Breast milk collector and method

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to breast milk collectors and methods. A passive breast milk collector (10) for collecting milk from a mother's breast is provided. The breast milk collector comprises a container (11). The breast milk collector may be attached to the breast such that at least a portion of the breast can withstand negative pressure generated after compression of the container. The container is compressible along a compression axis (CD) to enable generation of a negative pressure. The container is partially delimited by a wall portion (11A), such as a rigid wall portion, coupled to an elastically deformable assembly (11B; 12, 13, 14, 15) are provided. The container may be compressed by displacement of the wall portion along the compression axis against a restoring force of an elastically deformable assembly that is deformed during displacement of the wall portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a breast milk collector, also known as a passive breast milk collector, and a method of docking a breast milk collector with a breast. Background Art

[0002] The best source of nutrition for infants is human milk from breastfeeding mothers. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for at least one year, preferably longer. However, mothers often return to work after only a few weeks or months. To provide the best nutrition for their infants, mothers express their breast milk using a breast pump. The expressed milk can be stored and fed to the infant at a later stage by the mother and / or someone else.

[0003] Recently, there has been a trend towards wearable passive breast milk collectors that collect leaked breast milk. Such wearable passive breast milk collectors can be used in the presence of a baby. When the baby starts sucking on the breast, nipple stimulation can induce milk ejection reflex (MER) on both breasts. The breast milk collector then collects milk from the mother's other breast via passive continuous negative pressure (in other words, partial vacuum).

[0004] Such a breast milk collector may be formed as a compressible milk container that may be pressed inwardly toward the mother's body to provide a holding pressure and a base vacuum for enhanced milk extraction. Commercially available breast milk collectors tend to have a soft silicone shell that can be compressed by the user and positioned on the breast. The shape of the shell and the elastic characteristics of the material may determine the pressure distribution / behavior of the breast milk collector during expression. In particular, the material properties, wall thickness and shape of the silicone shell may determine the spring constant of the shell, which, in combination with the effective surface on which the spring force acts, is responsible for the negative pressure generated by the breast milk collector. Summary of the invention

[0005] Laboratory analysis of currently available breast milk collectors has shown that the negative pressure that can be achieved when using such breast milk collectors tends to be less dependent on how hard the user compresses the soft shell, such as when the soft shell is placed on the breast and compressed to provide a negative pressure for most of the working window of such devices. In addition, it has been found that the manner in which the soft shell of currently available breast milk collectors is compressible presents difficulties in providing a negative pressure adjustment that is beneficial to the user, such as an adjustment that enables the user to maintain or return to the initial negative pressure provided when starting milk collection. It should be noted in this regard that breast milk received in a breast milk collector tends to cause a gradual decrease in pressure during use.

[0006] Therefore, users may not be able to manipulate or adapt to the pressure distribution behavior of currently available breast milk collectors. It is desirable to design a breast milk collector that facilitates negative pressure adjustment, especially noting that when using a breast milk collector, users may have different sensitivities and preferences for the negative pressure their breasts are subjected to.

[0007] The invention is defined by the embodiments listed before the claims.

[0008] According to an example of one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a breast milk collector for collecting milk from a mother's breast, the breast milk collector comprising a container partially defined by a wall portion, the breast milk collector being attachable to the breast so that at least a portion of the breast can withstand negative pressure generated after the wall portion is displaced to compress the container, wherein the wall portion is coupled to an elastically deformable component, the wall portion being displaceable along a compression axis to deform the elastically deformable component and compress the container, wherein the wall portion is less susceptible to deformation along the compression axis than the elastically deformable component under a force directed along the compression axis

[0009] A breast milk collector can be thought of as a passive breast milk collector, which receives milk while the mother's other breast is actively stimulated by the variable / alternating pressure provided by a feeding infant or a breast pump.

[0010] By compressing the container via displacement of the wall portion of the container and associated deformation of the elastically deformable component coupled to the wall portion, negative pressure, such as a partial vacuum, can be generated in the container of the breast milk collector. The negative pressure can promote the discharge of milk from a breast docked with the breast milk collector.

[0011] This compression of the container results in the generation of a negative pressure (e.g., a partial vacuum) in the container. As explained in more detail below, the restoring force acts to return the container to its normal / uncompressed shape relative to the volume of air that was pushed out during compression. Thus, there is a shortage of air, and the container is therefore at a negative pressure.

[0012] The spring force of the elastically deformable component, in other words the restoring force, can balance the force generated by the pressure difference between the inside of the compression container and the outside of the compression container, in other words the atmospheric pressure. This means that the negative pressure achievable in the compression container is partly influenced by the spring force of the elastically deformable component.

[0013] The present invention is based in part on the recognition that the negative pressure within the container can be better controlled by using a wall portion that, when subjected to a force directed along the compression axis, deforms less along the compression axis than the elastically deformable component deforms along the compression axis. In this way, the negative pressure can be determined primarily by selecting the spring force of the elastically deformable component and the area of ​​the wall portion that is less deformable and, in some embodiments, rigid, acted upon by the elastically deformable component.

[0014] The force may be applied, for example, by a user's finger(s) along the compression axis to cause the container to compress.

[0015] In some embodiments, the elastically deformable component may be configured to adjust a spring force of the elastically deformable component that resists displacement of the wall portion along the compression axis. Such spring force adjustment may enable adjustment of the negative pressure in the compression container. Adjustment of the spring force may enable a desired negative pressure to be maintained in the compression container, for example to compensate for a decrease in the air pressure difference between the inside and outside of the compression chamber caused by the discharge of milk from the breast during use.

[0016] Alternatively or in addition to the spring force adjustment, the wall portion may be configured to adjust the wall portion area of ​​the wall portion acted upon by the elastically deformable component. The negative pressure in the compression container may be approximated as the spring force divided by the wall portion area acted upon by the spring force. Thus, adjusting the wall portion area may provide a way of adjusting the negative pressure.

[0017] In some embodiments, the breast milk collector includes a rigid chassis for supporting the container.

[0018] In some embodiments, a rigid chassis, such as a hard shell or frame, is configured to support a container and a detachable breast milk collection container, such as a disposable milk bag. Alternatively, the container itself can be configured as a breast milk collection container, such as a breast milk collection bottle or a disposable milk bag.

[0019] In some embodiments, the container is removable from a rigid chassis, such as a rigid housing or frame.

[0020] This detachability can facilitate cleaning of the container and / or the rigid chassis. In embodiments where the container itself is configured as a breast milk collection container, this detachability can also facilitate storage of the breast milk collected in the container.

[0021] In some embodiments, the breast milk collector comprises a lever coupled to the chassis, wherein the lever is arranged to exert a resistance on the wall portion, the resistance resisting displacement of the wall portion along the compression axis. The rigidity of the chassis, such as a rigid housing or frame, may enable the lever to exert resistance on the wall portion.

[0022] The lever may, for example, be pivotably coupled to the chassis, wherein via a pivoting of the lever towards, for example, abutting against a wall portion, a resistive force is exerted on the wall portion.

[0023] In some embodiments, the lever is arranged to pull or push the wall portion towards a stopper that prevents displacement of the wall portion during expansion of the container. In such embodiments, the lever can be moved, such as bent, to compress the container, thereby forcing air to leave the container. When the lever is released, stress in the lever, such as bending stress, can pull at the wall portion.

[0024] Initially, due to the stiffness of the non-deformable wall portion which retains its shape during compression of the container, the lever can be pulled over a relatively large area of ​​the wall portion.

[0025] However, during the collection of milk, the container can gradually expand, thereby relieving the stress in the lever. When the wall portion (e.g., a portion of the bottom plate) is prevented from further movement by the stopper, the effective area for the lever to pull is reduced. Together with the reduced lever stress that reduces the pulling force, a relatively constant vacuum pressure can be maintained within the container.

[0026] To this end, the reduction in pulling force can be balanced with the reduction in effective pulling area until the displacement stops.

[0027] By using different levers, levers of different materials or thicknesses, or by using leaf springs, a pressure specific to the mother may be obtained.Correct expansion of the container, for example via the unfolding of parts of the container, may be achieved by, for example, a thickness variation of the material forming the container.

[0028] In some embodiments, the elastically deformable component includes a spring.

[0029] Such a spring may facilitate controlling the negative pressure in the compression container, as the spring force of the spring may be selectable and, in some embodiments, selectable by a user during use of the breast milk collector.

[0030] In some embodiments, the spring comprises, for example, a constant force spring.

[0031] The constant spring force provided by such a constant force spring can help control the negative pressure in the compression container.

[0032] The wall portion is displaceable along the compression axis from an initial position corresponding to an uncompressed state of the container to a final position reached at a maximum displacement of the wall portion.

[0033] The spring, for example a constant force spring, can be configured so that the spring force of the spring when the wall portion is in the initial position is at least 80%, preferably at least 90% of the spring force of the spring when the wall portion is in the final position. This relatively constant spring force can enhance the control of the negative pressure in the compression container.

[0034] In some embodiments, the spring, such as a constant force spring, is a torsion spring.

[0035] In some embodiments, a spring, such as a constant force and / or torsion spring, is located between the chassis and the lever, wherein the spring is arranged to bias the lever to exert a force on the wall portion.

[0036] It should be noted that the above-mentioned torsion spring may be particularly suitable for biasing a lever, such as a lever pivotably mounted to the chassis, to exert a resistance force on the wall portion.

[0037] In some embodiments, the spring may be configured to enable selection of the spring force of the spring. Selection of the spring force of the spring may enable relatively straightforward adjustment of the negative pressure in the compression container.

[0038] In such an embodiment, the spring force of the spring may be adjustable, for example, by winding and unwinding a strip of helically wound torsion spring, such as a steel strip.

[0039] The breast milk collector may comprise an adjustment mechanism configured to enable a user of the breast milk collector to select the spring force of the spring, for example by means of an adjustment mechanism configured to enable the user to wind and unwind a strip of a helically wound torsion spring.

[0040] In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism is configured to provide a self-locking selection of the spring force of the spring. Therefore, the adjustment mechanism can enable the user to select the spring force of the spring in a single action, and lock the selected spring force until the adjustment mechanism is subsequently used to reselect the spring force.

[0041] In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism includes a worm wheel that can be rotated by a user in a first direction to increase the spring force of the spring, and can be rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction to reduce the spring force of the spring. Thus, such a worm wheel can enable a user to select the spring force of the spring by turning the worm wheel, wherein once the turning action is completed, the selected spring force is locked by the worm wheel. The selected spring force is locked until the worm wheel is subsequently turned to reselect the spring force.

[0042] In some embodiments, the elastically deformable component comprises an elastically deformable wall segment of the container. Therefore, a wall segment of the container, such as a side wall segment, can be designed so as to facilitate the elastic deformation of the elastically deformable component.

[0043] For example, the wall segments may comprise folded wall segments.

[0044] In some embodiments, the container is defined by a rigid wall portion for arrangement opposite the breast and a folded side wall section extending from the rigid wall portion towards the breast in use. The container in such embodiments may be considered to be, for example, a bellows-type container.

[0045] In some embodiments, portions of the container may be switched between being added to the wall portion and thereby increasing the area of ​​the wall portion acted upon by the elastically deformable component, and being removed from the wall portion and thereby reducing the area of ​​the wall portion acted upon by the elastically deformable component. Such switching, for example via unfolding and folding of portions of the container, may enable relatively straightforward adjustment of the area of ​​the wall portion acted upon by the elastically deformable component, thereby easily adjusting the negative pressure in the compressed container.

[0046] In some embodiments, the breast milk collector comprises one or more reinforcing elements arranged to maintain the shape of the portion of the container when the portion of the container is added to the wall portion. Thus, the portion of the container can be fixed in a transformed state, such as an unfolded state, in which the portion of the container is added to / included in the wall portion acted upon by the elastically deformable component.

[0047] According to another aspect, a method of docking a breast milk collector with a mother's breast is provided, the breast milk collector comprising a container partially defined by a wall portion coupled to an elastically deformable component, the method comprising: attaching the breast milk collector to the breast; and applying a force to the wall portion along a compression axis to compress the container and thereby provide a negative pressure in the container, the force causing deformation of the wall portion along the compression axis to be less than deformation of the elastically deformable component along the compression axis.

[0048] The method may be a method of docking a breast milk collector according to any embodiment described herein with a mother's breast.

[0049] The method may not include expressing breast milk from the mother's breast into a breast milk collection container.

[0050] In some embodiments, the method includes adjusting a spring force of the elastically deformable component to adjust the negative pressure.

[0051] Alternatively or additionally, the method comprises adjusting an area of ​​a wall portion of the wall portion acted upon by the elastically deformable component to adjust the negative pressure.

[0052] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] For a better understanding of the invention, and to more clearly show how the same may be put into practice, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0054] Figure 1A A schematic cross-sectional view of a breast milk collector according to an example during compression of a container of the breast milk collector is provided;

[0055] Figure 1B Provided Figure 1A A schematic cross-sectional view of a breast milk collector is shown with the container in an expanded state;

[0056] Figure 1C Provided Figure 1A and Figure 1B External view of the breast milk collector shown;

[0057] Figure 2 Providing a negative pressure curve with a constant flow rate per spring force of the elastically deformable component of the breast milk collector;

[0058] Figure 3A and Figure 3B A view of a breast milk collector according to another example is provided, wherein the breast milk collector is in a first configuration;

[0059] Figure 3C and Figure 3D Provided Figure 3A and Figure 3B a view of a breast milk collector shown in a second configuration different from the first configuration;

[0060] Figure 4A A schematic cross-sectional view of a breast milk collector according to another example is provided, wherein the container of the breast milk collector is in a compressed state; and

[0061] Figure 4B Provided Figure 4A A schematic cross-sectional view of a breast milk collector is shown, wherein the container of the breast milk collector is in an expanded state.

[0062] Figure 5A A schematic cross-sectional view of a partially recessed flexible hemispherical dome simulating a flexible milk container is provided.

[0063] Figure 5B Provides a Figure 5A Illustration of the shape of a partially recessed flexible milk container, wherein the horizontal axis shows the distance from the axis of symmetry and the vertical axis shows the height of the wall of the milk container.

[0064] Fig. 6A Provides a compression diagram showing Figure 5A Graphical representation of the force required to form a dome as a function of the degree of compression.

[0065] Figure 6B Provides a Figure 5A Graphical representation of the effective area of ​​the dome as a function of the degree of compression.

[0066] Figure 7 Provided are diagrams showing when water is continuously fed into the device to simulate the collection of milk, for different starting pressures, such as Figure 5AA graphical representation of negative pressure in a dome-shaped breast milk collector as a function of time is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0068] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, although indicating exemplary embodiments of the apparatus, system and method, are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These and other features, aspects and advantages of the apparatus, system and method of the present invention will become better understood based on the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the drawings are merely schematic and are not drawn to scale. It should also be understood that the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts in all drawings.

[0069] A passive breast milk collector for collecting milk from a mother's breast is provided. The breast milk collector comprises a container. The breast milk collector can be attached to the breast so that at least part of the breast can withstand the negative pressure generated after the container is compressed. The container can be compressed along a compression axis so that the negative pressure can be generated. The container is partially defined by a wall portion, such as a rigid wall portion, which is connected to an elastically deformable component. The container can be compressed by displacement of the wall portion along the compression axis against the restoring force of the elastically deformable component, and the elastically deformable component is deformed during the displacement of the wall portion.

[0070] Figures 1A to 1C A breast milk collector 10 according to an example is schematically depicted. The breast milk collector 10 comprises a container 11 which is attachable to a breast BR of a user such that at least part of the breast BR can be subjected to a negative pressure provided within the container 11 when the container 11 is compressed.

[0071] At least part of the breast BR may be received in the container 11 , or the container 11 may be in fluid communication with a cavity in which at least the breast part BR may be received so as to be subjected to a negative pressure provided within the container 11 .

[0072] The container 11 is compressible along the compression axis CD so as to provide negative pressure. In particular, the container 11 is partially bounded by a wall portion 11A, to which a force can be applied along the compression axis CD, such as by a user's finger(s) FN, to compress the container 11.

[0073] This compression of the container 11 results in a negative pressure, such as a partial vacuum, being created in the container 11. As explained in more detail below, the restoring force acts to return the container 11 to a normal / uncompressed shape related to the volume of air that was pushed out during the compression. Thus, there is a shortage of air and a negative pressure in the container 11. The negative pressure can promote the drainage of milk from the breast BR that is docked with the breast milk collector 10.

[0074] The breast milk collector 10 preferably includes a valve that allows air to flow out during compression of the container 11 , but prevents air from flowing into the container 11 .

[0075] More generally, the wall portion 11A is coupled to the elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15. By a force directed along the compression axis, e.g., a force along the compression axis CD applied to the wall portion 11A to compress the container 11, the wall portion 11A is less deformable along the compression axis CD than the elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15.

[0076] For example, wall portion 11A may be stiffer than elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15 so that when wall portion 11A is subjected to a force along compression axis CD, elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15 deform preferentially relative to elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15.

[0077] The negative pressure inside the container 11 can be better controlled by adopting such a wall portion 11A, that is, when subjected to a force along the compression axis CD, for example to compress the container 11, the deformation of the wall portion 11A along the compression axis CD is smaller than the deformation of the elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15 along the compression axis CD. In this way, the negative pressure can be mainly determined by the selection of the spring force of the elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15 and the area of ​​the wall portion 11A that is not easily deformed and, in some embodiments, is rigid, which is acted by the elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15.

[0078] At least partly by selecting the material and / or thickness of the wall portion 11A, the wall portion 11A may be made less deformable, e.g. less compressible, along the compression axis CD than the elastically deformable component 11B; 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 .

[0079] The elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15 may be configured in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, such as Figures 1A to 1C As shown, the elastically deformable component 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15 includes an elastically deformable wall segment 11B of the container 11, and in some cases can be defined by the wall segment 11B. Therefore, the wall segment 11B of the container 11, such as the side wall segment 11B, can be designed to facilitate or in some cases provide the elastic deformability of the elastically deformable component 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15.

[0080] The wall segment 11B may, for example, comprise a folded wall segment 11B. In some embodiments, such as Figures 1A to 1CAs shown, the container 11 is defined by a rigid wall portion 11A for arrangement opposite the breast BR and a folded side wall section 11B extending from the rigid wall portion 11A towards the breast BR in use. In such an embodiment, the container 11 may be considered to be a bellows type container 11, for example.

[0081] In some embodiments, the material of wall segment 11B is the same as that of wall portion 11A, but the configuration of wall segment 11B, such as a folded shape, together with the greater thickness of wall portion 11A, ensures that wall portion 11A is less susceptible to deformation along the compression axis CD than the elastically deformable component 11B including wall segment 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15.

[0082] In other embodiments, the material of wall segment 11B is different from the material of wall portion 11A, for example more compressible along compression axis CD than the material of wall portion 11A.

[0083] The material for the wall portion 11A and the wall segment 11B may be selected, for example, from polymeric materials such as plastics and / or elastomers. Silicone is specifically mentioned as a material for forming the wall portion 11A and / or the wall segment 11B.

[0084] As an alternative to or in addition to the elastically deformable assembly 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15 comprising an elastically deformable wall section 11B, a spring 15 may be included in the elastically deformable assembly 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15 for resisting displacement of the wall portion 11A along the compression axis CD. Such a spring 15 may facilitate controlling the negative pressure in the compression container 11, as the spring force of the spring 15 may be selectable, such as by a user during use of the breast milk collector 10, as explained in more detail below.

[0085] The spring 15 may be of any suitable design and may be arranged in any suitable manner to resist displacement of the wall portion 11A along the compression axis CD. In some embodiments, the spring 15 comprises, for example, a torsion spring.

[0086] More generally, the spring force, in other words, the restoring force, of the elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15 can balance the force generated by the gas pressure difference (in other words, the atmospheric pressure) between the inside of the compression container 11 and the outside of the compression container 11. This means that the negative pressure obtainable in the compression container 11 is partly influenced by the spring force of the elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15.

[0087] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1A to 1CAs shown, the spring 15 comprises, for example, a constant force spring, such as a constant torque spring 15, which applies a constant force, or at least a substantially constant force, within its range of motion. The constant spring force provided by this constant force spring 15 can help control the negative pressure in the compression container 11.

[0088] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1A to 1C As shown, the constant force spring 15 is a helically wound torsion spring 15 , such as a steel strip spring 15 .

[0089] Figure 2 It is provided that each spring force of the elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15 of the breast milk collector 10 has a negative pressure curve for a constant milk inflow. Figure 2 It is shown that adjustment of the spring force enables the negative pressure to be adjusted, in particular in a manner that is beneficial to the user. Figure 2 It is shown that the spring force adjustment can allow the user to return to the initial negative pressure provided when starting to collect milk.

[0090] It should be noted that the wall portion 11A may be arranged along the compression axis CD from Figure 1B The initial position shown corresponds to the uncompressed state of the container 11 moving to a final position reached at the maximum displacement of the wall portion 11A.

[0091] The spring 15, such as a constant force spring 15, can be configured so that the spring force of the spring 15 when the wall portion 11A is in the initial position is at least 80%, preferably at least 90% of the spring force of the spring 15 when the wall portion 11A is in the compressed position. This relatively constant spring force can enhance the control of the negative pressure in the compression container 11.

[0092] In some embodiments, the elastically deformable component 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15 can be configured to adjust the spring force of the elastically deformable component 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15, which resists the displacement of the wall portion 11A along the compression axis CD. Such spring force adjustment can make it possible to adjust the negative pressure in the compression container 11.

[0093] The adjustment of the spring force of the elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15 can be implemented in any suitable manner. Figures 1A to 1C As shown, the spring 15 can be configured so that the spring force of the spring 15 can be selected. Selecting the spring force of the spring 15 makes it relatively straightforward to adjust the negative pressure in the compression container 11.

[0094] In such an embodiment, the spring force of the spring 15 can be adjusted by winding and unwinding a strip (eg, a steel strip) of the helically wound torsion spring 15. Figure 1C, the breast milk collector 10 may include an adjustment mechanism 16 configured to enable a user of the breast milk collector 10 to select the spring force of the spring 15. In such an embodiment, the adjustment mechanism 16 may be configured to enable the user to wind and unwind a strip of the helically wound torsion spring 15, for example by turning a knob 17 included in the adjustment mechanism 16.

[0095] In some embodiments, adjustment mechanism 16 is configured to provide a self-locking selection of the spring force of spring 15. Thus, adjustment mechanism 16 can enable a user to select the spring force of spring 15 in a single action and lock the selected spring force until adjustment mechanism 16 is subsequently used to reselect the spring force.

[0096] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1C As shown, the adjustment mechanism 16 includes a worm wheel that can be rotated by the user in a first direction to increase the spring force of the spring, and can be rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction to reduce the spring force of the spring. Therefore, such a worm wheel can enable the user to select the spring force of the spring 15 by turning the worm wheel, and once the turning action is completed, the selected spring force is locked by the worm wheel. The selected spring force is locked until the worm wheel is subsequently turned to reselect the spring force.

[0097] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1A to 1C As shown, the breast milk collector 10 comprises a rigid chassis 14 for supporting a container 11. For example, the container 11 itself may be relatively flexible and resilient and fitted within the chassis 14, for example in the form of a rigid housing or frame.

[0098] The chassis 14 may be formed from any suitable rigid material, such as a rigid plastic material, for example polypropylene.

[0099] A rigid chassis 14, such as a hard shell or frame, can be configured to support the container 11 and a removable breast milk collection container, such as a disposable milk bag. Alternatively, the container 11 itself can be configured as a breast milk collection container, such as a breast milk collection bottle or a disposable milk bag.

[0100] In some embodiments, the container 11 is detachable from the rigid chassis 14, such as from a hard shell or frame. Such detachability can facilitate cleaning of the container 11 and / or the rigid chassis 14. In embodiments where the container 11 itself is configured as a breast milk collection container, such detachability can also help store the breast milk collected in the container 11.

[0101] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1A to 1CAs shown, the breast milk collector 10 includes a lever 12 coupled to a chassis 14, wherein the lever 12 is arranged to exert a resistance on the wall portion 11A, which resists the displacement of the wall portion 11A along the compression axis CD. The rigidity of the chassis 14 (e.g., a hard shell or frame) can enable the lever 12 to exert the resistance on the wall portion 11A.

[0102] The lever 12 may be arranged to push or pull the container 11 through a gap defined in a chassis 14 (eg, a rigid housing).

[0103] The lever 12 may be made of any suitable rigid material. In some embodiments, the lever 12 is formed of a plastic material, such as polypropylene.

[0104] like Figure 1A As best shown, the lever 12 may be pivotally coupled to the chassis 14, wherein resistance is exerted on the wall portion 11A via pivoting of the lever 12 toward (e.g., against) the wall portion 11A. To this end, the breast milk collector 10 may include a pivot coupling 13, such as a hinge, between the lever 12 and the chassis 14.

[0105] In some embodiments, a spring 15, such as a constant force spring 15 and / or a torsion spring 15, is located between the chassis 14 and the lever 12, wherein the spring 15 is arranged to bias the lever 15 to exert a resistance force on the wall portion 11A. It should be noted that the torsion spring 15 described above may be particularly suitable for biasing the lever 12 pivotably mounted to the chassis 14 to exert a resistance force on the wall portion 11A.

[0106] In a non-limiting illustrative example, and with reference to Figures 1A to 1C , the container 11 may be a flexible container 11 having a relatively rigid top wall portion 11A and a relatively rigid bottom wall portion 11D, and a flexible side wall section 11B extending between the top wall portion 11A and the bottom wall portion 11D. Regarding this example, it is reiterated that the container 11 preferably has a valve that allows air to flow out of the container 11 but prevents air from flowing into the container 11.

[0107] In this non-limiting example, a rigid lever 12 is connected to a chassis 14, such as a hard shell holding a container 11, by a hinge 13, wherein a constant force torsion spring 15 is attached to the hinge 13 and the lever 12. This spring 15 can be prestressed by the use of, for example, a worm gear mechanism 16. The lever 12 can be pressed inwardly. The tension of the torsion spring 15 can be varied by a worm gear adjuster 17, such as a knob. Continued reference Figures 1A to 1C , the top wall portion 11A of the container 11 is attached to the lever 12. When the lever 12 is pressed, it compresses the container 11. When the lever 12 is released, the constant force torsion spring 15 applies a constant force / torque to the lever 12 and the top wall portion 11A of the container 11.

[0108] Since the container 11 in this non-limiting example has a rigid top wall portion 11A, the force is transmitted to the top wall portion 11A, which can provide a relatively constant / continuous negative pressure in the container 11. The negative pressure can keep the container 11 attached to the nipple of the breast BR, wherein no air is allowed to enter the container 11. When milk begins to flow into the container 11, its volume is slowly filled. However, due to the constant pulling force of the lever 12, the vacuum of the container 11 can remain relatively constant. When the lever 12 reaches its end stop and can no longer be pulled, the vacuum can be reduced. The lever 12 can be pushed multiple times.

[0109] Since milk flow and comfort may be optimal at a particular mother-specific pressure, and may even change during many months of breastfeeding, the prestress of the spring 15 may vary. In this non-limiting example, the prestress may be released or increased via the worm gear mechanism 16. More generally, due to the lever 12 and spring 15 mechanism, the negative pressure may be relatively constant and adaptable. This may help optimize comfort and milk collection performance.

[0110] It should be noted at this point that the design of the wall portion 11A is not particularly limited, as long as the wall portion 11A is less deformable along the compression axis CD than the elastically deformable component 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15 coupled to the wall portion 11A. In some embodiments (not shown), the wall portion 11A comprises, for example, a portion defined by the end of a plunger that moves along the barrel. In such embodiments, the end of the plunger is less deformable along the compression axis CD than the elastically deformable component 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15, such as a spring 15 or a lever spring 12, 15 device, which resists the movement of the end of the plunger along the compression axis CD.

[0111] In some embodiments, the wall portion 11A may be configured to adjust the wall portion area of ​​the wall portion acted upon by the elastically deformable component 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15. The negative pressure in the compression container 11 may be approximated as the spring force divided by the wall portion area acted upon by the spring force. Thus, adjusting the wall portion area may provide a means of adjusting the negative pressure, for example as an alternative to or in addition to the spring force of the adjustable elastically deformable component 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15.

[0112] This wall portion area adjustment can be implemented in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D, portion 11C of the container 11 can be switched between being added to the wall portion 11A and thereby increasing the area of ​​the wall portion acted upon by the elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15, and being removed from the wall portion 11A and thereby reducing the area of ​​the wall portion acted upon by the elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15.

[0113] exist Figure 3A and Figure 3B In the configuration shown, the portion 11C of the container 11 is not included in the wall portion area acted upon by the elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15, but is Figure 3C and Figure 3D In the configuration shown, a portion 11C of the container 11 is included in the wall portion area acted upon by the elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15. Figure 3C and Figure 3D The increased wall section area in the configuration shown can reduce the negative pressure in the container 11. Such switching, for example via the unfolding and folding of the section 11C of the container 11, can make it possible to relatively directly adjust the wall section area acted upon by the elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15, and thus easily adjust the negative pressure in the compression container 11.

[0114] It should be noted that switching of the portion 11C of the container 11 may result in a change in volume of the container 11, for example a change in volume of about 10% or more than 10%. It should be noted that the initial volume may be the most important for the duration of the milk expression process. The smaller the volume discharged, the less milk can be expressed.

[0115] In some embodiments, such as FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D As shown, the breast milk collector 10 includes one or more reinforcing elements 18, which are arranged to maintain the shape of the portion 11C of the container 11 when the portion 11C of the container 11 is added to the wall portion 11A. Therefore, the portion 11C of the container 11 can be fixed in a switching state, such as an unfolded state, in which the portion 11C of the container 11 is added to / included in the wall portion 11A, which is acted upon by the elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15.

[0116] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4A and Figure 4B As shown, the lever 12 is arranged to pull the wall portion 11A towards a stopper ST, which prevents displacement of the wall portion 11A during expansion of the container 11. In such an embodiment, the lever 12 may move, e.g. bend, so as to compress the container 11, thereby forcing air to leave the container 11. When the lever 12 is released, stress in the lever 12, e.g. bending stress, may pull at the wall portion 11A.

[0117] Initially, the lever 12 may be pulled over a relatively large area of ​​the wall portion 11A because the stiffness of the less deformable wall portion 11A maintains its shape during compression of the container 11. However, during the collection of milk, the container 11 may gradually expand, thereby relieving the stress in the lever 12. When the wall portion 11A is prevented from further movement by the stopper ST (e.g., part of the chassis 14), the effective area over which the lever 12 is pulled is reduced. Together with the reduced lever stress that reduces the pulling force, a relatively constant vacuum pressure may be maintained within the container 11. To this end, the reduction in pulling force may be balanced with the reduction in the effective pulling area until the displacement stops.

[0118] By using different levers 12, levers 12 of different materials or thicknesses, or by using leaf springs and / or springs that are connected to each other or not connected to each other or not connected to the wall portion 11A, a mother-specific pressure can be obtained. A correct expansion of the container 11, for example via the unfolding of parts of the container 11, can be achieved, for example, by a thickness variation of the material forming the container 11.

[0119] The present disclosure also provides a method of docking a breast milk collector 10 with a mother's breast BR. The breast milk collector 10 includes a container 11, which is partially defined by a wall portion 11A coupled to elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15. The breast milk collector 10 can be configured according to any of the embodiments described herein, such as with reference to Figures 1A to 1C , FIG. 3A to FIG. 3D , Figure 4A and Figure 4B The method comprises attaching the breast milk collector 10 (e.g. its container 11) to the breast BR and applying a force to the wall portion 11A along the compression axis CD, e.g. by the user's finger(s) FN, to compress the container 11 and thereby provide a negative pressure in the container 11. This force causes the deformation of the wall portion 11A along the compression axis CD to be smaller than the deformation of the elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15 along the compression axis CD, as previously described.

[0120] In some embodiments, the method includes adjusting the spring force of the elastically deformable component 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15 to adjust the negative pressure, for example by selecting the spring force of a configurable spring 15 included in the elastically deformable component 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15.

[0121] Alternatively or additionally, the method may include adjusting the wall portion area of ​​the wall portion 11A acted upon by the elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15 to adjust the negative pressure, for example by switching between adding portion 11C of the container 11 to the wall portion 11A and thereby increasing the wall portion area acted upon by the elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15, and removing portion 11C from the wall portion 11A and thereby reducing the wall portion area acted upon by the elastically deformable components 11B; 12, 13, 14, 15.

[0122] Figure 5A A schematic cross-sectional view of a partially depressed flexible hemispherical dome simulating a flexible milk container is provided. The figure shows a portion of the internal volume and a portion of the depressed area. In this example, the depression is created using a blunt indenter. In this figure, the indenter is shown in a retracted position after the indentation is made. It should be noted that although a hemispherical dome is shown, for Figures 5 to 6 Figure 7 The same explanation given applies to other shapes, such as two domes that may be partial domes glued together to form a sphere or partial sphere.

[0123] Figure 5B Provides a Figure 5A Illustration of the shape of a partially depressed flexible milk container, wherein the horizontal axis shows the distance from the axis of symmetry and the vertical axis shows the height of the wall of the milk container. The circle at the vertex of the curve shows the effective diameter of the surface involved in the generation of negative pressure. In the example shown, the dome has been depressed from its fully extended shape to a central height of about 22 mm. Corresponding to this depression is a circular area with a radius of 31 mm. The area corresponding to a radius of 31 to 55 mm does not contribute to the generation of negative pressure because it does not change its shape. The radial position of the vertex of the curve is a function of the degree of central depression.

[0124] Fig. 6A Provides a compression diagram showing Figure 5A As shown in the figure, the center indentation and the force required to produce the center indentation have a nearly linear relationship, wherein the first linear relationship is between 0 and 5 mm and the second linear relationship is between 5 and 40 mm.

[0125] Figure 6B Provides a Figure 5A A graph of the effective area of ​​the indented portion of the dome as a function of the degree of compression. Since the force required to produce an indentation varies linearly with the degree of indentation, and since the effective area also varies linearly with the degree of indentation, the ratio of force to area, i.e. the negative pressure produced, is essentially constant. This means that the negative pressure of the device is fixed by its design, and once a user starts using a particular device, she cannot choose the negative pressure that best suits her.

[0126] Figure 7 A graph is provided showing negative pressure as a function of time for different starting pressures when water is continuously supplied to the device to simulate the collection of milk. The graph shows that the pressure as a function of time is substantially independent of the starting pressure (p1-p4) selected. Between 0 and 200 seconds, the initially compressed side walls relax and return to their original shape. This part of the graph corresponds to the situation where the flexible container is initially fully compressed. A woman using a flexible milk container will not press the container flat against her body and will use less pressure than this. Therefore, under normal circumstances, a woman will not operate a flexible milk container under the conditions on the far left of the graph. Between 200 seconds and less than 800 seconds, the still concave central dome returns to its original shape. During this period, the negative pressure is substantially constant, mainly at about -40 to -45 millibars. The temporary drop between 300 and 400 seconds is due to the sudden relaxation of part of the side walls. A similar effect occurs at about 800 seconds when the last part of the central dome relaxes and 'plops' back to its original shape, causing a brief but sudden drop in pressure. Starting from 800 seconds, the flexible dome has completely recovered to its original shape, and the pressure increases linearly as the liquid fills the dome more and more.

[0127] Based on a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims, those skilled in the art can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments when practicing the claimed invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a / an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0128] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0129] If the term "suitable for" is used in the claims or the specification, it should be noted that the term "suitable for" is intended to be equivalent to the term "configured to".

[0130] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

[0131] Example:

[0132] 1. A breast milk collector (10) for collecting milk from a mother's breast, the breast milk collector comprising a container (11) which is partially defined by a wall portion (11A), the breast milk collector being attachable to the breast so that at least part of the breast can withstand the negative pressure generated after the wall portion is displaced to compress the container, wherein the wall portion (11A) is connected to an elastically deformable component (11B; 12, 13, 14, 15), the wall portion being displaceable along a compression axis (CD) to deform the elastically deformable component and compress the container, wherein the wall portion is less susceptible to deformation along the compression axis than the elastically deformable component under the action of a force directed along the compression axis.

[0133] 2. A breast milk collector (10) according to embodiment 1, wherein the elastically deformable component (11B; 12, 13, 14, 15) can be configured to adjust the spring force of the elastically deformable component, which resists the displacement of the wall portion (11A) along the compression axis (CD).

[0134] 3. A breast milk collector (10) according to embodiment 1 or embodiment 2, wherein the wall portion (11A) is configurable to adjust the wall portion area of ​​the wall portion acted upon by the elastically deformable component (11B; 12, 13, 14, 15).

[0135] 4. A breast milk collector (10) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, comprising a rigid chassis (14) for supporting the container (11), and a lever (12) connected to the chassis, the lever being arranged to apply a resistance on the wall portion (11A) that resists displacement of the wall portion along the compression axis (CD).

[0136] 5. A breast milk collector (10) according to embodiment 4, wherein the lever (12) is arranged to pull or push the wall portion (11A) towards a stopper (ST) which stops the displacement of the wall portion during expansion of the container (11).

[0137] 6. A breast milk collector (10) according to Example 4 or Example 5, wherein the elastically deformable component (11B; 12, 13, 14, 15) includes a spring (15) located between the base (14) and the lever (12), and the spring is arranged to bias the lever (12) to apply resistance on the wall portion (11A).

[0138] 7. A breast milk collector (10) according to embodiment 6, wherein the spring (15) comprises a constant force spring; and / or wherein the spring comprises a torsion spring.

[0139] 8. A breast milk collector (10) according to Example 6 or Example 7, wherein the wall portion (11A) can be moved along the compression axis (CD) from an initial position corresponding to an uncompressed state of the container (11) to a final position reached at the maximum displacement of the wall portion, and the spring (15) is configured so that when the wall portion is in the initial position, the spring force of the spring is at least 80%, preferably at least 90% of the spring force of the spring when the wall portion is in the final position.

[0140] 9. The breast milk collector (10) according to any one of embodiments 6 to 8, wherein the spring (15) is configurable so that the spring force of the spring can be selected.

[0141] 10. The breast milk collector (10) according to embodiment 9, comprising an adjustment mechanism (16) configured to enable a user of the breast milk collector to select the spring force of the spring (15).

[0142] 11. A breast milk collector (10) according to embodiment 10, wherein the adjustment mechanism (16) is configured to provide a self-locking selection of the spring force of the spring (15); optionally, the adjustment mechanism includes a worm gear that can be rotated by a user in a first direction to increase the spring force of the spring, and can be rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction to reduce the spring force of the spring.

[0143] 12. A breast milk collector (10) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein the elastically deformable component (11B; 12, 13, 14, 15) comprises an elastically deformable wall segment (11B) of the container; optionally, wherein the wall segment comprises a folded wall segment.

[0144] 13. A breast milk collector (10) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 12, wherein a portion (11C) of the container (11) can be switched between being added to the wall portion (11A) and thereby increasing the area of ​​the wall portion acted upon by the elastically deformable component (11B; 12, 13, 14, 15), and being removed from the wall portion and thereby reducing the area of ​​the wall portion acted upon by the elastically deformable component.

[0145] 14. The breast milk collector (10) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 13, wherein the container (11) is configured as a breast milk collection container.

[0146] 15. A method of docking a breast milk collector (10) with a mother's breast, the breast milk collector comprising a container (11) which is partially connected to an elastically deformable component (11B; 12, 13, 14, 15), the method comprising:

[0147] attaching a breast milk collector to the breast; and

[0148] A force is applied to the wall portion along a compression axis (CD) to compress the container and thereby provide a negative pressure in the container, the force causing deformation of the wall portion along the compression axis to be less than deformation of the elastically deformable component along the compression axis.

Claims

1. A breast milk collector (10) for collecting milk from a mother's breast, the breast milk collector comprising a container (11), the container being partially defined by a wall portion (11A), the breast milk collector being attachable to the breast so that at least part of the breast can withstand negative pressure generated after the wall portion is displaced to compress the container, wherein the wall portion (11A) is coupled to an elastically deformable component (11B; 12, 13, 14, 15), the wall portion being displaceable along a compression axis (CD) so as to deform the elastically deformable component and compress the container, wherein the wall portion is less deformable along the compression axis than the elastically deformable component under a force directed along the compression axis, Features The breast milk collector (10) is configured to include at least one of the following features: (i) the elastically deformable component (11B; 12, 13, 14, 15) is configurable to adjust a spring force of the elastically deformable component, the spring force resisting displacement of the wall portion (11A) along the compression axis (CD); and (ii) The wall portion (11A) is configurable to adjust the wall portion area of ​​the wall portion acted upon by the elastically deformable component (11B; 12, 13, 14, 15).

2. A breast milk collector (10) according to claim 1, comprising a rigid chassis (14) for supporting the container (11), and a lever (12) connected to the chassis, the lever being arranged to apply a resistance on the wall portion (11A), the resistance resisting the displacement of the wall portion along the compression axis (CD).

3. A breast milk collector (10) according to claim 2, wherein the lever (12) is arranged to pull or push the wall portion (11A) towards a stopper (ST), which prevents displacement of the wall portion during expansion of the container (11).

4. A breast milk collector (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the elastically deformable component (11B; 12, 13, 14, 15) includes a spring (15) located between the base (14) and the lever (12), and the spring is arranged to bias the lever (12) to apply the resistance on the wall portion (11A).

5. The breast milk collector (10) according to claim 4, wherein the spring (15) comprises a constant force spring; and / or wherein the spring comprises a torsion spring.

6. A breast milk collector (10) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the wall portion (11A) is capable of moving along the compression axis (CD) from an initial position corresponding to an uncompressed state of the container (11) to a final position reached at the maximum displacement of the wall portion, and the spring (15) is configured so that when the wall portion is in the initial position, the spring force of the spring is at least 80%, preferably at least 90% of the spring force of the spring when the wall portion is in the final position.

7. The breast milk collector (10) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the spring (15) is configurable such that a spring force of the spring can be selected.

8. The breast milk collector (10) according to claim 7, comprising an adjustment mechanism (16) configured to enable a user of the breast milk collector to select the spring force of the spring (15).

9. A breast milk collector (10) according to claim 8, wherein the adjustment mechanism (16) is configured to provide a self-locking selection of the spring force of the spring (15); optionally, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a worm gear, which can be rotated by a user in a first direction to increase the spring force of the spring, and can be rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction to reduce the spring force of the spring.

10. A breast milk collector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the elastically deformable component (11B; 12, 13, 14, 15) comprises an elastically deformable wall segment (11B) of the container; optionally, wherein the wall segment comprises a folded wall segment.

11. A breast milk collector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a portion (11C) of the container (11) can be switched between being added to the wall portion (11A) and thereby increasing the area of ​​the wall portion acted upon by the elastically deformable component (11B; 12, 13, 14, 15), and being removed from the wall portion and thereby reducing the area of ​​the wall portion acted upon by the elastically deformable component.

12. The breast milk collector (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the container (11) is configured as a breast milk collection container.

13. A method of docking a breast milk collector (10) with a mother's breast, the breast milk collector comprising a container (11) that is partially connected to an elastically deformable component (11B; 12, 13, 14, 15) is defined by a wall portion (11A), the method comprising: attaching the breast milk collector to the breast; and applying a force to the wall portion along a compression axis (CD) to compress the container and thereby provide a negative pressure in the container, the force causing a deformation of the wall portion along the compression axis to be less than a deformation of the elastically deformable component along the compression axis, Characterized in that the method comprises at least one of the following steps: (i) configuring the elastically deformable component (11B; 12, 13, 14, 15) to adjust a spring force of the elastically deformable component, the spring force resisting displacement of the wall portion (11A) along the compression axis (CD); and (ii) Adjusting the wall portion area of ​​the wall portion acted upon by the elastically deformable component (11B; 12, 13, 14, 15).

Images