A barrier of a vacuum pump prevents contamination from entering a vacuum pump air line. The barrier separates parts of the pump and is moveable between an initial state and a distended state. The barrier is assembled within the pump with a pre-load. When the vacuum source is applied to the barrier, the barrier achieves a distended state and when the vacuum source is released, the barrier incrementally self returns to an initial state. The geometry and material construction of the barrier, along with the pre-load, assists in returning the barrier on its own to the initial state from the distended state.

A barrier of a vacuum pump prevents contamination from entering a vacuum pump air line. The barrier separates parts of the pump and is moveable between an initial state and a distended state. The barrier is assembled within the pump with a pre-load. When the vacuum source is applied to the barrier, the barrier achieves a distended state and when the vacuum source is released, the barrier incrementally self returns to an initial state. The geometry and material construction of the barrier, along with the pre-load, assists in returning the barrier on its own to the initial state from the distended state.

A breast shield unit of a breast pump for expressing human breastmilk comprises a breast shield to be placed onto a mother's breast, a breastmilk collection container for receiving expressed breastmilk, an adapter for connecting the breast shield to the breastmilk collection container and a valve head. A breastmilk channel extends from the breast shield into the breastmilk collection container through the adapter and the valve head. The valve head includes a valve which closes and opens the breastmilk channel during the pumping action, wherein a fill level sensor for measuring a fill level of the breastmilk collection container is arranged in the valve head. The breast shield unit according to the invention facilitates a fill level measurement without a structural change of the breast shield and breastmilk collection container. Moreover, it facilitates data interchange with external information storage and/or information processing units.

A breast shield unit of a breast pump for expressing human breastmilk comprises a breast shield to be placed onto a mother's breast, a breastmilk collection container for receiving expressed breastmilk, an adapter for connecting the breast shield to the breastmilk collection container and a valve head. A breastmilk channel extends from the breast shield into the breastmilk collection container through the adapter and the valve head. The valve head includes a valve which closes and opens the breastmilk channel during the pumping action, wherein a fill level sensor for measuring a fill level of the breastmilk collection container is arranged in the valve head. The breast shield unit according to the invention facilitates a fill level measurement without a structural change of the breast shield and breastmilk collection container. Moreover, it facilitates data interchange with external information storage and/or information processing units.

The present application relates to a breast pump system comprising a vacuum pump, an actuator for driving the vacuum pump, and a power supply for supplying electrical power to a plurality of components including the actuator, and also to a method for use in such as system. An output voltage of the power supply is detected, and in response to the detected output voltage being less than a first threshold voltage, the supply of electrical power to a predetermined one of the plurality of components is suspended. Then, if the detected output voltage recovers to a level above a second threshold value, the supply of electrical power is resumed.

The present application relates to a breast pump system comprising a vacuum pump, an actuator for driving the vacuum pump, and a power supply for supplying electrical power to a plurality of components including the actuator, and also to a method for use in such as system. An output voltage of the power supply is detected, and in response to the detected output voltage being less than a first threshold voltage, the supply of electrical power to a predetermined one of the plurality of components is suspended. Then, if the detected output voltage recovers to a level above a second threshold value, the supply of electrical power is resumed.

A breast pump for collecting breast milk having a funnel intended to receive the breast, a housing and a device for producing a negative pressure. The funnel consists of a flexible material and extends into the housing. The device for producing a negative pressure has at least one body that is movable over a portion of the length of the funnel while compressing the funnel.

A breast pump for collecting breast milk having a funnel intended to receive the breast, a housing and a device for producing a negative pressure. The funnel consists of a flexible material and extends into the housing. The device for producing a negative pressure has at least one body that is movable over a portion of the length of the funnel while compressing the funnel.

There is a breastfeeding device having a microprocessor having a memory embedded therein that can be pre-programmed to have a plurality of different sucking cycles interspersed with periodic pauses. These different cycles and pauses allow for an accurate modeling of a woman breastfeeding a child. In addition, this system and process can also result in a pre-programmable breastfeeding pump, which creates a preset time for initialization and a preset schedule of a series of events for breastfeeding over a period of time such as over a 24 hour or 30 hour period of time so that the user can automatically use the breast pump without having to use any of the keys on the keyboard of the device. In at least one embodiment, the device including any software which can be programmed thereon, is configured to mimic or model itself towards a suction pattern of a child.

There is a breastfeeding device having a microprocessor having a memory embedded therein that can be pre-programmed to have a plurality of different sucking cycles interspersed with periodic pauses. These different cycles and pauses allow for an accurate modeling of a woman breastfeeding a child. In addition, this system and process can also result in a pre-programmable breastfeeding pump, which creates a preset time for initialization and a preset schedule of a series of events for breastfeeding over a period of time such as over a 24 hour or 30 hour period of time so that the user can automatically use the breast pump without having to use any of the keys on the keyboard of the device. In at least one embodiment, the device including any software which can be programmed thereon, is configured to mimic or model itself towards a suction pattern of a child.