CUSHION CONFIGURED TO BE MOUNTED TO AN AIR PASSAGE ELEMENT OF A BREAST PUMP DEVICE

Abstract

Complexity of a process of mounting a cushion (40) to an air passage element (20) of abreast pump device is decreased by only requiring a user to arrange the cushion (40) on the air passage element (20) in a first arrangement in which the cushion (40) is easily accessible. Particularly, the user does not need to perform cumbersome actions aimed at accurately putting the cushion (40) to an intended, correct position, as a predetermined mounting arrangement of the cushion (40) on the air passage element (20) is realized under the influence of underpressure prevailing at a back side of the air passage element (20). In the process, the cushion (40) is put to the predetermined mounting arrangement, wherein the cushion (40) is made to flex and/or move.

Claims

1. A cushion configured to be mounted to an air passage element of a breast pump device and to contact a breast of a user of the breast pump device, the cushion being generally sleeve-shaped, the cushion comprising a breast-facing section at one side thereof and a pump section at another side thereof, wherein the pump section includes a contacting surface configured to contact a surface of the air passage element, and the cushion is being further configured to be deformable and/or movable from an initial configuration to a final configuration when the cushion is brought under the influence of underpressure acting on the cushion from the side of the pump section, wherein the cushion is configured to be stretchable in a generally axial direction under the influence of underpressure acting on the cushion from the side of the pump section.

2. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the cushion is configured to be at least partially arranged in the air passage element of the breast pump device and/or to be arranged to at least partially encompass the air passage element of the breast pump device, wherein the contacting surface is configured to contact an interior surface of the air passage element and/or to contact an exterior surface of the air passage element.

3. (canceled)

4. The cushion according to claim 1, further comprising a stretching section positioned between the breast-facing section and the pump section, wherein the stretching section is deformable between a more compact configuration and a more straightened configuration and thereby being configured to facilitate stretching of the cushion.

5. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the pump section includes a stiffened annular portion, wherein the contacting surface is constituted by at least a portion of a surface of the pump section at a position of the stiffened annular portion.

6. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the breast-facing section includes a coupling portion configured to engage with the air passage element.

7. The cushion according to claim 6, wherein the coupling portion comprises a groove configured to receive and accommodate a peripheral front edge of the air passage element.

8. The cushion according to claim 1, further comprising a valve located in the cushion to at least hinder an airflow through the cushion when the cushion is not disposed in the final configuration.

9. An assembly comprising the cushion according to claim 1 and the breast pump device, wherein the contacting surface of the pump section of the cushion is in sealing contact with a surface of the air passage element of the breast pump device when the cushion is coupled to the air passage element of the breast pump device and is either in the initial configuration or the final configuration.

10. A breast pump device, comprising an expression unit including an air passage element, the expression unit configured to allow a cushion according to claim 8 to be mounted to the air passage element, and the expression unit including at least one retaining element for receiving at least one displaceable part of the valve of the cushion (under the influence of underpressure acting on the cushion from the side of the pump section, the at least one retaining element being configured to deform the cushion from the initial configuration in which the at least one retaining element has not yet received the at least one displaceable part of the valve, to the final configuration in which the at least one retaining element has received the at least one displaceable part of the valve when the valve.

11. A breast pump device, comprising an expression unit including an air passage element, the expression unit being configured to couple to a cushion that is generally sleeve-shaped and that comprises a breast-facing section at one side thereof and a pump section at another side thereof, wherein the pump section includes a contacting surface configured to contact a surface of the air passage element, and the expression unit including an abutment surface against which a portion of the pump section can abut, the breast pump device being arranged to deform and/or move the cushion from the initial configuration in which an end of the cushion at the side of the pump section does not abut against the abutment surface of the expression unit, to the final configuration in which the end of the cushion abuts against the abutment surface of the expression unit.

12. The breast pump device according to claim 10, wherein a surface of the air passage element includes a smooth, continuous portion on which the contacting surface of the pump section of the cushion can slide in a situation of the cushion being positioned with respect to the air passage element in the initial configuration and being deformed and/or moved from the initial configuration to the final configuration.

13. The breast pump device according to claim 10, further comprising: a vacuum unit configured to realize a pressure cycle in the expression unit, the vacuum unit being connectable to the expression unit and including a pump mechanism configured to suck air from the expression unit, and a controller configured to control operation of the breast pump device during a pumping session, the controller being programmed to drive the pump mechanism for creating a vacuum boost at the start of a pumping session effective to deform and/or move a cushion from the initial configuration to the final configuration position when the cushion is positioned with respect to the air passage element.

14. A breast pump device, comprising: an expression unit including an air passage element, the expression unit being designed to allow a cushion that is generally sleeve-shaped and that comprises a breast-facing section at one side thereof and a pump section at another side thereof, to be mounted to the air passage element, wherein the pump section includes a contacting surface configured to contact a surface of the air passage element, a vacuum unit configured to realize a pressure cycle in the expression unit, the vacuum unit being connectable to the expression unit and including a pump mechanism configured to suck air from the expression unit, and a controller configured to control operation of the breast pump device during a pumping session, the controller being programmed to drive the pump mechanism for creating a vacuum boost at the start of a pumping session effective to deform and/or move a cushion from an initial configuration to a final configuration when the cushion is positioned with respect to the air passage element.

15. The breast pump device according to claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to communicate with an external device or system that is separate from the expression unit and the vacuum unit, and that is configured to provide information to a person, including information about a configuration and/or a position of the cushion in the air passage element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The invention will now be explained in greater detail with reference to the figures, in which equal or similar parts are indicated by the same reference signs, and in which:

[0030] FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows a breast pump device comprising an expression kit, a vacuum unit, and a flexible hose interconnecting the expression kit and the vacuum unit, and also diagrammatically shows a smartphone for receiving information from the breast pump device and displaying information to a user;

[0031] FIGS. 2 and 3 diagrammatically show a sectional view of an expression kit, a part of a user's breast, and a sectional view of a cushion according to a first embodiment of the invention, as arranged in an air passage element of the expression kit, FIG. 2 showing the cushion in an initial configuration and FIG. 3 showing the cushion in a final configuration;

[0032] FIGS. 4 and 5 diagrammatically show a sectional view of a cushion according to a second embodiment of the invention, as arranged in an air passage element, FIG. 4 showing the cushion in an initial configuration and FIG. 5 showing the cushion in a final configuration;

[0033] FIG. 6 diagrammatically shows a sectional view of an expression kit, a part of a user's breast, and a sectional view of a cushion according to a third embodiment of the invention, as arranged on an air passage element of the expression kit; and

[0034] FIGS. 7-9 diagrammatically show a sectional view of a cushion according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, as arranged in an air passage element, FIG. 7 showing the cushion in an initial configuration, FIG. 8 showing the cushion in an intermediate configuration, and FIG. 9 showing the cushion in a final configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0035] The invention is in the field of breast pump devices. With reference to FIG. 1, a general description of an electric breast pump device will be given first so as to generate a clear picture of contextual aspects of the invention. The invention is also applicable to manually operated breast pump devices.

[0036] The breast pump device 1 comprises an expression kit 2 and a vacuum unit 3 for generating a pressure cycle during which vacuum (low pressure) is alternately generated and released. For the purpose of receiving expressed breast milk during operation of the breast pump device 1, a milk receptacle 4 is used which is connectable to the expression kit 2, e.g. by screwing, thereby closing a lower end of the expression kit 2. The vacuum unit 3 is an electric vacuum unit and comprises an electric pump 31 and an air valve for realizing an alternating vacuum during operation, i.e. during pumping sessions to be performed by means of the breast pump device 1. The pump 31, the air valve, and a controller 32 for realizing proper operation of the pump 31 and the air valve are designed to function in a manner which is well known in the field of breast pump devices. Therefore, further details of these components will not be explained in the present text, and the same is applicable to other practical aspects of the vacuum unit 3 known per se. The pump 31 is electrically connected to a source of electric power, which may be the mains or a battery, for example. The pump 31 and the controller 32 are diagrammatically depicted in FIG. 1 as dashed rectangles, whilst the air valve is not shown. A path allowing for exchange of control signals etc. between the pump 31 and the controller 32 is diagrammatically depicted in FIG. 1 as a dashed line. The path may be realized as any suitable type of communication wire, for example.

[0037] The expression kit 2 comprises an air passage element 20 including a breast-receiving funnel 21, and further comprises an aperture acting as a milk outlet 22, and a milk path 23 from the breast-receiving funnel 21 to the milk outlet 22. The breast-receiving funnel 21 is thus in fluid communication with the milk outlet 22 through the milk path 23.

[0038] In FIG. 1, the breast pump device 1 is shown in an assembled condition, in which the vacuum unit 3 is connected to the expression kit 2 through a flexible hose 5, wherein an air inlet 33 of the vacuum unit 3 is connected to an air outlet 24 of the expression kit 2. Such a configuration allows for a remote arrangement of the vacuum unit 3 with respect to the expression kit 2, so that the size of the part of the breast pump device 1 which is to be applied to a woman's breast can be kept within reasonable limits. It is to be noted that the breast pump device 1 can comprise two expression kits 2 for enabling a lactating woman using the breast pump device 1 to extract milk from two breasts at the same time, in which case the expression kits 2 can share a common vacuum unit 3.

[0039] In general, the breast pump device 1 is used to realize milk expression from a woman's breast. To that end, an alternating vacuum (pressure cycle) is applied to the breast. During periods of low pressure, or vacuum, the actual process in which milk is expressed from the breast takes place. Every time that the vacuum is released, freshly expressed milk drops in the receptacle 4.

[0040] Advantageously, as shown, the breast pump device 1 comprises a user interface 34 for allowing a user to control operation of the breast pump device 1. In the shown example, the user interface 34 is arranged on the vacuum unit 3 and enables a user to provide input to the controller 32. The user interface 34 may be realized in any suitable manner such as through a number of buttons as shown, or through a touch screen, for example. By way of example, it is noted that the user interface 34 may comprise one button 35 for activating a stimulation mode and three buttons 36 for choosing one of three expression settings.

[0041] Besides the breast pump device 1, FIG. 1 shows a smartphone 9 that may be used for providing information during operation of the breast pump device 1 to a user. In particular, the smartphone 9 may be used to run an application designed to display relevant information about the breast pump device 1 and pumping sessions performed by means of the breast pump device 1 on the screen 91 of the smartphone 9. Also, the smartphone 9 may be suitable to receive input from a user and transmit the input to the controller 32, in addition to or as an alternative of the user interface 34 on the vacuum unit 3. A path allowing for exchange of information between the controller 32 and the smartphone 9 is diagrammatically depicted in FIG. 1 as a dashed line. The path is preferably realized in a wireless manner, which should not be understood such as to imply that a wired path is not covered by the invention as well.

[0042] In order to provide a soft and warm feel to the breast, it is advantageous to avoid direct contact between the breast and the air passage element 20. To that end, a cushion is provided, which is intended to be mounted to the air passage element 20 by a user prior to operating the breast pump device 1 for performing a pumping session. FIGS. 2 and 3 relate to a first embodiment of a cushion as mentioned, FIGS. 4 and 5 relate to a second embodiment of such a cushion, and FIG. 6 relates to a third embodiment of such a cushion.

[0043] In both FIGS. 2 and 3, an expression kit 2, a part of a user's breast 6, and a sectional view of the cushion 40 according to the first embodiment of the invention as arranged in the air passage element 20 of the expression kit 2 are shown. The cushion 40 is generally sleeve-shaped. In the shown example, the air passage element 20 includes a breast-receiving funnel 21 having a substantially circular periphery, and the cushion 40 has a substantially circular periphery as well. The cushion 40 comprises a breast-facing section 41 at one side thereof and a pump section 42 at another side thereof.

[0044] The cushion 40 is intended to be arranged in the air passage element 20 by a user in the configuration as shown in FIG. 2, which is referred to as initial configuration. When the breast pump device 1 of which the expression kit 2 is part is operated and an underpressure is generated at a back side of the air passage element 20, as diagrammatically indicated by means of arrows in FIG. 3, another configuration of the cushion 40 is realized, which is referred to as final configuration. In this way, it is achieved that the user is not required to perform complex handling of the cushion 40 aimed at putting the cushion 40 in the intended mounting arrangement in the air passage element 20 as shown in FIG. 3, in which an end 43 of the cushion 40 at the side of the pump section 42 is rather deep down in the air passage element 20, as this is done automatically under the influence of the underpressure once the user has inserted the cushion 40 in the air passage element 20 from the front side to a limited depth only. In order to allow for this advantageous effect, the cushion 40 and the expression kit 2 have features as will be explained in the following.

[0045] In the first place, it is to be noted that the cushion 40 according to the first embodiment of the invention is stretchable, in a generally axial direction. The cushion 40 comprises a flexible material such as silicone, and includes a stretching section 44 at a position between the breast-facing section 41 and the pump section 42. As can be derived from a comparison between FIGS. 2 and 3, the stretching section 44 is deformable between a more compact configuration and a more straightened configuration. In the shown example, the stretching section 44 comprises a curved portion that is flattened when the cushion 40 is stretched from the initial configuration to the final configuration. Especially at the position of the cushion 40, the flexibility of the cushion 40 may be high, which contributes to enabling the stretching process under the influence of underpressure generated by the vacuum unit 3 of the breast pump device 1 of which the expression kit 2 is part.

[0046] The pump section 42 of the cushion 40 includes a contacting surface 45 configured to contact an interior surface 25 of the air passage element 20. In the shown example, the pump section 42 has a stiffened annular portion 46 in the form of a thickened end portion, and the contacting surface 45 is formed by an exterior surface of the stiffened annular portion 46. When the cushion 40 has been placed in the air passage element 20 by the user, an annular sealing contact between the pump section 42 and the air passage element 20 is realized at the position of the contacting surface 45 of the pump section 42. This sealing contact is maintained when the cushion 40 is put from the initial configuration to the final configuration, wherein the contacting surface 45 slides on the interior surface 25 of the air passage element 20 in the stretching process of the cushion 40. On the basis of the sealing contact, especially the fact that the sealing contact may be present from the start, the extent to which underpressure may be effective in stretching the cushion 40 may be optimal. In order to facilitate the sliding process of the contacting surface 45 of the pump section 42 on the interior surface 25 of the air passage element 20, it is advantageous for the interior surface 25 of the air passage element 20 to be smooth and continuous, i.e. free from unevenness in the form of steps, sharp curves etc.

[0047] At the front side, the position of the cushion 40 with respect to the air passage element 20 is fixable as the breast-facing section 41 includes a coupling portion 47 comprising a groove for accommodating a peripheral front edge 26 of the air passage element 20. At the back side, a position of the end 43 of the cushion 40 at the side of the pump section 42 in the final configuration of the cushion 40 with respect to the air passage element 20 is determined by an abutment surface 27 located in the expression kit 2. In the shown example, the abutment surface 27 is present at the position of a step in the interior surface 25 of the air passage element 20, and has an annular appearance.

[0048] As already explained in the foregoing, the functioning of the cushion 40 according to the first embodiment relies on the cushion 40 being stretchable. The cushion 40 is initially put in place in the air passage element 20 in a compact, initial configuration, wherein the cushion 40 is coupled to the peripheral front edge 26 of the air passage element 20. However, a user is not required to ensure that the cushion 40 is stretched down the air passage element 20 in order to realize an intended mounting arrangement of the cushion 40 in the air passage element 20, as this is done automatically under the influence of underpressure. In view of the fact that a breast pump device 1 is normally equipped to create underpressure in order to realize the pressure cycle required during a pumping session, no additional components are needed in the design of the breast pump device 1, which is a notable advantage of the invention. The cushion 40 is designed so as to ensure sealing contact between the contacting surface 45 of the pump section 42 and the interior surface 25 of the air passage element 20 already in the initial configuration of the cushion 40. During the stretching process, the contacting surface 45 of the pump section 42 slides on the interior surface 25 of the air passage element 20 until the end 43 of the cushion 40 at the side of the pump section 42 abuts against the abutment surface 27 of the air passage element 20. Thus, the invention provides a most convenient way of putting a cushion 40 to a predetermined, correct mounting position, i.e. a mounting position as foreseen, on the air passage element 20 without requiring specific effort from a user.

[0049] FIGS. 4 and 5 relate to a second embodiment of a cushion 50 according to the invention. The cushion 50 according to the second embodiment is actually an alternative of the cushion 40 according to the first embodiment, a notable difference between the two cushions 40, 50 residing in the fact that the cushion 50 according to the second embodiment is equipped with a valve 51, whereas the cushion 40 according to the first embodiment is not. In the shown example, the valve 51 is arranged at the end 43 of the cushion 50 at the side of the pump section 42, and is of the normally-closed type. In this way, it can be achieved that in the initial configuration of the cushion 50, as shown in FIG. 4, the underpressure that is exerted in order to put the cushion 50 to the final configuration, as diagrammatically indicated by means of an arrow in the figure, can be used to that effect in an optimal manner, as leakage of air through the cushion 50 is prevented. In the process, it is not necessary for the cushion 50 to be closed by means of a breast 6 at the side of the breast-facing section 41.

[0050] When a valve 51 as described in the foregoing is applied, it is advantageous if the breast pump device 1 is designed so as to ensure that an operational, open appearance of the cushion 50 is maintained once the cushion 50 has been sucked to place in the air passage element 20 and does not need to be stretched any further. In view thereof, the air passage element 20 may be equipped with at least one suitable element 55 for receiving and retaining at least one displaceable part of the valve 51 in a situation of the valve 51 being opened under the influence of an underpressure prevailing at the side of the pump section 42 that is effective to that end. In the shown example, the element 55 comprises an annular internal channel in the air passage element 20, which is arranged to receive and retain flexible flaps 52, 53 of the valve 51.

[0051] It follows from the foregoing that it is very well possible to use a valve 51 for ensuring an effective process of putting the cushion 50 from the initial configuration to the final configuration in a first instance, as there is no need for taking complex measures for avoiding a hindering effect of such a valve on an airflow and a flow of expressed milk during a subsequent pumping session.

[0052] FIG. 6 relates to a third embodiment of a cushion 60 according to the invention. In order to distinguish the cushion 60 of the third embodiment from the cushion 40 of the first embodiment and the cushion 50 of the second embodiment, the cushion 60 of the third embodiment is referred to as outside cushion 60.

[0053] The outside cushion 60 is designed to be arranged on the air passage element 20 at the outside thereof. A user only needs to place the outside cushion 60 over the air passage element 20 to a limited extent. It will be understood that the outside cushion 60 is especially suitable to be used with air passage elements 20 having a more or less straight outside appearance, at least at a front side thereof, which does not alter the fact that the outside cushion 60 can be used with air passage elements 20 which are of a different design as well.

[0054] The underpressure as can be generated in the air passage element 20 for the purpose of sucking air from the air passage element 20 in a direction away from the breast 6 is diagrammatically indicated by means of an arrow in FIG. 6. When the outside cushion 60 is in the initial position as shown in FIG. 6 and the underpressure is applied, the outside cushion 60 is pulled further down the air passage element 20 until the end 43 of the cushion 60 at the side of the pump section 42 abuts against an abutment surface 27 of the air passage element 20, which is provided as the surface of an outside annular ridge 28 of the air passage element 20 in the shown example. In the case of the outside cushion 60, the contacting surface 45 of the pump section 42 is constituted by the portion of the interior surface of the pump section 42 contacting an exterior surface 29 of the air passage element 20 and sliding on the exterior surface 29 of the air passage element 20 during the process of the outside cushion 60 assuming the final configuration on the air passage element 20.

[0055] In the case of the outside cushion 60, the process of putting the outside cushion 60 to a predetermined, correct mounting arrangement on the air passage element 20 from a first mounting arrangement realized by a user may involve one of stretching of the outside cushion 60 and moving the outside cushion 60 in its entirety, or a combination of these two effects as may be invoked under the influence of underpressure, depending on various factors including the stiffness characteristics of the outside cushion 60.

[0056] FIGS. 7-9 relate to a fourth embodiment of a cushion 70 according to the invention. In the following, the cushion 70 of the fourth embodiment is referred to as radially flexing cushion 70. The radially flexing cushion 70 is intended to be used with an air passage element 20 having a flexible flip portion 75 at the front side thereof. In the shown example, the flexible flip portion 75 is of annular shape.

[0057] In the initial configuration of the radially flexing cushion 70, the flexible flip portion 75 is in an initial, default condition, and encompasses an end portion of the pump section 42 of the cushion 70 while being contacted by the contacting surface 45 of the pump section 42, as shown in FIG. 7. When underpressure is exerted from the side of the pump section 42, as diagrammatically indicated by means of an arrow in both FIGS. 8 and 9, the radially flexing cushion 70 is made to collapse to some extent in the radial direction and is also pulled in a backward direction to some extent, as a result of which the flexible flip portion 75 of the air passage element 20 is made to perform an inwardly directed flexing movement. Further from that position, as the backward moving/stretching of the cushion 70 is continued, the flexible flip portion 75 flips to a folded configuration as illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0058] The flipping action of the flexible flip portion 75 is diagrammatically indicated by means of arrows in FIGS. 8 and 9. Once the flexible flip portion 75 is in the folded configuration, the radially flexing cushion 70 is tightly fitted in the air passage element 20, in a mounting arrangement as intended. As may be derived from FIGS. 7-9, it may be beneficial to the process of causing the flexible flip portion 75 to flip if a surface of the radially flexing cushion 70 facing the flexible flip portion 75 has an indent or is otherwise appropriately shaped for allowing the cushion 70 to take along an edge of the flexible flip portion 75 while flexing/moving under the influence of underpressure.

[0059] In general, in respect of the cushion 70 according to the fourth embodiment of the invention, it is noted that the breast pump device 1 may be equipped with a flexible portion that is arranged and configured to contact the cushion 70 and to be deformed under the influence of underpressure and/or deformation/movement of the cushion 70.

[0060] The smartphone 9 as shown in FIG. 1 or another suitable device can be used to provide information about a cushion to a user. For example, in case an abutment surface 27 for a portion of the pump section 42 to abut against is present in an air passage element 20, a sensor (not shown) may be associated with the abutment surface 27 and the user may be provided with a confirmation that the cushion has been sucked to the correct mounting arrangement on the air passage element 20 as soon as it is sensed that the abutment surface 27 is touched by the cushion.

[0061] It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the invention is not limited to the examples discussed in the foregoing, but that several amendments and modifications thereof are possible without deviating from the scope of the invention as defined in the attached claims. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such amendments and modifications insofar they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalents thereof. While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the figures and the description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary only, and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The drawings are schematic, wherein details which are not required for understanding the invention may have been omitted, and not necessarily to scale.

[0062] Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by a person skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the figures, the description and the attached claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other steps or elements, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0063] Elements and aspects discussed for or in relation with a particular embodiment may be suitably combined with elements and aspects of other embodiments, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Thus, the mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0064] The term “comprise” as used in this text will be understood by a person skilled in the art as covering the term “consist of”. Hence, the term “comprise” may in respect of an embodiment mean “consist of”, but may in another embodiment mean “contain/include at least the defined species and optionally one or more other species”.

[0065] Notable aspects of the invention can be summarized as follows. Complexity of a process of mounting a cushion 40, 50, 60, 70 to an air passage element 20 of a breast pump device 1 is decreased by only requiring a user to arrange the cushion 40, 50, 60, 70 on the air passage element 20 in a first arrangement in which the cushion 40, 50, 60, 70 is easily accessible. Particularly, the user does not need to perform cumbersome actions aimed at accurately putting the cushion 40, 50, 60, 70 to an intended, correct position, as a predetermined mounting arrangement of the cushion 40, 50, 60, 70 on the air passage element 20 is realized under the influence of underpressure prevailing at a back side of the air passage element 20. In the process, the cushion 40, 50, 60, 70 is put to the predetermined mounting arrangement, wherein the cushion 40, 50, 60, 70 is made to flex and/or move.