Milk collection module for manual lactation of milk from the female breast

Abstract

A milk extraction module for the female breast (6) with a collecting container for collecting the lactated milk, which is connected to the milk extraction module (1), wherein the milk extraction module (1) is designed as a milking sleeve with an opening (10) for the lactated milk, such that it has at least one flexible part with which the milking sleeve can be tightly placed on the female breast (6), at least on the nipples, and is designed such that the female breast tightly enclosed by the milk extraction module can be grasped with the fingers of one hand and manual milking pressure can be applied to the nipple (7) and the adjacent areas (8) to induce lactation. The flexible part of the milk extraction module is designed as a type of glove with protrusions (2) for the fingers of one hand, such that the female breast (6) can be enclosed with the fingers of one hand and manual milking pressure can be applied to induce lactation.characterized in that a valve (9) is arranged at the opening (10) for the lactated milk.,

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a milk extraction module for the female breast with a collecting container for collecting the lactated milk, which is connected to the milk extraction module.

[0002] It can be important to obtain breast milk from a woman's breast without a breastfeeding baby. The reasons for not allowing a child to suckle directly from the mother's breast can vary widely. Examples include: - Prematurity or illness of the child - the mother's milk supply should be increased, - sore or injured nipples, - in the case of illnesses of the mother that do not allow her to breastfeed the child and the breast still needs to be emptied.

[0003] For purely practical reasons, it may also be desirable to enable someone other than the mother to feed the infant with breast milk.

[0004] Three effects are known for breast milk secretion that cause breast milk to come out of the breast: A) There is an internal pressure in the breast itself, caused by the effect of oxytocin transmitted via the bloodstream. The oxytocin causes the immediate contraction of the small muscles that surround the milk-producing cells (alveoli). This effect is also known as the milk ejection reflex. It is most strongly elicited and positively influenced by nipple stimulation combined with relaxation, warmth, freedom from anxiety and pain, and gentle massage at all suitable points on the mother's body. An important difference to the effects mentioned below is that the milk flows simply by the milk sacs being compressed internally. Without the oxytocin, there would be virtually no milk secretion, even with a fully engorged breast and strong sucking. B) Another effect that causes milk to flow from the breast is significant mechanical pressure applied to the female breast, which will be referred to as milking pressure because its nature is similar to the hand-milking process known from animal husbandry. On the one hand (variant B1), this pressure can be generated quite naturally by the child by exerting a milking-chewing motion on the areola and nipple using the palate, tongue, cheeks, and jaw ridges. On the other hand, a pressure very similar to that exerted by the child (variant B1) can be exerted on the areola by milking finger movements of the mother or an assistant (variant B2). This rhythmically applied milking pressure, in conjunction with an active milk ejection reflex (effect A), is sufficient on its own to empty full breasts in a short time. A major disadvantage of variant B2 is that collecting the milk is problematic.This is because up to 20 milk ducts are distributed over the entire nipple tip and the milk can squirt for several meters in all directions. C) The third known effect that causes milk secretion is the negative pressure or suction pressure exerted on the breast by the infant or a breast pump. The disadvantage of using pumps is that they place a strong strain on the nipples. The negative pressure exerted by an electric breast pump is significantly higher than that exerted by an infant and can be adjusted up to 300 mmHg. However, an infant only creates a negative pressure of 55 to 150 mmHg. With hard nipples, milk extraction with a pump is very difficult or even impossible.

[0005] These three effects A, B and C can interact in different ways to result in milk secretion.

[0006] In the case of an infant being breastfed directly at the breast, all three effects A, B and C work together. This means that when effect A is at work, a healthy infant causes effect C through sucking and at the same time causes effect B1 with the palate, tongue, etc. as described above.

[0007] US 7,607,965 B1, for example, discloses a type of suction extension for breastfeeding mothers who do not want to expose their breasts in public. The suction extension is attached to the mother's bra, and the end of this extension is guided to the infant's mouth, which then sucks the milk from the breast. US 7,607,965 B1 merely represents a connecting piece between the mother's breast and the infant being breastfed. Only effects A and C are effective.

[0008] Another method for inducing milk secretion is expressing breast milk or emptying the breast by hand. Only effects A and variant B2 are used here. In 2003, the inventor herself described a method of extracting breast milk by hand in a video she published (instructional video from the breastfeeding practice by E. Kurth, IBCLC: "Expressing Breast Milk - Emptying the Breast by Hand", 2003). The only tool required is a collecting container. With this method, the woman can exert rhythmic, precisely controlled, milking mechanical pressure on the areola area, which, in combination with oxytocin, is entirely sufficient to thoroughly empty a full breast. This pressure also stimulates the nerves, which, as described above, is necessary for milk ejection. The application of this milking mechanical pressure, along with the effect of oxytocin, is essential for promoting milk production.This is not a massage, but a milking process.

[0009] However, collecting the valuable breast milk is not so easy.

[0010] Another option for inducing milk secretion is the use of breast pumps. When effect A is at work, these pumps only achieve effect C by using the negative pressure created by the pumping action to induce milk secretion. Many women find the strong stretching stress on the nipples very unpleasant. Based on previous research, DE 697 32 861 T2 lists a number of physiological and psychological factors that can influence milk production and cause it to cease. Two key factors are highlighted: the stimulation of the breast to trigger milk ejection, which is usually achieved by the child's jaw and lips (mechanical pressure is exerted), and the actual sucking (negative pressure is exerted), which occurs when the child feeds at the breast.

[0011] Furthermore, the cited document provides a good overview of the prior art for various embodiments of breast pumps comprising a breast cup (US 5 049 126 A; US 4 680 028 A; EO 198 469, WO 92 / 07493, US 4 064 851 A; EP 727 234; US 2006 / 0111665 A1; US 2006 / 0106334 A1).

[0012] DE 697 32 861 T2 discloses a milk extraction device for the female breast, which comprises a breast cup having various stimulating elements arranged to stimulate the nipple as well as an area immediately around the nipple and a breast area 2.5 to 3 cm from the base of the nipple and are connected to a vacuum source and a pressure source in such a way that a pulsating wave is generated from the breast area furthest from the nipple to the part of the breast closest to the nipple.

[0013] DE 881 20 30 U1 discloses a breast milk pump with a flexible funnel which can be placed on the female breast and to the inner end of which funnel is connected a drainage channel for the extracted milk, wherein the funnel and the drainage channel are connected to a vacuum device and can be evacuated and the funnel is surrounded by a rigid support member as a roll-up protection.

[0014] DE 93 06 631 U1 discloses a conical, flexible suction piece for breast milk pumps, with a mouthpiece that can be placed on the mother's breast and a neck part for enclosing the nipple area, whereby overstretching of the nipples during the suction process is to be avoided by a perforated support wall, and the neck part is connected to a vacuum-generating device.

[0015] DE 87 02 791 U1 describes an insert for breast pumps which consists of a soft, resilient polymer material, the suction effect being achieved by a connected pump.

[0016] WO 2013 / 010286 A1 discloses a breast shield unit for pumping breast milk. The breast shield unit comprises a receiving part for receiving a human nipple and a vacuum chamber for applying negative pressure to the nipple, with the receiving part opening into the vacuum chamber.

[0017] EP 1515760 B4 describes a breast pump comprising a body member having a breast-engaging portion shaped to engage a portion of the user's breast. The breast pump further comprises a reservoir attached to the body member and valve means between the body member and the reservoir. Within the body member, a flexible cuff seals the interior of the body member from the atmosphere. The cuff is movable from a resting state to a displaced state by an actuating means operatively connected to the cuff. Movement of the cuff from the resting state to the displaced state creates an increasing negative pressure volume within the body member, thereby initially closing the valve means to prevent emptying of the reservoir.and whereby milk is pumped into the body member by the user, the return movement of the cuff from the displaced state to the expanded state causing the negative pressure to equalise, thereby enabling the valve means to open, the pumped milk flowing through the valve means and into the container.

[0018] A major disadvantage of the solutions described above is that when pumping using electrically or mechanically generated negative pressure, the breast is placed under extreme physiological strain by the very strong negative pressure, with little or no mechanical pressure, which is essential for promoting milk production. For many women, this can be very uncomfortable and associated with pain and injury to the nipples. If the breast is swollen, as can happen when the milk comes in or when the ducts are blocked, it may be that the baby cannot breastfeed properly and that a pump cannot be used because it moves even more lymph fluid to the already congested nipple. The daily pumping time is also relatively long, and for women with firm nipples, this type of milk extraction is very difficult or even impossible. Furthermore, if pumping for several weeks, the nipples can become enlarged, which some women find uncomfortable.Another disadvantage is the use of rigid breast cups or funnels to collect the milk, which are not suitable for all breast sizes.

[0019] Furthermore, recent studies on the lactation of breast milk from the female breast have shown that babies exert a high degree of mechanical pressure on the breast, that even this pressure alone is sufficient to empty the breast, and that negative pressure (such as that exerted by a pump) plays a rather minor role. In addition to stimulating nerve endings, the mechanical pressure exerted by the infant significantly increases the amount of milk extracted in a much shorter time than is possible with the negative pressure of a conventional breast pump alone.

[0020] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a means with which, in addition to the stimulation of the nipple (for effect A), the above-described effect B can also be achieved for the effective secretion of milk and, at the same time, the above-described effect C is used in such a supportive manner that the excessive negative pressure caused by conventional breast pumps, which leads to pain and problems for the woman, can be avoided, whereby the milk is simultaneously collected completely and hygienically.

[0021] The problem is solved in terms of the arrangement in that a milk extraction module is designed as a milking cuff with an opening for the lactated milk, such that it has at least one flexible part with which the milking cuff can be tightly placed on the female breast, at least on the areola, and is designed such that manual milking pressure, which induces lactation, can be applied to the nipple and the adjacent areas, wherein a valve is arranged at the opening. Milking pressure is the mechanical pressure that acts and is exerted on the breast analogously to the movements of the palate, tongue, etc. of the infant.

[0022] The valve is designed in such a way that a backflow of air into the milk extraction module is prevented and the lactated milk from the female breast can escape from the milk extraction module. The valve can be designed as a check valve. The arrangement of the valve at the opening for the lactated milk in the milking sleeve in the immediate vicinity of the breast has the advantage that the space that forms around at least the areola when the milk extraction module is placed in place, and a negative pressure created by a milking movement of a hand, effectively acts on the breast area to be stimulated. This effect would be little or not at all effective without a check valve. This negative pressure is not comparable to the above-mentioned strong negative pressure caused by breast pumps.Rather, the negative pressure created by the interaction of the valve with the flexibility of the milk extraction module is comparable to the suction pressure of a child and accordingly supports lactation. The flexible part of the milk extraction module is made of a soft, elastic material, preferably silicone or rubber, which is designed to be flexible enough to accommodate any breast size and shape, paying particular attention to the nipple and the adjacent areas (areola). Fig. 2) are enclosed in such a way that the expressed milk splashes into the milk extraction module and not into the environment.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, reinforcing rings and / or reinforcing struts can be formed in the soft elastic material.

[0024] The flexible part of the milk extraction module can be designed in such a way that the female breast, tightly enclosed by the milk extraction module, can be grasped with the fingers of one hand in such a way that manual milking pressure can be exerted on the female breast, causing secretion. In contrast to a conventional pump, the mother's fingers can exert a rhythmic, precisely metered milking pressure on the areola / breast area, causing both nerve stimulation and effective emptying. Milking of the breast can be performed in a variety of ways, in particular with a "thumb-up, finger-down" method ( Fig. 1a), in particular a “two-to-ten-finger method” ( Fig. 1b), in particular a “five-finger method” ( Fig. 1c). This achieves rapid and sustained milk ejection in a physiological manner. In cases of breast swelling, particularly during oozing or in cases of congestion, gentle pressure can be applied to the areola for several minutes to move the accumulated lymph fluid away. The applied milking pressure also significantly increases the amount of milk that can be extracted in the same amount of time. In addition to saving time, this means that, with sufficiently frequent use, the mother's almost full milk production potential can be utilized - if she so desires. The flexible part of the milk extraction module can be designed as a kind of glove with protrusions for the fingers of one hand ( Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b) that the female breast / areola can be easily grasped with the fingers of one hand and manual milking pressure can be applied to the nipple and the adjacent areas with the fingers to induce lactation.

[0025] The protrusions of the flexible part of the milk extraction module for the fingers of a hand can be designed in such a way that at least the fingertips of the hand can be received therein and the protrusions, with their boundary directed outwards towards the female breast, form a cavity which flexibly and sealingly encloses the female breast.

[0026] A flexible connection can be formed between the milk extraction module and the collecting container that collects the expressed milk, so that the milk that lactates from the nipple and the surrounding areas by means of the milking pressure exerted by the fingers of the hand can be collected in a collecting container.

[0027] The milk extraction module and the flexible connection can be designed as a single piece and the transition from the milk extraction module to the flexible connection can be designed as a flexible, elastic outlet for the lactated milk, wherein in an advantageous embodiment the valve is arranged at the transition from the milk extraction module to the flexible connection, for example in the form of a check valve.

[0028] The flexible, elastic outlet for the lactated milk, which is designed as a glove with protuberances (2) for the fingers of one hand, on the flexible part of the milk extraction module is to be arranged in such a way that it does not hinder the manually executed milking pressure which causes lactation and is to be connected to the collecting container via a flexible connection, for example a hose.

[0029] The flexible, elastic outlet for the lactated milk should be at least long enough to allow the collection container to always be in an upright position, so that the woman can collect breast milk in any body position, in particular sitting, lying down or standing.

[0030] The flexible, detachable connection between the milk extraction module and the collection container can be designed as a screw or plug connection, wherein in an advantageous embodiment the valve can be screwed in at the transition from the milk extraction module to the flexible, detachable connection, for example in the form of a check valve.

[0031] The milk extraction module can be used in combination with an electric breast pump or in manual operation, both of which work with negative pressure and are used either to support the milk supply using effect C or to remove the milk.

[0032] In a further embodiment, the milk extraction module is provided with finger loops that can be attached to the fingers of one hand. These finger loops improve handling, as the milking sleeve is firmly engaged with the handling fingers. They also allow the milking sleeve to be pulled away from the breast, thereby achieving a suction effect.

[0033] Thus, the invention provides a means by which stimulation of the breast by the hand / fingers, a clear milking pressure and a precisely appropriate negative pressure also produced by the hand or fingers, causes an effective and gentle milk secretion, whereby the milk is simultaneously collected completely and hygienically.

[0034] The invention is explained below using exemplary embodiments. The accompanying drawings show Fig. 1a shows an embodiment of the invention for a milk extraction module with which the female breast, in particular the nipple and the adjacent areas, can be tightly enclosed, Fig. 1b shows a further embodiment in which the milk extraction module 1, with which the female breast 6, in particular the nipple 7, can be enclosed, Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b an embodiment of the invention for a milk extraction module 1, which is designed as a milking cuff, Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of the invention for a milk extraction module with which the female breast 6, in particular the nipple 7 and the adjacent areas 8 can be tightly enclosed, Fig. 5a shows an embodiment of the proposed milk extraction module 1 with a valve 9 arranged at the opening 10 for the lactated milk, Fig. 5b the same design as in Fig. 5a with one hand, Fig. 5c a view of the embodiment of the invention as shown in Fig. 5a is shown from below and Fig. 6 shows the operating principle of the milk extraction module.

[0035] Fig. 1a represents a milk collection module with which the female breast, in particular the nipple and the adjacent areas, can be tightly enclosed. Fig. 1b shows a further embodiment in which the milk extraction module 1 can be used to enclose the female breast 6, in particular the nipple 7.

[0036] In Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b shows a milk extraction module 1 which is designed as a milking cuff, such that it can tightly enclose the female breast 6, in particular the nipple 7 and the adjacent areas 8, such that it is designed as a type of glove with protuberances 2 for fingers of a hand, so that at least the fingers or the entire hand can be received therein and the lactated milk can be drained off, preferably via a hose 4, preferably to a connected collecting container.

[0037] According to Fig. 4, the female breast 6, in particular the nipple 7 and the adjacent areas 8, can be tightly enclosed with a milk extraction module in such a way that the flexible and elastic material can be folded around the fingers, so that the manually executed milking pressure which is to be exerted on the nipple 7 and the adjacent areas 8 and which causes lactation can be easily carried out with the fingers and the milk is simultaneously collected hygienically in a collecting container via an outlet 5 and a connection 4, preferably a hose.

[0038] In Fig. Figure 5a shows the milk extraction module 1 with a valve 9 arranged at the opening 10 for the lactated milk. This valve prevents air from flowing back into the milk extraction module 1 and allows the lactated milk from the female breast to escape from the milk extraction module 1. The valve 9 can be designed, for example, as a check valve. The flexible, soft-elastic material of the milking cuff and the arrangement of the valve 9 are designed such that it fits ergonomically in the palm of the hand, thus making it very comfortable to use.

[0039] Fig. 5b and Fig. 5c shows the solution Fig. 5a in operation with one hand, as operated by the person using it.

[0040] The use of a valve as used in the Fig. 5a to 5c can of course also be used with the Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b can be used as a kind of glove.

[0041] The representation in Fig. 6 shows the operating principle of the valve solution according to the illustrations in Fig. 5a to 5c.

[0042] Here the little finger 11, the ring finger 12, the middle finger 13, the index finger 14 and the thumb 15 of a hand are shown schematically.

[0043] The milk extraction module 1 is provided with a finger loop 16 in the area close to the nipple 7, which can serve to receive the thumb 15. Furthermore, the milk extraction module 1 has a finger loop 17 in the area of the connection 5, which can serve to receive the index finger 14.

[0044] The arrows indicate the directions of action of the fingers, whereby the loop 17 can be used to create a negative pressure in the cavity 3 by pulling, which is supported by the valve 9.

Claims

[1] Milk extraction module for the female breast (6) with a collecting container for collecting the lactated milk, which is connected to the milk extraction module (1), wherein the milk extraction module (1) is designed as a milking sleeve having an opening (10) for the lactated milk, such that it has at least one flexible part with which the milking sleeve can be tightly placed on the female breast (6), at least on the nipples, and is designed such that the female breast tightly enclosed by the milk extraction module can be grasped with the fingers of one hand and a manual milking pressure causing lactation can be applied to the nipple (7) and the adjacent areas (8), wherein the flexible part of the milk extraction module is designed as a type of glove with protuberances (2) for the fingers of one hand, such that the female breast (6) can be enclosed with the fingers of one hand and a manual milking pressure causing lactation can be applied is,characterized by that a valve (9) is arranged at the opening (10) for the lactated milk. [2] Milk extraction module (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the valve (9) is designed as a check valve. [3] Milk extraction module (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the flexible part of the milk extraction module is made of a soft elastic material. [4] Milk extraction module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the soft elastic material is made of silicone and / or rubber. [5] Milk extraction module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that reinforcement rings and / or reinforcement struts are formed in the soft elastic material. [6] Milk extraction module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the protuberances (2) of the flexible part of the milk extraction module for the fingers of a hand are designed in such a way that at least the fingertips of the hand can be received therein and the protuberances (2) with their boundary directed outwards towards the female breast (6) form a cavity (3) which flexibly and sealingly encloses the female breast (6). [7] Milk extraction module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a flexible connection is formed between the milk extraction module and the collecting container that collects the lactated milk. [8] Milk extraction module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the milk extraction module (1) and the flexible connection (4) are formed in one piece and the transition from the milk extraction module to the flexible connection is designed as a flexible, elastic outlet (5) for the lactated milk. [9] Milk extraction module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the flexible, elastic outlet (5) for the lactated milk, which outlet is formed on the flexible part of the milk extraction module, which is designed as a glove with protuberances (2) for the fingers of one hand, is arranged in such a way that it does not hinder the manually executable milking pressure which causes lactation and is connected to the collecting container via a flexible, detachable connection. [10] Milk extraction module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the flexible detachable connection (4) between the milk extraction module (1) and the collecting container is designed as a screw or plug connection. [11] Milk extraction module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the milk extraction module can be combined with a breast pump that works with negative pressure. [12] Milk extraction module (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the milk extraction module (1) is provided with finger loops that can be attached to the fingers of one hand.

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