Breast pump system with flange

• US 10,398,816 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2018
• Issued: 09/03/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Willow Innovations Incorporated (ExploraMed NC7, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ExploraMed NC7, Inc.
• Inventors: Chang, John Y, Makower, Joshua, Donohoe, Brendan M, Torosis, Michele
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehta, Bhisma
• Assistant Examiner(s): Frehe, William R
• Application Number:
  US16/166,423
• Publication Number:
  US 20190054220A1
• Time in Patent Office: 316 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00333 Breast
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 13/00 Breast-nipple shields breast-pumps A61M1/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/06 Milking pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/064 Suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/067 with means for hands-free operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/06935 imitating the suckling of an infant
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/0697 having means for massaging the breast
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1007 Breast; mammary

Abstract

Systems and methods for pumping milk from a breast responsive to a controller, 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.

Claims

1. An automated breast pump system for pumping milk from a breast of a user, comprising:

a breast pump configured to fit within a bra, the breast pump including;

a breast pump shell housing a milk flow path;

a pumping mechanism, the pumping mechanism contained completely within the breast pump shell;

a fluid container configured to directly engage and be supported by an outer surface of the breast pump shell, wherein the fluid container is connected to the milk flow path;

a flange attached to the breast pump shell and configured to receive the breast, the flange including a rigid nipple receiving portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion configured below the nipple receiving portion during use, the nipple receiving portion including a proximal end defining an opening; and

an external computer that automatically tracks pumping and communicates with the pumping mechanism;

wherein the pumping mechanism is associated with the rigid nipple receiving portion and the pumping mechanism is configured to create a suction force from the rigid nipple receiving portion, the suction force and the milk flow path both being directed generally upward relative to the bottom portion of the flange.

2. The breast pump system of claim 1, wherein the breast pump defines a generally breast shaped profile.

3. The breast pump system of claim 2, wherein the fluid container forms a part of the generally breast shaped profile.

4. The breast pump system of claim 1, further comprising a controller, wherein the controller measures and calculates pressure to vary a suction pressure.

5. The breast pump system of claim 4, further comprising a sensor in communication with the controller to provide a control loop that is used to adjust the suction pressure.

6. The breast pump system of claim 5, wherein the pumping mechanism includes a compression member that creates the suction pressure, wherein the control loop is used to adjust a speed of the compression member to vary or maintain the suction pressure.

7. The breast pump system of claim 4, wherein the pumping mechanism includes a compression member that creates the suction pressure, wherein the control loop is used to adjust a position of the compression member to vary or maintain the suction pressure.

8. The breast pump system of claim 7, wherein a volume of the milk pumped is calculated by assessing the position of the compression member.

9. The breast pump system of claim 8, wherein pressure changes are assessed by a comparison with positions of the compression member.

10. The breast pump system of claim 7, wherein the pumping mechanism includes a second compression member, wherein the control loop is used to adjust a position of the second compression member to vary or maintain the suction pressure.

11. The breast pump system of claim 7, wherein the pumping mechanism includes a second compression member, wherein the control loop is used to adjust a speed of the second compression member to vary or maintain the suction pressure.

12. The breast pump system of claim 1, wherein a volume of the milk pumped is calculated by comparing pressure changes.