Breast shield and breast shield unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a breast shield (2) comprising a housing (4) defining a teat channel (14) and being adapted to receive a teat, wherein the housing (4) is provided with a milk port (26) in communication with the teat channel (14) and a vacuum port (28) in communication with the teat channel (14). In order to allow for a flexible accommodation of a human breast during expression of milk, the invention proposes an insert (6) arranged within the housing and between the teat channel (14) and the milk port (26) and / or the vacuum port (28). A breast shield unit for expressing human breast milk comprises a unit housing (40) having a receiver (44) adapted to detachably receive a breast shield (2) according to the invention, wherein the receiver (44) comprises a vacuum interface (46) for generating a negative pressure in the teat channel (14) and a milk interface (48) leading to a milk container (50) adapted to store expressed human breast milk, and wherein in an insertion phase, in which the breast shield is received within the receiver (44), the vacuum port (28) is in communication with the vacuum interface (46) and the milk port (26) is in communication with the milk interface (48).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a breast shield comprising a shell defining a nipple channel and adapted to receive a nipple. Background Technology

[0002] Such breast shields are known from WO 2018 / 229504 A1. Prior art breast shields have a shell defining flange segments shaped to conform to the breast and nipple channel segments surrounding the nipple channel. The prior art breast shield has a milk port communicating with the nipple channel. Additionally, a vacuum port communicates with the nipple channel.

[0003] For this reason, the vacuum within the nipple canal can effectively squeeze human breast milk out of the breast.

[0004] In the aforementioned prior art, the milk port is located at the closed end section of the nipple channel. The vacuum port is located on the circumference of the nipple channel. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a breast shield that allows for flexible containment of the human breast during the milk extraction process.

[0006] As a solution to the aforementioned objective, the present invention provides a breast shield as defined in claim 1. The breast shield of the present invention has a housing defining a nipple channel suitable for receiving the nipple. As in the prior art solutions discussed earlier, a milk port and a vacuum port are provided, both communicating with the nipple channel. In the solution of the present invention, an insert is arranged within the housing and located between the nipple channel and the milk port and / or vacuum port. In other words, the inner wall of the housing of the breast shield having the vacuum port and / or milk port will not directly contact the breast, and in particular, will not directly contact the nipple received within the nipple channel.

[0007] The insert can be arranged to protrude completely or at least partially above or beyond the milk port or vacuum port. This arrangement is particularly given if the axial extension of the orifice defining the milk port or vacuum port is aligned with the material of the insert. This axial extension of the orifice can be completely or at least partially covered by the material of the insert. As in the prior art, the vacuum port and milk port are in fluid communication with the nipple channel to create a vacuum within the nipple channel, which will cause milk to be extruded while allowing a fluid flow of the extruded milk from the nipple channel into the milk port.

[0008] Therefore, the breast (especially the nipple) received within the breast shield must never come into contact with the vacuum port or milk port. Although the breast shield of the present invention is generally composed of injection-molded components formed as a single body, the openings defining the milk port and / or vacuum port may have structures that may include obstructions or sharp edges that could cause severe wounds on sensitive nipples, which must be avoided by all means. The present invention achieves this effect through an insert disposed within the housing.

[0009] The insert of the present invention provides smooth reception of the breast. For this purpose, the housing may include a flange segment shaped to conform to the breast and a nipple channel segment defining a nipple channel. Optionally, the housing may only provide the nipple channel segment defining the nipple channel. This nipple channel segment may have a generally cylindrical construction and / or may have a free-opening end segment abutting a shoulder defined by the unit housing of the breast shield unit. This shoulder will ensure proper positioning of the housing within the unit housing. The shoulder is generally adapted to mate with the free-opening end segment of the housing to avoid steps or sharp corners at the transition between the unit housing and the housing. In such a configuration, the breast may be received in a receiver provided by the unit housing, which may support a portion of the insert adapted to at least partially receive the breast.

[0010] Specifically, the present invention proposes a breast shield unit for expressing human breast milk, comprising a unit housing having a receiver adapted to detachably receive the breast shield, and further comprising a milk container adapted to store the expressed human breast milk, wherein the breast shield includes a housing defining a nipple channel and adapted to receive a nipple, wherein the housing is provided with a milk port communicating with the nipple channel and a vacuum port communicating with the nipple channel, wherein the receiver includes a vacuum interface for generating negative pressure in the nipple channel and a milk interface leading to the milk container, wherein during insertion, the breast shield is received within the receiver, the vacuum port communicating with the vacuum interface, and the milk port communicating with the milk interface. This breast shield unit is characterized by an insert disposed within the housing and located between the nipple channel and the milk port and / or the vacuum port.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the nipple channel has an open end section communicating with a flange segment of the housing and a closed end section opposite to the open end section. The nipple channel has a generally cylindrical configuration. Preferably, the longitudinal extensions of the milk port and / or the longitudinal extensions of the vacuum port extend in the radial direction of the nipple channel. In other words, each or both of these ports are disposed on the circumferential surface defining the nipple channel.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the insert is formed from a single body comprising a nipple channel insert segment and a flange insert segment. The nipple channel insert segment is received within the nipple channel. The flange insert segment may be received within a flange segment of the housing and / or a receiver of the unit housing. The insert may consist solely of the nipple channel insert segment and the flange insert segment. Ideally, the inner circumferential surfaces of the nipple channel insert segment and the flange insert segment are smooth, without sharp edges or gaps. The inner circumferential surface of the nipple channel insert segment smoothly and without steps joins to the inner circumferential surface of the flange insert segment. Preferably, the nipple channel insert segment has a substantially cylindrical shape. The flange insert segment may take a shape substantially corresponding to a cone (particularly a truncated cone). The cross-section of the flange insert segment and the cross-section of any portion of the breast shield are not necessarily circular. In terms of the shape of the mother's breast, it can also have a form that substantially and / or partially corresponds to the shape of a spherical scraper.

[0013] The nipple canal insert can preferably be formed of a fairly rigid material suitable for preventing direct contact between the milk port and / or vacuum port and the breast, especially the nipple received within the nipple canal. The flange insert segment can be formed of a fairly flexible material to improve the comfort of the woman's breast against the breast shield or unit housing and to improve the vacuum seal of the nipple received within the nipple canal. In this case, the flange insert segment is supported by a flange segment and / or receiver, both formed to provide full support for the breast without direct contact.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the insert and / or shell are formed as a single component. This single component with different flexible portions can be manufactured by co-injection molding, combining flexible and rigid materials. The shell and / or insert are typically made of plastic material. Preferably, to allow proper positioning and alignment of the breast within the breast shield, a substantially transparent material is used to form the insert and / or shell.

[0015] To improve cleanliness, the insert is preferably detachably mounted to the housing. As in the prior art, the housing is preferably detachably mounted to the unit housing. Therefore, the two components of the breast shield, namely the housing and the insert, can be cleaned separately and replaced if necessary, without needing to replace the other component of the insert and housing as well.

[0016] Especially when the insert is detachably mounted to the housing, a seal is disposed between the insert and the housing and / or unit housing. This seal or gasket is preferably arranged between the inner end of the conical, particularly truncated conical, receiver of the flange segment or unit housing and the milk port and / or vacuum port. For this preferred embodiment, it is assumed that each port is configured circumferentially around the nipple channel.

[0017] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a support section is provided that defines a diaphragm support adapted to removably hold the diaphragm. The support section also defines a pumping chamber communicating with a vacuum port. The support section is preferably a single part of the housing. A corresponding support section is preferably arranged at the outer circumference of a nipple channel segment. In other words, a tube connecting the pumping chamber and the vacuum port extends radially from the nipple channel segment. However, the support may partially protrude beyond a flange segment of the housing. In use, the breast shield is removably received within a receiver of the aforementioned breast shield unit, particularly within its unit housing. This receiver leads to a diaphragm receiver adapted to receive the support section and the diaphragm to provide another pumping chamber for the working fluid used to drive the diaphragm, thereby creating a substantially circulating negative pressure within the nipple channel. The working fluid is contained in a path within the unit housing and is located between the negative pressure source and the pumping chamber for the working fluid.

[0018] As a receiver, the diaphragm receiver is typically defined by the unit housing of the breast shield unit. This breast shield unit will in any case provide a vacuum interface for generating negative pressure in the nipple canals. When inserted into the receiver, the vacuum port of the breast shield can be in direct fluid communication with this vacuum interface. Alternatively, the vacuum port can be in fluid communication with a pumping chamber for the working fluid, which is closed by a diaphragm held by the housing.

[0019] The breast shield unit also has a milk inlet leading to a milk container suitable for storing expressed human breast milk. In the assembled state, the breast shield unit and the milk container are attached to the unit housing, with the milk port in fluid communication with the milk inlet. Therefore, expressed milk exits the nipple channel through the milk port and enters the milk inlet, thus guiding the milk to the milk container. It goes without saying that the milk inlet and milk port on one side, and the vacuum inlet and vacuum port on the other side, are connected in a fluid-tight manner. For this purpose, gaskets or seals are preferably provided between the milk port and milk inlet, and between the vacuum port and vacuum inlet, respectively. Such gaskets or seals may be formed of a soft, elastic material defining the housing of the breast shield and / or a material that at least partially forms the unit housing of the breast shield unit. Gaskets or seals may be formed of a soft, elastic material defining a diaphragm.

[0020] In one bra embodiment, the unit housing typically receives and thereby houses a negative pressure source. This negative pressure source is typically provided by a pump, which is an electric pump.

[0021] The unit housing is typically attached to the milk container, which is usually detachably attached to the unit housing. As is generally known from WO2018 / 229504 A1, the milk container is preferably made of a transparent material.

[0022] The breast shield unit can also be configured as a wearable unit, in which the negative pressure source (i.e., pump) is not integrated into the unit housing. Instead, negative pressure can be generated within the breast shield via a tube connecting the breast shield to the negative pressure source.

[0023] The preferred embodiment of the breast shield of the present invention described herein may also be a preferred embodiment of the breast shield unit defined above. Attached Figure Description

[0024] More details and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following description of embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These drawings show:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of a breast shield according to the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the breast shield unit of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 It is based on Figure 2 Rear view of the breast shield unit;

[0028] Figure 4 It is based on Figure 1 A longitudinal sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a breast shield;

[0029] Figure 5 It is based on Figure 4 A schematic longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment including a breast shield unit;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a rear view of another embodiment of the breast shield unit;

[0031] Figure 7 It is based on Figure 6 The view shows that part of the unit housing cover has been removed, and

[0032] Figure 8 It is based on Figure 6 and Figure 7 Exploded perspective side view of the main components of the breast shield unit. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Figure 1An example of a breast shield 2 including a housing 4 is shown, which provides an outer portion of the breast shield 2 and an insert 6 received within the housing 4. The housing 4 has a flange segment 8 and a nipple channel segment 10. Between the transition between the flange segment 8 and the nipple segment 10, i.e., at the inner end of the flange segment 8, a gasket or seal 12 is provided, which protrudes from the inner circumferential surface defined by the nipple channel segment 10. The flange segment 8 is shaped to conform to the breast, while the nipple channel segment 10 is shaped to define a nipple channel 14.

[0034] A nipple channel insert segment 16, forming part of the insert 6, is provided within the nipple channel 14 and between the inner circumferential surface defined by the nipple channel segment 10 and the nipple channel 14. The insert 6 also has a flange insert segment 18 shaped to conform against the breast. Both segments 16 and 18 are provided from a single body defining the insert 6. Figure 1 It can be concluded that the insert 6 is received within the housing 4. An annular gap 20 is provided between the nipple channel insert 16 and the inner circumferential surface defined by the nipple channel segment 10. This annular gap 20 is sealed by a seal 12 at the open end section 22 of the nipple channel 14. Between the seal 12 and the closed end 24 of the nipple channel 14, i.e., the nipple channel segment 10, which protrudes beyond the milk port 26 and the vacuum port 28.

[0035] These ports 26 and 28 extend in the radial direction of the nipple channel 14. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the nipple channel insert segment completely covers the longitudinal extension E of the milk port and vacuum port, which is indicated by dashed lines. The longitudinal extension E is an axial extension of the wall that defines the holes forming the milk port 26 and the vacuum port 28, respectively.

[0036] The nipple channel insert segment 16 is essentially a cylindrical member. The same applies to the nipple channel segment 10. The nipple channel insert segment 16 and the nipple channel 10 are generally arranged coaxially. Since ports 26, 28 are completely covered by the insert 6, the nipple does not directly contact the edge of the hole forming the milk port 26 or vacuum port 28. Therefore, wounds on the sensitive nipple can be avoided by all means, for example, by drilling through the sharp edges formed by ports 26 or 28.

[0037] In this embodiment, the seal 12 is fixed to the housing 4. The insert 6 is releasably retained within the housing 4. At the level 12 of the seal, the material forming the insert 6 is quite rigid to provide a reliable seal between the insert 6 and the housing 4. In this embodiment, the nipple channel insert segment 16 is made of a rigid plastic material to stabilize the annular gap 20, thereby allowing intake air to move through the vacuum port 28 and extruded milk 26 to move through the annular gap 20.

[0038] However, the flange insert segment 18 can be formed of a fairly flexible material to provide optimal comfort to the breast contacting the flange insert segment and to achieve a reliable vacuum seal between the inner circumferential surface of the flange insert segment 18 and the breast. The flange insert segment 18 can be supported by the flange segment 8 to adopt a shape suitable for conforming against the breast. Therefore, for Figure 1 In one embodiment, the flange segment 8 does not directly contact the breast.

[0039] exist Figure 1 In the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 30 denotes a support section that defines a diaphragm support adapted to removably hold the diaphragm 32. This support section 30 defines a pumping chamber 34 between the diaphragm 32 and the vacuum port 28 for air to be received in the nipple channel 14.

[0040] Figure 1 The embodiment can also be inserted into the unit housing of the breast shield unit, which will be achieved by referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 Further details are provided. The housing 4 of the breast shield 2 can be frictionally and / or secured to such a unit housing via a positive fit between the housing 4 and the unit housing 40. Specifically, the connection between the housing 4 and the unit housing 40 can differ from the frictional engagement between the insert 6 and the inner circumferential surface of the housing 4 of the breast shield 2. However, the housing 4 and the insert 6 are preferably releasable from the unit housing of the breast shield unit.

[0041] On the front side, pointing towards the human breast and identified by reference numeral 42, the unit housing 40 provides a receiver 44 adapted to at least partially receive the breast shield 2 as described above. The receiver 44 is adapted to receive the nipple channel segment 10 of the housing 4. The corresponding receiver 44 has a vacuum interface 46 and a milk interface 48. When the breast shield 2 is inserted into the receiver 44, the milk interface 48 communicates with the milk port 26. The unit housing 40 also defines a vacuum interface 46 within a pumping chamber 36 for working fluid, which is sealed by a diaphragm 32. The diaphragm 32 is held in a sealing manner against the surface of the unit housing.

[0042] exist Figure 1In some embodiments, such breast shields 2 have a housing 4 that can be inserted into a receiver 44. Furthermore, such inserts 6 can be inserted into the housing 4. The inserts 6 are releasably received within the housing 4.

[0043] As can be further seen from the accompanying drawings, the milk port 26 leads to the milk container 50. The milk container 50 may be provided with a seal defining the milk interface 48. The milk container 50 is releasably connected to the unit housing 40.

[0044] exist Figure 1 In one embodiment, the housing 4 has a flange segment 8 shaped to conform to the breast. In this embodiment, direct contact between the breast and the breast shield 2 is achieved by a flange insertion segment 18 of the insert 6. This flange insertion segment 18 may be provided with a soft, elastic material that retains its shape and is thus supported by the flange segment 8. In another embodiment, the flange segment 8 is made of a rigid material.

[0045] According to Figure 4 In an alternative embodiment, the nipple canal insert segment 16 is slightly shorter than Figure 1 The insert segment 16. Therefore, the insert extends only partially above the milk port 26. In other words, the inner end of the opening of the nipple canal insert segment 16 is located within the dashed line defining the longitudinal extension E of the milk port 26.

[0046] In this embodiment, the housing 4 is substantially reduced to the nipple channel segment 10. A seal 12 is provided at the forward opening end 22 of the nipple channel 14. For example... Figure 1 In one embodiment, the opposite end 24 is closed.

[0047] exist Figure 5 In this embodiment, the housing 4 is received within the unit housing 40. The housing 4 is inserted from the other side when the insert 6 is inserted into the unit housing 40 from the front side 42. The housing 4 protrudes beyond the unit housing 40. This configuration provides additional length for the nipple channel 14. A seal 12 is provided at the forward end of the housing 4. Both the housing 4 and the insert 6 can be removed from the housing unit 40.

[0048] The housing 40 defines a housing receiver 52 that opens from the rear side, terminating at a stop 54 formed by the housing 40. A seal 12 is disposed flush with the stop 54 at the inner circumference of the housing 4. As discussed earlier... Figure 1 In one embodiment, the insert 6 seals against the housing 4 at this point. The insert 6 is inserted into the unit housing 40 from the side opposite to the insertion side of the housing 4.

[0049] As previously mentioned, the flange insert segment 18 can be made of a soft, elastic material. Figure 5 In one embodiment, the elastic material retains its shape through the flange support surface 58 of the unit housing 40 that defines the receiver 44.

[0050] According to Figure 5 In the schematic diagram, reference numeral 60 indicates a pump that is connected to a vacuum interface 46. The pump 60 is powered by an accumulator 62 and controlled by a controller 64, both of which are housed within the unit housing 40.

[0051] Figures 6 to 8 An alternative embodiment of the breast shield unit is shown. Elements previously discussed that have the same function and / or structure as those previously discussed are identified by the same reference numerals. This embodiment is a variation of the embodiment discussed in WO 2013 / 010286, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0052] The corresponding embodiment of the unit housing 40 has a unit housing ring 66 to provide a flange support surface 58. The unit housing ring 66 defines an opening 68 larger than the outer diameter of the diaphragm 32, and a first support element 70 and a second support element 72 surrounding the diaphragm 32 to define a pumping chamber for air 34 and a pumping chamber for working fluid 36. The unit formed by connecting the first support element 70 and the second support element 72 together with the diaphragm 32 disposed between the first support element 70 and the second support element 72 can be releasably retained within the unit housing 40. The corresponding unit has an internal opening 74 adapted to receive the housing 4.

[0053] exist Figures 6 to 8 In this embodiment, not all the components of the previously discussed breast shield 2 are shown in detail. A milk port 26 is located on the outer circumference of the housing 4 near the free end, i.e., the closed end segment 24 of the nipple channel segment 10. In the height direction, a vacuum port 28 is disposed opposite the milk port and away from the closed end segment 24 of the nipple channel segment 10. In the assembled state, the vacuum port 28 communicates with a vacuum interface 46 provided by a cylindrical segment of the second support element 72, while the milk port 26 is sealingly adjacent to a milk valve 76 made of an elastic material, which is releasably attached to the milk container 50 and mates with the outer circumferential surface of the nipple channel segment 10.

[0054] like Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, housing unit 40 includes a housing cover 78 that includes a pump housing 79 and is connected to a housing ring 66. The housing cover 78 covers and thereby houses the pump 60 and controller 64, which are implemented as sub-units within the housing 40. Between the pump 60 and the first support element 70, a pipe 80 is shown, which is sealed at one end to the pump 60 and connected to the first support element 70 to form a path for working fluid from the pump 60 to the pumping chamber 36. Finally, reference numeral 82 depicts a display.

[0055] List of reference numerals

[0056] 2. Breast bra

[0057] 4. Shell

[0058] 6 Inserts

[0059] 8 Flange segments

[0060] 10. Nipple canal segment

[0061] 12 Seals

[0062] 14. Nipple canal

[0063] 16 nipple channel insertion segment

[0064] 18 Flange Insert Segment

[0065] 20 Annular gap

[0066] 22 Open end section

[0067] 24 Closed end section

[0068] 26 Milk Port

[0069] 28 Vacuum Ports

[0070] 30 Support Section

[0071] 32 Diaphragm

[0072] 34. Pumping chamber for air

[0073] 36 Pumping chamber for working fluid

[0074] 40-unit housing

[0075] 42 Anterior side

[0076] 44 receivers

[0077] 46 Vacuum Interface

[0078] 48 Milk Inlet

[0079] 50 Milk containers

[0080] 52. Housing receiver

[0081] 54 Stop components

[0082] 56 Rear Side

[0083] 58 Flange Support Surface

[0084] 60 pumps

[0085] 62 Accumulator

[0086] 64 controllers

[0087] 66 Unit housing ring

[0088] 68 Opening

[0089] 70 First Support Element

[0090] 72 Second support element

[0091] 74 Internal opening

[0092] 76 Milk valve

[0093] 78 Unit Housing Cover

[0094] 79 Pump casing

[0095] 80 tubes

[0096] 82 monitors

[0097] E Longitudinal Extension

Claims

1. A breast shield (2) comprising a housing (4) defining a nipple channel (14) and adapted to receive a nipple, wherein the housing (4) is provided with a milk port (26) communicating with the nipple channel (14) and a vacuum port (28) communicating with the nipple channel (14), characterized in that, An insert (6) is disposed within the housing and located between the nipple channel (14) and at least one of the milk port (26) and the vacuum port (28), wherein the nipple channel segment (10) of the housing (4) and the nipple channel insert segment (16) of the insert (6) are arranged coaxially to provide an annular gap (20) that seals toward the open end of the nipple channel (14) adapted to receive a nipple, and wherein the annular gap (20) is opened opposite to the open end of the nipple channel (14).

2. The breast shield according to claim 1, characterized in that, The insert (6) is configured to extend at least partially above the longitudinal extension (E) of the milk port (26).

3. The breast shield according to claim 2, characterized in that, The milk port (26) extends in the radial direction of the nipple channel (14).

4. The breast shield according to claim 1, characterized in that, The insert (6) is configured to extend at least partially above the longitudinal extension (E) of the vacuum port (28).

5. The breast shield according to claim 4, characterized in that, The vacuum port (26) extends in the radial direction of the nipple channel (14).

6. The breast shield according to claim 1, characterized in that, The nipple channel (14) has an open end section (22) and a closed end section (24) opposite to the open end section.

7. The breast shield according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (4) defines a flange segment (8) and a nipple channel segment (10) forming the nipple channel (14).

8. The breast shield according to claim 1, characterized in that, The insert (6) is formed of a single body comprising a nipple channel insert segment (16) received within the nipple channel (14) and a flange insert segment (18) shaped to conform to the breast.

9. The breast shield according to claim 1, characterized in that, The insert (6) and the housing (4) are formed of a substantially transparent material.

10. The breast shield according to claim 1, characterized in that, The insert (6) is detachably mounted to the housing (4).

11. The breast shield according to claim 1, characterized in that, A seal (12) is arranged between the insert (6) and the housing (4).

12. The breast shield according to claim 3, characterized in that, The insert (6) has a rigid section extending in the circumferential direction, the rigid section being disposed at least between the nipple channel (14) and the milk port (26).

13. The breast shield according to claim 5, characterized in that, The insert (6) has a rigid section extending in the circumferential direction, the rigid section being disposed at least between the nipple channel (14) and the vacuum port (28).

14. The breast shield according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (4) defines a flange segment (8) and a nipple channel segment (10) forming the nipple channel (14), and the insert (6) has a flange insert segment (18) received within the flange segment (8) formed by the housing (4).

15. The breast shield according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing has a support section (30) defining a diaphragm support adapted to detachably hold the diaphragm (32) and define a pumping chamber (34) communicating with the vacuum port (28).

16. The breast shield according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (4) has a nipple channel segment (10), and the insert (6) has a nipple channel insert segment (16), and an annular gap (20) is disposed between the nipple channel segment (10) and the nipple channel insert segment (16).

17. The breast shield according to claim 14, characterized in that, A seal (12) is disposed between the inner end of the flange segment (8) and at least one of the milk port (26) and the vacuum port (28).

18. The breast shield according to claim 17, characterized in that, The seal (12) is arranged between the inner end of the flange segment (8) and the nipple channel segment (10).

19. A breast shield unit for expressing human breast milk, comprising a unit housing (40) having a receiver (44) adapted to detachably receive the breast shield (2) according to claim 1, wherein, The receiver (44) includes a vacuum port (46) for generating negative pressure in the nipple channel (14) and a milk port (48) leading to a milk container (50) suitable for storing expressed human breast milk, wherein during the insertion phase, the breast shield is received within the receiver (44), the vacuum port (28) is in communication with the vacuum port (46), and the milk port (26) is in communication with the milk port (48).

Images