Gravity Feeding Device
AssigneeMedela Holding AG
InventorDongchul D. Hyun
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gravity fed infant feeding device is disclosed. The gravity feeding device may have a cover with a through hole that allows liquid nutrients within the infant feeding device to be fed to an infant by way of gravity. If the infant feeding device clogs up, then either an integrated pump or a separate pump may be applied to the infant feeding device to increase pressure and push out the clog from the system. the through hole may be covered with a hydrophobic filter to allow air to pass there through and allow the feeding of the infant by way of gravity yet liquid nutrients within the infant feeding device cannot escape or be contaminated during use.
Claims17
An infant feeding device comprising a body defining a fluid chamber for holding liquid nutrients, a bottom output end portion connectable to an enteral feeding tube for flowing the liquid nutrients to an infant, and an upper opening for introducing air molecules into the fluid chamber to allow the liquid nutrients to flow out of the bottom output end portion by way of gravity wherein the upper opening is sized and configured to form an airtight seal with a tapered stem portion of an aspiration bulb for unclogging the reduced size throat or the enteral feeding tube.
An infant feeding device comprising a body defining a fluid chamber for holding liquid nutrients, the body having a bottom output end portion connectable to an enteral feeding tube for flowing the liquid nutrients out of the fluid chamber, an upper opening for introducing air molecules into the fluid chamber so that the liquid nutrient can flow out of the reduced size throat by way of gravity, the upper portion of the body having a moveable diaphragm for unclogging the bottom output end portion or the enteral feeding tube by depressing the diaphragm.
A method of operating a feeding device for an infant, the method comprising the steps of:
- filling a fluid chamber of the infant feeding device with liquid nutrients;
- orienting a reduced size throat of the infant feeding device to a lowered position to discharge the liquid nutrients from the fluid chamber by way of gravity;
- discharging the liquid nutrients out of the reduced size throat by way of gravity by providing air communication between the fluid chamber and the environment through a vent formed above a liquid level of the liquid nutrients disposed within the fluid chamber;
- when the reduced size throat is clogged, closing the vent by hand and increasing pressure within the fluid chamber to unclog the reduced size throat;
- removing the hand from the vent to open the vent;
- and
- resuming the discharging step.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.