Self returning contamination barrier

• US 8,187,227 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2006
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medela Holding AG (Olle Larsson Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Medela Holding AG (Olle Larsson Holding AG)
• Inventors: Luzbetak, Mark A., Sutrina, Thomas A., Pfenniger, Erich, Bosshard, Patrik
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas
• Assistant Examiner(s): MEDWAY, SCOTT J
• Application Number:
  US11/591,276
• Publication Number:
  US 20080171970A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,036 Days
• Field of Search: 604/74, 604/75, 604/141, 604/310, 604/316, 604/323, 261/69.2, 92 48- 50, 92/96, 92/98.R
• US Class Current: 604/141
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/06 Milking pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/062 Pump accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/064 Suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/78 Means for preventing overflow or contamination of the pumping systems combined with drainage containers A61M1/60

Abstract

A barrier of a vacuum pump prevents contamination from entering a vacuum pump air line. The barrier separates parts of the pump and is moveable between an initial state and a distended state. The barrier is assembled within the pump with a pre-load. When the vacuum source is applied to the barrier, the barrier achieves a distended state and when the vacuum source is released, the barrier incrementally self returns to an initial state. The geometry and material construction of the barrier, along with the pre-load, assists in returning the barrier on its own to the initial state from the distended state.

Claims

1. A movable barrier device for separating parts of a breastpump, as to prevent contamination and convey a pressure change from one side of the barrier to the other, comprising:

a barrier including a barrier circumference, a central axis, and a formed shape of convexity in an unassembled condition, wherein in an assembled condition said barrier is mounted within and separates parts of a housing and is compressed along said central axis through engagement with a part of said housing such that said barrier cannot reach said formed shape of convexity of said unassembled condition;

a distended state to which said barrier moves in response to an air pressure change applied to one side of said barrier; and

an initial state to which said barrier has a preset bias to return to, wherein said barrier achieves said initial state in response to the release of said pressure applied to said barrier;

wherein in said initial state said barrier is in said assembled condition and is compressed along said central axis;

wherein in said distended state, at least a part of said barrier passes along said central axis such that said barrier is in a position inverted from said formed shape of convexity.

3. The barrier of claim 1, wherein said distended state is responsive to a differential vacuum.

4. The barrier of claim 3, wherein said barrier has a bias toward said initial state and after said bias is overcome said differential vacuum remains about the same as said barrier moves to said distended state.

8. The barrier of claim 1, wherein said barrier is pressed against a frontwall of said housing in said initial state.

2. A barrier device for a pumping system of a breastpump, comprising:

a resilient membrane having a center and at least one concentric undulation around said center, said resilient membrane being mounted along a barrier circumference to a chamber of a housing to divide said chamber into isolated parts, wherein a vacuum source applied to said resilient membrane in a first phase moves said barrier into a distended state; and

an atmospheric pressure applied to said resilient membrane in a second phase returns said barrier to an initial state; and

wherein said barrier has a formed shape of convexity in an unassembled condition, and when mounted within said housing said barrier cannot reach said formed shape of convexity when said barrier is in said initial state, such that said barrier is pressed against a frontwall of said housing in said initial state;

wherein said barrier has a central axis between opposite sides of said circumference and at least part of said barrier passes along said central axis in said distended state.

5. A barrier device and pumping element for a reciprocating pumping system, comprising:

a housing,

a barrier member mounted for repeated reciprocating movement within said housing, separating said housing into two chambers;

a first state for said barrier wherein said barrier includes a pre-load biasing at least part of said barrier out of a plane defined by a circumference of said barrier;

wherein a pressure source applied to said barrier in said first state causes said barrier to achieve a second state that is displaced from said first state, and said barrier returns towards said first state in part by said pre-load and wherein said barrier has a formed shape of convexity in an unassembled condition, and when mounted within said housing said barrier cannot reach said formed shape of convexity in said first state, such that said barrier is pressed against a frontwall of said housing in said first state and at least a portion of said barrier is inverted from said first state when in said second state.

6. The barrier of claim 5, wherein said pre-load is determined in part by said barrier being made of a resilient material in combination with the shape of said barrier.

7. A pumping mechanism for a breastpump, comprising:

a barrier housing having an interior frontwall spaced apart from an interior rearwall and defining an interior space therebetween, said rearwall having a port;

a barrier mounted within and dividing said interior space into isolated compartments, said barrier having a generally convex shape;

said interior frontwall surface having a convex shape that generally matches said barrier convex shape in a first state, wherein said interior frontwall surface is in facial engagement with said barrier and presses said barrier against said convexity in said first state;

a source of pressure applied from said port to said interior space to repeatedly move said barrier in a reciprocating action;

said interior rearwall surface having a shape that generally matches said barrier shape in a second state, wherein said barrier is repeatedly moved by application of a pressure from said pressure source from said first state to said second state, and said barrier becomes deformed in said second state, wherein said interior rearwall surface is in facial engagement with said deformed barrier in said second state; and

said barrier being made of a resilient material which in combination with said barrier shape causes said barrier to return from said second state to said first state without assistance upon the release of said pressure;

wherein said barrier has a formed shape of convexity in an unassembled condition, and when mounted within said housing said barrier cannot reach said formed shape of convexity in said first state, such that said barrier is pressed against said housing frontwall in said first state.