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 the amount 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).

A breast pump is disclosed. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a breast pump comprising a contact housing comprising a protruding part configured to correspond to a mother's nipple and extend toward the front and a breast milk outlet hole formed at the protruding part; a cap connector coupled to cover an end of the protruding part to form a first inner space between the end of the protruding part and itself and comprising a breast milk outlet tube linked with the breast milk outlet hole and the first inner space; a funnel connector on the cap connector to form a second inner space; a storage housing comprising a coupling hole to correspond to the second inner space of the funnel connector and detachably coupled with the contact housing; a lid coupled to cover the second inner space of the funnel connector through the coupling hole of the storage housing; and a flow separation membrane configured to separate the space between the funnel connector and the lid.

The present invention relates to a breast shield used in a breast pump configured to pump human breast milk. The breast shield includes a hard base portion including both ends and a sidewall connecting the both ends to include a hollow therein in which the both ends are open and a human mamma is accommodated in the hollow through any one of the both ends, through holes passing through the sidewall, and a soft portion configured to surround an outer surface and an inner surface of the base portion, prevent an airflow through the through holes, and have flexibility.

The present disclosure provides improved breast pump systems, components thereof, and methods of use thereof. The breast pump system includes a breast cup having a diaphragm disposed between a pressure chamber and milk chamber. Expansion and contraction of the diaphragm acts to express milk and transport it from the breast cup.

The present invention relates to an oxytocin release stimulation device (10) that can be arranged at or close to skin of a user (40). The oxytocin release stimulation device (10) comprises a lighting unit (14) and a control unit (16). The control unit (16) controls the lighting unit (14) such that the lighting unit (14) provides light with specific wavelengths and radiant exposures to the skin of the user (40) for a duration that ensures stimulation of a release of oxytocin. Release of oxytocin allows to stimulate a milk ejection reflex and thus to support milk extraction, e.g. when the oxytocin release stimulation device (10) is used with a breast pump (100). The oxytocin release stimulation device (10) can furthermore allow to reach an oxytocin level during pregnancy that allows to reduce the risk of postpartum depression or that allows to facilitate induction of labor.

A breast shield arrangement (300) for a breast pump is provided. The breast shield arrangement comprises a breast receiving portion (300a) with a flexible collapsible funnel (301) and a rigid frame (340) which are made as a single unit by 2K manufacturing. The flexible funnel (330) has a circumferentially extending wall (301a). The breast receiving portion (300a) has a first and second end (310, 320). The flexible funnel (330) and the rigid frame (340) are connected at the first and second end (310, 320) of the breast receiving portion (300a) during a 2K manufacturing. The flexible funnel (330) is configured to collapse if a vacuum is applied to the breast receiving portion (300a).

A breast pump system having a suction tubing, a milk tubing, a pump, a three way vent valve, a milk bottle, an isolation valve and a breast shield, wherein the first end of the suction tubing and the first end of the milk tubing are fluidly connected to the pump; wherein the second end of the suction tubing and the second end of the milk tubing are fluidly connected to the breast shield; wherein the three way vent valve is fluidly connected between the pump and the breast shield on the suction tubing; wherein the milk bottle is fluidly connected on the milk tubing between the breast shield and the pump; and wherein the isolation valve is connected on the milk tubing between the milk bottle and the pump.

A pump unit (10) includes a number of pumps (14) each having a port in fluid connection to a combined port (12) of the pump unit. A processing system (16) is connected to each of the pumps (14) for independent actuation of each pump. A user interface (22) allows user actuation of the pump unit according to one or more mode of operation, requiring various different levels of suction or pressure. The processing system (16) determines what number of pumps (14) is required, and selectively actuates pumps in order to generate the required suction or pressure. Particularly preferred applications include breast pumps. Additional aspects of the invention relate to a cyclic pulsed suction profile generated by the device, implementations that detect when a milk extraction set is not properly deployed, and configurations which allow a touch screen to be used as a power-on switch for the device.

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 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.