Patent ID: 6010466
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: A61H,A61M

Abstract:
A suction nipple eversion device comprising:(a) a nipple mould for receiving a nipple of a breast of a user of the device, the nipple mould including(i) a side wall,(ii) a closed top wall;(iii) an open bottom through which the nipple is introduced into the nipple mould;(iv) a sealing flange extending from the side wall adjacent the bottom for sealing the nipple mould against a nipple areolar complex of the breast under negative pressure produced upon withdrawal of air from the nipple mould; and(v) an aperture in the nipple mould;(b) a valve;(c) a flexible tube extending between the aperture and the valve to allow fluid communication between the nipple mould and the valve; and(d) a vacuum source removably attached to the valve;whereby in use air is withdrawn from the nipple mould through the flexible tube by the vacuum source to create suction, the vacuum source is removed and suction is maintained in the nipple mould by the valve, and the device is capable of being self-supporting upon the nipple areolar complex for a time period to stretch lactiferous ducts in the breast to thereby correct the inverted nipple.