BREASTFEEDING SUPPORTING SYSTEM AND CORRESPONDING METHOD

Abstract

A breastfeeding supporting system and a corresponding method are disclosed, the breastfeeding supporting system (1) comprising a nipple shield (10) adapted to be positioned at least partly over the areola and nipple of a breast of a breastfeeding woman, a capacitive pressure sensing unit (20) for sensing a capacity of at least part of a surface of the nipple shield, a processing unit (40) adapted to process the sensed surface capacity to derive at least one parameter of an infant interacting with the nipple of the breastfeeding woman. The breastfeeding supporting system and corresponding method eliminate at least some concerns related to breastfeeding.

Claims

1. A breastfeeding supporting system, comprising: a nipple shield adapted to be positioned at least partly over the areola and nipple of a breast of a breastfeeding woman, a capacitive pressure sensing unit for sensing a capacity of at least part of a surface of the nipple shield, an accelerometer unit for measuring an acceleration of the nipple shield, and a processing unit adapted to process the sensed capacity and the measured acceleration of the nipple shield to derive at least one parameter of an infant interacting with the nipple of the breastfeeding woman.

2. The breastfeeding supporting system according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured to derive a position of the mouth of the infant latching on the nipple of the breastfeeding woman as one of the parameters and to evaluate the position with respect to a correct position.

3. The breastfeeding supporting system according to claim 1, wherein the accelerometer unit is embedded in a wall of the nipple shield.

4. The breastfeeding supporting system according to claim 1, wherein the nipple shield comprises a visible orientation indication, wherein the accelerometer unit has a predetermined orientation relative to the visible orientation indication, and wherein the visible orientation indication is visible by the breastfeeding woman in case the nipple shield is positioned correctly on the areola.

5. The breastfeeding supporting system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the capacitive pressure sensing unit and the accelerometer unit comprises a microelectromechanical systems based sensor component.

6. The breastfeeding supporting system according to claim 1, wherein none of the capacitive sensor unit the accelerometer unit and the processing unit protrudes from the surface of the nipple shield.

7. The breastfeeding supporting system according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine, based on the sensed surface capacity and the determined accelerations, at least one of i) a shape of the mouth of the infant latching on the nipple, ii) a quantitative measure of tongue tie of the infant and iii) a movement of the tongue of the infant.

8. The breastfeeding supporting system according to claim 1, further comprising a feedback unit for providing a feedback signal to the breastfeeding woman, wherein the feedback signal is indicative of at least one of i) status of nipple latching, ii) tongue tie, iii) the infant's feeding state and iv) suction strength.

9. The breastfeeding supporting system according to claim 8, wherein the feedback unit comprises a wireless transmission component for wirelessly transmitting at least the feedback signal, wherein the breastfeeding supporting system preferentially further comprises a user interface device for wirelessly receiving the feedback signal from the wireless transmission component and for providing a signal to the breastfeeding woman corresponding to the feedback signal.

10. The breastfeeding supporting system according to claim 8, further comprising a learning unit for correlating the feedback signal with a marker indicative of a well-being of the infant or the mother, and for deducing a quality of latching, suckling and/or positioning of the baby based on the correlation.

11. The breastfeeding supporting system according to claim 1, further comprising a power providing unit for providing power, wherein the power providing unit comprises an energy harvesting unit for mechanically harvesting energy from the nipple movement during suckling of the infant.

12. The breastfeeding supporting system according to claim 1, further comprising a stimulation unit for providing at least one of acoustical and optical stimuli, the stimuli preferentially comprising recorded sounds or videos of the infant, wherein the stimulation unit is configured to provide stimuli in reaction to a trigger event.

13. The breastfeeding supporting system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of: a breast pump, wherein a vacuum profile of the breast pump is configured to be adjusted based on the derived parameter of the infant, a data storage unit for storing permanent and temporary data, and a power switch provided in contact with the nipple shield.

14. A breastfeeding supporting method, the method comprising the steps of: providing a sensed capacity with a capacitive pressure sensing unit of at least part of a surface of a nipple shield positioned on a nipple of a breastfeeding woman, characterized in that the method further comprises: providing a measured acceleration of the nipple shield with an accelerometer unit, and processing the sensed capacity and the measured acceleration of the nipple shield with a processing unit to derive at least one parameter of an infant latching on the nipple of the breastfeeding woman.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] In the following drawings:

[0067] FIG. 1 shows schematically and exemplarily an embodiment of a nipple shield of the breastfeeding supporting system according to the invention,

[0068] FIG. 2 shows schematically and exemplarily an embodiment of the breastfeeding supporting system according to the invention,

[0069] FIG. 3 shows a flowchart exemplarily illustrating an embodiment of a breastfeeding supporting method, and

[0070] FIGS. 4A-4F show schematically and exemplarily the general anatomy of suckling of an infant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0071] FIG. 1 shows schematically and exemplarily an embodiment of a nipple shield 10 of a breastfeeding supporting system 1 according to the invention. In this example, a nipple shield 10 is of a well-known shape of a nipple shield and comprises a soft, flexible, polymer material, such as silicon. Nipple shield 10 comprises a nipple section 11 including at least one hole for expressing breast milk from a female breast and a nipple shield base 12 arranged to cover the areola. On one side of nipple shield 10 a visible orientation indication 13 in the form of a triangle is provided, which is to be positioned on the top of the breast of the woman when using breastfeed supporting system 1, so that visible orientation indication 13 is visible without the use of, for instance, a mirror. Of course can other shapes and/or other materials and/or other orientation indications as known in the art be readily used for the nipple shield 10 in other examples.

[0072] In order to assess the latching and positioning of a baby on the nipple, a suction strength and the baby's feeding state, breastfeeding supporting system 1 provides nipple shield 10 with additional instruments, which are in this example embedded within nipple shield 10 such that none of the additional instruments protrudes from the silicon and could potentially interfere with the breastfeeding of the baby.

[0073] In this example, an array of capacitive pressure sensors 20, such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) capacitive pressure sensors, is arranged along a circumference of nipple shield base 12 along with a MEMS accelerometer unit 30 embedded in nipple shield 10 closed to nipple section 11. While in this example both accelerometer unit 30 and the capacitive pressure sensors 20 are embedded within nipple shield 10, in other examples also only one or some of these elements can be embedded within the soft material, while the remaining elements can then also protrude from nipple shield 10. Also the number and arrangement of pressure sensing unit 20 and accelerometer unit 30 is exemplarily in the example of FIG. 1, in other examples more or less of these elements can be provided which can also be arranged in a different pattern.

[0074] FIG. 2 shows schematically and exemplarily an embodiment of breastfeeding supporting system 1 of FIG. 1 in further details. Nipple shield 10 is in this example depicted schematically with capacitive pressure sensors 20, accelerometer unit 30 and further a processing unit 40, a feedback unit 50, a power providing unit 60 and a data storage unit 80 embedded therein. Breastfeeding supporting system 1 further comprises a stimulation unit 70, a learning unit 90 and a user interface device 55, which are in this example provided distant from nipple shield 10 and communicate with the elements provided within nipple shield 10 by means of a wired or wireless connection.

[0075] Processing unit 40 is in this example arranged to communicate with capacitive pressure sensing unit 20, accelerometer unit 30, and data storage unit 80. Further, processing unit 40 receives power from power providing unit 60, which provides all components with electrical power. Finally, processing unit 40 is configured to communicate with feedback unit 50 comprising in this example a wireless transmission component for wirelessly transmitting a feedback signal comprising, for instance, information indicative of a status of nipple latching, tongue tie, the infant's feeding state and suction strength. Processing unit 40 can be any means suitable for data processing, such as a processor, which controls data acquisition, storage and transmission.

[0076] Processing unit 40 can process the sensed signals by itself and/or transfer the sensed data via feedback unit 50 as a feedback signal, while the processing of the raw data is carried out on the side of user interface device 55 which receives the feedback signal from feedback unit 50.

[0077] Power providing unit 60 can in one example be provided in the form of a button cell battery or via other means, such as a wireless energy transfer reception unit. In a preferred example, power providing unit 60 comprises an energy harvesting unit for mechanically harvesting energy during breastfeeding from the sucking action and/or tongue movement of the baby. The energy harvesting unit can comprise a compact linear or rotary alternator and (super-) capacitor or a dielectric silicon electroactive polymer (EAP), pressure or stretch sensor, just to name a few examples.

[0078] Feedback unit 50 comprising the wireless transmission component can comprise, for instance, a near field communication (NFC), Bluetooth low energy, low power Wi-Fi or ZigBee transmitter. These are only examples for suitable wireless data transmitters and also other known wireless data transmission components can be employed in other examples. Additionally or alternatively, data transmission may also be accomplished via wired means, for instance, using a bit-serial cable to be connected to a corresponding port of nipple shield 10.

[0079] Data storage unit 80 comprises a permanent and temporary data storage, that is configured for storing control commands in the permanent data storage as well as data acquired by capacitive pressure sensing unit 20 and/or accelerometer unit 30 in a temporary's data storage.

[0080] Nipple shield 10 can further be provided with a means (not shown) to turn the device on or off, for instance, implemented as a switch or button. Feedback unit 50 is configured to transmit the feedback signal and alternatively or additionally measurement signals sensed by capacitive pressure sensing unit 20 and/or accelerometer unit 30 to user interface device 55 or any other suitable device for further action. User interface device 55 in this example comprises a smart phone, smart watch, Google Glass, tablet, or the like.

[0081] User interface device 55 is capable of audio-visual output, for instance via an application such as uGrow, to provide feedback to the mother on the breastfeeding. For instance, the feedback can comprise an indication as to a correct attachment and current nipple position, and can also compare the current feeding with previous feedings.

[0082] Instead of being processed by processing unit 40 provided embedded within nipple shield 10, data acquired by capacitive pressure sensing unit 20 and/or accelerometer unit 30 can also be transmitted directly to user interface device 55, wherein a processing unit comprised in user interface device 55 can then be configured to further process the data. Expressed differently, the further processing of the raw sensed data can either be carried out on the side of nipple shield 10 and/or the side of user interface device 55.

[0083] User interface device 55 can provide real time audio-visual feedback on the latching, position of the soft palate of the baby to the mother's nipple and breast, a tongue state and suction strength of the baby, such as by displaying a pressure distribution on the nipple, a magnitude of the pressure and a movement of the nipple. In reaction to this feedback, the breastfeeding placement of the baby relative to the nipple can be adjusted to ensure that the baby receives optimal nutrition provided by breast milk. A feeding state of the infant, which can be provided as a feedback signal, can be indicative of whether the infant is becoming tired or no longer feeding, but rather playing with the nipple. This feeding state can be determined, for instance, due to movement of the nipple detected by accelerometer unit 30. Feedback by user interface device 55 can then notify the mother so that she can know when to stop breastfeeding.

[0084] Stimulation unit 70 can also be configured to receive capacitive pressure sensor and accelerometer data and play recorded sounds of the mother's baby during milk expression to help stimulate milk ejections or releases. Stimulation unit 70 can in one example be implemented as an app or a feature of another app installed on user interface device 55, such as a smart phone. Sounds of a mother's baby can include cooing, crying, gurgling and babbling and relevant playlists can be proposed by stimulation unit 70 to promote production by observing time of day and patterns of the mother's breastfeeding.

[0085] As mentioned, power providing unit 60 comprises in this example an energy harvesting unit, preferably including a dielectric silicon electroactive polymer (EAP) pressure or stretch sensor. Energy harvested during breastfeeding can for instance be estimated based on known physics of milk transfer in breastfeeding: [0086] Frequency of nutritive feeding, f=1 Hz [0087] Tongue force during nutritive feeding, F=2-3 N [0088] Tongue displacement, d=2.5-3.0 mm [0089] Duration of a typical breast feeding session, t=900 s (15 mins) [0090] Power harvested, P=f*F*d=(1 Hz)*(2-3 N)*(0.0025-0.0030 m)=5-18 mW [0091] Energy harvested, E=P*t=(5-18 mW)*(900 s)=4.5-16.2 J

[0092] The estimated energy to be harvested during a typical breastfeeding session (lasting on average about fifteen minutes) is thus sufficient to power both the data acquisition and the data transfer by wireless means.

[0093] Finally, learning unit 90 can correlate the feedback signal from feedback unit 50 with a marker indicative of a well-being of the infant or the mother, and for deducing a quality of latching, suckling and/or positioning of the baby based on the correlation. Likewise as stimulation unit 70, learning unit 90 can in one example be implemented as an app or a feature of another app installed on user interface device 55, such as a smart phone. The feedback signal can comprise all the data described with respect to above described embodiments including raw sensed data or processed data. A marker indicative of a well-being of the baby can include weight intake and a general condition, while a marker indicative of a well-being of the mother can include a breast condition.

[0094] Learning unit 90 is in this example configured to confirm good latching and suckling of the baby with weight gain of the baby and the following of a typical growth curve over time. This can be, for instance, accomplished via an app such Avent's uGrow app which can store the weight data and growth curve of the baby. An infant with poor latch will not gain weight and will not grow at a normal rate since they are not receiving sufficient milk containing vital nutrients. This may help support the feedback and guidance to the mother to achieve more optimal latch of the baby. Learning unit 90 can of course in other examples also deduce additional or alternative information, such as confirming tongue tie or a different condition.

[0095] FIG. 3 schematically and exemplarily illustrates a flow chart of a method 300 for supporting breastfeeding. In step 310, an instrumented nipple shield 10 of an appropriate size is selected by the mother to insure a good fit, then switched on and provided on the mother's breast. A symbol or mark on nipple shield 10 can indicate a correct position and orientation.

[0096] In step 320, the baby is placed on the breast and allowed to begin feeding. In this step, when the baby's lips attach to the nipple shield 10, capacitive pressure sensing unit 20 acquires data on a pressure distribution applied by the baby's mouth on a nipple shield 10. At the same time, accelerometer unit 30 acquires data on tongue displacement and movement.

[0097] In step 330, data acquired in step 320 are provided to processing unit 40 for processing and/or storage.

[0098] In a step 350 the data are forwarded to wireless transmission component of feedback unit 50, which wirelessly transfers a feedback signal optionally including the acquired and/or processed data in step 360 to a nearby wirelessly enabled device, such as a user interface device 55.

[0099] At the same time processing unit 40 can communicate with a data storage unit 80 in step 340 and transfer data to and/or read data from data storage unit 80.

[0100] Data transmitted in step 360 are received by user interface device 55 and in step 370 fed back to the user via an application, such as uGrow, to indicate, for instance, correct attachment and current nipple position. A received feedback signal and/or received data from the capacitive pressure sensors 20 and/or accelerometer unit 30 can be displayed on user interface device 55 and, in some examples, also compared with previous feedings.

[0101] Processing of acquired data can be performed on the processing unit 40 side, on the side of user interface device 55 or any arbitrary combination among both. Additionally or alternatively data can be transferred, processed, and/or stored on a server, for instance associated with a user profile.

[0102] FIGS. 4A-4F shows schematically and exemplarily the general anatomy of suckling of an infant 400 during consecutive steps of a complete suck cycle.

[0103] First, shown in FIG. 4A, a teat 404 is formed from a nipple 406 and much of the areola 408, with wide milk ducts 410 containing milk 420, which lie behind the nipple 406, being drawn with the breast tissue into the mouth of the infant 400. The shape of the tongue 412 at the back represents its position at rest, cupped around the tip of the nipple 406.

[0104] The suck cycle is initiated by a welling up of the anterior tip 414 of the tongue 412, which is illustrated in FIG. 4B. At the same time, the lower jaw 416 is raised to constrict the base of the nipple 406, thereby pinching off milk 420 within the ducts 410 of the teat 404.

[0105] The wave of compression 413 by the tongue 412 moves along the underside of the nipple in a posterior direction, pushing against the hard palate 418 as illustrated in FIG. 4C. This roller-like action squeezes milk from the nipple 406. The posterior portion 422 of the tongue 412 may be depressed as milk collects in the oropharynx 428.

[0106] In FIG. 4D and FIG. 4E the wave of compression 413 passes back at the tip of the nipple and pushes against the soft palate 424. As the tongue impinges on the soft palate 424 the levator muscles of the palate contract raising it to seal off the nasal cavity 426. Milk is pushed into the oropharynx 428 and is swallowed if sufficient has collected.

[0107] The cycle of compression continues in FIG. 4F and ends at the posterior base 430 of the tongue. Depression of the back portion of the tongue 412 creates negative pressure drawing the nipple and its milk contents once more into the mouth. This is accompanied by a lowering of the jaw 416 which allows milk 420 to flow back into the nipple 406. Compression by the tongue 412 and negative pressure within the mouth, maintain the tongue 412 in close conformation to the nipple 406 and palate 418, 424.

[0108] A computer program may be stored/distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium, supplied together 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 telecommunication systems including being downloadable or purchasable via an app store.

[0109] Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

[0110] In the claims, the word comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article a or an does not exclude a plurality.

[0111] A single unit or device may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.