System and method for generating nipple prototypes

1. A method of prolonging an infant's capacity to breast feed, comprising:

performing 3D scanning of a plurality of lactating women's breasts thereby generating a plurality of computer-generated models of a plurality of maternal nipples;

storing the plurality of computer-generated models into a database;

designing a plurality of nipple shapes based on the computer-generated models within the database;

generating a 3D printing algorithm based on the plurality of nipple shapes;

using the plurality of nipple shapes generated by the 3D printing algorithm, creating a plurality of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) molds;

individually casting the plurality of PDMS molds into individual nipple prototypes;

for each nipple shape, assembling a cast box;

for each nipple shape, inserting a 3D printed nipple mold into the cast box;

filling the mold box with silicone polymer so that the entire mold box is completely filled except for where the nipple mold is located;

inserting the entire combination into a vacuum chamber;

curing the entire combination for at least 23 hours;

removing the 3D printed mold, thereby creating a negative mold space in the mold box, the negative mold space being suitable for generating a functioning nipple prototype;

filling the negative mold space with thermally curable food grade silicone;

melting polymer pellets until malleable and liquified;

filling the negative mold space with polymer melt using pressurized injection at a predetermined pressure and for a predetermined time period, thereby creating a thermally cured nipple prototype; and

stamping\molding the thermally cured nipple prototype to be 0.5 mm-2 mm smaller than the negative mold space.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

the step of performing 3D scanning further comprising using a handheld 3D scanner;

selecting a small object specification on the handheld 3D scanner suitable for scanning objects less than 16 inches in size;

holding the 3D scanner 12-15 inches away from the profile view of the entire exposed breast; and

once the nipple is in clear view, slowly moving the 3D scanner closer and encircling 360 degrees around the entire nipple.

3. The method of claim 1 , the step of performing 3D scanning further comprising:

for each of the 3D scans, measuring a nipple width, slope, and height, and determining minimums and maximums for each, thereby creating a range for each;

the nipple height being measured from an areola base to a nipple tip;

the nipple width being measured from one point of nipple base to 180 degree opposite point of nipple base;

the nipple slope being measured from a center of the nipple tip to the edge of the areola; and

determining an average nipple width, slope, and height.

4. The method of claim 3 , the step of generating a 3D printing algorithm further comprising:

calculating two standard deviations from the average height, width, and slope, using normal distribution from upper and lower limits of the height, width, and slope ranges; and

utilizing those distributions to generating dimensions for a plurality of representative nipple types.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

creating bottle nipple lumen that reflects the specified flow rate from predetermined maternal data.

6. The method of claim 5 , the step of creating lumen further comprising drilling.

7. The method of claim 5 , the step of creating lumen further comprising punching.

8. The method of claim 5 , the step of creating lumen further comprising cutting.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

performing flow rate testing on a plurality of lactating mothers using breast pumps.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

gathering average maternal lactation flow rate data at various points of time in the first two years of breast feeding;

calculating maternal lactation flow rate; and

determining an average maternal lactation flow rate.

11. The method of claim 10 , the step of gathering average maternal lactation flow rate data further comprising:

securing the lactating mother's breast to a pump flange at a predetermined angle from horizontal;

setting a timer and begin expressing breastmilk by setting a negative pressure setting on the pump to a predetermined setting;

calculating a total volume of breastmilk expressed and divide by the amount of time spent pumping.

12. The method of claim 10 , the various points of time further comprising:

preterm, birth, 3 month, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, 21 months, and

24 months postpartum.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

testing a volumetric flow rate of each nipple prototype using a first proprietary test environment;

periodically testing a volumetric flow rate of the lactating mother corresponding to the nipple prototype using a second proprietary test environment;

comparing the two flow rates; and

adjusting the nipple prototype to more accurately emulate the volumetric flow rate of the lactating mother.

14. The method of claim 13 , the step of adjusting the nipple prototype further comprising making alterations to a diameter of a tip of the nipple prototype.