example, one or more corresponding lactation pathways. Can be. A measurement mechanism provided in connection with chamber 784 may take into account the fluid volume required to fill the segment of indicator path 782 leading to chamber 784 in the reflection of the fluid measurement.

  As the chamber 784 is filled, fluid may continuously flow out of the chamber 784 via the second chamber opening 794. The chamber exit location of the indicator path 782 from the chamber 784 may only flow out of the chamber 784 when the chamber is fully filled, for example by positioning the chamber exit point of the indicator path 782 at the top of the chamber 784. Can be. The fluid may pass through a segment of indicator path 782 and enter chamber 786. The structure of chamber 786 can be the same as or substantially similar to the structure of chamber 784. However, it is within the scope of the present invention that chamber 786 can differ from chamber 784 in size or other characteristics. The measurement mechanism with which the chamber 786 is associated may provide a fluid measurement that takes into account the connecting segment of the indicator path 782 and the volume of the chamber 784 before the fluid reaches the chamber 786. Further, chambers along indicator path 782, such as chamber 788, may operate in a manner similar to that described above with respect to chambers 784 and 786.

  As shown in FIG. 7a, indicator path 782 may have one or more intermediate chambers connected through segments of the same indicator path, as well as showing a continuous path. As described above, as long as pressure from infant suction is applied to one end of the indicator path and fluid is allowed to flow through the indicator path from a fluid source located at the other end of the indicator path, the present invention To function properly.

  Various combinations of apertures and connections can be utilized in accordance with the present invention. Examples of these are shown below in FIGS.

  For example, FIG. 8 shows an IFMD 810 having a Y-shaped pressure delivery path to provide suction from the infant's mouth to the lactation path and the indicator path according to the present invention. The IFMD 810 has the same structure as the IFMD 310 but has a pressure delivery path 850. The pressure delivery path 850 may be an inverted Y-shaped connector having an opening 870 to the infant's mouth to convey pressure to the indicator path 820 and the lactation path 830 via the Y branch. The pressure delivery path helps to ensure that equal pressure is applied to both the indicator path 820 and the lactation path 830.

  FIG. 9 shows various openings, pressure delivery paths, lactation paths and indicator paths that can be used in accordance with the present invention. These structures are illustrated. In the left hand side configuration, the three openings 910 apply pressure to the pressure delivery path 915 from the infant's mouth. Two indicator paths 920 communicate with the pressure delivery path 915. The three breast feeding paths 930 communicate with the pressure delivery path 915.

  In the central configuration, five openings 940 communicate between the infant's mouth and the pressure delivery path 945. Two indicator paths 950 communicate with the pressure delivery path 945. The three breast feeding paths 960 communicate with the pressure delivery path 945.

  In the right hand side configuration, the four openings 970 communicate between the infant's mouth and the pressure delivery path 975. Two indicator paths 980 are coupled and in communication with the pressure delivery path 975. A single lactation path 990 communicates with the pressure delivery path 975.

  FIG. 10 shows an IFMD 310 using a comfort pad 1010 according to the present invention. A comfort pad 1010 may be placed between the female breast 340 and the nipple tip 320 to provide a degree of comfort and protection between the breast 340 and the nipple tip 320. Comfort pad 1010 may be designed to allow breast milk to pass through comfort pad 1010. Comfort pad 1010 may prevent teat 340 from touching indicator path 380 and lactation path 350. The comfort pad can be removed from the IFMD 310 or attached to the IFMD 310.

  FIG. 11 shows a plan view of two embodiments of a comfort pad 1010 according to the present invention. Two exemplary embodiments of comfort pad 1010 are shown in FIG. The comfort pad may comprise a plurality of materials known to those skilled in the art, for example gauze.

  FIG. 12 shows a milk reservoir 1270 that utilizes IFMD 1210 according to the present invention. As shown, IMFD 1210 is attached to maternal breast 1215 and has two indicator paths 1220a, b. The infant applies a suction force to the pressure delivery path 1230 through the openings 1240a, b, c. The pressure delivery path 1230 provides infant pressure to the two breastfeeding paths 125a, b that draw milk from the milk cavity area 1260. The pressure applied from the infant's suction is applied to both the indicator path 1220a, b and the two breastfeeding paths 1250a, b. Milk reservoir 1270 is a cup-like device in this example, and may be juxtaposed between the nipple tip of IFMD 1210 and breast 1215 and positioned at the bottom of IFMD 1210. The milk reservoir 1270 holds milk from the milk cavity range 1260 to provide for the intake of the indicator pathways 1220a, b. Milk reservoir 1270 serves as a consistent storage location for milk to prevent bubbles from entering indicator paths 1220a, b. Although milk storage container 1270 is illustrated in conjunction with IFMD having multiple feeding paths and indicator paths, milk storage container 1270 can be used in any of the structures described herein.

  FIG. 13 shows a milk indicator container 1360 having an IFMD 1310 according to the present invention. As shown, IFMD 1310 is attached to the mother's breast and has an indicator path 1350. The infant applies suction to the indicator path 1340 at the nipple 1320 through the opening 1340 and applies suction to the lactation path 1330. Milk indicator container 1310 may be placed in indicator path 1350. As milk is drawn from the mother's breast via the indicator path 1350, it accumulates in the milk indicator container 1360. Milk indicator container 1360 may be marked to indicate the amount of milk that is drawn through lactation pathway 1330. The milk indicator container 1360 can be designed with such a volume to indicate an amount of milk that is greater than or equal to the intake of a typical breastfeeding session. While not required to implement the principles according to the present invention, the use of milk indicator container 1360 may be due to the possibility of bubbles entering indicator path 1350 in embodiments that do not have milk indicator container 1360 or a milk storage container. It plays a role in preventing erroneous reading. Although the milk indicator container 1360 is illustrated with an IFMD having a single feeding path and a single indicator path, the milk indicator container 1360 may be used in any of the structures described herein.

  FIG. 14 shows a side cross-sectional view of an IFMD 1410 having a removable indicator path 1510 (shown in FIG. 15) in accordance with the present invention. The IFMD 1410 is attached to the female breast 1440. The nipple tip 1420 joins the nipple base 1430. When placed on the breast 1440, the milk cavity area 1445 is formed between the breast end 1420 and the breast 1440. As the infant sucks on the nipple tip 1420, negative pressure is sent via a lactation path 1450 that communicates pressure from the infant's mouth to the breast 1440. This draws milk into the infant's mouth via the milk cavity area 1445 and the lactation path 1450. A single breastfeeding path 1450 is shown in FIG. 14, and one skilled in the art will appreciate that multiple breastfeeding paths 1450 of various shapes, sizes and arrangements can be used.

  When the infant applies a negative pressure via the lactation path 1450, the same negative pressure is applied to the first portion of the indicator path 1480 at the first opening 1495. The final portion of the indicator path 1480 has a second opening 1490 that communicates with the milk cavity area 1445 so that the pressure draws milk from the milk cavity area 1445 to the indicator path 1480 via the second opening 1490. Communicated via path 1480. In this illustrated embodiment, indicator path 1480 includes a first portion of an indicator path that ends with a first portion attachment 1475 and an indicator path that ends with a second portion attachment 1465. Having a second part. A removable indicator path 1510 (shown in FIG. 15) may be placed between the first part mounting part 1475 and the first part mounting part 1465. A removable indicator path 1510 provides fluid communication between the first portion of the indicator path and the second portion of the indicator path. Indicator path 1480 is more easily seen and understood in FIG.

  15 is a IFMD top down view of FIG. 14 in accordance with the present invention. In the illustrated IFMD, the second opening 1490 in the indicator path opens into the milk cavity area 1445. The indicator path 1480 then exits to the second part attachment 1465 via the first teat tip transition opening 1460. A detachable indicator path 1510 attached to the second part attachment 1465 communicates with the first opening 1495 via the first nipple tip transition opening 1470 to receive the negative suction pressure of the infant. Traverse to the first part mounting part 1475 to be translated. As the infant sucks, the indicator pathway takes in milk.

  The gradation can be placed in one or more locations along the removable indicator path 1510 and the total volume of fluid that the infant receives through the lactation path can be read. One skilled in the art will appreciate that it is not necessary to indicate fluid flow, but is merely useful in indicating an approximate amount of fluid that an infant will ingest. For example, it is in accordance with the principles of the present invention not to provide a gradation or to provide a single gradation to indicate when an infant has taken a sufficient amount. Alternatively, for example, color zones can be used to indicate proper intake for infants.

  The indicator path may have markings or gradations at one or more locations along its length, indicating the total volume of fluid flow through the lactation path. Since the indicator path can be made from a transparent material, white breast milk or powdered milk that advances the indicator path can provide a visual indicator, similar to a typical mercury thermometer.

  Given the physical properties such as the length, diameter, resistance, and number of indicator and lactation pathways, the amount of fluid, breast milk or milk powder can be roughly calculated at various points during the lactation process. It will be appreciated that both the indicator and the lactation pathway can have any shape, length, diameter, and resistance. It is also understood that the shape, diameter, and resistance can be variable depending on the length of the indicator and lactation pathway.

  The following equations are given for the round feeding route and the indicator route. One skilled in the art will appreciate that these equations can be modified by various shapes of lactation and indicator paths.

において算出され得る。式（１）中、Ｌ_ＩＰはインジケータ経路の長さであり、Ｄ_ＩＰはインジケータ経路の直径である。 For example, for a given FMD having a single indicator path, the resistance R _IP of the indicator path is expressed by the following equation (1), depending on the length and diameter of the indicator path:

Can be calculated. In equation (1), L _IP is the length of the indicator path and D _IP is the diameter of the indicator path.

において算出され得る。式（２）中、Ｌ_ＦＰは授乳経路の長さであり、Ｄ_ＦＰは授乳経路の直径である。 Similarly, the resistance of the lactation pathway is expressed by the following equation (2), depending on the length and diameter of the lactation pathway:

Can be calculated. In formula (2), _LFP is the length of the lactation pathway and _DFP is the diameter of the lactation pathway.

  One skilled in the art will understand that the resistance of the indicator path is also affected by the portion of the indicator path that is filled with fluid, increasing the resistance of the indicator path. In view of the increased resistance during filling of the indicator path, a non-linear gradation scale or other suitable measurement mechanism is used to fill the indicator path and the corresponding fluid volume in the lactation path. Can be used to correct the non-linearity relationship between. For example, when one indicator path is filled 1 in, the corresponding grade may indicate 10 cc. When two indicator paths are filled, the grade can indicate 25 cc, additionally taking into account increased resistance in filling the filled the additional in. The stickiness of the fluid can also affect the resistance. Therefore, the above equation is approximate. In practice, calibration is done to give a more accurate gradation formula.

として算出され得る。式（３）中、Ｃは、異なる較正パラメータに関する較正計数である。 Not biased identical in reducing pressure feeding pathway and the indicator on the path caused by the suction force of the infant with respect to (Unbiased) split path, S _FMD is FMD ratio (the resistance ratio of the indicator pathway and feeding pathway) is subsequently The following formula (3),

Can be calculated as In equation (3), C is the calibration factor for the different calibration parameters.

The FMD ratio, S _FMD , actually represents the ratio between the amount of fluid in the indicator path associated with the total amount of fluid being dispensed through the lactation path.

において算出され得る。式（４）中、Ｖ_ＩＰはインジケータ経路の充填された部分の容積であり、ｒはインジケータ経路の半径であり、Ｌは、インジケータ経路の充填された部分の長さであり、ＣＳはインジケータ経路の断面積である。 The amount of fluid in the indicator path is given by the following equation (4), given the predetermined length of the indicator path filled with fluid and the cross-sectional area of the indicator path, eg the radius in the round indicator path:

Can be calculated. Wherein (4), V _IP is the volume of the filled portion of the indicator pathway, r is the radius of the indicator pathway, L is the length of the filled portion of the indicator pathway, CS is the indicator pathway Is the cross-sectional area.

である。式（５）中、Ｖ_ＦＰは、授乳経路を介する流体の量である。 Therefore, during the lactation process, the amount of fluid received by the infant (or the flow rate exiting the lactation pathway) is expressed by the following equation (5),

It is. In formula (5), V _FP is the amount of fluid through the lactation pathway.

において算出される。式中、Ｆ_ＲＰ１は第１の授乳経路に対する抵抗であり、Ｒ_ＦＰ２は第２の授乳経路に対する抵抗である。したがって、単一のインジケータ経路及び２つの授乳経路に対する抵抗比、Ｓ_ＦＭＤは、次の式の通りである。

式中、Ｃは、異なる較正パラメータに対する較正計数である。当業者は、他の比が授乳経路及びインジケータ経路の他の組合せに対して算出され得る、ことを理解するであろう。 The above equations are shown to calculate resistance with a single lactation path and an indicator path, while equations for two lactation paths and a single indicator path are shown below. The resistance to the combined breastfeeding route is

Is calculated in _Where F _RP1 is the resistance to the first lactation pathway and R _FP2 is the resistance to the second lactation pathway. Thus, the resistance ratio, S _FMD for a single indicator pathway and two lactation pathways is:

Where C is the calibration factor for the different calibration parameters. One skilled in the art will appreciate that other ratios can be calculated for other combinations of lactation pathways and indicator pathways.

  The following table shows the results of a typical implementation of the above formula. In the table, the first part shows the results for an implementation with a single indicator path and a single lactation path, and the second part shows the results for a single indicator path and two lactation paths.

前述された本発明に従った可能な実施例の記載は、全てのかかる実施例又は説明された実施例の全ての変化形の総合的なリストを示すものではない。例えば、インジケータ及び授乳経路直径が上述されるが、インジケータ及び授乳経路はいずれも、いかなる形状、長さ、直径、及び抵抗性をも有し得る、ことが理解される。該形状、直径、及び抵抗性は、インジケータ及び授乳経路の長さによって可変であり得る、ことも理解される。複数の実施例のみの説明は、他の実施例を除外する意図として解釈されるべきではない。当業者は、他の多くの手法において添付の請求項における発明を、請求項の範囲から逸脱することのない同等のもの又は代替のものを使用して実施する方法を理解するであろう。更には、前述の記載において反対を示されない限り、実施例において説明される構成部品は、本発明に対して必須ではない。加えて、「及び」という接続詞が使用される範囲において、「及び」又は「又は」のいずれかを意味するようみなされるべきである。また、「又は」という語は、除外的離接語又は包含的離接語の形のいずれかを意味するようみなされるべきである。

The foregoing description of possible embodiments in accordance with the invention does not provide a comprehensive list of all such embodiments or all variations of the described embodiments. For example, while indicators and lactation pathway diameters are described above, it is understood that both indicators and lactation pathways can have any shape, length, diameter, and resistance. It is also understood that the shape, diameter, and resistance can be variable depending on the length of the indicator and lactation pathway. Description of only a plurality of embodiments should not be construed as an intent to exclude other embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand how to implement the invention in the appended claims in many other ways using equivalents or alternatives without departing from the scope of the claims. Further, unless stated to the contrary in the foregoing description, the components described in the examples are not essential to the invention. In addition, to the extent that the conjunction “and” is used, it should be taken to mean either “and” or “or”. Also, the word “or” should be taken to mean either an excluded or inclusive disjunctive form.

1 is a side cross-sectional view of a prior art nipple protector. FIG. FIG. 6 is a variety of top-down views of possible arrangements, sizes and shapes of openings that are possible in a nipple-like or nipple protector. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of an integrated breastfeeding measurement device (“IFMD”) according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top down view of IFMD according to the present invention. FIG. Fig. 4 illustrates the flow of milk from the milk cavity area to the indicator path in a side sectional view of an IFMD according to the present invention. Fig. 4 illustrates the flow of milk from a milk cavity area 345 to an indicator path in a top view of an IFMD according to the present invention. 7 and 7a show a plan view of an IFMD having a spiral indicator path according to the present invention. Fig. 4 illustrates an IFMD having a Y-shaped pressure delivery path to provide suction from the infant's mouth to the lactation path and indicator path according to the present invention. Fig. 4 illustrates an indicator path, a lactation path, a pressure delivery path, and a variety of openings that can be utilized in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 4 illustrates an IFMD with the use of a comfort pad according to the present invention. 2 is a plan view of two embodiments of comfort pads according to the present invention. FIG. 1 illustrates a milk reservoir utilizing an IFMD according to the present invention. Figure 3 illustrates a milk indicator container utilizing IFMD according to the present invention. FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view of an IFMD having a removable indicator pathway (shown in FIG. 15) in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 15 is a plan view of the IFMD of FIG. 14 in accordance with the present invention.

Claims (2)

A method for measuring fluid flow from a fluid source through an nipple to an infant's mouth,
Providing a lactation pathway for fluid flow from the fluid source to the infant's mouth;
Providing an indicator path to indicate the amount of fluid delivered to the infant's mouth via the breastfeeding path;
Have
The breastfeeding path has a first opening in communication with the fluid source and a second opening in communication with the infant's mouth;
The indicator path has a first opening in communication with the fluid source and a second opening in communication with the infant's mouth, and the indicator path is at least one between segments of the indicator path. Two intermediate chambers,
The amount of fluid drawn into the indicator path and the at least one intermediate chamber indicates the amount of fluid drawn into the lactation path;
Method. A device,
A lactation path for fluid flow from the fluid source to the infant's mouth;
An indicator path that indicates the amount of fluid that is delivered to the infant's mouth via the breastfeeding path;
Have
The breastfeeding path has a first opening in communication with the fluid source and a second opening in communication with the infant's mouth;
The indicator path has a first opening in communication with the fluid source and a second opening in communication with the infant's mouth, and the indicator path is at least one between segments of the indicator path. Two intermediate chambers,
The amount of fluid drawn into the indicator path and the at least one intermediate chamber indicates the amount of fluid drawn into the lactation path;
apparatus.

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