DEVICE FOR MEASURING INFANT FEEDING PERFORMANCE
First Claim
1. A method of measuring infant feeding performance comprising:
- passing fluid to a feeding nipple through a conduit, the conduit having a first section to receive the fluid and a second section to pass the fluid to the feeding nipple, the first section having a different cross-sectional area from the second section;
monitoring a pressure of the fluid passing through the conduit during a feeding session at a position in the conduit between the first section and the second section; and
determining a feeding factor from the monitored pressure over the feeding session indicative of the infant feeding performance.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Devices, systems and methods for measuring infant feeding performance. The device includes a body portion, a pressure sensor and an integrated circuit. The body portion includes a first end for receiving a fluid, a second end mateable with a feeding nipple, and a conduit In fluid communication with the first and second ends. The pressure sensor is disposed in the body portion, is in contact with the fluid in the conduit, and generates a signal representing a pressure of the fluid passing through the conduit during a feeding session. The integrated circuit is disposed in the body portion and is electrically connected to the pressure sensor. The integrated circuit receives the pressure signal and determines a feeding factor over the feeding session indicative of the infant feeding performance.
30 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of measuring infant feeding performance comprising:
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passing fluid to a feeding nipple through a conduit, the conduit having a first section to receive the fluid and a second section to pass the fluid to the feeding nipple, the first section having a different cross-sectional area from the second section; monitoring a pressure of the fluid passing through the conduit during a feeding session at a position in the conduit between the first section and the second section; and determining a feeding factor from the monitored pressure over the feeding session indicative of the infant feeding performance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A device for measuring infant feeding performance comprising:
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a body portion having a first end for receiving a fluid, a second end mateable with a feeding nipple, and a conduit In fluid communication with the first end and the second end; a pressure sensor disposed in the body portion and in contact with the fluid in the conduit, the pressure sensor configured to generate a signal representing a pressure of the fluid passing through the conduit during a feeding session; and an integrated circuit disposed in the body portion and electrically connected to the pressure sensor, the integrated circuit configured to receive the pressure signal and to determine a feeding factor over the feeding session indicative of the infant feeding performance. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for measuring infant feeding performance comprising:
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a fluid source for storing a comestible fluid; a feeding nipple; a body portion disposed between and coupled to the fluid source and to the feeding nipple, the body portion including a conduit in fluid communication with the fluid source and the feeding nipple; a pressure sensor disposed within the body portion and configured to generate a signal representing a pressure of the fluid passing through the conduit; and an electronics system embedded within the body portion and electrically connected to the pressure sensor, the electronics system configured to receive the pressure signal and to determine at least one of a sucking pressure response and a fluid volumetric flow response indicative of the infant feeding performance. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of manufacturing a device for measuring infant feeding performance, the method comprising:
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forming a body portion having a first end mateable with a fluid source, a second end mateable with a feeding nipple, and a conduit in fluid communication with the first end and the second end; providing a pressure sensor assembly within the body portion to be in contact with fluid in the conduit, the pressure sensor configured to generate a signal representing a pressure of the fluid in the conduit; and providing an integrated circuit within the body portion such that the integrated circuit is electrically connected to pressure sensor assembly, wherein the conduit includes a first conduit section for receiving the fluid from the fluid source and a second conduit section for passing the fluid to the feeding nipple, the second conduit section having a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of the first conduit section, and the integrated circuit is configured to receive the pressure signal and determine at least one of a sucking pressure response and a fluid volumetric flow response. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification