Breast pump system having breast pump device and sensor device

By introducing a detachable sensor device into the breast pump system and using electromagnetic waves to measure milk volume, the problems of inaccurate measurement and difficult cleaning in the existing technology are solved, and reliable measurement and convenient cleaning of milk volume are achieved.

CN120676975APending Publication Date: 2025-09-19MEDRAD INC
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202480011967.1
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-02-10
Filing Date
2024-02-06
Publication Date
2025-09-19

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing breast pump systems suffer from inaccuracies and complications when measuring milk volume, particularly due to the effects of gas volume and the difficulty of cleaning the device.

Method used

A breast pump system is designed, which includes a breast pump device and a sensor device. The sensor device measures milk volume through a transmitter and a receiver. The sensor device has a detachable design for easy cleaning, uses electromagnetic waves for precise measurement, and forms close contact with a temporary reservoir through a shell to improve measurement accuracy.

Benefits of technology

It enables reliable measurement of milk volume and easy cleaning, reduces costs and improves measurement accuracy, and is suitable for environments with multiple breast pump devices.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a breast pump system (1) configured to accumulate milk (M) extruded from a breast of a suckling mother in a temporary reservoir or in the temporary reservoir and a container (200), the breast pump system (1) having a breast pump device (100) and a sensor device (2) arranged to measure a volume of the extruded milk (M) resting in the temporary reservoir, the breast pump device (100) comprises:-a temporary reservoir housing (112) surrounding a temporary reservoir; -an interface body (110) holding the temporary reservoir housing (112), the interface body in particular adapted to have and / or hold each of a container (200) and / or a suction pump for generating a vacuum in the temporary reservoir and / or a breast interface (300) designed to form a fluid seal against the breast; the sensor device (2) comprises:-at least one transmitter (24) adapted to transmit electromagnetic waves; -at least one receiver (34) adapted to receive electromagnetic waves and adapted to generate a receiver signal as a function of reception of the electromagnetic waves; -wherein the at least one transmitter (24) and the at least one receiver (34) are held by the housing (4) of the sensor device (2); and-a controller (40) held by the housing (4), the controller being adapted to control the at least one transmitter (24) and the at least one receiver (34) and to receive the receiver signals,-wherein the sensor device (2) is configured to be detachable from the breast pump device (100), and wherein the housing (4) is adapted, in terms of size and shape, to at least partially surround the temporary reservoir housing (112).
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Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a breast pump system configured to collect milk expressed from a nursing mother's breast in a temporary reservoir, in particular a container. The system comprises a breast pump device and a sensor device. The sensor device is configured to measure the volume of expressed milk, in particular resting in the temporary reservoir.

[0002] Such a breast pump is known, for example, from WO 2022 / 038006 A1. In this known breast pump, the first expressed milk can be detected when it reaches the bottom of the container. However, this measuring principle is insufficient for efficient milk expression because it does not quantify the actual amount / volume of milk in the container.

[0003] The breast pump of WO 2018 / 229504 A1 can quantify the amount of milk. However, the measurement is adversely affected by the gas volume above the milk, which may contain milk vapor, air, and contaminants.

[0004] The breast pump of EP 3 610 900 A1 can quantify the amount of milk in the container by means of a transmitter and a receiver. However, this solution is rather complex.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a breast pump system which provides a reliable measurement of the volume of expressed milk and / or quantification of the actual amount of milk in a temporary reservoir, and in particular in a container. In particular, the breast pump system can be cleaned more easily.

[0006] As a solution to this problem, a breast pump system is proposed, which is configured to accumulate milk expressed from a breast of a nursing mother in a temporary reservoir or in a temporary reservoir and a container, the breast pump system comprising a breast pump device and a sensor device configured to measure the volume of the expressed milk remaining in the temporary reservoir. The breast pump device comprises:

[0007] - a temporary reservoir housing which surrounds the temporary reservoir; and

[0008] - an interface body holding a temporary reservoir housing;

[0009] - wherein the interface body may be adapted to have at least one of the following connected in a removable manner to the interface body and / or to hold at least one of the following: a container and / or a suction pump for generating a vacuum in the temporary reservoir and / or a breast interface designed for forming a fluid seal against the breast;

[0010] The sensor device includes:

[0011] - at least one transmitter, at least one transmitter being adapted to transmit electromagnetic waves; and

[0012] - at least one receiver, the at least one receiver being adapted to receive electromagnetic waves and to generate a receiver signal based on the reception of the electromagnetic waves;

[0013] wherein the at least one transmitter and the at least one receiver are held by a housing of the sensor device.

[0014] The sensor device also includes:

[0015] a controller held by the housing, the controller being adapted to control the at least one transmitter and the at least one receiver and to receive receiver signals,

[0016] - wherein the sensor device is configured to be detachable from the breast pump device, and wherein the housing is adapted in size and shape to at least partially surround the temporary reservoir housing.

[0017] Therefore, a breast pump device should house the temporary reservoir in a temporary reservoir housing. The housing should be supported by an interface body. The body can be connected to, can hold, and / or can contain: a container, a suction pump for generating negative pressure in the temporary reservoir, and / or a breast interface such as a funnel for a human breast.

[0018] The sensor device should include: a housing; a controller supported by the housing; a transmitter for transmitting waves, in particular light; and a receiver for receiving the waves. The receiver should generate a receiver signal associated with the reception of the waves. Both the transmitter and the receiver should be supported / held by the housing. Furthermore, the sensor device is intended to be attachable to a breast pump device. In particular, the size and shape of the housing are selected to at least partially surround the temporary reservoir housing.

[0019] The present invention enables the sensor device, including the controller, transmitter, and receiver, to be separated from the breast pump device. This makes it easier to clean the breast pump device, for example underwater. Thus, the controller, transmitter, and receiver can be easily removed and used with a different breast pump device and / or easily removed when the breast pump device needs to be cleaned. For example, if multiple breast pump devices are used in an environment, the environment can utilize multiple sensor devices, which can save costs.

[0020] The housing may have a first section and a second section, each of which protrudes separately from the housing body of the housing at a certain distance (relative to each other), in particular so as to at least partially surround the temporary reservoir housing. In other words, there may be two sections of the housing that are at a certain distance from each other, i.e., with a gap between the two sections, so that the temporary reservoir housing can fit into the gap. The two sections can allow a large surface area to be exposed to the temporary reservoir housing, so that the measurement value of the milk in the temporary reservoir can be more accurate.

[0021] This distance can at least correspond to the width of the temporary reservoir housing, perpendicular to the milk path in the temporary reservoir. The milk path can be arranged at least substantially vertically, in particular from the top and / or inlet of the reservoir to the bottom and / or outlet of the reservoir. The milk path particularly defines the flow direction of the milk in the temporary reservoir. Therefore, these segments can be closely facing the temporary reservoir (housing) to enable more accurate milk measurement.

[0022] The housing may have a connection region, in particular a connection region relative to the segments, wherein the connection region may be adapted to establish a positive-locking contact with the temporary reservoir housing by means of a pushing action, in particular by means of deformation of the segments and / or the temporary reservoir housing. The connection region may be a fork and / or a V-shaped and / or a U-shaped region, in particular, wherein each segment represents a segment of a U-shaped or V-shaped region. The connection region may comprise a portion of the outer shape of the temporary reservoir housing. The segments and / or the temporary reservoir housing may be designed to deform elastically when the sensor device is removed from / attached to the breast pump device. This enables a loss-proof connection and user-friendly, easy attachment / detachment.

[0023] The housing may have an enclosure section that at least partially surrounds the temporary reservoir housing. The enclosure section may have at least one protrusion suitable for gripping the temporary reservoir housing. The enclosure section may be shaped so as to be form-fitting with the temporary reservoir housing. The enclosure section may have two opposing protrusions, in particular, each protrusion being arranged at a section. The enclosure section may span the width of the temporary reservoir housing, the width of the enclosure section being in particular at most 10% smaller than the width of the temporary reservoir housing. In particular, the housing, the sections, the temporary reservoir housing and / or the interface body may be made of plastic. This achieves a secure connection that can in particular provide a memorable sound during attachment / detachment.

[0024] The interface body may comprise at least one support region for the housing, wherein, when the sensor device is arranged to measure expressed milk in the temporary reservoir, the housing is restrained along the path of the milk in the temporary reservoir by means of the support region. The support region may comprise a surface, in particular a circular surface. The support region may enable reliable placement of the sensor device when attaching it to the breast pump device, without requiring zeroing of the sensor device relative to the milk volume in the temporary reservoir, so as to achieve reproducible measurements.

[0025] The temporary reservoir housing may have a valve and an outlet relative to the valve. The temporary reservoir housing may be arranged to communicate with the container via the valve. For example, the valve may be a passive valve that opens when the pressure in the temporary reservoir changes, in particular when the pressure in the temporary reservoir increases. The valve may have a temporary reservoir section that at least partially protrudes into the temporary reservoir. The temporary reservoir section can be used to raise / elevate the effective zero level of the milk volume in the temporary reservoir. The temporary reservoir section can be understood as a displacement body that displaces the volume in the temporary reservoir using a portion of the valve. This facilitates measurement and allows the measurement to be performed in an area that is more easily accessible to electromagnetic waves and is further away from the lowest point of the temporary reservoir (housing).

[0026] The breast pump system may be without a container, preferably so that the milk is accumulated only in a temporary reservoir (housing).

[0027] The temporary reservoir (housing) may comprise a valve and / or may not comprise a valve or an outlet, which is in particular arranged at the bottom of the temporary reservoir (housing).

[0028] The temporary reservoir (housing) can be designed to accumulate very small amounts of milk in the range of 0 up to a maximum of 5 ml, 10 ml, 25 ml or 50 ml, in particular without any accumulation in a container separate from the temporary reservoir (housing).

[0029] At least one or more transmitters are located in at least one of the segments, and at least one or more receivers are located in at least one of the segments. Specifically, at least one transmitter and at least one receiver, or a plurality of receivers and a plurality of receivers, may be located in the same or different segments. In other words, the transmitters and receivers may all be located in one segment, or they may be distributed across two segments. In any case, this configuration enables accurate measurement of milk in the temporary reservoir.

[0030] The sensor device may further comprise at least one further transmitter adapted to transmit further electromagnetic waves.

[0031] The sensor device may further comprise at least one further receiver adapted to receive a further electromagnetic wave and to generate a further receiver signal in dependence on the reception of the further electromagnetic wave.

[0032] The further electromagnetic waves are preferably intended to be reflected by milk that may be contained in the container, in order to enable the measurement of, for example, the filling level within the container. For example, the further transmitter and the further receiver can be arranged and configured so as to direct the further electromagnetic waves at different filling levels towards the temporary reservoir and / or the container, wherein the further electromagnetic waves are reflected in the presence of milk at different filling levels.

[0033] In particular, the controller may be adapted to control at least one further transmitter and at least one further receiver and to receive further receiver signals.

[0034] In particular, at least one further transmitter and at least one further receiver are held by the housing of the sensor device.The further transmitter and the further receiver can be held adjacent to each other and / or in pairs, for example, within a section of the first section and the second section.

[0035] At least one further transmitter may be held in at least one of the segments, in particular the first segment and the second segment.

[0036] At least one further receptacle may be held in at least one of the segments, in particular the first segment and the second segment.

[0037] In particular, in order to reflect further electromagnetic waves and correspondingly receive these waves at least essentially at the same position, in particular to measure the fill level of milk in a container, for example, at least one further transmitter and at least one further receiver can be held together in pairs and / or adjacently in the same section.

[0038] At least one further transmitter and / or at least one further receiver may be located at an outer surface of the housing.The outer surface may be an outer surface of one of the segments, in particular the first segment and the second segment, in particular an outer surface facing away from the other segment.

[0039] The at least one transmitter and / or the at least one receiver may be located at an inner surface of the housing.The inner surface may be an inner surface of one of the segments, in particular the first segment and the second segment, in particular an inner surface facing the other segment.

[0040] Milk in the container and / or temporary storage may act as a reflector for (further) electromagnetic waves from the (further) transmitter. The reflected (further) electromagnetic waves may be detected / captured by the (further) receiver. When no milk is present in the container and / or temporary storage, no or at least less (further) electromagnetic waves may be reflected than would be the case if milk were present in the container and / or temporary storage.

[0041] At least one printed circuit board may be provided in the housing to support at least one transmitter, at least one receiver and / or at least part of the controller. The printed circuit board may be used to electrically connect and position the transmitter, receiver and / or controller.

[0042] A battery received in the housing for powering the controller may be provided. Thus, an enhanced autonomy of the breast pump system may be achieved.

[0043] A connection means connected to the controller may be provided. The connection means may be used to transmit the measured milk volume to an end user device and / or an end user. This may enhance usability.

[0044] The milk path in the temporary reservoir can be arranged between the outlet of the temporary reservoir and the suction orifice of the temporary reservoir. The suction orifice can be connected to a suction pump of a breast pump system, for example, via a hose or tube, or directly to the suction pump, in particular wherein the suction pump can be configured to apply a vacuum to the suction orifice. Milk expressed by means of the suction pump can accumulate in the temporary reservoir. This allows for a stable fluid level that can be easily measured, in particular with the aid of a sensor device.

[0045] The above-mentioned sensor devices can be provided independently for the purpose of the present invention.

[0046] According to another solution, a sensor device may be provided for measuring the volume of milk expressed from the breast of a nursing mother.

[0047] The volume to be measured may be the volume of milk lying in a temporary reservoir of a breast pump device, the breast pump device being configured to accumulate expressed milk in the temporary reservoir, the breast pump device being a breast pump device as described herein and / or comprising:

[0048] a temporary reservoir housing surrounding the temporary reservoir;

[0049] An interface body that holds the temporary reservoir housing and is adapted to have removably connected to the interface body and / or to hold: a container, and / or a suction pump for creating a vacuum in the temporary reservoir, and / or a breast interface designed to form a fluid seal against the breast.

[0050] According to the solution, the sensor device may be a sensor device as described herein and / or the sensor device may comprise:

[0051] at least one transmitter, the at least one transmitter being adapted to transmit electromagnetic waves;

[0052] at least one receiver adapted to receive electromagnetic waves and generate a receiver signal based on the reception of the electromagnetic waves;

[0053] wherein at least one transmitter and at least one receiver are held by a housing of the sensor device; and

[0054] a controller held by the housing, the controller being adapted to control the at least one transmitter and the at least one receiver and to receive receiver signals,

[0055] The housing has a first section and a second section that protrude from the housing body at a certain distance, with a gap between the first section and the second section.

[0056] and / or wherein the sensor device is configured to be detachable from the breast pump device,

[0057] And / or wherein the housing is sized and shaped to at least partially surround the temporary reservoir housing.

[0058] In particular and in other words, the above solution of the sensor device comprises that the sensor device can be easily handled by:

[0059] By having a free space between the two projections, it is preferably shaped such that at least a portion of the temporary reservoir housing and / or container can fit in the gap.

[0060] By being designed as an attachment to a breast pump device, and / or

[0061] The via is designed to at least partially surround the temporary reservoir housing.

[0062] The sensor device itself is therefore a solution to the specific problem of quantifying the volume of milk in a temporary reservoir or container in which the milk can be quantified with respect to being sufficiently hygienic.

[0063] According to another solution, a sensor device may be provided, which is equipped with any of the features mentioned in this application, in particular parts of the features mentioned herein.

[0064] Other details, advantages or features of the present invention will become particularly apparent from the following description of the specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the rest of the specification. In the accompanying drawings:

[0065] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a breast pump system having a breast pump device and a sensor device in a separated state,

[0066] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a breast pump system in an attached state,

[0067] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the interior of the sensor device,

[0068] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the sensor device, and

[0069] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of a temporary reservoir of a breast pump device.

[0070] Reference Figure 1 , shows a breast pump system 1 configured to accumulate milk M expressed from a breast of a nursing mother in a temporary reservoir and container 200. The breast pump system 1 has a breast pump device 100 and a sensor device 2 arranged to measure the volume of the expressed milk M resting in the temporary reservoir. The sensor device 2 can be attached to the breast pump device 100; Figure 2 The corresponding attachment status is shown in Figure 2 A container 200 is schematically shown in FIG.

[0071] The suction orifice 120 of the breast pump device 100 can be connected to a suction pump (not shown) of the breast pump system 1 , eg via a hose.

[0072] The breast pump device 100 comprises a temporary reservoir housing 112 surrounding a temporary reservoir and an interface body 110 holding the temporary reservoir housing 112. The interface body 110 is adapted to have the following removably connected to the interface body: a container 200, a suction pump for creating a vacuum in the temporary reservoir, and a breast interface 300 designed to form a fluid seal against the breast.

[0073] In particular, the interface body 110 may hold, for example, a container 200 incorporated therein or at the interface body 110 , in particular wherein both the container 200 and the temporary reservoir housing 112 may be incorporated therein or at the interface body 110 .

[0074] With particular reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 , shows the sensor device 2. Figure 3 In FIG, the sensor device 2 is shown without the housing 4 of the sensor device. Figure 4 In the embodiment, the housing 4 substantially surrounds Figure 3 The content shown in .

[0075] The sensor device 2 has a housing 4 (see in particular Figure 4 ), having a transmitter 24 suitable for transmitting electromagnetic waves (see in particular Figure 3 ) and having a receiver 34 adapted to receive electromagnetic waves and to generate a receiver signal in response to the reception of the electromagnetic waves (see in particular Figure 3 ).

[0076] The transmitter 24 and / or the receiver 34 can transmit / receive electromagnetic waves along the linear path 10. The paths are preferably directed between their sections 20, 30.

[0077] Transmitter 24 and receiver 34 are held by housing 4 of sensor device 2 .

[0078] The transmitter 24 and the receiver 34 are each located at an inner surface of the segments 20, 30, wherein there are two inner surfaces facing each other, see Figure 4 .

[0079] Figure 4 Not shown in FIG, there may be at least one further transmitter and at least one further receiver located at the outer surface of the housing, wherein, however, Figure 4 There are two outer surfaces in . Figure 4 In the context of FIG, an outer surface is an outer surface at each of the segments 20 , 30 , wherein the outer surfaces face away from the other segment 20 , 30 , in particular from each other.

[0080] A controller 40 is held by the housing 4 and is adapted to control the transmitter 24 and receiver 34 and to receive receiver signals.

[0081] The sensor device 2 is configured to be detachable from the breast pump device 100 .

[0082] A plurality of transmitters 24 are held in the first section 20 of the housing 4 , and a plurality of receivers 34 are held in the second section 30 of the housing 4 .

[0083] Three printed circuit boards 22, 32, 42 are provided in the housing 4 to support the transmitter 24, receiver 34 and / or parts of the controller 40 or the controller 40. The printed circuit boards 22, 32, 42 are used to electrically connect and position the transmitter 24, receiver 34 and / or controller 40.

[0084] The two printed circuit boards 22 , 32 are arranged at least substantially perpendicularly relative to the printed circuit board 42 .

[0085] The printed circuit boards 22, 32, 42 may be bendable, for example, around a corner, for example, 90 degrees or 180 degrees. Thus, a smaller number, for example one or two, rather than more than two printed circuit boards 22, 32, 42 may be used.

[0086] It is not shown that exactly two printed circuit boards 22, 32, 42 or even exactly one printed circuit board 22, 32, 42 are provided, in particular in order to support the transmitter 24, the receiver 34 and / or parts of the controller 40 or an embodiment of the controller 40. A battery 44 (not shown) is provided, which is received in the housing 4 to power the controller 40.

[0087] A connection 46 to the controller 40 is provided.

[0088] The housing 4 is adapted in size and shape to at least partially surround the temporary reservoir housing 112 .

[0089] The housing 4 has a first section 20 and a second section 30 that protrude from the housing body 6 of the housing 4 at a distance 8 to partially surround the temporary reservoir housing 112. There is a gap between the two sections 20, 30 so that the temporary reservoir housing 112 fits in the gap.

[0090] The distance 8 corresponds to the width 114 of the temporary reservoir housing 112 perpendicular to the milk path P in the temporary reservoir (see Figure 1 ). The sensor device 2 can be attached to and detached from the breast pump device 100 in a direction perpendicular to the milk path P.

[0091] The housing 4 has a connection region 12 relative to the sections 20, 30, wherein the connection region 12 is adapted to establish a positive-locking contact with the temporary reservoir housing 112 by means of a pushing action. The connection region 12 has a fork and / or U-shaped form, wherein each section 20, 30 represents a U-shaped section of a U-shaped form. The connection region 12 comprises a portion of the outer shape of the temporary reservoir housing 112. The sections 20, 30 and the temporary reservoir housing 112 are designed to each elastically deform when the sensor device 2 is removed from / attached to the breast pump device 100.

[0092] The housing 4 includes a surrounding section 13 that at least partially surrounds the temporary reservoir housing 112. The surrounding section 13 has two protrusions adapted to grip the temporary reservoir housing 112. The surrounding section 13 is shaped to form a positive fit with the temporary reservoir housing 112. The surrounding section 13 has two opposing protrusions, each located at one of the sections 20 and 30. The surrounding section 13 spans a width that is less than 5% of the width 114 of the temporary reservoir housing 112. The housing 4, sections 20 and 30, the temporary reservoir housing 112, and / or the interface body 110 are made of plastic.

[0093] Reference Figure 1 The interface body 110 has at least one support area 126 for the housing 4, wherein, when the sensor device 2 is arranged to measure expressed milk M in the temporary reservoir, the housing 4 is restrained along the milk path P in the temporary reservoir by means of the support area 126. The support area 126 has a surface with a circular shape.

[0094] Reference Figure 2 The sensor device 2 is attached to the breast pump device 100 to measure the volume of expressed milk M residing in the temporary reservoir. The expressed milk M can be temporarily collected in the temporary reservoir. The sensor device 2 can estimate the volume of milk M in the temporary reservoir, for example, by observing the filling level. For example, when the transmitter 24 transmits electromagnetic waves toward and / or through the temporary reservoir, the receiver 34 can generate a receiver signal that depends on the presence of milk, in particular, on the volume of expressed milk M residing in the temporary reservoir.

[0095] In particular, in order to measure the volume of expressed milk M remaining in the temporary reservoir, the receiver 34 can generate a receiver signal based on electromagnetic waves transmitted through the temporary reservoir and / or reflected by the temporary reservoir and / or based on electromagnetic waves transmitted through the milk M and / or reflected by the milk M.

[0096] In particular, reference is made to EP 3610900 A1 regarding the basic principles of measuring the volume of expressed milk M.

[0097] Reference Figure 5, the temporary reservoir housing 112 has a valve 116 and an outlet 118 relative to the valve 116. The temporary reservoir housing 112 is arranged to communicate with the container 200 via the valve 116. The valve 116 is a passive valve 116 that opens when the pressure in the temporary reservoir changes. The valve 116 has a temporary reservoir section 117 that protrudes at least partially into the temporary reservoir. The temporary reservoir section 117 can substantially raise the lowest fluid level in the temporary reservoir (i.e., at the fill level zero). The temporary reservoir section 117 is optional and passively reduces the volume that may not be observed and / or measured by the sensor device 2.

[0098] The milk path P in the temporary reservoir is arranged between the outlet 118 of the temporary reservoir and the suction orifice 120 of the temporary reservoir.

[0099] The suction orifice 120 may include and / or be equipped with a media separation membrane, which may be a flexible media separation membrane, and which may prevent milk from entering the tube, hose, and / or path leading to the suction pump.

[0100] Reference Signs List

[0101] 1 Breast pump system

[0102] 2 Sensor device

[0103] 4 Housing

[0104] 6 Shell body

[0105] 8 Distance

[0106] 10 Linear Path

[0107] 12 Connection Area

[0108] 13 surrounding sections

[0109] 20 First Section

[0110] 22 printed circuit boards

[0111] 24 transmitters

[0112] 30 Second Section

[0113] 32 printed circuit boards

[0114] 34 Receiver

[0115] 40 Controller

[0116] 42 printed circuit boards

[0117] 44 Batteries

[0118] 46 Connecting device

[0119] 100 Breast Pump Device

[0120] 110 interface body

[0121] 112 Temporary storage housing

[0122] 114 Width

[0123] 116 valve

[0124] 117 Temporary storage section

[0125] Exit 118

[0126] 120 Suction port

[0127] 126 Support Area

[0128] 200 containers

[0129] 300 Breast Port

[0130] M expressed milk

[0131] P milk pathway

Claims

1. A breast pump system (1) configured to accumulate milk (M) expressed from a breast of a nursing mother in a temporary reservoir or in a temporary reservoir and a container (200), the breast pump system (1) comprising a breast pump device (100) and a sensor device (2), the sensor device (2) being configured to measure the volume of the expressed milk (M) resting in the temporary reservoir, the breast pump device (100) comprising: - a temporary reservoir housing (112) which surrounds the temporary reservoir; an interface body (110) holding the temporary reservoir housing (112), the interface body (110) being particularly adapted to have the following connected in a removable manner to the interface body (110) and / or to hold the container (200) and / or a suction pump for generating a vacuum in the temporary reservoir and / or a breast interface (300) designed to form a fluid-tight seal against the breast; The sensor device (2) comprises: - at least one transmitter (24) adapted to transmit electromagnetic waves; - at least one receiver (34) adapted to receive the electromagnetic waves and to generate a receiver signal in dependence on the reception of the electromagnetic waves; - wherein the at least one transmitter (24) and the at least one receiver (34) are held by a housing (4) of the sensor device (2); and a controller (40) held by the housing (4), the controller (40) being adapted to control the at least one transmitter (24) and the at least one receiver (34) and to receive the receiver signal, - wherein the sensor device (2) is configured to be detachable from the breast pump device (100), and wherein the housing (4) is adapted in size and shape to at least partially surround the temporary reservoir housing (112).

2. The breast pump system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The housing (4) has a first section (20) and a second section (30), each of the first section (20) and the second section (30) protruding separately from the housing body (6) of the housing (4) at a distance (8) to at least partially surround the temporary reservoir housing (112).

3. The breast pump system (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The distance (8) corresponds at least to the width (114) of the temporary reservoir housing (112) perpendicular to the milk path (P) in the temporary reservoir.

4. A breast pump system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The housing (4) has a connection region (12), in particular a connection region (12) relative to the sections (20, 30), wherein the connection region (12) is suitable for establishing a positive contact with the temporary reservoir housing (112) by means of a pushing action, in particular by means of a deformation of the sections (20, 30) and / or the temporary reservoir housing (112).

5. A breast pump system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The housing (4) has an enclosure section (13) which at least partially surrounds the temporary reservoir housing (112).

6. The breast pump system (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that The surrounding section (13) has at least one protrusion adapted to grip the temporary reservoir housing (112).

7. A breast pump system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The interface body (110) has at least one support area for the housing (4), wherein, when the sensor device (2) is arranged to measure the expressed milk (M) in the temporary reservoir, the housing (4) is constrained along the milk path (P) in the temporary reservoir by means of the support area.

8. Breast pump system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The temporary reservoir housing (112) has a valve (116) and an outlet (118) relative to the valve (116), and the temporary reservoir housing (112) is arranged to communicate with the container (200) via the valve (116), wherein the valve has a temporary reservoir section (117) that at least partially protrudes into the temporary reservoir.

9. A breast pump system (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that At least one transmitter or a plurality of transmitters (24) is held in at least one of the sections (20, 30), and at least one receiver or a plurality of receivers (34) is held in at least one of the sections (20, 30), in particular, the at least one transmitter (24) and the at least one receiver (34) or the plurality of transmitters and the plurality of receivers are located in the same or different sections (20, 30).

10. A breast pump system (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterised in that The sensor device (2) further comprises: - at least one further transmitter adapted to transmit further electromagnetic waves, and at least one further receiver adapted to receive the further electromagnetic wave, in particular the further electromagnetic wave reflected at the container (200), and to generate a further receiver signal in dependence on the reception of the further electromagnetic wave, - wherein the controller (40) is further adapted to control the at least one further transmitter and the at least one further receiver and to receive the further receiver signal, - and wherein the at least one further transmitter and the at least one further receiver are held by the housing (4) of the sensor device (2), in particular adjacent to each other and / or in pairs.

11. The breast pump system (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that The at least one further transmitter and the at least one further receiver are held together and / or adjacently in at least one of the sections (20, 30).

12. Breast pump system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that At least one printed circuit board (22, 32, 42) is located in the housing (8) for supporting at least a portion of the at least one transmitter (24), the at least one receiver (34), and / or the controller (40).

13. Breast pump system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A battery (44) is received within the housing (4) to power the controller (40) and / or a connection device (46) connected to the controller (40).

14. Breast pump system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A milk path (P) in the temporary reservoir (112) is arranged between an outlet (118) of the temporary reservoir (112) and a suction orifice (120) of the temporary reservoir (112).

15. A sensor device (2) arranged to measure the volume of milk (M) expressed from a breast of a nursing mother, the sensor device comprising: - at least one transmitter (24) adapted to transmit electromagnetic waves; - at least one receiver (34) adapted to receive the electromagnetic waves and to generate a receiver signal in dependence on the reception of the electromagnetic waves; - wherein the at least one transmitter (24) and the at least one receiver (34) are held by a housing (4) of the sensor device (2); and a controller (40) held by the housing (4), the controller (40) being adapted to control the at least one transmitter (24) and the at least one receiver (34) and to receive the receiver signal, -Wherein, the housing (4) has a first section (20) and a second section (30), the first section (20) and the second section (30) protrude separately from the housing body (6) of the housing (4) at a distance (8), and there is a gap between the first section (20) and the second section (30).

16. Sensor device (2) according to claim 15, comprising any of the characterising features of claims 2 to 14.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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