Breast pump set

• US 8,216,178 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2005
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medela Holding AG (Olle Larsson Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Medela Holding AG (Olle Larsson Holding AG)
• Inventors: Thommen, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Koharski, Christopher D
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOLLOWAY, IAN KNOBEL
• Application Number:
  US11/793,580
• Publication Number:
  US 20080021380A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,407 Days
• Field of Search: 604/74
• US Class Current: 604/74
• 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 1/067 with means for hands-free operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3569 sublocal, e.g. between console and disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3592 using telemetric means, e.g. radio or optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/80 voice-operated command

Abstract

A breast pump set for expressing human breastmilk comprises a breastshield (1) to be placed on the female breast with a coupling part (12) for connection to a milk collection container (2), and an electrically driven suction pump (4, 4′). The breastshield (1) is provided with an actuator (5) for actuating the suction pump. The inventive breast pump seat allows easy handling of the suction pump and eliminates the need for the mother to have a hand free for handling.

Claims

1. The breastpump set comprises a breastshield with a coupling part for connection to a milk collection container, and an electrically driven suction pump, the suction pump located external to the breastshield, wherein the breastshield has an operating panel for operating the suction pump panel comprising at least one of the following:

a switch, a push key, a sensor key, rotatable knob, and a slide.

2. The breastpump set as claimed in claim 1, in which it further comprises a suction line for connecting the suction pump to the breastshield.

3. The breastpump set as claimed in claim 1, in which the suction pump is secured on the breastshield.

4. The breastpump set as claimed in claim 1, in which the operating panel is connected via a signal line to a control system arranged in the suction pump.

5. The breastpump set as claimed in claim 2 or 4, in which the signal line is connected to the suction line.

6. The breastpump set as claimed in claim 1, in which the operating panel wirelessly transmits signals to the suction pump.

7. The breastpump set as claimed in claim 1, in which it comprises two breastshields, and in which the suction pump is equipped for simultaneous suctioning of two breasts.

15. The breastpump of claim 1, further comprising a connecting tube for use in a breastpump set, wherein the connecting tube has at least one suction line and at least one signal line.

16. The breastpump as claimed in claim 15, in which the suction line and the signal line are connected to one another along their entire length.

8. A breastshield for use in a breastpump ˜

et, in which the breastshield has a breastshield funnel, a first coupling part for connection to a milk collection container, and a second coupling part for connection to a suction pump, the suction pump located external to the breastshield, wherein the breastshield has an operating panel for operating the suction pump panel comprising at least one of the following;

a switch, a push key, a sensor key, rotatable knob, and a slide.

9. The breastshield as claimed in claim 8, in which the second coupling part can be connected to the suction pump via a suction line.

10. The breastshield as claimed in claim 8, In which the second coupling part is secured to the suction pump.

11. The breastshield as claimed in claim 8, in which the operating panel is arranged in the area of the breastshield funnel.

12. The breastshield as claimed in claim 11, in which the operating panel is arranged on a breastshield neck adjoining the breastshield.

13. The breastshield as claimed in claim 11, in which, in the position of use, the first coupling part is directed downward and the operating panel is arranged on an upwardly directed or downwardly directed or laterally directed area of the breastshield.

14. The breastshield as claimed in claim 8, in which the breastshield has a part which can be plugged on, opened or removed and on which the operating panel is arranged.

17. A breastpump set for expressing human breastmilk, in which the breastpump set comprises a breastshield with a coupling part for connection to a milk collection container, and an electrically driven suction pump, wherein the suction pump can be operated by a voice recognition system.

18. The breastpump as claimed in claim 17, in which the voice recognition system is arranged in the area of the breastshield or on the suction pump or on an additional external unit connected to the auction pump.