The production of a protein free synthetic polyisoprene which has both low levels of chemical impurities and good physical properties has yet to be realized. It has now been envisioned that the use of neodymium catalyzed polyisoprene will offer the combined advantages of both a clean, as well as, high cis-1,4 polymer. Synthesis of polyisoprene rubber using a neodymium based catalyst system is described. Characterization of the material shows the absence of an ultra high molecular weight fraction and the presence of very high cis-1,4-microstructure. Gum stock and black filled compound studies comparing neodymium polyisoprene with natural rubber, titanium polyisoprene, and lithium polyisoprene have been performed. Results indicate that polyisoprene rubber synthesized using a neodymium catalyst system (NdPI) has similar stress-strain and tear properties as synthetic titanium polyisoprene. Analysis of residual volatile, extractable, and oligomer levels indicates NdPI is indeed a clean source of high cis synthetic polyisoprene.

A support system for a baby bottle includes a support body. The support body includes a first rim at a first end defining a first opening, a second rim at a second end defining a second opening, a channel extending between the first opening and the second opening, a slot extending between the first end and the second end, a neck portion configured to be positioned about a bottle neck of a baby bottle, and a generally convex or generally concave portion extending between the neck portion and the second end. The support system also includes a pair of handle portions coupled to the support body. Each handle portion includes a handle grip portion and a handle attachment portion.

A support system for a baby bottle includes a support body. The support body includes a first rim at a first end defining a first opening, a second rim at a second end defining a second opening, a channel extending between the first opening and the second opening, a slot extending between the first end and the second end, a neck portion configured to be positioned about a bottle neck of a baby bottle, and a generally convex or generally concave portion extending between the neck portion and the second end. The support system also includes a pair of handle portions coupled to the support body. Each handle portion includes a handle grip portion and a handle attachment portion.

An improved oral administration coupler for delivery of fluids such as medications and nutritional fluids. Example oral administration couplers have a first end with an applicator for oral delivery to an infant, and a second end with a coupling compatible with an enteral fluid delivery syringe. A fluid delivery conduit extends in fluid communication from the first end to the second end, to deliver fluid from the syringe to the infant.

An improved oral administration coupler for delivery of fluids such as medications and nutritional fluids. Example oral administration couplers have a first end with an applicator for oral delivery to an infant, and a second end with a coupling compatible with an enteral fluid delivery syringe. A fluid delivery conduit extends in fluid communication from the first end to the second end, to deliver fluid from the syringe to the infant. In some example embodiments, the coupler is configured for back-of-mouth delivery, and can comprise a generally elongate and at least partially flexible tube or straw.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a medication administration device may comprise a sucking part having outlets, a cylinder part having a discharge hole, coupled with the sucking part, and containing a medication, a piston part discharging the medication from the cylinder part through the outlets, and an operating part operating the piston part in the cylinder part. The discharge hole may extend to the outlets.

An artificial nipple is formed of an elastomeric polymer by use of 3D printing after imaging of a mother's breast in an active state of lactation. The artificial nipple used as an attachment to a baby bottle or as the nipple component of a pacifier. Use of an artificial nipple formed in this manner mitigates a problem with nipple confusion, as may otherwise manifest in newborn offspring.

A pacifier for dispensing a liquid such as milk, the pacifier including a nipple, including a milk entering aperture disposed at a first end of the nipple, a milk expelling aperture disposed at a second end of the nipple opposite from the first end of the nipple, and a milk holding portion to hold milk therein and to receive the nipple, the milk receiving portion including a milk supplying aperture to correspond to the milk entering aperture of the nipple to supply milk from the milk holding portion to the nipple.

The present invention relates to pacifiers (10), which can support a child in its oral development, from sucking to mature drinking and eating reflex or which helps in the process of teething. A pacifier (10) is provided, which comprises a shield (12), a cherry or nipple portion (14) with controllable hardness and a controller for controlling the hardness of the cherry or the nipple portion. By increasing the hardness of the nipple portion, the child is de-motivated to suck on a pacifier (10) and the child will lose the need for suckling. However, there are moments when the child does need to be nourished and comforted by engaging the sucking reflex. In this case the cherry can be made softer.

Oral devices such as a pacifier, bottle cap, teething tools and toys, and methods for using the same are provided. An oral device includes a bulb portion configured to be disposed inside a mouth of a user and a wider neck portion coupled distally to the bulb portion and configured to be held by user's lips. The neck portion is configured such that, when it is sucked on by the user, the neck portion moves in the lateral direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the oral device from a first, unexpanded configuration to a second, expanded configuration such that a lateral contact area of the neck portion with the user's lips increases. The oral device can include one or more expansion accommodation features that facilitate expansion and retraction of the neck portion.