October 2, 2023
Vernay and Medela collaborate to introduce an improved Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) that offers continuous, consistent feeding flow. This groundbreaking SNS is meticulously designed to enhance feeding methods using tubes to supplement a baby’s nutrition with breast milk. The system includes a container that holds the supplement with a thin feeding tube attached. The feeding tube is placed alongside the caregiver’s nipple or finger, delivering the supplement while the baby nurses or suckles.
The Supplemental Nursing System was developed to support mothers experiencing lactation challenges and babies struggling with latching onto the breast. This system is commonly used by parents breastfeeding adopted babies, premature infants, or those with medical conditions that necessitate additional nutrition for optimal growth and development. One of the key advantages of the SNS is that it allows parents to continue breastfeeding while supplementing their baby’s nutrition. This unique feature helps sustain the mother’s breast milk supply while ensuring the baby receives the essential nutrients to support their overall well-being.
One of the pivotal stages in developing the Supplemental Nursing System was overcoming flow control challenges. Maintaining a consistent flow through appropriate venting is crucial for healthy feeding. The initial valve used in the system allowed a vacuum to occur inside the bottle as fluid was drained through feeding. This vacuum made it difficult for the baby to extract the liquid from the bottle, resulting in slower or inefficient feeding. Additionally, the vacuum allowed air to be drawn into the baby’s stomach, leading to discomfort and gas.
Medela approached Vernay to find an alternative solution for proper ventilation during the Supplemental Nursing System feeding process.
By leveraging Vernay’s extensive experience in flow control design and Medela’s unsurpassed infant feeding knowledge, engineers identified the product design solution: the VA3677 duckbill valve from Vernay. Vernay Medical’s duckbill valve effectively vents air, enabling a smooth fluid flow to the newborn while offering outstanding quality and consistent performance.
Medela and Vernay are global organizations that understand the benefits and challenges of serving markets around the world. This successful Supplemental Nursing System collaboration engaged team members from multiple sites, which allowed this project to move from concept to launch – and into the hands of parents – in less than ten months. Vernay’s VA3677 duckbill valve is produced in Oldenzaal, Netherlands, then shipped to Griffin, Georgia, for cleaning, final inspection, and packaging before final delivery to Medela.
This partnership between Vernay and Medela sets the stage for continued innovation to deliver products that enhance the lives of parents and their babies worldwide.
Vernay Laboratories has been a technology leader in the design, development, and manufacture of customized flow-control components since its founding in 1946. The company also formulates its own compounds to address each specific application.
Vernay’s products play a vital role in millions of medical devices, automobiles, and consumer products. Today, the privately held firm produces more than 1 billion components per year, drawing from a library of more than 33,000 elastomeric materials and compound formulations. It operates six plants around the world, in the U.S., the Netherlands, Italy and China. For more information, visit www.vernay.com.
