GB2460846A

GB2460846A - Rotary flowmeter for indicating volume of milk supplied during breast feeding

Info

Publication number: GB2460846A
Application number: GB0810641A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven John Roberts
Original assignee: Fripp Design Ltd
Current assignee: Fripp Design Ltd
Priority date: 2008-06-11
Filing date: 2008-06-11
Publication date: 2009-12-16
Also published as: GB0810641D0

Abstract

The apparatus for providing an indication of a volume of breast milk supplied during breast-feeding comprises: an interface element, e.g. a nipple shield (201) defining a dispensing aperture (202), a conduit (203) leading to the dispensing aperture (202) and comprising a rotary element (302) arranged to rotate in response to the flow of breast milk within the conduit (203), a electromagnetic sensing (303) means configured to sense rotation of the rotary element and to output rotation data, data processing means (304) configured to receive the rotation data and to generate data corresponding to a volume of dispensed breast milk, and display means (305) for displaying an indication of a volume of dispensed milk.

Description

Indicating Milk Volume During Breast Feeding

Cross Reference to Related Application

This application represents the first application for a patent directed toward the invention and the subject matter.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to apparatus for, and a method of, providing an indication of a volume of breast milk supplied during breast-feeding.

Background of the Invention

It is known that feeding an infant with breast milk is an efficient way to provide the infant with essential nutrients, hormones and compounds that help the infant fight infections and diseases. Breast-feeding is a natural way for a mother to feed her child, however, a problem exists in that a mother may not easily determine how much milk has been supplied to her infant during breast-feeding.

Brief Summary of the Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for providing an indication of a volume of breast milk supplied during breast-feeding, comprising: an interface element defining a dispensing aperture, a conduit leading to said dispensing aperture and comprising a rotary element arranged to rotate in response to the flow of breast milk within said conduit, electromagnetic sensing means configured to sense rotation of said rotary element and to output rotation data, data processing means configured to receive said rotation data and to generate data corresponding to a volume of dispensed fluid, and display means for displaying an indication of a volume of dispensed fluid.

Accord ing to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing an indication of a volume of breast milk supplied during breast-feeding, said method comprising the steps of: a) locating a meter to receive a flow of milk from a breast, said meter comprising: a conduit, a rotary element configured to rotate in response to the flow of fluid within said conduit, and electromagnetic sensing means configured to sense rotation of said rotary element and to output rotation data; b) processing rotation data to generate data corresponding to a volume of dispensed fluid; and c) displaying an indication of a volume of dispensed fluid.

Breast milk flow metering apparatus is also provided, this apparatus provides an indication of a volume of breast milk supplied during breast-feeding, comprising: a housing defining a conduit, a rotary element configured to rotate in response to the flow of fluid within said conduit, and electromagnetic sensing means configured to sense rotation of said rotary element.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawings Figure 1 shows an infant 101 feeding from a breast 102 of lady 103; Figure 2 shows an interface element of the type used by mothers to facilitate breast-feeding; Figure 3 shows apparatus 301 for metering the supply of breast milk during breast-feeding; Figure 4 shows a rotary element arranged to rotate in response to flow through a conduit; Figure 5 shows an alternative rotary element 501 arranged to rotate in response to flow through conduit 401; Figure 6 illustrates an equation 601 stating that Q (volumetric flow rate) equals V (velocity) multiplied by A (area); Figure 7 shows a display means 701 for displaying an indication of a volume of dispensed fluid; and Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention Figure 1 Figure 1 shows an infant 101 feeding from a breast 102 of lady 103.

Typically, breast-feeding is encouraged as the healthiest way to feed an infant.

Breast milk is seen as a complete food source, containing all the ingredients, hormones, and other compounds essential for a baby's needs. It is known that the nutritional make up of the breast milk of the mother of a baby adjusts as the baby grows and develops. Unfortunately, a breast-feeding woman may not be able to easily determine how much breast milk a feeding infant has consumed during a breast-feeding session. A mother experiencing such problems often chooses the option of feeding from a bottle. Using a bottle having a volumetric scale helps the mother monitor how much milk has been supplied to the feeding baby. A mother may express breast milk, by means of a breast pump or manually, and store it for subsequent delivery to a baby using a bottle. However, it is often found that, at the point of choosing to use a bottle, the mother also chooses to replace breast milk with an infant milk formula, which cannot provide all of the good things that breast milk can. In addition, the intimate interaction between a mother and a child during breast-feeding is somewhat lost when the baby is fed from a bottle.

Figure 2 Figure 2 shows an interface element of the type used by mothers to facilitate breast-feeding. Interface element 201 is, in this example, a nipple shield of the type typically manufactured from plastic. The nipple shield 201 defines a dispensing aperture 202. A conduit 203 eads to the dispensing aperture. Breast milk is supplied through the dispensing aperture in the direction indicated by arrow 204.

Figure 3 Figure 3 shows apparatus 301 for metering the supply of breast milk during breast-feeding. The apparatus comprises a rotary element 302, arranged to rotate in response to the flow of breast milk within a conduit.

Electromagnetic sensing means 303 is configured to sense rotation of the rotary element and to output rotation data. Data processing means 304 is configured to receive rotation data and to generate data corresponding to a volume of dispensed fluid. A display means 305 is provided for displaying an indication of a volume of dispensed fluid. Apparatus 301 allows real time monitoring of a supply of breast milk.

Figure 4 Figure 4 shows a rotary element arranged to rotate in response to flow through a conduit. Conduit 401 defines a direction of flow indicated at 402.

Rotary element 403 is a positive displacement flow turbine comprising a plurality of vanes. In this example, the rotary element comprises a hub 404 and a plurality of vanes, such as vane 405, which extend radially outwardly from the hub.

In the shown arrangement, the rotary part is mounted to extend substantially perpendicularly to the direction of flow 402. The rotary element is arranged relative to the direction of flow 402 such that the direction of flow defines an axis through the hub 404 about which the rotary part is configured to rotate.

Rotary element 403 comprises a magnetic material. An associated electromagnetic sensing means 406 comprises a coil mounted relative to rotary element 403 and configured to generate an electrical signal in response to rotation of at least one vane past a reference point. In an embodiment, an electrical signal in the form of a pulse is generated each time vane 405 rotates past reference point 407.

Figure 5 Figure 5 shows an alternative rotary element 501 arranged to rotate in response to flow through conduit 401 in direction of flow 402. Again, rotary element 501 is a positive displacement flow turbine comprising a plurality of vanes. In this example, however, the rotary element 501 comprises a substantially tubular outer 502 and a plurality of vanes, such as vane 503, which extend inwardly from the substantially tubular outer.

It is to be appreciated that the particular type of rotary part may be selected to satisfy one or more preferred characteristics, such as may be related to size, speed of rotation, friction or flow variables. Again, in this shown arrangement rotary part 501 is mounted to extend substantially perpendicularly to the direction of flow 402. The rotary element 501 is arranged relative to the direction of flow 402 such that the direction of flow defines an axis through the substantially tubular outer 502 about which the rotary part is configured to rotate.

It is to be appreciated also that the location of the rotary part relative to the direction of flow may vary between applications. In addition, the number, shape and orientation of vanes relative to the remainder of the rotary part may vary beiween applications.

Rotary element 501 comprises a magnetic material, and is also suitable for use in combination with electromagnetic sensing means 406. Thus, electromagnetic sensing means 406 is configured to generate an electrical signal in response to rotation of at least one fixed point 504 of the rotary element past a fixed reference point 407 relative to the coil.

In an embodiment, the electromagnetic sensing means is configured to determine the direction of rotation of at least one vane passing a reference point. In this way, a determination may be made whether to register or ignore flow that is determined to be in the wrong direction, and hence indicates back flow.

It is to be appreciated that one of a variety of electromagnetic sensing means may be utilised to detect rotation of a rotary element in response to the flow of breast milk. It is known that turbine rotation may be detected by solid state devices (reluctance, inductance, capacitative and Hall-effect pick-ups).

For example, with a reluctance pick-up, the coil is a permanent magnet and the turbine vanes comprise a material attractive to magnets. As each vane passes the coil, a voltage is generated in the coil. Each voltage pulse represents a discrete volume of liquid. The number of pulses per unit volume is termed the K-factor of the meter. With an inductance pick-up, the vanes of the turbine comprise a permanently magnetised material. Again, as each vane passes the coil a voltage pulse is generated. In some applications, a single vane is magnetic and hence a pulse represents a complete revolution of the turbine rotor.

Figure 6 In Figure 6, equation 601 states that Q (volumetric flow rate) equals V (velocity) multiplied by A (area). Equation 602 states that for a circular conduit, the area equals pi divided by 4 multiplied by D (diameter) squared.

In a practical environment, the diameter of the rotor of the turbine flow meter is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the metering conduit, and the speed of rotation of the rotor is proportional to the volumetric flow rate. So, in instances where the cross sectional area of the flow conduit is known, the velocity of fluid flow is determinable from sensing rotation of the turbine. It is then possible to calculate a volume of liquid discharged from the metering conduit.

An electromagnetic sensing means is arranged to sense rotation of the rotary element and to output rotation data, whilst a data processing means is configured to receive the rotation data and to generate data corresponding to a volume of dispensed fluid.

Figure 7 Figure 7 shows a display means 701 for displaying an indication of a volume of dispensed fluid. The display 701 comprises a plurality of illuminatable regions 702 to 705, each region being indicative of a volume of dispensed fluid. In an embodiment, each of the illuminatable regions 702 to 705 represents an increment of fluid. For example, the display may distinguish millilitre increments. A light sequence may then operate to the effect that region 702 is illuminated in response to the detection of the dispensing of a first 5 millilitres whereafter region 703 is illuminated to indicate the dispensing of the next 5 millilitres. In an embodiment, the data processing means is configured to generate data corresponding to an accrued volume of dispensed fluid. In one application, only one of the regions 702 to 705 is illuminated at any one time, whilst in another application an additional region is illuminated to indicate an additional increment of fluid dispensed. Thus, for example, to indicate that 15 millilitres of breast milk has been supplied to a feeding baby during a breast-feeding session, either region 704 alone is illuminated or regions 702, 703 and 704 are all illuminated simultaneously.

It is to be appreciated that the particular type of display means may vary between applications. A display means may numerical value as an alternative to, or in addition, to a graphical display. Other information may optionally be displayed such as the duration of metering since the last reset.

In an embodiment the data processing means is configured to transmit data to the display means in accordance with a wireless communication protocol, for example Bluetooth, however a wired connection may also be employed.

Figure 8 In an embodiment illustrated in Figure 8, the metering conduit is defined within a housing 801 that is configured to be removably located within an interface element. In this example, housing 801 is configured to be removably located within nipple shield 201. The housing 801 may be transparent to allow a user to view within, for example to determine that normal operation is continuing or to ascertain that a malfunction has occurred.

In an embodiment, the housing is configured to withstand a sterilisation process, such that it may be reused. Alternatively, the housing may be provided as a disposable component.

It is to be appreciated that various components of the apparatus described herein may be provided as part of an interface element. In particular, circuitry provided for the electromagnetic sensing means and for the data processing means may be incorporated into an interface element.

Alternatively, apparatus may be provided in an arrangement that allows it to be retrofitted for use with an existing interface element.

Claims

Claims 1. Apparatus for providing an indication of a volume of breast milk supplied during breast-feeding, comprising: an interface element defining a dispensing aperture, a conduit leading to said dispensing aperture and comprising a rotary element arranged to rotate in response to the flow of breast milk within said conduit, electromagnetic sensing means configured to sense rotation of said rotary element and to output rotation data, data processing means configured to receive said rotation data and to generate data corresponding to a volume of dispensed fluid, and display means for displaying an indication of a volume of dispensed fluid.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said interface element is a nipple shield.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said conduit is defined within a housing that is configured to be removably located within said interface element.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said housing is transparent.
5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said housing is configured to withstand sterilization.
6. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said conduit defines a direction of flow, and said rotary element is an axial-flow turbine comprising a plurality of vanes.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said rotary element comprises a hub and a plurality of vanes that extend radially from said hub.
8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said rotary element comprises a magnetic material, and said electromagnetic sensing means comprises a coil mounted relative to said rotary element and configured to generate an electrical signal in response to rotation of at least one vane past a reference point.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said electrical signal is a pulse.
10. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein said data processing means is configured to generate data corresponding to an accrued volume of dispensed fluid.
11. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein said display means comprises a plurality of illuminatable regions, each region indicative of a volume of dispensed fluid.
12. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein said data processing means is configured to transmit data to said display means in accordance with a wireless communication protocol.
13. A method of providing an indication of a volume of breast milk supplied during breast-feeding, said method comprising the steps of: a) locating a meter to receive a flow of milk from a breast, said meter comprising: a conduit, a rotary element configured to rotate in response to the flow of fluid within said conduit, and electromagnetic sensing means configured to sense rotation of said rotary element and to output rotation data; b) processing rotation data to generate data corresponding to a volume of dispensed fluid; and C) displaying an indication of a volume of dispensed fluid.
14. A method according to claim 13, wherein said conduit is defined within a housing, and said step a) includes locating said housing within an interface element.
15. Breast milk flow metering apparatus for providing an indication of a volume of breast milk supplied during breast-feeding, comprising: a housing defining a conduit, a rotary element configured to rotate in response to the flow of fluid within said conduit, and electromagnetic sensing means configured to sense rotation of said rotary element.
16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said conduit defines a direction of flow, and said rotary element is an axial-flow turbine comprising a plurality of radially extending vanes.
17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said rotary element comprises a magnetic material, and said electromagnetic sensing means comprises a coil mounted relative to said rotary element and configured to produce an electrical signal in response to rotation of at least one vane past a reference point.
18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said electromagnetic sensing means is configured to determine the direction of rotation of at least one vane past a reference point.
19. Apparatus for providing an indication of a volume of breast milk supplied during breast-feeding, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying Figures.
20. A method of providing an indication of a volume of breast milk supplied during breast-feeding, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying Figures.