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Title:
FEEDER FOR INFANTS WITH FEEDING DIFFICULTIES
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2019/092626
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A feeder 100 for an infant affected by any or a combination of cleft lip and cleft palate, comprising:a container 102 for holding a feed therein; and a nipple 106, 500 secured on a mouth 302 of the container, wherein the nipple comprises a curved tip 501 having one or more apertures 502 on the sides thereof, the curved tip 501 configured to rest at least on a lower lip of the infant to release the feed through the one or more apertures in the mouth of the infant from where the feed can progress to the throat of the infant, and also configured to prevent the release of the feed towards a region of the mouth from where the feed can enter into a nasal cavity of the infant.

Inventors:
SOHONI NAMEETA (IN)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2018/058771
Publication Date:
May 16, 2019
Filing Date:
November 08, 2018
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
SOHONI NAMEETA (IN)
International Classes:
A61J9/00; A61J11/00
Foreign References:
US20130140260A12013-06-06
US8573436B22013-11-05
US20140102919A12014-04-17
US20150224031A12015-08-13
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
KHURANA & KHURANA, ADVOCATES & IP ATTORNEYS (IN)
Download PDF:
Claims:
I Claim:

1) A feeder (100) for an infant affected by any or a combination of cleft lip and cleft palate, the feeder comprising:

a container (102) for holding a feed therein; and

a nipple (106, 500) secured on a mouth (302) of the container, wherein the nipple comprises a curved tip (501) having one or more apertures (502) on the sides thereof, the curved tip (501) configured to rest at least on a lower lip of the infant to release the feed through the one or more apertures in the mouth of the infant from where the feed can progress to the throat of the infant, and also configured to prevent the release of the feed towards a region of the mouth from where the feed can enter into a nasal cavity of the infant.

2) The feeder (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the feeder (100) includes:

an inner cap (202) snap fitted on the mouth (302) of the container (102), the inner cap comprising a plurality of threads on an outer circumferential surface thereof;

a mouthpiece (104) secured on the inner cap (202) using a plurality of threads on an inner circumferential surface thereof corresponding to the threads on the outer circumferential surface of the inner cap;

an over cap (108) press fitted over the mouthpiece (104); and

wherein the nipple (106) is fitted between the inner cap (202) and the mouthpiece

(104).

3) The feeder as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

the container (102) includes one or more abutments (304) on the mouth (302) thereof; and

the inner cap (202) includes:

one or more first notches (324) corresponding to the abutments (304) to facilitate fitting of the inner cap (302) in a pre-determined orientation on the mouth (302) of the container, and

one or more second notches (322) to enable the nipple to be fitted in a predetermined orientation of the nipple.

4) The feeder (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the container (102) includes:

a drop shaped depression (110) on a front facade thereof to enable a user to rest his/her thumb to squeeze the container to force out the feed there from while feeding the infant; and a plurality of markings (112) thereon to give a visual indication of the quantity of feed held within the container and to ascertain quantity of the feed taken by the infant.

5) The feeder (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the nipple (500) includes an abutment (504) to maintain the pre-determined orientation of the nipple (500) in relation with the drop shaped depression (110) on the container (102), and wherein the feed is released through the one or more apertures (502) towards a side of the mouth of the infant.

6) The feeder (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the nipple has a flat configuration with a tip of the nipple (400) comprising two parallel flat surfaces (402) positioned on opposite sides of the circumference of the nipple to form an aperture there between, the flat surfaces being aligned with the tongue of the infant to release the feed through the aperture.

7) The feeder (100) as claimed in the claim 6, wherein the nipple (400) includes an abutment (404) and the inner cap (202) comprises a notch corresponding to the abutment (404) to enable alignment of the nipple in the pre-determined orientation wherein the flat surfaces (402) on the nipple are parallelly aligned with the drop shaped depression (110) on the container (102).

8) The feeder (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the nipple (400) includes one or more apertures (406) on the sides thereof.

9) The feeder (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nipple has an elongated tip to enable the nipple (600) to be fitted over a discharge nozzle of a plunger type syringe assembly.

10) The feeder (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container and the nipple are made of reusable and sterilizable food grade polymer material.

Description:
FEEDER FOR INFANTS WITH FEEDING DIFFICULTIES

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of infant feeding devices. More particularly, the present disclosures relates to an infant feeding device for infants suffering with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate and other feeding difficulties.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] Cleft lip and cleft palate, also known as or facial cleft, is a group of conditions that includes cleft lip, cleft palate, and both together. A cleft lip is a condition when there is an opening in the upper lip that may extend into the nose. The opening may be on one side, both sides, or in the middle. A cleft palate is a condition when the roof of the mouth contains an opening into the nose. These disorders can result in feeding problems, speech problems, hearing problems, and frequent ear infections. Cleft lip and palate are the result of tissues of the face not joining properly during fetal development. The cause is unknown in most cases. Cleft lip and cleft palate can often be diagnosed during pregnancy with an ultrasound exam and the conditions are correctable only post birth.

[0004] Approximately 1 in 700 babies is born with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate. The severity of the condition can vary from a notch in the lip to a complete absence of the connective tissue between the nasal cavity and the oral cavity. Due to these birth anomalies infants face significant difficulties in feeding. Depending on the severity of the condition, latching or nursing becomes virtually impossible.

[0005] However, as can be well appreciated, babies with such issues also need to be fed like normal babies in order to thrive and grow. This is a serious challenge. Babies with clefts have trouble with feeding because it changes how parts of the mouth are formed and how they work and fit together. Cleft lip makes it hard for babies to make a good seal around the nipple while cleft palate makes it hard to create suction because the mouth cannot be closed off from the nose. Normally, a baby pulls a nipple into his/her mouth and makes a seal with his/her lips around the nipple. When babies suck and swallow, the back of the roof of their mouth (soft palate) rises up and closes off the mouth from the nose. This creates suction and holds the breast or bottle nipple in the baby's mouth, and the baby sucks to draw out milk. This is not possible in case of babies with a cleft palate. Feed liquid may pass to airways of the infant instead of passing to his/her stomach causing aspiration pneumonia and other associated infections.

[0006] Above stated difficulties faced by babies with cleft palate and/or lips results inpoor intake of food as well as usage of lot of their energy in such intake. They are therefore at risk ofpoor weight gain. Traditional methods of feeding via a spoon are both time consuming and overwhelming for both the child as well as the parents thus resulting in inadequate nutrition supplied to the infant, besides being cause of reflux and colic. Options to feed baby remain limited to a 'paladai' that is traditionally used in India, or a syringe. Often babies are tube fed without a real need. Further, there is little information when it comes to method of feeding a cleft baby across hospitals, private or state run.

[0007] A cleft lip or palate can be successfully treated with surgery. This is often done during first few months of life for cleft lip and before eighteen months for cleft palate. Speech therapy and dental care may also be needed. With appropriate treatment outcomes are good. However, post-surgery the challenge gets more intense for both the infant as well as its parents when the parents are asked to not feed the infant via any of the usual methods for fear of damaging the repair done to lips and/or palate during surgery. Further, the roadmap to complete recovery for an infant with cleft lip and/or palate is dotted with several corrective/reconstructive surgeries with precautions to be taken during food intake remaining the same each time, thus leading to more severe difficulties that can as well cause malnutrition of the infant.

[0008] Generally, there are two major surgeries for infants affected with cleft lip and palate. Cleft lip repair is attempted at about 4 months of birth, after which the baby should not try to form a latch with the new anatomy, and therefore, is completely off bottle feeding for at least three weeks. Parents are expected to use traditional devices such as paladai/vaati- chamach to feed an open palate infant through the day and night while battling challenges like aspiration, milk entering the lungs, reflux, colic etc. Child immobilizers are frequently used to prevent the child putting his/her finger accidentally inside the mouth or the lips.

[0009] A cleft palate repair is attempted at about 12 months of birth. Post cleft surgery is a still more trying time for parents and the infant. The reconstructed palate is as thin as tissue paper and takes time to become stronger. Nothing should touch the sutures at the site of repair inside the infant's mouth. There should be absolutely no attempts at suction which rules out nipple feeding. After surgery, the baby cannot be given any solids for 3 weeks and only clear liquid diet is permitted for 15 days, transitioning to purees thereafter. Most importantly, nothing should touch the inside of the infant's mouth accidentally and implements used - such as spoon - should "drop" any food very softly in mouth of the infant which is well neigh impossible. Even here, child immobilizers are frequently used to prevent the child putting his/her finger accidentally inside the mouth.

[0010] Some existing devices use a feeder activated by tongue and gum pressure, with valve arrangement to prevent feed/milk going back into the bottle. However, even gum and/or tongue pressure for an infant with conditions post-surgery as described above is a tenuous and risky affair. Some other devices provide a flexible shield that attempts to seal the cleft palate while keeping the nipple from collapsing into the cleft palate and cleft lip to allow the infant to suck liquids from a bottle or the breast. However, again this is not useful post- surgery when sucking is not permitted.

[0011] Hence there is a need in the art for a device to feed an infant suffering with cleft palate and/or lips to ensure that appropriate nutrition is delivered to the infant without any risk at all times, and particularly after a surgery to ensure timely and proper healing, until all feeding restrictions are lifted. The device should be easy to use and economical for its widest adoption.

OBJECTS

[0012] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.

[0013] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a feeding bottle to feed an infant suffering with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate and other feeding difficulties.

[0014] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a feeding bottle whereby appropriate feed is delivered to an infant suffering with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate without any risk at all times, and particularly after a surgery of the cleft lip/palate.

SUMMARY

[0015] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a feeder for an infantaffected by any or a combination of cleft lip and cleft palate. In an aspect, the feeder comprises: a container for holding a feed therein; and a nipple secured on a mouth of the container, wherein the nipple comprises a curved tip having one or more apertures on the sides thereof, the curved tip configured to rest at least on a lower lip of the infant to release the feed through the one or more apertures in the mouth of the infant from where the feed can progress to the throat of the infant, and also configured to prevent the release of the feed towards a region of the mouth of the infant from where the feed can enter into the a nasal cavity of the infant.

[0016] In an aspect, the feeder includes: an inner cap snap fitted on the mouth of the container, the inner cap comprising a plurality of threads on an outer circumferential surface thereof; a mouthpiece secured on the inner cap using a plurality of threads on an inner circumferential surface thereof corresponding to the threads on the outer circumferential surface of the inner cap; an over cap press fitted over the mouthpiece; and wherein the nipple is fitted between the inner cap and the mouthpiece.

[0017] In an aspect, the container includes one or more abutments on the mouth thereof; and the inner cap includes:one or more first notches corresponding to the abutments to facilitate fitting of the inner cap in a pre-determined orientation on the mouth of the container, and one or more second notches to enable the nipple to be fitted in a predetermined orientation of the nipple.

[0018] In an aspect, the container includes: a drop shaped depression on a front facade thereof to enable a user to rest his/her thumb to squeeze the container to force out the feed there from while feeding the infant; and a plurality of markings thereon to give a visual indication of the quantity of feed held within the container and to ascertain quantity of the feed taken by the infant.

[0019] In an aspect, the nipple includes an abutment to maintain the pre-determined orientation of the nipple in relation with the drop shaped depression on the container, and the feed is released through the one or more apertures towards a side of the mouth of the infant..

[0020] In an aspect, the nipple has a flat configuration with a tip of the nipple comprising two parallel flat surfaces positioned on opposite sides of the circumference of the nipple to form an aperture there between, the flat surfaces being aligned with the tongue of the infant to release the feed through the aperture.

[0021] In an aspect, the nipple includes an abutment and the inner cap comprises a notch corresponding to the abutment to enable alignment of the nipple in the pre-determined orientation wherein the flat surfaces on the nipple are parallelly aligned with the drop shaped depression on the container.

[0022] In an aspect, the nipple includes one or more apertures on the sides thereof.

[0023] In an aspect, the nipple has an elongated tip to enable the nipple to be fitted over a discharge nozzle of a plunger type syringe assembly.

[0024] In an aspect, the container and the nipple are made of reusable and sterilizable food grade polymer material. [0025] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0027] The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure, and wherein:

[0028] FIGs. 1A to ID illustrate exemplary views of the disclosed feeder in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 2illustrates an exemplary exploded view of the disclosed feeder in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIGs.3A to 3D illustrates exemplary isometric views of container, cap, inner cap and over cap respectively in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIGs.4A to 4C illustrates exemplary perspective views of a nipple with flat configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 4D illustrates an exemplary perspective view of the disclosed feeding bottle fitted with nipple with flat configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 4E illustrates another exemplary perspective view of the feeding bottle disclosed in FIG. 4D.

[0034] FIGs.5A to 5C illustrates exemplary perspective views of a nipple configuration for post-operative feeding for an infant in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 5D illustrates an exemplary perspective view of the disclosed feeding bottle fitted with nipple for post-operative feeding in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIGs.6A to 6Dillustratesexemplary views of a nipple configuration for post birth feeding of an infant using a syringe in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [0037] FIG. 7illustrates an exemplary perspective view of the disclosed feeding bottle fitted with a flow control valve in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0039] Various terms as used herein. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.

[0040] In some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

[0041] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification which follow, the word "comprise" and variations thereof, such as, "includes" and "comprising" are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense that is as "including, but not limited to."

[0042] Reference throughout this specification to "an exemplary embodiment", "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in exemplary embodiment", "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. [0043] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0044] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. "such as") provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

[0045] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.

[0046] Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

[0047] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a feeder for an infantaffected by any or a combination of cleft lip and cleft palate. In an aspect, the feeder comprises: a container for holding a feed therein; and a nipple secured on a mouth of the container, wherein the nipple comprises a curved tip having one or more apertures on the sides thereof, the curved tip configured to rest at least on a lower lip of the infant to release the feed through the one or more apertures in the mouth of the infant from where the feed can progress to the throat of the infant, and also configured to prevent the release of the feed towards a region of the mouth of the infant from where the feed can enter into the a nasal cavity of the infant. [0048] In an aspect, the feeder includes: an inner cap snap fitted on the mouth of the container, the inner cap comprising a plurality of threads on an outer circumferential surface thereof;a mouthpiece secured on the inner cap using a plurality of threads on an inner circumferential surface thereof corresponding to the threads on the outer circumferential surface of the inner cap;an over cap press fitted over the mouthpiece; and wherein the nipple is fitted between the inner cap and the mouthpiece.

[0049] In an aspect, the container includes one or more abutments on the mouth thereof; and the inner cap includes:one or more first notches corresponding to the abutments to facilitate fitting of the inner cap in a pre-determined orientation on the mouth of the container, and one or more second notches to enable the nipple to be fitted in a predetermined orientation of the nipple.

[0050] In an aspect, the container includes: a drop shaped depression on a front facade thereof to enable a user to rest his/her thumb to squeeze the container to force out the feed there from while feeding the infant; and a plurality of markings thereon to give a visual indication of the quantity of feed held within the container and to ascertain quantity of the feed taken by the infant.

[0051] In an aspect, the nipple includes an abutment to maintain the pre-determined orientation of the nipple in relation with the drop shaped depression on the container, and the feed is released through the one or more apertures towards a side of the mouth of the infant.

[0052] In an aspect, the nipple has a flat configuration with a tip of the nipple comprising two parallel flat surfaces positioned on opposite sides of the circumference of the nipple to form an aperture there between, the flat surfaces being aligned with the tongue of the infant to release the feed through the aperture.

[0053] In an aspect, the nipple comprises an abutment and the inner cap comprises a notch corresponding to the abutment to enable alignment of the nipple in the pre-determined orientation wherein the flat surfaces on the nipple are parallelly aligned with the drop shaped depression on the container.

[0054] In an aspect, the nipple includes one or more apertures on the sides thereof.

[0055] In an aspect, the nipple has an elongated tip to enable the nipple to be fitted over a discharge nozzle of a plunger type syringe assembly.

[0056] In an aspect, the container and the nipple are made of reusable and sterilizable food grade polymer material.

[0057] Referring now to FIGs. 1A to ID, FIG. 2 and FIGs. 3A to 3D where different overall views of the proposed feeder for use with babies affected by any or a combination of cleft lip and cleft palate, and its constituent parts are illustrated, the feeder 100 can include a container 102, a capl04, an inner cap 204 (refer to FIG. 2), nipple 106 and an over cap 108. The container 102 can be made of a pliable and food grade polymer material such as silicone. Silicone allows mother/nurse/caregiver using the device to undertake paced feeding of the infant by squeezing the container 102. For this, the container 102 can be economically designed so as to fit snugly in an adult palm.

[0058] In yet another aspect, container 102 can have a drop shaped depression 110 on its front facade wherein the user can rest his/her thumb to squeeze the container 102 while feeding the infant. As stated earlier, the container 102 is made of silicone which is a flexible material, thereby allowing the container to be squeezed to extrude/force out fluid or semifluid contents held within the container 102 through one or more apertures in nipple 106. Squeezing can be controlled by caregiver for a controlled flow of contents of the container 102.

[0059] In an aspect, there can be markings such as 112 on the container 102 to give a visual indication of quantity contained within the container 102. The markings can also be helpful in ascertaining quantity of feed taken by infant as well as determine pace of feeding.

[0060] In an aspect, container 102 has an open mouth 302 (refer to FIG. 3 A) over which inner cap 202 can be fitted. Fitment of the inner cap 202over the open mouth 302 of the container 102 can be through a leak-proof snap fit. The inner cap 202 incorporates male threads on its outer circumference for fitment of the cap 104. It is to be appreciated that the container 102 being made of silicone which is a flexible material, the cap 104 cannot be fitted directly on the container 102 through threaded joining. On the other hand, fitting the cap 104 to the container 102 through snap fit similar to that between the container 102 and the inner cap 202 shall reduce life of the feeder as the cap needs to be removed frequently for removing the nipple 106. Thus the proposed arrangement having an additional intermediate part, such as inner cap 202 overcomes the above problem.

[0061] Fitment of cap 104 over inner cap 202 can be through screwing for which cap

104 can incorporate matching female threads on its inner circumference. Mouth 302 of container 102 can be sufficiently wide so that the device can be completely cleaned from within by putting one's hand/fingers inside.

[0062] Nipple 106 can be made of an extremely soft, food grade material that is reusable and sterilizable. In an exemplary embodiment, nipple 106 can be molded on inner cap 201so as to form a one piece structure. In an alternate exemplary embodiment, nipple 106 can be fitted between the cap 104 and inner cap 202, and held in leak-proof manner by tightening of the mouthpiece 104 over the inner cap 202. Such a configuration allows fitment of nipples of different types, cross-sections and sizes to the container 102 as per requirements, such as of different feeds like soups and purees.

[0063] In an aspect, to enable fitment of the nipple 106 in a preferred orientation in relation with the container 102, the container 102 can incorporate one or more abutments/ raised portion such as abutment 304 (refer to FIG. 3A) on its mouth, and the inner cap 202 can incorporate one or more notches 324 (refer to FIG. 3C) in matching locations so that fitment of the inner cap 202 is always in a desired orientation. The inner cap 202 can further incorporate one or more second notches 322 (refer to FIG. 3C) located on its upper face where the nipple 106 takes a seat. The one or more second notches 322 enable the nipple 106 to be seated in a preferred orientation through corresponding abutments (to be explained in succeeding paragraph) on the nipple 106.

[0064] In another aspect, over cap 108 can be configured to be fitted over cap 104 in such a manner it completely covers nipple 106 when the device/feeder is not in use thereby ensuring good hygiene. The over cap 108 can be press fitted so that it is held tight over the cap 104. The over cap 108 and container 102 can be so contoured that when the over cap 108 is fitted over the container 102, the complete assembly looks like a drop when viewed together further adding to the ascetics as well as ergonomics of the feeder device.

[0065] In an aspect, nipple 106 can be so configured to make it suitable for feeding a baby affected by any or a combination of cleft lip and cleft palate. There can be nipples with different configurations to meet specific requirements of post birth-feeding, post-operative feeding and normal feeding of a baby affected by any or a combination of cleft lip and cleft palate. These are further described in detail in succeeding paragraphs.

[0066] In this manner, the disclosed feeder provides feeding assistance for cleft affected infants viz. unilateral or bilateral cleft of the palate and/or lip. The feeder allows for "paced feeding" wherein caregiver can squeeze the container 102 that can in turn paced release of milk/ fluids into an infant's mouth. In an aspect, nipples are configured to prevent release of the fluid in area of mouth that have a possibility of the released fluid entering nasal cavity. Alternatively put, feed fluidis released in regions of an infant's mouth where its discharge causes the feed fluid to flow to throat.

[0067] FIGs. 4A to 4Eillustrate exemplary perspective views of a nipple with flat configuration, and a feeder fitted with the nipple with flat configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The illustrated configuration of the nipple 400 is inspired by anatomy of the human finger, which has a flattened structure. When there are feeding issues and the baby is unable to suckle, they are commonly "finger fed", wherein a tube is attached to the finger and feeding is facilitated. As shown, the nipple 400 incorporates at least one flat surface 402 along circumference of the nipple 400. The exemplary illustration of FIGs 4A to 4E shows two parallel flat surfaces 402positioned on opposite sides of the circumference so that the nipple 400 has an oblong /flattened profile. At time of feeding one of the two flat surfaces is positioned against tongue of the baby, which encourages the baby to stroke his tongue against the flat surface, thus presenting a larger surface area to elicit a swallow stimulus. As against this, while spoon-feeding a newborn, surface of the spoon cannot be placed entirely on to the tongue and the milk gushes directly into the throat. A lack of a complete oral anatomy then results in a poor swallow response thus resulting in reflux, aspiration and milk coming out of the exposed nasal cavity.

[0068] As can be appreciated, in view of the nipple 400 incorporating one or more flat surfaces 402, orientation of the nipple in relation with drop shaped depression 110 on the container 102 is important for better control on paced feeding when the flat 402 is aligned against tongue of baby. In accordance with description provided earlier, the nipple also incorporates an abutment 404 that enables fitment of the nipple in a preferred orientation in relation with the container 102. As explained earlier, there can be a corresponding notch on inner cap 202 that matches the abutment404 and ensures alignment of the nipple 400 to its desirable position in which relative angular positions of flat surface 402 on the nipple 400 with respect to drop shaped depression 110 on the container 102 is maintained allowing the user to gain optimum control over "paced feeding" to suit the infants comfort.

[0069] In an inventive aspect, one or more apertures 406 are provided on the nipple

400 on its sides as opposed to the traditional top position. This allows the milk to first come in contact with the tongue, then elicit a swallow response and then make its way down the throat, as opposed to directing the flow of milk directly to the back of the throat which may again result in, aspiration, reflux or gagging.

[0070] FIGs.5A to 5D illustrate exemplary perspective views of a nipple configuration for post-operative feeding for an infant, and a feeder fitted with the same in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, nipple 500 can be contoured with a curved tip 501 in such a manner so that nothing touches midline sutures or other suture sites in an infant's mouth directly, after the mouth has been operated upon. In this manner nipple500 can be contoured so as to specifically comply with medical postoperative feeding restrictions. Besides, contouring of nipple 500 can discourage the infant to form an "O shaped" latch on the feeder using his/her lips. As already elaborated such a latch can damage soft tissues post-surgery and hence is not desirable.

[0071] The feeding position while using nipple 500 is when the curved tip portion

501 rests on the infant's lower lip allowing the feeding to progress from the side of the mouth by means of one or more apertures 502 provided on sides (refer to FIG. 5B)to the throat of the infant, and preventing the release of the feed towardsthe region of the mouth from where the feed can enter into the nasal cavity of the infant.

[0072] As in case of nipple 400, nipple 500 too incorporates an abutment 504 to maintain desired orientation of the curved nipple 500 in relation with depression 110 on container 102 allowing the user to gain optimum control over "paced feeding" to suit the infant' s comfort.

[0073] FIGs. 6A to 6D illustrate exemplary views of a nipple configuration for post birth feeding of an infant using a syringe in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an aspect, nipple 600 can be contoured in same manner as nipple 500 except that it can be adapted to fit over discharge nozzle of a plunger type syringe assembly. The syringe can be of different sizes such as 5ml, 10ml, 15 ml etc. In an aspect, nipple 600 is useful for feeding colostrum (first milk) that is available in small quantities, to her new born infant. New mothers can express colostrum and fill in syringe. Thus the nipple 600 overcomes difficulty of pouring small quantities into a bottle which is not practical. Colostrum contains antibodies to protect the newborn against diseases. Further, protein concentration in colostrum is substantially higher than in milk. Hence, although available in small quantities, it is highly nutritious and essential for a newborn. Such small quantities can be efficiently handled using syringes.

[0074] FIG. 7illustrates an exemplary perspective view of the disclosed feeding bottle fitted with a flow control valve in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In an aspect, a disc valve 702 can be adapted for mounting between and inner cap 202 and container 102, or between inner cap 202 and cap 104. It can further control /slow down flow of liquid into nipple 106 while allowing the mother/nurse to control amount of feed the infant is comfortable with. Disc valve 702 can provide a safety feature to further increase the feed time allowing the infant to take his time to acquire and develop better swallowing skills. Disc valve 702 can have perforations on its circumference / surface that can be adjusted to control rate of flow of liquid.

[0075] In an aspect, all components of feeder 100 can be made of materials that are food grade, easily sterilizable, and reusable multiple times. [0076] In an aspect, container 102, mouthpiece 104 and nipple 106 can be so configured that once connected they do not allow ingress of any air even while being used by an infant thereby ensuring that no air is ingested by the infant via the feeder. Appropriate backflow prevention valves or other suitable components can be configured in the device for the purpose. Likewise, proposed feeder can be made completely leak proof, even when it is turned over, and allow for contents to be released via nipple 106 only while container 102 is being pressed by a user.

[0077] To feed an infant using the proposed feeder, a care giver can hold the infant in a proper posture. Nextshe can hold proposed device in her hand so that nipple 106 is introduced in the infant's mouth in desired orientation in a relatively "safe" region in mouth with no sutures etc. Once the top portion of the nipple 106 is in that region, she can press the squeezable container 102 to make feed material such as milk etc. held in the container 102 to flow out from nipple 106, aided further by the infant's tongue pressing on flat surface 402 (FIG.2). Accordingly, the feed can come out of side apertures 406 and can be swallowed by the infant without putting any pressure or passing through soft /injured/ delicate areas of the infant's mouth.

[0078] In this fashion, proposed device with the proposed novel nipple design can be used to feed an infant suffering from any or both of cleft lip and palate, and both during pre as well as post-surgery by directing the flow of feed to an area in mouth that has palatal tissue thereby reducing chances of the contents irritating open nasal passage of the infant.

[0079] As can be readily appreciated, the proposed device offers many other advantages such as: ability to be held in the same hand that is being used for feeding the infant, leaving the other hand free for holding the infant properly; delivering a feed in a controlled fashion with proper paced feeding by squeezing container of the feeder as required; ability to use nipples of different gauges enabling a variety of feeds such as liquids and soft purees, pre and post surgery depending on requirement.

[0080] Further, the proposed feeder can be made completely leak proof and airtight to prevent any back flow of air, thereby ensuring that no air is ingested by the infant via the feeder. The feeder allows for its contents to be released only while its container is being pressed by a user. Presence of valve prevents any excess feed rate in case pressing of the container is not controlled by inexperienced care giver. Further, it can be made of capacity sufficient for at least one feed of the infant.

[0081] In addition, the proposed device can be readily cleaned and over capof the nipple doubly ensures that no bacteria, dirt etc. enter moth of an infant. [0082] It is simple to operate and therefore, it can be used even by uneducated mothers very easily and with only a short demonstration.

[0083] Proposed feedercan be made at very low cost so as to be economically viable.

[0084] As can be readily appreciated, while the device and its use has been elaborated using example of an infant suffering from cleft lip and/or palate, device proposed can be well used to feed any infant having feeding difficulties such as high level of weakness not allowing the infant to suck.

[0085] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.