Feminine technology brand Elvie has released an updated version of its first breast pump with Elvie Stride, a medical-grade breast pump designed to be "easily integrated" into everyday life.
Elvie created Elvie Stride, which has been shortlisted for a Dezeen Award 2022, as an alternative to the current breast pumps covered by US health insurance. Its Stride design is hospital-grade and could be covered by health insurance providers, the brand said.
According to its creators, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved, hospital-grade breast pumps – which are more powerful and create stronger suction – are often clunkier, heavier and difficult for mothers to carry around easily.
"Breast pumps are traditionally seen as clunky and are typically larger and heavier to transport with cords than personal pump counterparts," said Elvie.
"Elvie Stride can now easily integrate into the everyday lives of all new moms so that they don't have to sacrifice any of the things that bring them joy to feed their babies," the brand told Dezeen.
"Hospital grade breast pumps approved by the US FDA are typically stronger, more powerful and have a higher level of efficient pumping," the brand explained.
According to its creators, Elvie Stride's pumping power is comparable with, and in some cases higher than, other hospital-grade breast pumps.
"With Elvie Stride, you can get hospital-grade performance – up to 300 millimetres of mercury (mmHg) in a single cup – hands-free," the brand told Dezeen.
Powered by a motor that can be worn on the wearer's waist or inside a clothing pocket, the Elvie Stride utilises technology similar to that found in Elvie Pump, the brand's first design.
The device, which is available as a single or double breast pump, works by creating a suction when the cup surrounds the breast and forms a vacuum. Tubes connecting the five-ounce milk cup discreetly collect milk inside the bra.
However, it promises to be smaller and quieter than the Elvie Pump, as well as having three more intensity settings than the brand's first breast pump to help encourage the release of milk.
Mothers can also connect the pump to the Elvie app, which monitors milk volume in real-time, tracks pumping history and allows them to remotely control the pump settings.
"We designed Elvie Stride to offer women in this market a pump with almost all the same benefits of Elvie Pump – comfort, efficiency, hands-free, discreetly worn in-bra, smart app connectivity – at an accessible price point, and the opportunity for broader insurance coverage," the brand explained.
The brand hopes that Elvie Stride will break taboos surrounding breastfeeding by allowing mothers to integrate it better into their personal lives.
Like Elvie Pump, the rechargeable device can be worn under clothing, meaning that nursing mothers can keep their hands and body free to move around. It is also designed to blend into background noise, so that they can pump discretely.
"Women can pump at home, at work or out in public without having to excuse themselves to a private room or plug it in," the brand said.
Other projects shortlisted for Dezeen awards in the design category include Suri, an electronic toothbrush with recyclable heads made from castor oil and corn starch and Tenuto 2, a vibrator by MysteryVibe that is designed to help people who experience erectile dysfunction.