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.

The present invention relates to an expression kit (2) for a breast pump (1) for extracting breast milk (101) from a human teat (102). The expression kit (2) comprises: a breast pump body (10) comprising a first pressure chamber (11) and a second pressure chamber (21); wherein the first pressure chamber (11) is configured for connection to a pressure unit (30) for generating a in the pressure chamber (11); wherein the second pressure chamber (21) comprises a breast-receiving funnel (22), a milk outlet (23) and a milk path (24) from the breast-receiving funnel (22) to the milk outlet (23); and wherein the first and the second pressure (11, 21) chamber are separated by a breathable membrane (50), which is gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable, for separating the first pressure chamber (11) from liquid in the milk path (24), wherein the breathable membrane (50) is a hydrophobic membrane. Further, the present invention relates to a breast pump (1).

A breast milk collection and storage system is disclosed that comprises a manual breast pump. The manual breast pump comprises a breast cup configured to engage with a mother's breast. The breast cup comprises an opening. The manual breast pump also comprises a reservoir at a base of the breast cup configured to receive breast milk through the opening and collect breast milk extracted from the mother's breast. The breast milk collection and storage system also comprises a stopper configured to seal the opening to prevent leakage of breast milk from the reservoir. The breast milk collection and storage system further comprises a capsule configured to enclose the manual breast pump with the stopper and apply a compression force to the stopper to maintain the seal of the opening when the capsule is closed.

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.

Disclosed herein are various techniques and devices for detecting a level of fluid within a fluid collection receptacle. These techniques and devices may further determine a flow rate of fluid entering the fluid collection receptacle or a volume of fluid collected within the fluid collection receptacle. Sensors, including pressure sensors, may be installed in, on, or within the fluid collection receptacle to detect information about the liquid within the receptacle including fluid level, flow rate, and volume.

A breastmilk collection device includes breast contacting flange, a vacuum reservoir, flexible diaphragm separating the breast contacting flange and the vacuum reservoir, and a flange receiver between the breast contacting flange and the flexible diaphragm. The breast contacting flange has a wide portion for accepting the breast and a narrow portion. The flexible diaphragm is located between the narrow portion and the vacuum reservoir. The flexible diaphragm moves between a sealed configuration, in which the breast contacting flange is sealed off from the vacuum reservoir, and an open valve configuration, in which the flexible diaphragm acts as a one-way valve to allow expressed milk to flow through a milk flow opening between the flexible diaphragm and the breast contacting flange when an opening pressure is reached in the breast contacting flange.

A breast pump device and associated methods for extracting breast milk ate disclosed. A pump head comprises an external shell with an elastic membrane disposed and bonded therein to define at least one hermetically sealed chamber. Manipulation of the elastic membrane, for example, by adjusting suction or pressure in the sealed chamber or within an interior volume defined by the elastic membrane permits radial mechanical compression (positive pressure) to be applied to a nipple positioned in the pump head to simulate compression of the nipple by the infant's tongue and simultaneously permits axial hydraulic or pneumatic suction (negative pressure) to be applied to the nipple to simulate the infant's minimum intra-oral vacuum. The breast pump device of the present invention can generate these simultaneous compressions and suctions with a single vacuum source, which may be an electric pump or a hand-operated mechanical pump.

An adapter for connecting a breast milk collection bag to breast milk pump fittings of different sizes. A breast milk collection bag has an end margin configured to conform tightly over the adapter. The bag can have a reclosable seal. An adapter has a first adapter portion and a second adapter portion. The first adapter portion can connect to a fitting of a first breast milk pump of a first size. The second adapter portion can connect to a fitting of a second breast milk pump of a second size different from the first size. In another aspect, the adapter further has a retainer and a flow passage. The retainer is configured to engage and hold the end margin of the breast milk collection bag. The flow passage extends through the first adapter portion, the second adapter portion, and the retainer.

A method for a system provider in a communication with a user over a computer network, allowing a determination of an optimum dimensioned breast flange for employment by the user with a breast pump. The identification of a model identifier of a flange which is best dimensioned for the physical characteristics of the breast of the user is determined from measurements taken and provided by the user remotely.

A breast flange has a cup portion shaped to receive a lactating female breast, a funnel portion coupled to the cup portion and shaped to receive areola and nipple regions of the lactating female breast and to be in contact with the areola region, and a neck portion coupled to the funnel portion and configured to be coupled directly to a breast pump fitting. At least the funnel portion is made of a pliable and resilient material, the material having a thickness. The funnel portion has a set of windows, each window defined by a reduction in thickness of the material and configured to deflect in the presence of suction so as to mimic action of a tongue of a nursing baby.