Portable apparatus for decontamination of a breast
11759652 · 2023-09-19
Assignee
Inventors
- Peter Hartmann (Goosebery Hill, AU)
- Michael Larsson (Zug, CH)
- Kuno Limacher (Steinhausen, CH)
- Jerome Bernhard (Zurich, CH)
- Lukas Christen (Lucerne, CH)
- Simona Wiedmer (Zug, CH)
- Daniel Napoletano (Eglisau, CH)
Cpc classification
A61L2202/14
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61L2202/15
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61N2005/0649
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61L2202/16
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61N5/0624
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
A61L2/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
Abstract
A portable device for the decontamination of a breast. The aim of the device is to reduce the risk of mastitis, even when the patient has a medicament incompatibility. For this purpose, the invention includes a decontamination unit which decontaminates the breast at least by means of a physical method.
Claims
1. Portable apparatus for decontamination of a breast comprising: a widened portion oriented to face said breast so as to be able to be slipped over said breast; a cylindrical tube extending from a side of said widened portion facing away from said breast; and a decontamination unit which decontaminates said breast at least by way of a physical method; wherein said decontamination unit comprises a housing in which one or more excitation radiation sources are provided, said housing being a separate element detachably mountable on said apparatus, said housing being securable by being snapped onto said apparatus for decontamination of said breast, at a section of said widened portion and at a section of said cylindrical tube; wherein said housing is a collar having a C-shaped cross-section open on one side along its longitudinal section to enable being snapped onto said apparatus.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said decontamination unit comprises at least one of: a light source, an ultrasonic source, an ozonization source, or a plasma source.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said widened portion has a contoured structure configured to be slipped over said breast and at least partially enclose said breast.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said contoured structure is configured to abut against said breast in a contour-shaping manner, and the contoured structure forms a recess in a region of a nipple of said breast on an inner side of the contoured structure.
5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein electronics for operating said decontamination unit are connected only on said housing; and/or said apparatus for decontamination of said breast has no other source of excitation radiation except on said housing.
6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said housing surrounds said widened portion and/or said cylindrical tube radially on an outside of said widened portion and/or said cylindrical tube.
7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said widened portion and/or said cylindrical tube is formed to be transparent to excitation radiation from said decontamination unit at least in a section where an exciter radiation source of said decontamination unit is placed.
8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said decontamination unit abuts against said breast after said apparatus has been mounted on said breast.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said decontamination unit and at least one other decontamination unit are provided at different locations.
10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said decontamination units are positioned such that they decontaminate a nipple and/or an areola of said breast when said apparatus has been mounted on said breast.
11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said decontamination unit is connected to an autonomous power supply which is integrated in said apparatus.
12. Apparatus according to claim 1, including a control device which switches said decontamination unit on and/or off, and/or regulates an intensity of said decontamination unit.
13. Portable apparatus for decontamination of a breast comprising: a decontamination unit which decontaminates said breast at least by way of a physical method and ultraviolet radiation; wherein said decontamination unit is provided in a pad or a cushion made of a material which is deformable, which can be inserted as a separate element into a brassiere, wherein the pad or cushion is configured such that it is formed in an initial state in which it is not inserted into the brassiere as a flat structure, when the pad or cushion is inserted into the brassiere it is formed into a contoured structure, and wherein said pad or said cushion is provided with a tube barb via which a pump can be connected for expressing milk from said breast.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said decontamination unit is arranged on a side of said apparatus facing said breast and a second decontamination unit is arranged on a side facing away from said breast.
15. Apparatus according to claim 13, including a control device which switches said decontamination unit on and/or off, and/or regulates an intensity of said decontamination unit.
16. A method of operating the portable apparatus of claim 1, including switching said decontamination unit on to kill microorganisms in order to prevent them from entering mammary ducts of said breast.
17. Portable apparatus for decontamination of a breast, comprising: a widened portion oriented to face said breast so as to be able to be slipped over said breast; a cylindrical tube extending from a side of said widened portion facing away from said breast; and a decontamination unit which decontaminates said breast at least by way of a physical method; wherein said decontamination unit comprises a housing in which one or more excitation radiation sources are provided, said housing being a separate element detachably mountable on said apparatus, said housing being inserted into said widened portion and/or at a section of said cylindrical tube, and is operable by way of an induction element placed on the outside of said widened portion and/or said cylindrical tube.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Further advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the embodiments explained below in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(20) The manually operated breast pump shown in
(21) Provided on a wall of conical tubular taper 3 on a side 4 disposed opposite to nipple 2a is a decontamination unit 9. In the present case, this is a UV light-emitting diode (UV LED), the UV light of which radiates onto nipple 2a and at least in part onto areola 10 formed around the nipple.
(22) The UV light-emitting diode is supplied with energy by way of a rechargeable battery, not shown in
(23) An alternative example of a breast pump is shown in
(24) In contrast to the pump of
(25) As can be seen in
(26) In the manually operated pump of
(27)
(28) As shown in
(29) Decontamination units 9, which when view in top view are disposed radially outermost on bell-like structure 1, are arranged at the boundary between the areola and the normal breast skin.
(30) Decontamination units of
(31) Although a bell-like structure 1 is provided in the present case for the embodiment of
(32) Such a pad 16 inserted into a brassiere 15 is shown in
(33) Decontamination units 9 as well have a slightly rounded surface on side 19 of pad 16 facing away from the breast for abutting in a planar manner against the inside of cup 17. Decontamination units 9 on side 19 of pad 16 facing away from the breast are advantageous for also decontaminating cup 17 of brassiere 15.
(34) Bell-like structure 1 in the embodiment in
(35)
(36) The apparatus is configured as a kind of stamp 13 with a handle member 14 provided on the rear side. Stamp 13 has a bell-like inner surface which is slipped onto the breast. As can be seen in
(37) The embodiment of
(38) A separation wall 20 is provided in both embodiments and separates decontamination unit 9 from a space 21 formed between separation wall 20 and nipple 2a. The inner surface of stamp 13 is then easier to clean, and decontamination unit 9 does is not direct exposed to the breast. When decontamination unit 9 is a UV lamp, separation wall 20 should be UV-transparent.
(39)
(40) Same features as in the embodiment of
(41) Bell-like structure 1c and adjoining conical taper 3 are formed integrally and from uniform material. These elements can also be configured as several parts. In the present case, the entire cap, which is placed, in particular screwed onto the collection container is formed as an integral element. It can also be that only bell-like structure 1 and adjoining conical taper 3 are formed as an integral element and placed on a base member 27. Base member 27 is then placed, in particular screwed onto the collection container.
(42) Bell-like structure 1 can be formed substantially by a front widened portion 23 facing the breast and formed like a funnel. A cylindrical tube 24 extends from the side of the widened portion facing away from the breast toward the back. This tube 24 is also referred to as a conical taper 3 and comprises e.g., a diameter that is less than opening 25 of widened portion 25 that is slipped over the breast.
(43) In the present case, decontamination unit 9 comprises a housing 26 which is configured as a kind of collar. This collar can abut against an outer wall of widened portion 23 and against an outer wall of cylindrical tube 24 and thus can be provided at a transitional region between said portions.
(44) Provided in the housing is a plurality of individual excitation radiation sources 37, the emitted radiation of which is illustrated by the lines indicated in
(45) Arranged in a region of the housing which abuts against the outer wall of widened portion 23 are excitation radiation sources 37 such that they radiate obliquely toward the breast, i.e., are aligned obliquely to a central axis Z of bell-like structure 1. In the region of cylindrical tube 24, excitation radiation sources 37 are oriented in such a manner that they are aligned perpendicular to central axis Z of the bell-like structure.
(46) The housing accordingly has a section which can be mounted on cylindrical tube 24 (see
(47) An inner wall of housing 26 presently rests substantially flat against the outer wall of widened portion 23 and against the outer wall of cylindrical tube 24 and illuminates the material from which these sections are constructed. It is then advantageous that widened portion 23 and cylindrical tube 24 are formed from material which is transparent to the excitation radiation.
(48) When, for example, UV-C radiation is used, UV-C a radiation-transmissive material should be used.
(49) Housing 26 of the decontamination unit can be formed as a kind of collar open on one side in its longitudinal direction, which is easily attached in a detachable manner to widened portion 23 and/or cylindrical tube 24 by way of a snap connection.
(50) Any other attachment option is also possible. It is also possible to form a completely closed collar which is e.g., is threaded from behind onto cylindrical tube 24. For this purpose, it is advantageous to slip on cylindrical tube 24, with or without a widened portion 23 integrally formed thereon, as a separate element onto base member 27. After this housing completely closed in the circumferential direction has then been slipped on, this ensemble can then again be attached to base member 27.
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(52) The electronics for operating the decontamination unit can be provided in housing 26, or be connectable to a control device or energy supply device via lines that project from housing 26.
(53) The ensemble of cylindrical tube 24 with a widened portion 23 integrally formed thereon comprises no electronic components in the present embodiment. Advantageously, base member 27 and collection container 6 comprise no electronic components, i.e., the only electronic components which can be provided with the decontamination unit removed are those of vacuum generating station 11.
(54) Therefore, the ensemble of cylindrical tube 24 and/or widened portion 23 and/or base portion 27 and/or collection container 6 can be cleaned together or separately and preferably with liquid or steam, without problems with the electronics arising.
(55)
(56) In contrast to the embodiment from
(57) Housing 26 comprises excitation radiation sources 37 at a front portion facing the breast. Excitation radiation sources 37 are disposed along a rounded wall portion which closes the housing toward the breast in a trumpet-like configuration so that they radiate onto the breast at an angle oblique to the center axis of the bell-like structure.
(58) Exciter radiation sources 27 provided farthest to the right in
(59) If such an insert is used for decontamination unit 9, it is favorable to provide the power supply by way of an induction element 22 and not to use wiring, which must then, for example, pass through bell-like structure 1, but it is advantageous to provide an induction element 22. In the present case, induction element 22 is provided on the outer wall of cylindrical tube 24.
(60) This induction element 22 can be fixedly and captively provided on cylindrical tube 24 and/or on widened portion 23, or else as a kind of collar (see
(61) The ensemble of cylindrical tube 24 and a widened portion 23 integrally formed thereon also in the present embodiment comprises no electronic components. Advantageously, base member 27 and collection container 6 also comprise no electronic components, i.e. the only electronic components which can be provided when the decontamination unit is removed are those of vacuum generating station 11. Therefore, the ensemble of cylindrical tube 24 and/or widened portion 23 and/or base portion 27 and/or collection container 6 can be cleaned together or separately without problems with the electronics arising.
(62)
(63) In this embodiment, a mechanism for detachably connecting to a power supply 28 is provided on the rear side on base member 27. Power supply 28 is presently ensured by a battery pack 29. This battery pack 29 comprises a housing 30 and a cap 31. Provided in housing 30 of battery pack 29 are recesses into which batteries 32 are insertable. Once batteries 32 have been inserted into the recess, housing 30 is closed with cap 31 so that battery pack 29 is formed as an integral element.
(64) Contacts, not shown in
(65) Excitation radiation source 37 (a single one in the present embodiment) is connected to the battery pack 29 via lines 34 which are schematically shown in
(66) Excitation radiation source 37 constituting decontamination unit 9 is presently provided integrally formed on base member 27. Base member 27 can be installed as a separate element between the ensemble of cylindrical tube 24 and widened portion 23, and collection container 6.
(67) Battery pack 29 can then be connected to this base member 27 in a detachable and repeatedly connectable manner A screw connection between battery pack 29 and base member 27 is presently provided and serves as a device for the detachable connection to power supply 28.
(68) In the embodiment of
(69)
(70) In this case as well, decontamination unit, i.e., presently a single in excitation radiation source 37, is provided integrally formed in base member 27. On the rear side, i.e., on a side facing away from the breast (cf.
(71) On its side facing the breast, base member 27 comprises a cylindrical edge portion 35 which is widened in diameter as compared to cylindrical tube 24 so that a plug connection between cylindrical tube 24 and base member 27 is ensured. In the present case as well, cylindrical tube 24 is formed integrally with widened portion 23.
(72) The entire ensemble of separate base member 27 and cylindrical tube 24 with widened portion 23 provided integrally thereon forms a kind of breast shield unit. The front portion formed by tube 24 with the widened portion 23 integrally provided thereon is separable from the rear part of the breast shield formed by base member 27. This breast shield can be coupled to battery pack 29 or a housing part of the apparatus.
(73) The decontamination unit or the excitation radiation source, respectively, is presently provided substantially in the central axis of the bell-like structure.
(74) Even if only a single excitation radiation source is provided in the embodiments of
(75) In the embodiments in
(76) The embodiment in
(77) Instead of the pad-like or cushion-like structure, bell-like structure 1 can also be made of a dimensionally stable, e.g. hard material which is, in particular, configured such that it does not or only slightly collapse upon the application of a vacuum. For a vacuum to be applied, it is favorable that the bell-like structure is vacuum-tight and can also be donned in a sealing manner onto the breast. The bell-like structure can be formed by a kind of rigid breast shield.
(78) In addition, a tube barb 36 can be provided in the pad or the cushion, respectively, in the present embodiment in
(79) In addition to the decontamination unit or the exciter radiation source described, a moisture sensor, with which e.g. a milk or liquid escape is detected, can also be provided in the apparatus.
(80) The control device which controls the decontamination unit(s) or the exciter radiation source(s) can also comprise e.g. a functionality that the decontamination device or the exciter radiation source(s) is/are activated upon detection of liquid or a certain moisture threshold value.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
(81) 1 bell-like structure 2 breast 2a nipple 3 conical tubular taper 4 side disposed opposite to the nipple 5 conduit 6 collection container 7 screw lid 8 lever 9, 9′ decontamination unit 10 areola 11 vacuum generating station 11a vacuum tube 12 recess 13 stamp 14 handle member 15 brassiere 16 pad 17 cup 18 side facing the breast 19 side facing away from the breast 20 separation wall 21 space 22 induction element 24 cylindrical tube 23 widened portion 27 base member 25 opening 26 housing 37 excitation radiation source 28 device for detachably connecting to a power supply 29 battery pack 30 housing 31 cap 32 battery 33 contact element 34 line 35 cylindrical edge portion 36 tube barb