Pressure-or flow-sensitive feeding monitor

摘要

A feeding monitor system provides data responsive to a human or animal subject sucking on a nipple or other outlet connected to a supply of feeding fluid stored in a reservoir. A hollow chamber provided in between the reservoir and the outlet includes a pressure sensor and/or a fluid flow meter to provide electronic monitoring signals. These signals can be amplified or otherwise conditioned for display, transmission or storage, e.g. in digital form. The invention has wide application, including without limitation use in a neo-natal intensive care environment for diagnosis and screening of disease and disability, assessment of different feeding systems including nipple characteristics, gauging strength and oropharyngeal function, and evaluating response to therapy for feeding difficulties of infants.