An apparatus for biomimetic expression of breast milk can comprise a breast interface having an expandable membrane configured to mimic the geometry of an infant's mouth. Various regions of the expandable membrane may be configured to simulate the structure and/or function of various parts of an infant's mouth. The expandable membrane may comprise one or more of a distal sealing region configured to simulate the lips, a superior region configured to simulate the hard palate, an inferior protruding region configured to simulate the gums, an intermediate curved region configured to simulate the tongue, and one or more internal expansion regions configured to simulate the soft palate and the throat. The expandable membrane may have a varying thickness throughout the one or more various regions to enable movement of the regions similar to the movement of the corresponding regions of an infant's mouth during nursing.

The invention is a wearable breast pump system including a housing shaped at least in part to fit inside a bra and a piezo air-pump. The piezo air-pump is fitted in the housing and forms part of a closed loop system that drives a separate, deformable diaphragm to generate negative air pressure. The diaphragm is removably mounted on a breast shield.

A breast milk pump comprising: a milk extraction assembly comprising a funnel configured to engage a breast of a user, said funnel comprising a flexible portion having a flexible portion inner surface for facing the breast and an opposite flexible portion outer surface; a stimulating mechanism facing the flexible portion outer surface and configured to manipulate the flexible portion; and a position adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the stimulating mechanism with respect to the funnel, said position adjustment mechanism comprising at least one lever member articulated to the stimulating mechanism, the lever member being pivotable about a lever pivot axis, to move the stimulating mechanism.

A lactation system is disclosed. Embodiments include at least one extraction mechanism including a compression mechanism and a collection mechanism, and a controller. The compression mechanism can include a plurality of manipulable members, each operably coupled to an actuator and arrangeable circumferentially about a breast of a user such that each member can be actuated to selectively apply pressure to a region of the breast. The collection mechanism can be removably coupleable to the compression mechanism and can comprise a storage compartment to receive and store milk The controller can be operably coupleable to the actuators to cause the members to move according to a movement pattern which can be configured to stimulate the breast to induce the flow of milk from the breast and modulated based on sensor feedback. A wearable garment with an inner structure can be removably coupled to the extraction mechanism. An outer cover can be arrangeable to conceal the extraction mechanism.

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.

A breast pump having an areola stimulation assembly is provided. The breast pump may include a breast cup. The breast pump may also include a vacuum component that connects to the breast cup. Additionally, the breast pump may include an areola stimulation assembly, contained within the breast pump, that comprises an upper plate; a lower plate; and a mechanism that moves the lower plate with respect to the upper plate.

A hands-free milk extraction and collection device including a combined milk extraction and collection container and a housing unit. The container includes an internal cavity having an extraction portion for receiving a nipple region of a woman's breast and having a collection portion for collecting milk extracted from the woman's breast. The extraction portion is configured to latch onto the nipple region of the woman's breast to aid in stimulating milk flow from the breast by creating suction pressure at the nipple region. The housing unit includes a retention device for retaining the container in the housing unit, wherein the housing unit and the enclosed container are collectively configured to fit inside a woman's bra for hands-free usage.

Systems and methods for assessing milk volume changes within a breast are described. Also described are systems and methods for assessing volume changes in the stomach of an infant.

A breast milk pump comprising: a milk extraction assembly comprising a funnel configured to engage a breast of a user, said funnel comprising a flexible portion having a flexible portion inner surface for facing the breast and an opposite flexible portion outer surface; a stimulating mechanism facing the flexible portion outer surface and configured to manipulate the flexible portion; and a position adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the stimulating mechanism with respect to the funnel, said position adjustment mechanism comprising at least one lever member articulated to the stimulating mechanism, the lever member being pivotable about a lever pivot axis, to move the stimulating mechanism.

A breast milk pump comprising: a milk extraction assembly comprising a funnel configured to engage a breast of a user, said funnel comprising a flexible portion having a flexible portion inner surface for facing the breast and an opposite flexible portion outer surface; a stimulating mechanism facing the flexible portion outer surface and configured to manipulate the flexible portion; and a position adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the stimulating mechanism with respect to the funnel, said position adjustment mechanism comprising at least one lever member articulated to the stimulating mechanism, the lever member being pivotable about a lever pivot axis, to move the stimulating mechanism.