Monitoring operation of a software program of a breast pump device

Abstract

A breast pump device (1) comprises: i) a fluid pressure means (2, 3) configured to interact with a breast from which milk is to be extracted and to effect a pressure cycle at a location of the fluid pressure means (2, 3) to be faced by the breast; ii) a controller configured to execute an operating software program for controlling operation of the breast pump device (1), the operating software program comprising instructions for causing the fluid pressure means (2, 3) to effect the pressure cycle; and iii) a monitoring means configured to monitor functioning of the operating software program and to cause release of an under-pressure in the event of detection of a malfunction of the operating software program. As a result, a malfunction of the operating software program cannot persist and any vacuum that can have been established in such a case is automatically released.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] First, the present invention relates to a breast pump device comprising: a fluid pressure device configured to interact with a breast from which milk is to be extracted and to perform pressure circulation at a position where the fluid pressure device faces the breast, the pressure circulation involving increasing and decreasing the level of underpressure through the fluid pressure device; and a controller configured to execute an operating software program for controlling the operation of the breast pump device, the operating software program including instructions for causing the fluid pressure device to perform pressure circulation.

[0002] Secondly, the present invention relates to a controller device configured for use in a breast pump device, the breast pump device including a fluid pressure device configured to interact with a breast from which milk is to be extracted and to perform pressure cycling at a position where the fluid pressure device faces the breast, the pressure cycling involving increasing and decreasing the level of underpressure through the fluid pressure device, wherein the controller device includes a controller configured to execute an operating software program for controlling the operation of the breast pump device, the operating software program including instructions for causing the fluid pressure device of the breast pump device to perform pressure cycling.

[0003] Third, the present invention relates to a method of operating a breast pump device, the breast pump device including a fluid pressure device and a controller, the fluid pressure device being configured to interact with a breast from which milk is to be extracted and to perform pressure cycling at a position where the fluid pressure device faces the breast, the pressure cycling involving increasing and decreasing the level of underpressure through the fluid pressure device, the controller being configured to execute an operating software program for controlling the operation of the breast pump device, the operating software program including instructions for causing the fluid pressure device to perform pressure cycling, wherein the method includes the step of executing the operating software program. Background Technology

[0004] Generally, breast pumps are well-known tools used to express milk from a breastfeeding woman's breasts, or simultaneously from both breasts. Breast pumps can be used in various situations, such as when a baby or toddler cannot physically express milk from the breast, or when a mother is separated from her baby or toddler and the baby or toddler will be breastfed by the mother or another person at a later stage. Therefore, breast pumps are used by women to express breast milk at convenient times for storage for their baby or toddler later. Breast pumps can also be helpful in situations where there is a desire to stimulate and increase milk production in women with low milk supply or to relieve the pressure of engorgement.

[0005] Breast pump devices typically include one or two fluid pressure devices that interact with the breast for the purpose of extracting milk from the breast. The breast pump device can be an integral design, in which case the device can be adapted to be worn on the body, or the breast pump device can include one or two separate units, which are generally referred to as squeezing units or squeezing kits. Among other things, the fluid pressure device may include a breast receiving funnel for receiving at least a portion of the woman's breast. In any case, the fluid pressure device is configured to achieve a pressure cycle at the location where the fluid pressure device is to face the breast, by means of which milk can be expressed from the breast. The fluid pressure device can be of an electric type and may include a pump / valve device configured to draw air from and allow air into an air system, for example, where the action of drawing air from the air system can be based on a pumping action; however, manually operated breast pump devices are also known and used in practice. The fact is that by generating a pressure cycle (also known as a vacuum cycle), possibly accompanied by some form of breast massage, a simulation of the breastfeeding action is achieved, which triggers the necessary lactation reflex in breastfeeding women using breast pump devices.

[0006] For completeness, it should be noted that, as used herein, the terms “vacuum” or “underpressure” refer to a relatively low pressure, i.e., pressure significantly below ambient pressure, and that pressure cycling involves increasing and decreasing the level of underpressure via a fluid pressure device. A decrease in the level of underpressure may be to a level comparable to ambient pressure, but this is not necessary. In any case, a decrease in the level of underpressure is understood to be related to an increase in the pressure value, and an increase in the level of underpressure is understood to be related to a decrease in the pressure value, with the pressure value scaled from zero.

[0007] This invention belongs to the field of electrically operated breast pump devices. Electrically operated breast pump devices are typically equipped with a controller configured to control the operation of the pump device by executing one or more software programs. At least one operating software program includes instructions for causing the fluid pressure device to perform pressure cycling. Generally, pressure cycling involves the repetition of vacuum increase and vacuum decrease actions, as well as the transition between these two actions.

[0008] As described above, the controller controls the fluid pressure device by executing the operating software program. If, for some reason, the operating software program malfunctions (failures), the following situation may occur: assuming the user does not immediately take action to remove the device from the breast, continuous vacuum suction of the user's breast will occur on the breast pump device. For example, software problems may cause the fluid pressure device to operate continuously, increasing the underpressure level and / or failing to decrease the underpressure level. In such a situation, the user experiences significant discomfort, and therefore, the breast pump device may be considered unsafe. Therefore, one object of the present invention is to prevent such a situation.

[0009] US2018 / 001002 A1 relates to safety measures in the context of breast pump devices and discloses that a pressure relief component can communicate with the controller of the breast pump device, allowing the controller to automatically activate the pressure relief component based on a monitoring condition indicating excessive suction / vacuum, or to quickly initiate a rest phase, or if some other problem with the system is sensed. US 8052635B1 discloses the application of a timer in a breast pump device, where the timer can provide timing pulses for control circuit synchronization and other counting functions, and where the vacuum pump is stopped if an aspect of the value monitored in the context of the counting function appears to be incorrect. WO 2015 / 007679 A1 discloses the use of a pressure sensor, allowing the vacuum pump to be shut down if excessive pressure is detected. Summary of the Invention

[0010] This invention provides a breast pump device comprising: i) a fluid pressure device configured to interact with a breast from which milk is to be extracted and to perform pressure circulation at a position where the fluid pressure device faces the breast, the pressure circulation involving increasing and decreasing the level of underpressure through the fluid pressure device; ii) a controller configured to execute operating software program for controlling the operation of the breast pump device, the operating software program including instructions for causing the fluid pressure device to perform pressure circulation; and iii) a monitoring device configured to monitor the operation of the operating software program and, upon detection of a malfunction in the operating software program, cause underpressure release, the underpressure release being based on: the monitoring device being configured to initiate a controller reset process upon detection of a malfunction in the operating software program, and the controller reset process involving the action of causing underpressure release; and / or the operating software program including instructions for initiating a startup process of the breast pump device, and the startup process of the breast pump device involving the action of causing underpressure release.

[0011] Based on the fact that the milk pump device according to the invention is equipped with the monitoring device as defined above, it ensures the release of underpressure caused by any malfunction of the operating software program that may occur during the milking process performed by means of the milk pump device. Therefore, when the invention is put into practice, it ensures that malfunctions of the operating software program cannot persist, and automatically takes action to release any underpressure that may have been established under such circumstances.

[0012] Following the above explanation, it should be noted that a malfunction in the operating software program can be defined as being related to persistent undervoltage, which in particular can be persistent undervoltage exceeding a predetermined acceptable level. The measures according to the invention provide a method for releasing undervoltage in cases where this no longer functions properly as part of the pressure cycle due to a software problem.

[0013] Within the framework of this invention, it is possible that the monitoring device is configured to initiate a controller reset process upon detecting a malfunction in the operating software program, and the controller reset process involves an action that causes undervoltage release. Furthermore, undervoltage release may be part of the standard startup process of the breast pump device, or undervoltage release may be included in the startup process of the breast pump device only when such a process is initiated after a malfunction in the operating software program is detected.

[0014] In a practical embodiment of the breast pump device according to the invention, the monitoring device includes a watchdog timer, wherein the operating software program includes instructions for resetting the watchdog timer. If the operating software program fails to function properly at a certain time, the watchdog timer will not be reset in a timely manner. This can be used advantageously because the watchdog timer can be configured to trigger undervoltage release in any suitable manner. Therefore, when the watchdog timer is applied, a failure of the operating software program is detected by detecting the expiration of the watchdog timer's reset time window.

[0015] The monitoring device can be included in the controller, i.e., it can be inside the controller. However, alternatively, the breast pump device may include an additional controller (circuit), and the monitoring device may be included in that additional controller (circuit). In the latter case, the monitoring device can be easily added to an existing breast pump device design.

[0016] Preferably, the process includes a procedure to release underpressure in the event of a detected malfunction in the operating software program, a procedure that requires minimal time. For example, the procedure can be designed such that detecting a malfunction in the operating software program takes less than 0.5 seconds, and initiating the operation of the breast pump device capable of releasing underpressure also takes less than 0.5 seconds, resulting in a total timing of less than 1 second for the process including the release of underpressure.

[0017] Regarding the structural design of the breast pump device, it should be noted that the present invention covers options generally known. For example, the fluid pressure device may include: an air system comprising an air inlet communicating with the position of the fluid pressure device facing the breast; and a pump / valve device configured to draw air from and allow air into the air system. In such a case, a monitoring device may be configured to cause the pump / valve device to allow air into the air system upon detection of a malfunction in the operating software program, wherein the malfunction in the operating software program may be particularly related to the pump / valve device continuously drawing air from and / or not allowing air into the air system. Generally, the fluid pressure device may include a vacuum pump, a hydraulic pump, or any other suitable type of pump of any appropriate design. Furthermore, the fluid pressure device may include a funnel-shaped breast receiving shield at the position of the fluid pressure device facing the breast.

[0018] The present invention also relates to a controller device configured for use in a breast pump device, the breast pump device including a fluid pressure device configured to interact with a breast from which milk is to be extracted and to perform pressure cycling at a position where the fluid pressure device faces the breast, the pressure cycling involving increasing and decreasing the level of underpressure, wherein the controller device includes: a controller configured to execute an operating software program for controlling the operation of the breast pump device, the operating software program including instructions for causing the fluid pressure device of the breast pump device to perform pressure cycling; and a monitoring device configured to monitor the operation of the operating software program and, upon detection of a fault in the operating software program, cause underpressure release, the underpressure release being based on: the monitoring device being configured to initiate a controller reset process upon detection of a fault in the operating software program, and the controller reset process involving the action of causing underpressure release; and / or the operating software program including instructions for initiating a startup process of the breast pump device, and the startup process of the breast pump device involving the action of causing underpressure release.

[0019] The options discussed above regarding breast pump devices also apply to controller devices. These options include: i) options related to operating software program malfunctions and persistent undervoltage; ii) options where the monitoring device includes a watchdog timer and the operating software program includes instructions for resetting the watchdog timer; iii) options where the monitoring device is included in the controller or an additional controller; and iv) options where the total timing of the undervoltage release process in the event of a detected operating software program malfunction is less than 1 second.

[0020] The controller device is suitable for use in any type of breast pump device that includes a fluid pressure device configured to interact with the breast from which milk is to be extracted and to achieve pressure circulation at the location where the fluid pressure device faces the breast. The controller device may include a communication device for communicating with an external device or system, separate from the fluid pressure device, and for providing information to a person, including information about the detection of software malfunctions and the initiation of a process designed to release underpressure. Practical examples of such devices include smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, laptops, and computers.

[0021] The present invention also relates to a method of operating a breast pump device, the breast pump device including a fluid pressure device and a controller, the fluid pressure device being configured to interact with a breast from which milk is to be extracted and to achieve pressure circulation at a position where the fluid pressure device faces the breast, the pressure circulation involving increasing and decreasing the level of underpressure through the fluid pressure device, the controller being configured to execute an operating software program for controlling the operation of the breast pump device, the operating software program including instructions for causing the fluid pressure device to achieve pressure circulation, wherein the method includes the steps of: a) executing the operating software program, and b) monitoring the operation of the operating software program and, in the event of a fault in the operating software program, inducing the release of underpressure, the release of underpressure being induced by: initiating a reset process of the controller in the event of a fault in the operating software program, and the reset process of the controller involving the action of inducing the release of underpressure; and / or the operating software program including instructions for initiating a start-up process of the breast pump device, and the start-up process of the breast pump device involving the action of inducing the release of underpressure.

[0022] As indicated above, it is advantageous that the process of releasing undervoltage in the event of a detected malfunction in the operating software is completed in less than 1 second, so as to quickly end the malfunctioning software and the possible associated continuous vacuum suction, and quickly restore the normal and effective operation of the breast pump equipment.

[0023] The present invention also covers a computer program including instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods mentioned above.

[0024] The above and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the breast pump device, and will be set forth with reference to the following detailed description of embodiments of the breast pump device. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar parts are indicated by the same reference numerals, and in the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 A breast pump device is illustrated, comprising a squeezing unit, a vacuum unit, and a flexible hose connecting the squeezing unit and the vacuum unit. Figure 1 It also schematically illustrates a smartphone used to receive information from a breast pump device and display that information to the user; and

[0027] Figure 2 The diagram illustrates several components of a vacuum unit and controller device according to an embodiment of a breast pump device based on the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0028] This invention belongs to the field of breast pump equipment. (Reference) Figure 1 First, a general description of the electric breast pump device will be given to provide a clear picture of the context of the invention.

[0029] The breast pump device 1 includes a squeezing unit 2 and a vacuum unit 3 for generating pressure cycles, during which the level of vacuum or underpressure (low pressure relative to ambient pressure) alternately increases and decreases. For the purpose of receiving expressed breast milk during operation of the breast pump device 1, a milk container 4 is used, which (e.g., via a threaded connection) can be connected to the squeezing unit 2, thereby closing the lower end of the squeezing unit 2. The vacuum unit 3 is an electrically operated vacuum unit and includes a vacuum pump device 31 and an air valve device 32 for achieving alternating vacuum during operation, i.e., during a milk pumping session to be performed by means of the breast pump device 1. The vacuum pump device 31, the air valve device 32, and a controller 51 for achieving proper operation of the vacuum pump device 31 and the air valve device 32 are designed to operate in a manner well known in the field of breast pump devices, wherein the controller 51 is configured to at least execute an operating software program, as will be explained in more detail later.

[0030] In the vacuum unit 3 stage, the vacuum pump device 31 is used to achieve pressure circulation in the air system 33 of the vacuum unit 3. The vacuum unit 3 can be electrically connected to mains power, or it can include a battery or the like as an electric power source. The vacuum pump device 31, the air valve device 32, and the controller 51 are... Figure 1 The path is schematically depicted as a dashed rectangle. This path allows for the exchange of control signals between controller 51 and vacuum pump unit 31, and between controller 51 and air valve unit 32. Figure 1 The path is schematically depicted as dashed lines. For example, each path can be implemented as any suitable type of communication wiring. Furthermore, the air system 33... Figure 1The air inlet 34 of the air system 33 is schematically depicted as a bold, bifurcated dashed line extending from the air inlet 34 of the air system 33 through the vacuum pump device 31 to the air outlet 35 of the air system 33, and also through the air valve device 32 to the air inlet 36 of the air system 33. To distinguish the two different air inlets 34 and 36 from each other, the first air inlet 34 is referred to as the compression unit air inlet 34, and the second air inlet 36 is referred to as the ambient air inlet 36.

[0031] The squeezing unit 2 includes a breast receiving funnel 21, an orifice serving as a milk outlet 22, and a milk path 23 from the breast receiving funnel 21 to the milk outlet 22. Therefore, the breast receiving funnel 21 is in fluid communication with the milk outlet 22 via the milk path 23. The squeezing unit 2 also includes an air outlet 24 and an air path 25 from the breast receiving funnel 21 to the air outlet 24.

[0032] exist Figure 1 In the diagram, the breast pump device 1 is shown in an assembled state, wherein the vacuum unit 3 is connected to the squeezing unit 2 via a flexible hose 6, and the squeezing unit air inlet 34 of the air system 33 of the vacuum unit 3 is connected to the air outlet 24 of the squeezing unit 2, so that the pressure cycle generated by the vacuum pump device 31 and the air valve device 32 can be effective in the squeezing unit 2 during operation of the breast pump device 1. The configuration including the flexible hose 6 for interconnecting the squeezing unit air inlet 34 of the air system 33 of the vacuum unit 3 with the air outlet 24 of the squeezing unit 2 allows the vacuum unit 3 to be arranged remotely relative to the squeezing unit 2. It should be noted that the breast pump device 1 may include two squeezing units 2, allowing a breastfeeding woman using the breast pump device 1 to simultaneously extract milk from both breasts; in this case, the squeezing units 2 may share a common vacuum unit 3.

[0033] Generally, the breast pump device 1 is used to express milk from a woman's breasts. For this purpose, alternating vacuums (pressure cycles) are applied to the breast. During periods of vacuum or low pressure, the actual process of expressing milk from the breast occurs. Whenever the vacuum level decreases, newly expressed milk flows into the container 4. A milk valve (not shown) may be present between the breast receiving funnel 21 and the milk outlet 22 of the squeezing unit 2 to prevent air leakage through the milk path 23 during the vacuum suction phase of the pressure cycle. Furthermore, a membrane (not shown) may be present between the breast receiving funnel 21 and the air outlet 24 of the squeezing unit 2 to prevent milk from reaching the air outlet 24 through the air path 25 during the vacuum reduction phase of the pressure cycle.

[0034] Advantageously, as shown, the breast pump device 1 includes a user interface 52 for allowing the user to control the operation of the breast pump device 1. In the illustrated example, the user interface 52 is arranged on the housing 37 of the vacuum unit 3 and allows the user to provide input to the controller 51. The user interface 52 can be implemented in any suitable manner, such as via a plurality of buttons as shown, or, for example, via a touchscreen. By way of example, it should be noted that the user interface 52 may include a button for activating a stimulation mode and a plurality of buttons for selecting one of a plurality of different squeezing settings.

[0035] In addition to the breast pump device 1 Figure 1 A smartphone 9 is shown that can be used to provide information to a user during operation of the breast pump device 1. Specifically, the smartphone 9 can be used to run an application designed to display relevant information about the breast pump device 1 and the milk pumping session performed by means of the breast pump device 1 on the smartphone 9's screen 91. Furthermore, in addition to or as an alternative to the user interface 52 on the housing 37 of the vacuum unit 3, the smartphone 9 can be adapted to receive input from the user and transmit that input to the controller 51. The path allowing information exchange between the controller 51 and the smartphone 9 is as follows: Figure 1 The path is illustrated as a dashed line. This path is preferably implemented wirelessly, but this should not be construed as implying that a wired path is not feasible.

[0036] Figure 2 The diagram illustrates various components of the vacuum unit 3 and controller device 5 according to one embodiment of the breast pump device 1 based on the present invention. For clarity, it should be noted that the foregoing general description of the breast pump device 1 is assumed to be entirely applicable to the present embodiment of the breast pump device 1 according to the present invention.

[0037] exist Figure 2 In the diagram, the vacuum pump unit 31, the air valve unit 32, and the controller unit 5 are shown as rectangles, and the paths allowing the exchange of control signals between the controller 51 (included in the controller unit 5) and the vacuum pump unit 31, and between the controller 51 and the air valve unit 32, are indicated by dashed lines. Furthermore, the air system 33 is depicted as a duct system having a pump section 33a associated with the vacuum pump unit 31, extending between the air inlet 34 and the air outlet 35 of the extrusion unit, and a valve section 33b associated with the air valve unit 32, opening to the pump section 33a and extending between the pump section 33a and the ambient air inlet 36. Figure 2In the process, when the vacuum pump device 31 is operating, the direction of the air displacement drawn from the extrusion unit 2 through the pump section 33a of the air system 33 is indicated by two horizontal arrows, and when the air valve device 32 is opened, the direction of the ambient air introduced into the valve section 33b of the air system 33 is indicated by a vertical arrow.

[0038] Specifically, the controller 51 is configured to execute an operating software program to cause the breast pump device 1 to perform its milk pumping function. The operating software program includes instructions for alternately placing the vacuum pump device 31 in an operating mode and a non-operating mode with at least reduced air suction function relative to the operating mode, and for alternately placing the air valve device 32 in an operating mode and a non-operating mode with at least reduced air intake function relative to the operating mode. Generally, the operating software program is designed to alternately implement a vacuum suction phase and a vacuum reduction phase to generate a pressure cycle at the user's breast suitable for mimicking the sucking of an infant or toddler. During the vacuum suction phase, the vacuum pump device 31 is in the operating mode and the air valve device 32 is in the non-operating mode; during the vacuum reduction phase, the air valve device 32 is in the operating mode and the vacuum pump device 31 is in the non-operating mode.

[0039] The controller device 5 also includes a monitoring device 53, which is configured to monitor the operation of the operating software program and, in the event of a malfunction in the operating software program, trigger a release of undervoltage. This avoids prolonged erroneous operation of the breast pump device 1 and the potential associated continuous vacuum suction. Practically, the action of triggering the release of undervoltage in the event of a malfunction in the operating software program is achieved by placing the air valve device 32 into the operating mode. Such an action can be performed by initiating a startup process for the breast pump device 1, provided that such a startup process includes an instruction to place the air valve device 32 into the operating mode. Alternatively, the startup process may not include an instruction to place the air valve device 32 into the operating mode to prevent unnecessary activation of the air valve device 32; in this case, the action of placing the air valve device 32 into the operating mode initiated under the influence of the monitoring device 53 is not performed within the context of the startup process.

[0040] The monitoring device 53 can be designed in any suitable manner and may include, for example, a watchdog timer, in which case it is appropriate to make the instructions of the operating software program include instructions for resetting the watchdog timer. Practically, the controller 51 and / or the monitoring device 53 are housed in the housing 37 of the vacuum unit 3, but this is not necessary within the framework of the present invention.

[0041] In addition to the information mentioned above, such as Figure 1The smartphone 9 or another suitable device shown can be used to provide users with information about the detection of software malfunctions and the subsequent release of undervoltage. It should be noted that the smartphone 9 or the other suitable device may also be omitted within the framework of this invention.

[0042] It should be noted that many alternatives to the above-described embodiments of the breast pump device 1 according to the present invention are feasible. For example, a separate air valve device 32 is not required in the breast pump device 1. Instead, a pump device with an integrated air valve can be used, or air can be vented from the pump device in an area particularly suitable for air leakage to the environment when the pumping operation of the pump device is terminated. Moreover, the breast pump device 1 can have an integrally integrated design, wherein the fluid pressure device does not include separate units 2, 3 connected to or potentially connected to each other. For example, if the fluid pressure device includes one or more components for realizing the pumping action, such components can be integrated into the breast receiving funnel 21.

[0043] This invention is not limited to a specific operating mode of the breast pump device 1. In this regard, it should be noted that, for example, when the breast pump device 1 operates in an operating mode commonly referred to as the squeezing mode, and also when the breast pump device 1 operates in an operating mode commonly referred to as the stimulation mode, the concept of releasing underpressure in the event of a malfunction in the operating software program is applicable. Both the squeezing mode and the stimulation mode involve the generation of pressure cycles, wherein the pressure cycle in the squeezing mode has different characteristics from the pressure cycle in the stimulation mode, particularly in terms of the relationship between the level of underpressure and time.

[0044] In the case where the fluid pressure device includes two extrusion units 2, the present invention covers the following two options: the option to apply the concept of releasing underpressure in the event that a fault in the operating software program is detected in one of the extrusion units 2 only to that one extrusion unit 2, and the option to apply the above concept to both extrusion units 2.

[0045] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the scope of this invention is not limited to the examples discussed above, but can be modified and altered without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. This invention is intended to be construed as including all such modifications and alterations, provided they fall within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the accompanying drawings and description, such illustrations and descriptions are to be considered illustrative or exemplary only, and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The drawings are schematic, in which details not necessary for understanding the invention may be omitted, and the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

[0046] By studying the accompanying drawings, description, and appended claims, those skilled in the art can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments in practicing the claimed invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other steps or elements, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0047] Unless otherwise expressly stated, elements and aspects discussed in connection with a particular embodiment or in relation to a particular embodiment may be suitably combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments. Therefore, the mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that combinations of these measures cannot be advantageously used.

[0048] Those skilled in the art will understand that the term "comprising" as used herein encompasses the term "consisting of". Thus, the term "comprising" in one embodiment may mean "consisting of", but in another embodiment may mean "comprising / including at least the defined species and optionally one or more other species".

[0049] Those skilled in the art will understand that, as used herein, the term "fluid" encompasses liquids, gases, and liquid / gas mixtures. In the context of a breast pump device, a practical example of a liquid that can be used in the process of achieving pressure circulation is breast milk, and a practical example of a gas that can be used in the process of achieving pressure circulation is air.

[0050] Notable aspects of the present invention can be summarized as follows. A breast pump device 1 includes: i) a fluid pressure device configured to interact with the breast from which milk is to be extracted and to perform pressure cycling at a position where the fluid pressure device faces the breast, the pressure cycling involving increasing and decreasing the level of underpressure through the fluid pressure device; ii) a controller 51 configured to execute an operating software program for controlling the operation of the breast pump device 1, the operating software program including instructions for causing the fluid pressure device to perform pressure cycling; and iii) a monitoring device 53 configured to monitor the operation of the operating software program and, in the event of a malfunction in the operating software program, cause the release of underpressure. As a result, the malfunction of the operating software program is not persistent, and any vacuum that may have been established in such a case is automatically released. Advantageously, the action intended to release the vacuum is performed in the same manner as it normally occurs during pressure cycling, so that the action can be performed without the need for additional valves, etc.

Claims

1. A breast pump device (1), comprising: - A fluid pressure device configured to interact with a breast from which milk is to be extracted and to achieve pressure circulation at a position where the fluid pressure device is to face the breast, the pressure circulation involving increasing and decreasing the level of underpressure through the fluid pressure device; - A controller (51) configured to execute an operating software program for controlling the operation of the breast pump device (1), the operating software program including instructions for causing the fluid pressure device to perform the pressure cycle; as well as - A monitoring device (53) configured to monitor the operation of the operating software program and, in the event of a fault in the operating software program associated with persistent undervoltage, cause the undervoltage to be released.

2. The breast pump device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring device (53) is configured to initiate a reset process of the controller (51) in the event of a fault detected in the operating software program, and wherein the reset process of the controller (51) involves an action that causes a release of undervoltage.

3. The breast pump device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operating software program includes instructions for initiating a startup process of the breast pump device (1), and wherein the startup process of the breast pump device (1) involves an action that causes a release of undervoltage.

4. The breast pump device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the monitoring device (53) includes a watchdog timer, and wherein the operating software program includes instructions for resetting the watchdog timer.

5. The breast pump device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the monitoring device (53) is included in the controller (51).

6. The breast pump device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising an additional controller, wherein the monitoring device (53) is included in the additional controller.

7. The breast pump device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the total timing of the process of releasing undervoltage in the event of a fault in the operating software program is less than 1 second.

8. The breast pump device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fluid pressure device comprises: An air system (33) includes an air inlet (34) in communication with the location where the fluid pressure device is to face the breast. and a pump / valve assembly (31, 32) configured to draw air from the air system (33) and allow air into the air system (33), wherein the monitoring device (53) is configured to allow the pump / valve assembly (31, 32) to allow air into the air system (33) in the event of a fault detected in the operating software program.

9. The breast pump device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the failure of the operating software program is related to the pump / valve device (31, 32) continuously drawing air from the air system (33) and / or preventing air from entering the air system (33).

10. The breast pump device (1) according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 9, wherein the fluid pressure device includes a funnel-shaped breast receiving shield (21) at the location where the fluid pressure device is to face the breast.

11. A controller device (5) configured for use in a breast pump device (1), the breast pump device (1) including a fluid pressure device configured to interact with a breast from which milk is to be extracted and to achieve pressure circulation at a position where the fluid pressure device is to face the breast, the pressure circulation involving increasing and decreasing the level of underpressure through the fluid pressure device. The controller device (5) includes: - A controller (51) configured to execute operating software programs for controlling the operation of the breast pump device (1), the operating software programs including instructions for causing the fluid pressure device of the breast pump device (1) to perform the pressure cycle, and - A monitoring device (53) configured to monitor the operation of the operating software program and, in the event of a fault in the operating software program associated with persistent undervoltage, cause the undervoltage to be released.

12. The controller device (5) according to claim 11, wherein the monitoring device (53) is configured to initiate a reset process of the controller (51) in the event of a fault detected in the operating software program, and wherein the reset process of the controller (51) involves an action that causes a release of undervoltage.

13. The controller device (5) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the operating software program includes instructions for initiating a startup process of the breast pump device (1), and wherein the startup process of the breast pump device (1) involves an action that causes a release of undervoltage.

14. The controller device (5) according to claim 11, comprising a communication device for communicating with an external device (9) or an external system, the external device (9) or external system being separate from the fluid pressure device of the breast pump device (1), and for providing information to a person, the information including information about the detection of software faults and the initiation of a process intended to release underpressure.

15. A method of operating a breast pump device (1), the breast pump device (1) comprising a fluid pressure device and a controller (51), the fluid pressure device being configured to interact with a breast from which milk is to be extracted and to perform a pressure cycle at a position where the fluid pressure device is to face the breast, the pressure cycle involving increasing and decreasing a level of underpressure via the fluid pressure device, the controller (51) being configured to execute an operating software program for controlling the operation of the breast pump device (1), the operating software program including instructions for causing the fluid pressure device to perform the pressure cycle. The method includes the following steps: a) Execute the operating software program, and b) Monitor the operation of the operating software program and, in the event of a failure of the operating software program associated with persistent undervoltage, cause undervoltage release.

16. The method of operating the breast pump device (1) according to claim 15, further comprising: In the event of a fault detected in the operating software program, a reset procedure is initiated for the controller (51), wherein the reset procedure for the controller (51) involves an action that causes an undervoltage release.

17. The method of operating a breast pump device (1) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the operating software program includes instructions for initiating a startup process of the breast pump device (1), and wherein the startup process of the breast pump device (1) involves an action that causes a release of undervoltage.

18. The method of operating the breast pump device (1) according to claim 15, wherein the total timing of the process of releasing undervoltage in the event of a fault in the operating software program is less than 1 second.

19. A computer program product comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 15-18.

Images