Breast pump system and methods

• US 9,539,376 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2016
• Issued: 01/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Willow Innovations Incorporated (ExploraMed NC7, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ExploraMed NC7, Inc.
• Inventors: Makower, Joshua, Chang, John Y., Donohoe, Brendan M., Wang, Sharon Lam, Torosis, Michele, Bright, Earl II
• Primary Examiner(s): Schmidt, Emily
• Assistant Examiner(s): FREHE, WILLIAM R
• Application Number:
  US15/083,571
• Publication Number:
  US 20160287769A1
• Time in Patent Office: 287 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 1/062 Pump accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/064 Suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/066 Inserts therefor
• 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 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3337 Controlling, regulating pressure or flow by means of a valve by-passing a pump
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3344 Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3379 Masses, volumes, levels of fluids in reservoirs, flow rates
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/24 Check- or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/284 Linear peristaltic pumps

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A wearable, portable self-powered breast pump system for pumping milk from a breast and sized to fit within a user'"'"'s bra, comprising:

a main body;

a breast contacting portion;

a milk collection container;

a conduit having a first end that directly connects to the breast contacting portion and a second end that directly connects with the milk collection container; and

a pump mechanism including elements configured to compress and pull open the conduit, the pump mechanism configured to pump milk from the breast contacting portion through the conduit to the milk collection container, the pump mechanism configured such that the conduit becomes mostly filled with milk and the breast pump system approaches a fully hydraulic system;

wherein the conduit and pump mechanism are configured within the main body and wherein the milk collection container generally defines a ring shape.

2. The wearable, portable self-powered breast pump system of claim 1, wherein the milk pumped from the breast is employed as hydraulic fluid.

3. The wearable, portable self-powered breast pump system of claim 1, further comprising a breast adapter configured and dimensioned to form a seal with the breast.

4. The wearable, portable self-powered breast pump system of claim 1, wherein a latch suction is maintained throughout a pumping session.

5. The wearable, portable self-powered breast pump system of claim 1, wherein the milk collection container includes an integrated valve.

6. The wearable, portable self-powered breast pump system of claim 1, wherein the milk collection container is sealed when detached from the conduit.

7. The wearable, portable self-powered breast pump system of claim 1, wherein the milk collection container is a compliant bag, the compliant bag configured to be releasably connected to the breast pump system and to receive pumped milk.

8. The wearable, portable self-powered breast pump system of claim 1, further comprising a controller that controls pumping to provide a desired waveform.

9. The wearable, portable self-powered breast pump system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of operational settings, wherein at least one operational setting is at least one suction level setting, a suction waveform definition, an extraction phase time, a threshold milk volume estimate per extraction phase, an expulsion pressure, a rest phase timing, a heating temperature, a heating time, a vibration frequency or a vibration time.

10. The wearable, portable self-powered breast pump system of claim 1, wherein the milk collection container is configured within the main body, and the main body is sized to fit substantially within a user'"'"'s bra.