Breastmilk collection system

Abstract

A breastmilk collection device includes breast contacting flange, a vacuum reservoir, flexible diaphragm separating the breast contacting flange and the vacuum reservoir, and a flange receiver between the breast contacting flange and the flexible diaphragm. The breast contacting flange has a wide portion for accepting the breast and a narrow portion. The flexible diaphragm is located between the narrow portion and the vacuum reservoir. The flexible diaphragm moves between a sealed configuration, in which the breast contacting flange is sealed off from the vacuum reservoir, and an open valve configuration, in which the flexible diaphragm acts as a one-way valve to allow expressed milk to flow through a milk flow opening between the flexible diaphragm and the breast contacting flange when an opening pressure is reached in the breast contacting flange.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Nos. 63 / 090,990, filed Oct. 13, 2020, and titled “Breastmilk Collection System,” and 63 / 106,132, filed Oct. 27, 2020, also titled “Breastmilk Collection System.” The above-referenced provisional patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference in this application.BACKGROUND[0002]Breastmilk contains all the nutrients a baby needs for the first six months of life to support growth and development. Therefore, breastfeeding and / or breastmilk feeding is recommended globally by the World Health Organization and healthcare professionals. When possible, mothers should be supported to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of their baby's life, breastfeed exclusively for six months, and continue breastfeeding while giving appropriate complementary foods for up to two years of age or beyond. There are situations, however, when direct breastfeeding is not po...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]Regularly expressing breastmilk, whether by nursing or pumping, is a critical factor for mothers to establish and maintain breastmilk supply, even if an infant is not nursing at all or not nursing well. This disclosure describes a device and system that offers flexibility and convenience for pumping and collecting expressed breastmilk. In some embodiments, the device fits in a brassiere and is attached to an electric pump using silicone tubes for applying vacuum to the device's pump. In other embodiments, the pump is directly attached to the device. The breastmilk collection device, securely supported by a brassiere, becomes a hands-free device that enables the lactating mother to pump and / or collect expressed milk without holding the device. It also allows a woman to pump and collect expressed breastmilk from one breast while breastfeeding an infant on the other breast.

[0022]According to various embodiments, the breastmilk collection system described herein includes a breast contacting flange, a flange receiver, and a flexible diaphragm and a breastmilk collection container that uses electric vacuum power source for pumping. The opening side of a funnel shaped breast flange that is applied to the breast may be formed as a lid to a cup shaped collection container to secure collected expressed breastmilk inside the container. A funnel shaped breast flange is inserted into a flange receiver and assembled with a valve to let expressed human breastmilk drip into the collection container. A breast flange tunnel can be narrower or wider to work with different sizes of nipples. Some embodiments may include a check valve integration of a flange receiver and a valve to minimize the risk of improper assembly and misuse. A check valve allows reduction of a number of parts for convenience and to make a collection device compact.

Problems solved by technology

There are situations, however, when direct breastfeeding is not possible.

For example, babies may not be able to latch and suckle, due to cleft palate or tongue tie, prematurity, low birthweight, or other causes, and mothers may not be able to breastfeed, due to medical conditions or recovery from birth trauma.

Unfortunately, breast pumps are often cumbersome, obtrusive, noisy and inconvenient to carry from place to place and use.

Breast pump discretion and mobility are poorly met needs.

Although effective, these systems do not support discretion, mobility or ease of use and assembly.

These systems tend to be difficult to use and complicated to assemble.

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