344 results about "Breast pump" patented technology

A suction bell assembly, and an elastomeric liner therefor, are disclosed in which the bell includes a rigid outer shell (10,310) of generally Y-shaped axial cross section with a conical top portion (101) and a cylindrical body portion (106). A thin, flexible, elastic liner (11) is disposed within the shell and has a conical and preferably corrugated upper portion (111) disposed within the conical top portion of the shell and a peripheral lip (114) for sealingly engaging a rim (19) extending about the shell's top portion. The liner also includes an elongated tubular portion 112 spaced normally inwardly from the shell's inner surface, the tubular portion including a resilient annular flange (119) that sealingly engages a shoulder at the lower end of the shell to maintain the liner in an axially stretched and tensioned state. one-way valve means (13,43) is formed integrally with the liner and is disposed at the lower end of the tubular portion below the flange (119). The valve means (13,43) includes a calotte-shaped closure portion (131) having at least one slit (28,438,439) to permit the passage of milk downwardly through the lower end of the liner. In preferred embodiments, each slit (28,438,439) has offset but communicating inner and outer portions (28a,28b,438a,438b, 439a,439b). Means are also disclosed for allowing swivel action of the shell (310) in relation to a connector (32) for detachably connecting the suction bell to a milk-collecting bottle.

Disclosed is a breast pump that supports a mother's and infant's breastfeeding needs and facilitates the lifestyle of the mother's choice. The breast milk expression system disclosed allows breastfeeding mothers to obtain milk comfortably, hands-free, conveniently and with discretion. The breast milk expression system disclosed includes at least two contact points which mimic hand-expression as well as infant suckling and effectively stimulate the secretion of oxytocin and prolactin to provide a healthy, safe and efficient breastfeeding session. The system disclosed has a gentle rhythmic massage means and is located a distance from the base of the nipple and massages in all quadrants of the breast. The rhythmic forward pressure is provided by a plurality of opposing pairs of expression bellows that move the milk from the lactiferous sinuses through the nipple pores, bio-mimicking the techniques of hand expression.

A breast pump system for obtaining breast milk is provided. The system sealingly separates the air flow from the breast milk and uses a single air tube for both positive pressure and negative pressure to be applied to a woman's breast. The breast pump can have a piston / cylinder device for generating pressure that allows a user to control suction and cycle time.

A portable, hands-free and user friendly breast pump for facilitating breast-feeding, incorporates a dome-shaped housing having a servomotor mechanism; a hat-shaped flange having a chamber portion, a brim portion and an outlet, the chamber portion being formed so as to be placed over a nipple on a breast so as to define a chamber between the flange and the breast, and the brim portion being formed to surround the nipple and thereby form a suction seal therebetween; and a one-way venting element formed to operatively communicate with the chamber so as to vent pumped milk from the chamber via the outlet. The housing, the flange and the venting element are connected into an integral device held against the breast and underneath clothing so as to keep the integral device hidden. Breast milk is collected via a plastic collection bag that connects directly with the pump underneath clothing such that the milk is isolated from any contaminants in the air and may be easily stored immediately after being collected.

A vacuum control system controls the amount of time that pressure is applied to a breast and the amount of time no pressure is applied to the breast, independent of the vacuum level. The amount of time that pressure is applied to a breast and the amount of vacuum applied to the breast cups can be varied by the user. A disposable biological filter isolates the pump from the breast cups. The biological filter is packaged in a housing that has an O-ring push-in connector to connect the collection system to the pump. The vacuum applied to the breast cups is monitored. The control system maintains the vacuum at a level set by the user. A second higher level is used as a safety threshold. The control system shuts down the pump when this higher level is sensed. The breast cup is constructed to provide a controlled collapse when vacuum is applied to mimic the suckling of an infant.

A hands-free breast pump that includes a balanced push-pull reciprocating drive system that applies pumping force to a vacuum chamber formed by a breast interface cup during inward and outward pump strokes. The breast pump includes a breast cup that has a resilient bellows structure that partially collapses the volume of the vacuum chamber during the inward stroke and recovers the volume of the vacuum chamber during the outward stroke. The pump mechanism includes a cam drive system that translates rotary electric motor power into reciprocating linear action of an actuator arm that drives the bellows structure. The bellows structure acts like a spring that charges (resists the pump force) during the inward stroke and discharges (assists the pump force) during the outward stroke, and the shape of the cam track is designed to produce a desired operating profile for the pump.

Wearable breast pumps are provided which utilize compression to enhance milk expression. The breast milk expression systems herein can allow breastfeeding users to obtain milk discreetly and comfortably in the presence of others. These systems compress the breast at one or more locations, such as at a base of a breast and / or along inferior and lateral sides of a breast, to stimulate milk expression. Various components and methods for expressing milk can facilitate milk output. For example, vacuum can be used in conjunction with compression. For another example, one or more temperature sensitive components can be utilized to improve milk secretion. In some embodiments, milk can be collected in a sterile custom storage container located around or beneath the breasts to facilitate wearability. After expression is complete, a quick-release valve can be used to detach the storage container from the pump and can prevent leaks.

Systems and methods for pumping milk from a breast, wherein the milk is expressed from the breast under suction and milk is expulsed from the pumping mechanism to a collection container under positive pressure.

A breast pump, for example a manual or mechanical breast pump, that provides massaging to the areola and / or milk lake region of the breast sequentially or simultaneously. The breast pump, for example, features an actuator that provides both positive and negative pressure during a single stroke. Flexible membranes within the funnel of the breast pump inflate to massage the breast, especially the nipple and milk lake regions.

A portable, hands-free and user friendly breast pump for facilitating breast-feeding, incorporates a dome-shaped housing having a servomotor mechanism; a hat-shaped flange having a chamber portion, a brim portion and an outlet, the chamber portion being formed so as to be placed over a nipple on a breast so as to define a chamber between the flange and the breast, and the brim portion being formed to surround the nipple and thereby form a suction seal therebetween; and a one-way venting element formed to operatively communicate with the chamber so as to vent pumped milk from the chamber via the outlet. The housing, the flange and the venting element are connected into an integral device held against the breast and underneath clothing so as to keep the integral device hidden. Breast milk is collected via a plastic collection bag that connects directly with the pump underneath clothing such that the milk is isolated from any contaminants in the air and may be easily stored immediately after being collected.

Systems and methods for pumping milk from a breast, wherein the milk is expressed from the breast under suction and milk is expulsed from the pumping mechanism to a collection container under positive pressure.

A powered breast pump has user input means which enable a user to control the pump in a “learn” mode. When the pump is switched to a “run” mode, it mimics the pumping cycle established by the user in the “learn” mode. The pump may be continuously operated in “learn” mode, in which case it functions as a power-assisted breast pump.

Breast pump for expressing milk from a breast, comprising at least one breast cup (2) for receiving a breast, a pumping system (10) in fluid connection (11) with the at least one breast cup (2) for applying a negative pressure on said breast and a detection unit (3) comprising at least one sensor for measuring a parameter during use of the breast pump (1), wherein the breast pump (1) is adapted for optimising breast pump settings by actively controlling at least one breast pump pumping property, based on measurements of the at least one sensor (4, 5), during a period of use of the breast pump (1), in order to personalise operation of said breast pump (1) for a particular user.

A breast pump with a speed, a maximum vacuum, and a minimum vacuum combined with a selectively collapsing breast cup mimics the action of a suckling infant. The speed and maximum vacuum are user selectable to adjust the pump to the particular user. The breast cup is made of a flexible material with a thickness designed to first collapse around the areola area of a breast to mimic an action of a suckling infant.

A breast cup for use with a breast pump for expressing breast milk is provided. The breast cup sealingly separates the air flow from the breast milk, provides a barrier against impingement of the flexible insert by the user's breast and provides a massaging member for facilitating expression of the breast milk.

A method and apparatus for controlled feeding of an infant provides a safer and less expensive apparatus for the enteral feeding of a neonatal infant, as well as a mechanism for minimizing separation of fluid for any enteral feeding patient. The apparatus allows for dispensing the feeding solution from conventional baby bottles or breast pump reservoirs, or other convenient reservoirs in combination with a peristaltic pump. The feeding system helps reduce the risk for contaminating the feeding solution by minimizing the handling of the feeding solution. By utilizing a pump which is less expensive than current neonatal feeding pumps, the feeding system is more cost effective in all environments and more suitable for home use.

A pressure regulation device for selectively regulating the flow of a fluid between a lower pressure sink of a breast pump and a higher pressure source, the pressure regulation device comprising: (a) a valve body oriented with respect to a valve seat to selectively provide fluid communication between a lower pressure sink of a breast pump and a higher pressure source; and (b) an actuator operatively coupled to at least one of the valve body and the valve seat to manipulate the orientation of the valve seat with respect to the valve body, where the actuator is repositionable to selectively manipulate a volumetric flow of fluid between the higher pressure source and the lower pressure sink by varying the proximity of the valve seat with respect to the valve body.

In a breast pump, milk expressed from a user's nipple may be drawn into the pumping mechanism used to create a vacuum. This can lead to unhygienic situations because pumping mechanisms are difficult or impossible to clean by a user. The present invention relates to a breast pump comprising first and second pressure chambers (22, 23) and an actuator (20) disposed to fluidly divide the two chambers (22, 23). The actuator (20) is movable to generate an inverse pressure differential in the second chamber (23) when a pressure differential is generated in the first pressure chamber (22), or a pressure differential is released from the first pressure chamber (22). Furthermore, the actuator (20) comprises a first piston element (30) and a second piston element (32), and wherein the first pressure chamber (22) is disposed between the first piston element (30) and the second piston element (32).

Provided is a breast pump for the mother's milk, which makes it possible to obtain universal milk expression data without being affected by an individual difference, for example. The breast pump is composed of a collection container, a milk expressing member, and a negative pressure source for producing pulsated negative pressure. The milk expressing member is provided at an end with a teat cup and at an opposite end with a connector plug to the negative pressure source. The milk expressing member is divided by a partition plate. A flexible teat cup liner is replaceably fitted in the teat cup, and configured to be brought into contact with an areola and nipple of a breast.

A hands-free breast pump that includes a balanced push-pull reciprocating drive system that applies pumping force to a vacuum chamber formed by a breast interface cup during inward and outward pump strokes. The breast pump includes a breast cup that has a resilient bellows structure that partially collapses the volume of the vacuum chamber during the inward stroke and recovers the volume of the vacuum chamber during the outward stroke. The pump mechanism includes a cam drive system that translates rotary electric motor power into reciprocating linear action of an actuator arm that drives the bellows structure. The bellows structure acts like a spring that charges (resists the pump force) during the inward stroke and discharges (assists the pump force) during the outward stroke, and the shape of the cam track is designed to produce a desired operating profile for the pump.

A breast pump can include a breast pump main body having a milking portion and negative pressure generating structure for generating negative pressure. A storing structure can be provided for storing expressed milk, and an opening / closing structure can be disposed between the breast pump main body and the storing structure for temporarily halting or permitting passage of the expressed milk into the storing structure. The milking portion can include a shape maintaining portion and a negative pressure generating portion that serves as a part of the negative pressure generating structure and can be attached to and detached from an inner side of the shape maintaining portion. At least one end of the negative pressure generating portion on an enlarged diameter side can include a flexible diaphragm portion and a pressing portion formed when a folded-back portion of the diaphragm portion passes an imaginary line of extension of a contact portion contacting the breast to press the breast, while the other end of the negative pressure generating portion is connected to the opening / closing structure.

A breast pump system for obtaining breast milk is provided. The system sealingly separates the air flow from the breast milk and uses a single air tube for both positive pressure and negative pressure to be applied to a woman's breast. The breast pump can have a piston / cylinder device for generating pressure that allows a user to control suction and cycle time.

A breast milk pump holding strap that includes two elastic bands that are adjustably securable to each other with a pair of companionate hook and pile fasteners along the back and front thereof to form a closed loop and that each include a slit through which a narrow portion of the cone of the breast pump is positioned prior to positioning of the straps in place such that each cone is held over a respective breast of the user.

An electronically controlled breast pump for generating cyclical suction includes a cumulative vacuum pump and a plurality of switches including at least an expression mode cycle time selection switch, a peak vacuum level selection switch, and a stimulation mode switch. A controller coupled to the cumulative vacuum pump controls the apparatus which optionally further includes a four-layer assembly of the various features, an adjustable safety valve, and / or a pump head with a groove traversing top dead center of the pump head.

A piston-type breast pump includes a piston-type pumping device, a DC motor, a gear reducer, and a control circuit board arranged in a housing. A gears rocking block (12) is connected with the piston-type pumping device, and far-near points induction chips and a buffering spring are provided between the block (12) and the reducer. A journey induction wheel is arranged at the motor shaft. A speed adjustment knob (35), a journey adjustment knob (34), a fast suck galactagogue button (33), and a suction adjustment screw are provided at the outer surface of the housing. The main body of the breast pump is a vertical design, and is constructed with a recessed bottle location (37), and the bottle holder (36) is removable.

The invention features methods and devices for controlling bleeding from blood vessels that may be damaged as a result of trauma or impact with an object, such as a bullet or shrapnel. The device may be wearable by a user and include one or more components, such as wound sealant and multiple inflatable balloons / bladders. The device may be integrated into a garment, e.g., a vest, jacket, trousers, or full body suit. Once triggered (automatically or manually), the device may be used to deliver wound sealant to a wound site and / or pressure to the wound site by selective inflation of one or more balloons over exsanguinating blood vessels that may be damaged, thereby stopping or minimizing the bleeding. Alternatively, or in addition, the device may be used to stabilize a wounded wearer for, e.g., transportation purposes, or to provide buoyancy. Devices of the invention may also be used as a blood pressure monitor, as a massaging device, and as a breast pump. Devices and methods of the invention may also be used for repairing or stabilizing machines, such as vehicles (e.g., automobiles and boats).