Abstract: A breast milk flow monitoring system in the form of a milk flow monitoring sensor is described and includes an array of electrodes and a controller. The electrodes include electrically conductive surfaces that are arranged to contact a skin surface of a breast. The controller generates a first excitation signal that is communicated via the first electrode to a first location on the breast, and generates a second excitation signal that is communicated via the first electrode to the first location on the breast. The controller receives a first current response signal and a second current response signal. A bio-impedance spectroscopic analysis of the first current response signal and the second current response signal is executed, wherein the bio-impedance spectroscopic analysis is calibrated for breast milk flow. A breast milk flow parameter is determined based upon the bio-impedance spectroscopic analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating the tongue strength and coordination of a subject includes an intermediate device such as a lever which is pivotably attached to a coupling device and extends into a cavity of a nipple element. The lever is detached from the nipple and pivotable in response to deformation of the nipple element by a tongue force exerted on the nipple element by a subject during a suck-swallow-breathe sequence. The coupling device includes a sensing device to wirelessly transmit sensor outputs to a mobile device paired to the sensing device. The sensing device includes at least one sealed chamber defined by a membrane and a sensor. In one example, a first membrane and sensor senses pressure change in a fluid in the apparatus, and a second membrane and sensor is actuated by the intermediate device to sense deformation of the nipple element. A method using the apparatus is provided.

Abstract: A feeding transition system for transitioning an infant subject to oral feeding includes at least one no-flow nipple and at least one flow nipple. The no-flow nipple has a fully enclosed tip portion such that no fluid can flow directly from the nipple cavity through the nipple wall. The flow nipple is formed of a no-flow nipple having an aperture formed in the tip portion for flowing fluid from the nipple cavity through the nipple wall. The system includes a bolus delivery nipple formed of a no-flow nipple including a bolus delivery conduit disposed in the nipple cavity and in fluid communication with a reservoir of fluid. The bolus delivery conduit includes a conduit outlet attached to the nipple wall to output a bolus of fluid from the tip portion of the bolus delivery nipple via the outlet. A method for transitioning an infant subject to oral feeding is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating the tongue strength and coordination of a subject includes an intermediate device such as a lever which is pivotably attached to a coupling device and extends into a cavity of a nipple element. The lever is detached from the nipple and pivotable in response to deformation of the nipple element by a tongue force exerted on the nipple element by a subject during a suck-swallow-breathe sequence. The coupling device includes a sensing device to wirelessly transmit sensor outputs to a mobile device paired to the sensing device. The sensing device includes at least one sealed chamber defined by a membrane and a sensor. In one example, a first membrane and sensor senses pressure change in a fluid in the apparatus, and a second membrane and sensor is actuated by the intermediate device to sense deformation of the nipple element. A method using the apparatus is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating the tongue strength and coordination of a subject includes an intermediate device such as a lever which is pivotably attached to a coupling device and extends into a cavity of a nipple element. The lever is detached from the nipple and pivotable in response to deformation of the nipple element by a tongue force exerted on the nipple element by a subject during a suck-swallow-breathe sequence. The coupling device includes a sensing device to wirelessly transmit sensor outputs to a mobile device paired to the sensing device. The sensing device includes at least one sealed chamber defined by a membrane and a sensor. In one example, a first membrane and sensor senses pressure change in a fluid in the apparatus, and a second membrane and sensor is actuated by the intermediate device to sense deformation of the nipple element. A method using the apparatus is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating the tongue strength and coordination of a subject includes an intermediate device such as a lever which is pivotably attached to a coupling device and extends into a cavity of a nipple element. The lever is detached from the nipple and pivotable in response to deformation of the nipple element by a tongue force exerted on the nipple element by a subject during a suck-swallow-breathe sequence. The coupling device includes a sensing device to wirelessly transmit sensor outputs to a mobile device paired to the sensing device. The sensing device includes at least one sealed chamber defined by a membrane and a sensor. In one example, a first membrane and sensor senses pressure change in a fluid in the apparatus, and a second membrane and sensor is actuated by the intermediate device to sense deformation of the nipple element. A method using the apparatus is provided.

Abstract: A feeding transition system for transitioning an infant subject to oral feeding includes at least one no-flow nipple and at least one flow nipple. The no-flow nipple has a fully enclosed tip portion such that no fluid can flow directly from the nipple cavity through the nipple wall. The flow nipple is formed of a no-flow nipple having an aperture formed in the tip portion for flowing fluid from the nipple cavity through the nipple wall. The system includes a bolus delivery nipple formed of a no-flow nipple including a bolus delivery conduit disposed in the nipple cavity and in fluid communication with a reservoir of fluid. The bolus delivery conduit includes a conduit outlet attached to the nipple wall to output a bolus of fluid from the tip portion of the bolus delivery nipple via the outlet. A method for transitioning an infant subject to oral feeding is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating the tongue strength and coordination of a subject includes an intermediate device such as a lever which is pivotably attached to a coupling device and extends into a cavity of a nipple element. The lever is detached from the nipple and pivotable in response to deformation of the nipple element by a tongue force exerted on the nipple element by a subject during a suck-swallow-breathe sequence. The coupling device includes a sensing device to wirelessly transmit sensor outputs to a mobile device paired to the sensing device. The sensing device includes at least one sealed chamber defined by a membrane and a sensor. In one example, a first membrane and sensor senses pressure change in a fluid in the apparatus, and a second membrane and sensor is actuated by the intermediate device to sense deformation of the nipple element. A method using the apparatus is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating the tongue strength and coordination of a subject includes an intermediate device such as a lever which is pivotably attached to a coupling device and extends into a cavity of a nipple element. The lever is detached from the nipple and pivotable in response to deformation of the nipple element by a tongue force exerted on the nipple element by a subject during a suck-swallow-breathe sequence. The coupling device includes a sensing device to wirelessly transmit sensor outputs to a mobile device paired to the sensing device. The sensing device includes at least one sealed chamber defined by a membrane and a sensor. In one example, a first membrane and sensor senses pressure change in a fluid in the apparatus, and a second membrane and sensor is actuated by the intermediate device to sense deformation of the nipple element. A method using the apparatus is provided.