The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 05, 2020
Filed:
Apr. 22, 2016
University of Virginia Patent Foundation, Charlottesville, VA (US);
Thanh Tran, Rocky Mount, VA (US);
Marcelle Huizenga, Arlington, VA (US);
Katrina Shah, Lorton, VA (US);
Catherine Pelland, Charlottesville, VA (US);
Katherine R. Knaus, Charlottesville, VA (US);
Kathleen Borowitz, Charlottesville, VA (US);
Silvia Blemker, Charlottesville, VA (US);
University of Virginia Patent Foundation, Charlottesville, VA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus including artificial nipple for feeding a baby who has a cleft in its palate region. The artificial nipple includes a palate region to define a region facing the baby's palate during use, and the nipple having a tongue region to define a region facing the baby's tongue during use. The palate region is less compliant than the tongue region to both mimic the hard palate and reduces unwanted movement of the nipple, making it easier for the infant to use his or her tongue to expel fluid from the nipple. The tongue region includes a feeding slit, which maybe U or V shaped, from which liquid maybe discharged without risking nasal congestion. The tongue region may further include a soft protrusion, that assists the peristaltic like tongue movement helping the baby feed, and may extend laterally to reduce the risk of nasal congestion.