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.

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.

An improved breast pump flange assembly, flexible membrane and method of use are disclosed. In some embodiments, the breast pump flange assembly includes a flanged housing having an interior chamber extending therethrough. The flanged housing including an upper receiving portion having a first diameter, a substantially tubular middle portion having a second diameter, and a substantially tubular lower connecting portion having a third diameter. In some embodiments, the breast pump flange assembly further includes a flexible membrane having an opening extending therethrough. The flexible membrane having one or more support pad positioned at least partially around the opening of the tubular middle portion of the flanged housing. The support pad configured to simulate the sensation of a baby's mouth on a breast, causing the breast to be massaged by intermittent suction action produced by a breast pump.

A breast pump or milk collection assembly comprises a rear assembly for fitting over the breast of a user, a front assembly for fitting over the rear assembly and a milk container for fitting beneath the rear and front assemblies. The rear assembly comprises all parts (other than the container) which will contact milk in use, such as a breast shield and a diaphragm. The front assembly comprises all parts which do not need cleaning, for example a cover for fitting over the diaphragm to define a sealed space between them, a power source, pump and controller, and a front cover. A release element which projects forwards along a channel in the front assembly, thereby to define a release actuator at an external face of the front assembly for releasing the coupling together of the rear and front assemblies.

The present invention relates to a breast status determination device (10). The breast status determination device (10) comprises a breast shield (16), a nipple elongation measurement unit (17), and a breast status determination unit (20). The breast shield (16) can receive abreast (12) of a user (14) therein. The nipple elongation measurement unit (17) can measure an elongation of a nipple of the breast (12) received in the breast shield (16) for a specific pressure in the breast shield (16) during a milk extraction session. The breast status determination unit (20) can determine a status of the breast (12) based on the elongation of the nipple (26). The breast status determination device (10) can allow estimating of milk left in the breast during the milk extraction session, when the breast (12) is empty, and whether a milk ejection reflex is present or absent in the breast (12).

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.

A nipple cushion formed as part of an insert for a breast-receiving funnel-shaped membrane of a breast pump. The nipple cushion may include an adhesive to form a temporary bond to any type of a breast pump cushion. Such a nipple cushion of the present invention absorbs any friction created by the movement between the breast pump and the user's breast, with the aid of the material that constitutes the nipple cushion.

A breast pump system is provided with a suction tubing and a milk tubing, wherein the suction tubing and milk tubing each have first and second ends, and comprise a unitary tube structure. The system includes a first connector that has a first portion for coupling to a breast pump and the suction tubing, and a second portion for coupling to a milk bottle and the milk tubing. The system also includes a second connector that has a first portion coupled to a suction port of a breast shield and the suction tubing, and a second portion coupled to a breast milk collecting port and the milk tubing. A breast shield system with a flexible diaphragm and a cover is provided that may be coupled to the breast pump system. A dual suction path filter cartridge is also provided.

The present invention provides a breastshield for use in a breastpumping system for expressing milk, the breastshield being of such a construction that substantially limits the amount of air between the breast/nipple and the breastshield surrounding the breast/nipple, and most preferably virtually eliminates any air at least in the area of the breast and nipple. In some embodiments, any air in the breastpumping system is substantially eliminated. With the amount of air limited, the mechanism used for generating the pressure difference in the breastshield (e.g., vacuum or negative pressure), such as a diaphragm pump, does not need to do as much work. Less energy is required for the expression of milk, and thus the size of pump used can be decreased, thereby reducing the overall cost of the device.

The present invention provides a breastshield for use in a breastpumping system for expressing milk, the breastshield being of such a construction that substantially limits the amount of air between the breast/nipple and the breastshield surrounding the breast/nipple, and most preferably virtually eliminates any air at least in the area of the breast and nipple. In some embodiments, any air in the breastpumping system is substantially eliminated. With the amount of air limited, the mechanism used for generating the pressure difference in the breastshield (e.g., vacuum or negative pressure), such as a diaphragm pump, does not need to do as much work. Less energy is required for the expression of milk, and thus the size of pump used can be decreased, thereby reducing the overall cost of the device.