Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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BREAST PUMP SYSTEM
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Number
16/525,022 filed July
29, 2019 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application Number 15/149,525
filed May 9,
2016 which claims the benefit of provisional patent application 62/158,303
filed May 7, 2015,
which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the tubing and connectors used
in a breast pump
system, where the storage of breast milk and positioning of the pump are
remote from the breast.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Prior art pump systems are limited to either a knob or up/down
buttons for control of
the unit. Some systems have dual controls, one for suction and one for speed,
but many have just
a single control. They typically have either no memory device, or are limited
to a single preset
setting. Prior art pump systems do not correlate pump settings (suction, cycle
time) to amount of
milk produced, comfort level, or any other quantifiable values. Prior art
systems on the market
store the expressed milk in a vessel that is directly connected to the bottom
of the breast shield.
The means that the user effectively has bottles and multiple tubes hanging
from her breasts,
which does not allow pumping to be done discreetly. This is extremely awkward
for the user. In
addition, prior art breast shields are made of hard plastic and are
uncomfortable. A further
complaint about prior art pumps is that they are noisy and make a pulsed
mechanical sound. The
larger the pump, the greater the noise created. A further complaint about
prior art pumps is that
closed system breast shields require many separate components.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to an improved breast pump system
comprising a
suction tubing and a milk tubing, wherein the suction tubing and milk tubing
each have first and
second ends, and wherein the suction and milk tubing are adhered together in a
side-by-side
manner, to comprise a unitary tube structure. Some embodiments include a first
connector that
has a first portion for fluid coupling to both a breast pump and the first end
of the suction tubing,
and a second portion for fluid coupling to both a milk bottle and the first
end of the milk tubing.
Some embodiments also include a second connector that has a first portion for
fluid coupling to
both a suction port of a breast shield and the second end of the suction
tubing, and a second
portion for fluid coupling to both a breast milk collecting port of the breast
shield and the second
end of the milk tubing. In some embodiments, the first connector is configured
to fluidly couple
to the breast pump through a suction filter. In some embodiments, the second
connector
comprises one or more vent holes in the first portion for controlling suction
and a diaphragm.
[0005] Embodiments of a breast shield system are also provided, which
comprises a flexible
.. soft diaphragm having a milk collection port and an outer lip, and a cover
portion having an
edge, a suction port and an interface, wherein the edge of the cover sealingly
couples to the lip of
the soft diaphragm. This arrangement of components provides a compact breast
shield with a
minimum number of parts to clean. The soft diaphragm presents a comfortable
seal to the user's
body while also providing closed system protection in a single part or in some
embodiments, two
.. parts. In some embodiments, the breast shield system comprises a bra pad
conforming in shape
to the breast shield system, wherein the bra pad can be inserted into a bra to
secure and hide the
breast shield system. In some embodiments, the suction port is configured for
fluid coupling to a
suction portion of a connector, and wherein the milk collecting port is also
configured for fluid
coupling to a milk collection portion of a connector; wherein the suction
portion and milk
collection portions of the connector are separated.
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[0006] In some embodiments, the breast pump system further comprises a
filter cartridge
system coupled. The filter cartridge system comprises a first internal suction
path, a second
internal suction path, a first set of vent holes that couple to the first
internal suction path, a
second set of vent holes that couple to the second internal suction path, a
first filter element to
minimize bacteria from contaminating first filter path, and a second filter
element to minimize
liquid ingress into the second internal suction path.
[0007] In some embodiments, the filter cartridge system further
comprises a first open
alignment position in which the first set of vent holes is aligned with the
first internal suction
path and the second set of vent holes is aligned with the second internal
suction path. In other
embodiments, the filter cartridge system further comprises a second semi-
closed alignment
position in which the first set of vent holes is aligned with the first
internal suction path and the
second set of vent holes is out of alignment with the second internal suction
path. In some
embodiments, the filter cartridge system additionally comprises comprising a
third closed
alignment position in which the first set of vent holes is out of alignment
with the first internal
suction path and the second set of vent holes is out of alignment with the
second internal suction
path.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The present invention will become more fully understood from the
detailed
description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of the present breast pump system being
used.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present breast
pump system.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic of an embodiment of the present breast pump
system.
[0012] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an
enclosure for a breast
pump system.
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[0013] FIG. 5A is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a dual
bottle/pump
connector.
[0014] FIG. 5B is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a dual
bottle/pump
connector.
[0015] FIG. 6A is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a filter
portion of an
enclosure.
[0016] FIG. 6B is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a filter
cartridge.
[0017] FIG. 6C is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a filter
cartridge.
[0018] FIG. 7 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a filter
cartridge for use in a
breast pump system.
[0019] FIG. 8 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a dual
breast shield/suction
connector.
[0020] FIG. 9A is a first schematic of an embodiment of a breast shield
diaphragm part.
[0021] FIG. 9B is a second schematic of an embodiment of a breast shield
cover.
[0022] FIG. 9C is a section view of an embodiment of a breast shield with
both the
diaphragm and the cover.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a level sensor with the milk bottle of
the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 11A is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a
breast pad.
[0025] FIG. 11B is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a
breast pad.
[0026] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures
illustrate the general
manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features
and techniques may
be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.
Additionally, elements in the
drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the
dimensions of some of the
elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help
improve
understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. The same reference
numerals in
different figures denote the same elements.
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[0027] The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," and the like in
the description and in
the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and
not necessarily for
describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be
understood that the terms so
used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the
embodiments described
herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those
illustrated or
otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms "include," and "have," and
any variations
thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process,
method, system,
article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not
necessarily limited to those
elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to
such process,
method, system, article, device, or apparatus.
[0028] The terms "couple," "coupled," "couples," "coupling," and the
like should be broadly
understood and refer to connecting two or more elements mechanically and/or
otherwise. The
absence of the word "removably," "removable," and the like near the word
"coupled," and the
like does not mean that the coupling, etc. in question is or is not removable.
[0029] As defined herein, "approximately" can, in some embodiments, mean
within plus or
minus ten percent of the stated value. In other embodiments, "approximately"
can mean within
plus or minus five percent of the stated value. In further embodiments,
"approximately" can
mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value. In yet other
embodiments,
"approximately" can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is
merely exemplary in
nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or
uses.
[0031] The flow diagram of FIG. 1 shows step 12 as controlling the
breast pump system by
use of a mobile devices, such as iPads or smart phones, or by controls on the
device itself. In step
14, the pump starts pumping, and in step 16, pump parameters, such the amount
of suction
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produced and the speed of pumping is recorded. In step 18, the pumping is
competed and
stopped. In step 20, the pump system records the total volume of milk pumped
and stored. In
step 22, the mobile device downloads data from the pump. In step 24, the
mobile device uploads
the data to an online service that stores and analyses the data. In step 26,
the breast pump user
can review the data that is stored, or in step 28 the data that has been
uploaded is analyzed.
[0032] The block diagram of FIG. 2 is an embodiment of the present
breast pump system. In
the pump housing is the on-board user interface 126 which is connected to the
microprocessor
128 and a Bluetooth LE radio. Also connected to the microprocessor is the
battery 130 power
supply, the sensors 132 and the pump and solenoid valve control 134.
[0033] In the diagram of FIG. 3, an embodiment of the breast pump system
100 has a
vacuum pump 150 attached to a power source and a microprocessor (not shown).
Fluidly
attached to the suction of the pump 150 is a vacuum receiver 160. Fluidly
attached to the vacuum
receiver is a vent valve 170. In a preferred embodiment, the vent valve is an
electrically-operated
solenoid valve controlled by a microcontroller (not shown). The vent valve 170
can be a 3-way
vent valve or a 2-way vent valve with a check valve. Also attached to the vent
valve 170 is a vent
180 with an optional silencer.
[0034] The vent valve 170 is configured to fluidly connect to suction
tubing 200 having a
first end 201 and a second end 202. The first end 201 is coupled to one or
more main suction
connectors 270 further coupled to the vent valve 170. In some embodiments, the
one or more
main suction connectors 270 further comprise a self-sealing filter 205.
[0035] As is shown in FIG. 3, the second end 202 is fluidly attached to
suction port (as
described more fully herein) that is further coupled to a breast shield 220.
In some
embodiments, the suction port is further coupled to an equalization check
valve 214. For
example, the valve 214 may alternately open and close to prevent fluid flow in
one direction
(downward from the suction port) while allowing full fluid flow of air in the
opposite direction
(upward, from pump 150).
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[0036] In some embodiments, breast shield 220 comprises a suction port
and a breast milk
port. The two ports exist to enforce the separation between the milk that
flows into the milk
tubing and the air flow from the suction tubing. The suction tubing 200
attaches to a suction port,
and a milk tubing 230 attaches to a breast milk port. Suction pulls the milk
down to be collected
at the bottom of the breast shield where it flows through the milk tubing 230
to the milk bottle
250. A diaphragm 211 may be in place within the breast shield in order to
ensure that no milk
reaches the suction port of the breast shield.
[0037] The breast shield 220 is further configured for coupling to milk
tubing 230. The milk
tubing has a first end 231 and a second end 232. The second end 232 fluidly
couples to the breast
milk port of the breast shield 220. In some embodiments, the breast shield 220
has a milk check
valve 216 to block flow of the suction to the milk tubing 230 and prevent milk
from backflowing
from the milk tubing to the breast shield. In one embodiment, this milk check
valve is a
combination duckbill-umbrella valve that comprises the milk check valve 216
and the
equalization check valve 214.
[0038] The first end of the milk tubing 231 is configured to couple to a
milk bottle 250 with
an optional lid 240. Positioned between the milk bottle and the vacuum pump
150 is an
isolation/bottle valve 260, which maintains vacuum in the milk bottle. In one
embodiment, the
bottle valve is an electrically-operated solenoid valve under the control of a
microcontroller (not
shown).
[0039] Optionally, the suction tubing 200 and the milk tubing 230 can each
have removable
connectors 270 and 280, respectively. This allows the breast shield 220 and
the milk bottle 250
to be disconnected from the rest of the device for cleaning. In some
embodiments, the remainder
of the device 100 that is disconnected is enclosed in a pump housing (not
shown) for
convenience. In some embodiments, the suction tubing 200 and milk tubing 230
can be attached
together such as by thermal bonding to act as a single assembly for
convenience to the user.
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[0040] Further optionally, a second breast shield (not shown) can be
fluidly attached to the
system at additional connectors 270 and 280, so that both breasts can be
pumped at the same
time.
[0041] In other embodiments, and with exemplary reference to FIG. 4, a
breast pump
.. enclosure 400 is provided that comprises a main compartment 403 and a lid
401. In some
embodiments, main compartment 403 comprises one or more openings 405 for
holding bottles
250, as well as a general opening portion for storing ice packs, etc.
Enclosure 400 can also
include a suction connection portion 411 that contains the coupling ports 270
and 280.
[0042] Enclosure 400 can also include a pump housing (not shown) for
housing one or more
aspects of system 100. For example, enclosure 400 can house vacuum pump 150,
microprocessor 290, and vacuum cylinder 160, in an internal compartment within
enclosure 400.
In some embodiments, enclosure 400 and/or the internal compartment is
constructed of a water-
resistant material to minimize damage to microprocessor 290, should a liquid
(such as milk or
water), come into contact with a portion of enclosure 400. In other
embodiments, enclosure 400
is comprised of an insulation material to maintain the temperature of the milk
bottles and the
internal temperature of the enclosure.
[0043] In some embodiments, enclosure 400 has one or more compartments
(not shown) for
removably containing various features of system 100. For example, in some
embodiments,
enclosure 400 has one or more compartments for removably containing tubing 200
and 230, as
well as the connectors 270 and 280 that may be attached thereto, and one or
more breast shields
220.
[0044] In one embodiment, enclosure 400 is configured such that at least
one bottle opening
405 is adjacent to the 3-way vent solenoid 170, such that a dual connector 500
can be fluidly
connected to both the 3-way vent solenoid 170 and bottle 250. For example,
with reference to
Figures 4, 5A and 5B, in some embodiments, dual connector 500 comprises both
suction
connector 270 and milk connector 280 in one integrated piece. That is, the
dual connector 500
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contains a milk bottle connector portion 409 and a suction connector portion
407. The milk
bottle connector portion 409 is configured to couple fluidly to the top
portion of a bottle 250.
The suction connector portion 407 is configured to sealingly couple to the
filter cartridge 700
and filter insert 605 portion of the suction connection portion 411 of the
enclosure (which are
described in more detail, herein).
[0045] In one embodiment, dual connector 500 is fluidly connected to
both suction tubing
200 and milk tubing 230. In other embodiments, suction tubing 200 and milk
tubing 230 are
adhered together or enclosed together such that the two sets of tubing
resemble a single tube. In
those embodiments, dual connector 500 has a single port for fluidly connecting
to the adjoined
suction tubing 200 and milk tubing 230.
[0046] With reference to Fig. 5B, dual connector 500 mates to suction
tubing 200 at suction
port 433 and to milk tubing at milk port 434. Dual connector 500 seals to the
bottle 250 on
connector portion 409, optionally via lid 240. Dual connector 500 seals to
filter (not shown) via
connector portion 407. Milk flows from milk tube 230 through milk port 434 and
into the bottle
via milk transfer port 423. Bottle suction to facilitate the transfer of milk
down the milk tube is
coupled to the bottle from filter through bottle suction entry 428 via
internal path 443. Main
suction is coupled to suction tube 200 from filter through main suction entry
429 via internal
path 419 and further via suction port 433.
[0047] With reference to Figs. 6A and 7, embodiments of the suction
connection portion 411
of enclosure 400 are shown. Suction connection portion 411 comprises a filter
insert 605
configured to receive a filter cartridge 700. Filter cartridge 700 is
contained within a plastic or
polypropylene housing. The filter cartridge allows air to flow from the vacuum
pump side
towards an outlet side, and collects any milk, bacteria, or particulates that
might otherwise
migrate into the vacuum pump. Filter cartridge 700 is disposable and can be
regularly replaced
when necessary. Filter insert 605 can have one or more vent holes 625 for
directing air from the
pump toward the suction tubing 200 and/or milk tubing 230. Similarly, filter
cartridge 700 can
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have one or more corresponding vent holes 770, such that when the filter
cartridge 700 is
inserted into filter insert 605, air can pass freely from the pump through
filter cartridge 700 and
out through atop end 760 of filter. The top end 760 of the filter can also
comprise one or more
air vents that are sized to correspond with suction connector portion 407 of
the dual connector
500.
[0048] In some embodiments, filter cartridge 700 has one or more legs
780 that are used to
align the filter cartridge 700 with the filter insert 605 and for securing the
filter cartridge 700 into
the filter insert 605. For example, in some embodiments, the legs 780 can be
used to align with
the open portions 635 of filter insert 605. Once the filter cartridge 700 is
inserted into the insert
605, the filter can be twisted into a locking position, wherein the legs 780
are moved to a
position out of alignment with the open portions 635 of the filter insert.
[0049] With reference to Fig. 6B, in some embodiments, filter cartridge
700 is configured
such that there is an internal bottle suction path 610 and an internal main
suction path 620. That
is, vent holes 680 correspond to bottle suction path 610, and vent holes 690
correspond to main
suction path 620. The dual suction paths allow a single filter housing to
protect both the main
suction and the bottle suction portion of the internal pneumatic system. In
some embodiments,
filter cartridge 700 contains one or more o-rings 630 to facilitate sealing
the filter to the
connector 407. In addition, in some embodiments, filter cartridge 700
comprises a filter element
640 to filter bacteria and minimize liquid from entering the pump housing. In
some
embodiments, filter 640 serves to minimize bacterial contamination of the main
pump unit, either
from aerosolized bacteria in the air coming out of the milk bottle or from
accidental overflow of
liquid milk into the filter. In one embodiment, filter 640 is a 0.45 micron
polytetrafluoroethylene
(PTFE) membrane. The pore size minimizes aerosolized bacteria penetration and
the
hydrophobic nature prevents liquid from entering. The membrane may optionally
include an
oleophobic coating to improve performance with milk that has a low surface
tension.
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[0050] Filter cartridge 700 can additionally comprise a filter element
650 to provide
additional protection from liquid ingress on the main suction path. In some
embodiments, the
sealing filter 650 can be a self-sealing filter. In the event of liquid
ingress to the suction tubing,
the filter 650 will stop liquid from entering the pump 150 inside the
enclosure since filter 650
will seal upon exposure to excess moisture. One embodiment of the self-sealing
filter 650 would
be an air-permeable polymer bead matrix in which some beads are made of
carboxyl
methylcellulose or other material that swells when exposed to liquid. When the
material swells,
it would seal the matrix such that no further air or liquid could penetrate.
In some embodiments,
filter cartridge 700 comprises an elastomeric member 670 to facilitate sealing
filter 700 within
insert 605.
[0051] With regards to Fig. 6C, filter cartridge 700 additionally may
have two positions in
the filter insert 605. One is "open" 665 where the vent holes 770 are aligned
with their respective
suction ports 625. The other is "closed" 675 where a portion of the bottom of
the filter cartridge
aligns with the ports 625 on the enclosure and plugs them, the purpose being
so that the user can
single pump only one side, but the pneumatic integrity of the system will be
maintained.
[0052] As should be appreciated, the filter cartridge 700 can be used in
a myriad of
applications, in addition to or alternatively to use in a breast pump. Because
of the dual suction
paths and filter system, the filter cartridge 700 facilitates separation of
suction streams and
provides for minimization of contaminants (including bacteria, liquids, and
the like). While
embodiments of the filter cartridge 700 are described herein with respect to a
breast pump, the
filter cartridge 700 should not be limited to this type of application.
[0053] In some embodiments, and with reference to Figures 8 and 9A-C,
the suction and
milk separator device can be configured as a cover portion 920 of a breast
shield 900. With
reference to Figures 9A-C, embodiments of an integrated breast shield 900 are
shown. Breast
shield 900 comprises a soft inner part or diaphragm 910 and a cover 920.
Diaphragm 910 is
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made of a soft silicone rubber or plastic polymer and is designed to stimulate
the nipple in a
manner similar to a baby's mouth and tongue.
[0054] Diaphragm 910 is comprised of a flexible material and shaped to
reasonably conform
to a user's nipple. Diaphragm 910 interfaces sealingly with the cover 920. In
some embodiments,
diaphragm 910 comprises an outer lip 930 that interfaces with cover inner lip
960. Milk from a
user's breast travels through milk collection outlet 950 in diaphragm 910
through a milk
collecting port 940, which is fluidly connected to milk tubing 230 through a
milk tubing
connector port 810.
[0055] In some embodiments, the breast shield 900 generates suction at
the user's nipple by
applying suction from the suction tubing 200 to the back side of diaphragm
910. In turn, that
suction causes diaphragm 910 to elongate into the cover 920. This displacement
in turn
generates suction at the user's breast, with the benefit that the suction on
that "wet side" of
diaphragm 910 (i.e., the side adjacent to the user's nipple where milk is
expelled) is isolated
from the "dry side" where the tubing connects. As such, the suction portion of
the system 100 is
closed to reduce any contamination from milk or bacteria into the pump 150.
[0056] An exemplary integrated connector 800 is illustrated in FIG. 8
that comprises the
milk tubing connector 810, which fluidly couples to both milk tubing 230 and
the breast milk
collecting port 940 of the breast shield 900. Connector 800 additionally can
comprise a suction
tubing connector 820, which fluidly couples to both suction tubing 200 and a
suction port 970 of
the breast shield.
[0057] The milk tubing connector 810 is configured to hold a milk
separator diaphragm or
check valve 824.
[0058] The shape of milk collecting port 940 conforms to the shape of
milk tubing connector
810, such that there is a fluid connection between the two that prevents milk
from leaking out.
[0059] Cover 920 is shaped to fit onto the diaphragm part 910. The edge 960
of cover 920 is
configured to sealingly interface with the lip 930 of diaphragm 910, such that
outside air does
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not enter into the area between diaphragm part 910 and cover 920, except from
suction tubing
200. Cover 920 has a port 970 that is configured to fluidly couple to suction
tubing connector
820.
[0060] For example, in some embodiments, suction tubing connector 820 is
fluidly coupled
to suction tubing 200 and provides suction to the breast shield 900. The cover
920 further
comprises an interface port 980 that is used to affix the cover 920 onto the
diaphragm part 910.
For example, with respect to Fig. 9C, the interface port 980 aligns with the
top of outlet 940 and
is affixed onto outlet 940. The edge 960 of the cover 920 slides under lip 930
of diaphragm 910
and is removably sealed thereunder. In some embodiments, once cover 920 and
diaphragm 910
are aligned, connector 800 is fluidly connected to the breast shield 900. That
is, the milk tubing
connector 810 fluidly couples to the breast milk collecting port 940 of the
breast shield 900 and
the suction tubing connector 820 fluidly couples to the suction port 970 of
the breast shield.
[0061] During operation, the diaphragm 910 is pressed to the user's
nipple such that it
interfaces sealingly with the user's nipple and creates a wet side space 915
between the user's
nipple and the diaphragm 910. The breast cover 920 interfaces sealingly with
diaphragm 910 to
create a dry side space 925 between the diaphragm and the cover to transfer
suction to the user's
nipple and to direct the flow of expressed milk away from the breast to the
suction and milk
collection outlet 950. When excess milk suction is applied to the breast
shield via milk tubing
230, suction can build up on the wet side 915 such that the air pressure is
lower than what is
otherwise applied to the dry side 925 via the suction tubing 200. When the air
pressure on the
wet side 915 is lower than the pressure on the dry side 925, the diaphragm 910
may collapse
towards the user's nipple, causing additional beneficial stimulation. This
excess vacuum may
need to be relieved by venting to an area of higher pressure. In some
embodiments, an
equalization check valve may be used to relieve excess pressure on the wet
side 915 by allowing
venting to ambient air outside the breast shield or by venting to dry side
925. In one
embodiment, check valve 824 may comprise the equalization check valve such
that the
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equalization check valve allows air from the dry side 925 to pass to the wet
side 915 when the
main suction tubing 200 is at a pressure higher than pressure at the nipple.
[0062] In some embodiments, breast cover 920 is sized and shaped to
resemble a human
breast. That is, in some embodiments, the breast cover has a rounded shape,
such that when the
breast shield system (breast cover 920 interfaced with the diaphragm 910) is
affixed to a breast,
the profile resembles the rounded, natural shape of a breast. When in use, the
breast shield
system can fit discreetly inside a bra. In other embodiments, the breast
shield system can fit
discreetly within a removable bra pad during use.
[0063] The use of a vacuum cylinder allows the use of a smaller, quieter
pump than would
otherwise be required. The pressure vessel acts as a vacuum storage reservoir.
As the pump stays
running throughout the cycle, the vent solenoid opens to the manifold and the
pump, and closes
the vent, and provides vacuum for the system. When the vent solenoid closes to
the pump and
the opens to the vent and the manifold, the system is vented, except for the
pressure vessel,
which is being further vacuumed by the continuously running pump. When the
vent solenoid is
closed to the vent and open to the manifold and pump, the lower pressure in
the pressure vessel
provides a vacuum boost to the system, even with a smaller, quieter pump, and
the pump runs
continuously rather than switching on and off
[0064] The present breast pump system can be controlled wirelessly by an
app on a user's
smart phone or other digital device or by a front-panel display and controls.
The remote app
gives users the option of having very detailed control of the settings
(pumping curves, detailed
cycle timings, etc.), or allows simple single-slider-based control of the
settings. Further, the
pump system captures the detail of the volume of milk produced in a given
pumping session.
This data is uploaded from the app to an internet cloud service for storage,
analysis and retrieval
to display. The app also may track pumping duration, breastfeeding frequency
and diaper
changes, so multiple apps or devices are not needed.
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[0065] As shown in FIG. 10, a milk level sensor 320 can be used to
determine the volume of
milk pumped. As shown in FIG. 10, the sensor 320 is positioned inside the pump
housing 310,
running the height of the milk bottle. The bottle is secured so that the air
gap between the bottle
and the sensor is minimized. The sensor electrodes are parallel to and facing
the bottle. In a
preferred embodiment, there is one senor per bottle and one bottle per breast
so as to be able to
track milk expression independent per breast.
[0066] An example of a preferred sensor is disclosed in US
2016/0,003,663A1, which is
hereby incorporated by reference.
[0067] The microprocessor 290 is able to calculate the volume of milk
expressed. In a
preferred embodiment, the sensor 320 can be paired with a load cell to measure
the weight of the
milk expressed in order to calculate the density of the milk, yielding
information about the solids
content of the milk.
[0068] The pump system 100 can have custom settings entered by the user.
Optional presets
are provided that may be helpful to the new user. This provides new moms with
a better starting
point, rather than just being given a pump and told to start pumping with no
other guidance. The
pump is much quieter than those currently used, because a much smaller pump
can be used. In a
preferred embodiment, a brushless motor, rather than using a traditional
diaphragm pump, is
used. In another preferred embodiment, a linear pump motor that is inherently
quieter is used. In
another preferred embodiment, a vacuum cylinder to boost the suction is used
with a pump,
allowing the pump to run continually, thereby allowing a smaller (and
therefore quieter) motor to
be used on the pump, rather than the pump being turned on and off The present
breast pump
system has the collection bottle and the pump fluidly and remotely connected
to the breast shield
by lengths of tubing. In a preferred embodiment, clothing and undergarments
cover and engage
with the shield and tubing. This provides a discreet system that can be worn
under a woman's
shirt.
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[0069] As shown in FIGS. 11A and B, this improved product offers
discretion in that women
will not have to remove their shirts when breast pumping. In a preferred
embodiment, a
removable bra pad 1100 may be used to hold the breast shields in place and to
prevent leaking
milk from showing. These breast pads also serve as the lining of the bra. The
removable cups
will allow this bra to seamlessly go from a pumping bra to a nursing bra. As
illustrated in an
exemplary embodiment in Fig. 11B, the side profile of the breast pad conforms
to the shape of a
breast.
[0070] In exemplary embodiments and with reference to Fig. 11A, an
interior 1120 of bra
pad 1100 comprises a central cavity 1130 for receiving a breast shield 900.
The interior 1120 of
bra pad 1100 further comprises a milk connector cavity 1110 and adjacent
tubing pathway 1105.
When connector 800 is coupled to breast shield 900, the breast shield 900 is
configured to fit
within bra pad 1100 such that the attached connector 800 fits within the milk
connector cavity
1110 and the attached milk collection and suction tubing fits within the
tubing pathway 1105.
[0071] Milk tubing 230 and/or suction tubing 200 are removable for easy
cleaning. During
use, the tubes (or conjoined tube) dangle down the torso of the user. In some
embodiments, one
set of tubes will connect to the milk collection bottle, and the other set
will connect to the
vacuum pump. In other embodiments where the tubes are attached together, the
tubes dually
connect to both the milk connection bottle and vacuum pump, as shown and
described with
respect to Fig. 4. Similarly, in some embodiments where the tubes are attached
together, the
tubes dually connect to the breast cover and breast nipple, as shown and
described in Figs. 8 and
9A-C. From the side, the bra consists of multiple pieces that are hidden in
the cup of the bra.
Those pieces include, bra pad 1100, connector 800, tubing 230 and 200, and
breast shield 900.
[0072] The embodiments were chosen and described to best explain the
principles of the
invention and its practical application to persons who are skilled in the art.
As various
modifications could be made to the exemplary embodiments, as described above
with reference
to the corresponding illustrations, without departing from the scope of the
invention, it is
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intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in
the accompanying
drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the
breadth and scope of
the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described
exemplary
embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following
claims appended
hereto and their equivalents.
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