Abstract:
A pressure regulation device for selectively regulating the flow of a fluid between a lower pressure sink of a breast pump and a higher pressure source, the pressure regulation device comprising: (a) a valve body oriented with respect to a valve seat to selectively provide fluid communication between a lower pressure sink of a breast pump and a higher pressure source; and (b) an actuator operatively coupled to at least one of the valve body and the valve seat to manipulate the orientation of the valve seat with respect to the valve body, where the actuator is repositionable to selectively manipulate a volumetric flow of fluid between the higher pressure source and the lower pressure sink by varying the proximity of the valve seat with respect to the valve body.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention is directed to a pressure regulation device; and, more particularly, to a valve for manipulating the pressure between a low pressure sink of a breast pump and a breast.  
         [0003]     2. Background of the Invention  
         [0004]     Breast milk pumps are well known in the art and generally comprise a hood body or breast shield that fits over the breast, a pump connected to the hood body for generating an intermittent reduced pressure within the hood body, and a receptacle for the secreted milk.  
         [0005]     A design consideration in manually driven breast pumps may include the pressure differential created. As individual&#39;s anatomies and discomfort levels vary, a specific pressure differential may not suit the comforts of all users. Therefore, consideration has been given to providing a pressure regulator to vary the pressure differential generated while using the pump. By manipulation of a valve, a user may accommodate her specific preferences and vary the pressure differential created without permanently reconfiguring the breast pump.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention is directed to a pressure regulation device; and, more particularly, to a valve for manipulating the pressure between a low pressure sink of a breast pump and a breast.  
         [0007]     In an exemplary embodiment, a breast pump incorporates a bleed valve to vary the pressure differential created by the stroke of a piston within a chamber of a breast pump and the breast to which the pump is mounted. The bleed valve comprises a dial adapted to be manipulated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to reposition a needle interfacing an opening of a passage providing selective fluid communication between an external environment and the pressurized chamber of the breast pump. By repositioning the dial, the clearance between the needle and opening is changed, thereby changing the rate at which fluid from the external environment passes into the passage and into the pressurized chamber, effectively reducing the pressure differential between the pressure within the chamber and the ambient pressure upon the breast. The bias associated with the needle maintains the relative position of the needle with respect to the opening over a relevant use period until changed by rotating the dial.  
         [0008]     It is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a pressure regulation device for selectively regulating the flow of a fluid between a lower pressure sink of a breast pump and a higher pressure source, the pressure regulation device comprising: (a) a valve body oriented with respect to a valve seat to selectively provide fluid communication between a lower pressure sink of a breast pump and a higher pressure source; and (b) an actuator operatively coupled to at least one of the valve body and the valve seat to manipulate the orientation of the valve seat with respect to the valve body, where the actuator is repositionable to selectively manipulate a volumetric flow of fluid between the higher pressure source and the lower pressure sink by varying the proximity of the valve seat with respect to the valve body.  
         [0009]     It is a second aspect of the present invention to provide a pressure regulation device for selectively regulating the flow of a fluid between a lower pressure sink of a breast pump and a higher pressure source, the pressure regulation device comprising: (a) a valve body oriented and biased with respect to a valve seat to selectively provide fluid communication between a lower pressure sink of a breast pump and a higher pressure source; and (b) an actuator operatively coupled to at least one of the valve body and the valve seat to manipulate the orientation of the valve seat with respect to the valve body, where the actuator is repositionable to selectively manipulate a volumetric flow of fluid between the higher pressure source and the lower pressure sink by varying the bias of the valve body with respect to the valve seat.  
         [0010]     It is a third aspect of the present invention to provide a pressure regulation device for selectively regulating the flow of a fluid between a lower pressure sink of a breast pump and a higher pressure source, the pressure regulation device comprising: (a) a valve body oriented with respect to a valve seat to selectively provide fluid communication between a lower pressure sink of a breast pump and a higher pressure source; and (b) an actuator operatively coupled to at least one of the valve body and the valve seat to manipulate the orientation of the valve seat with respect to the valve body, where the actuator transforms rotational movement into linear movement of at least one of the valve body and the valve seat to reposition the valve body with respect to the valve seat.  
         [0011]     It is a fourth aspect of the present invention to provide a breast pump comprising: (a) an interface adapted to create a fluidic seal between a circumferential portion of the interface and a breast; (b) a reservoir in fluid communication with the interface for receiving milk drawn from the breast and passing by the interface; (c) a sink in fluid communication with the interface, where the sink induces a reduced pressure approximate the interface to draw milk from the breast and past the interface and into the reservoir; and (d) a pressure regulator in fluid communication with the sink to regulate the reduced pressure approximate the interface, where the pressure regulator includes a valve seat and a valve body that are selectively repositionable to manipulate the reduced pressure approximate the interface by varying the proximity of the valve seat with respect to the valve body.  
         [0012]     It is a fifth aspect of the present invention to provide a pressure regulation device for selectively regulating the flow of a fluid between a lower pressure sink within a breast pump and a higher pressure source, the pressure regulation device comprising: (a) a valve plug circumferentially bounded, at least in part, by a housing adapted to contact a helical body to bias the valve plug with respect to a valve seat where the position of the helical body with respect to the housing determines at least in part the position of the valve plug with respect to the valve seat; and (b) an actuator operatively coupled to the helical body to manipulate the position of the valve plug with respect to the valve seat, thereby selectively providing fluid communication between a lower pressure sink of a breast pump and a higher pressure source.  
         [0013]     It is a sixth aspect of the present invention to provide a pressure regulation device for selectively regulating the flow of a fluid between a lower pressure sink within a breast pump and a higher pressure source, the pressure regulation device comprising a dial actuator including an appendage coupled to a valve body, at least one of the appendage and the valve body having a helical body mounted thereto, the helical body biasing the dial actuator, where rotation of the dial actuator varies the position of the valve body with respect to a valve seat, having an orifice therein, for selectively regulating a volumetric flow of a fluid between a lower pressure sink within a breast pump and a higher pressure source. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view from the front of an exemplary breast pump in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary breast pump in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of an exemplary bleed valve in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary bleed valve in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is an underneath view of an exemplary component of the exemplary bleed valve in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary component of  FIG. 5  along lines A-A;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary component of  FIG. 5  along lines C-C;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is an overhead view of another exemplary component of the exemplary bleed valve in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the exemplary component of  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  is an underneath view of the exemplary component of  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary component of  FIG. 10 , along lines A-A.  
         [0025]      FIG. 12  is an underneath view of still a further exemplary component of the exemplary bleed valve of the present invention; and  
         [0026]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary component of  FIG. 12 , along lines A-A. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0027]     The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated below as a pressure regulation device, and more specifically to a breast pump including a pressure regulation device operable to selectively manipulate the negative pressure created within a pressure chamber of the breast pump. The various orientational, positional, and reference terms used to describe the elements of the exemplary breast pump and pressure regulation device are therefore used according to this frame of reference. However, for clarity and precision, only a single orientational or positional reference will be utilized. Therefore, it will be understood that the positional and orientational terms used to describe the elements of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are only used to describe the elements in relation to one another.  
         [0028]     Referencing  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a breast pump  10  in accordance with the present invention includes a funnel  12  in sealed fluid communication with a diversion tunnel  14  for carrying away milk withdrawn from a breast. The funnel  12  includes a liner  16 . The diversion tunnel  14  includes a check valve  20  in series therewith for depositing the milk withdrawn from the breast into a container  22  detachable from the diversion tunnel  14 . The diversion tunnel  14  also includes a vent  24  in fluid communication with a depressurized chamber  26  occupying at least part of a housing  28 . The depressurized chamber  26  includes a piston  30  riding therein that is manipulated by a handle  32  coupled thereto. A leaf spring  34  biases the handle  32  away from the housing  28  and positions the piston  30  approximate the front face of the depressurized chamber  26  in a default position.  
         [0029]     A pair of bosses  36  axially distributed about the vent  24  engage L-shaped grooves  38  within a release pin  40  to mount the housing  28  to the vent  24  and the diversion tunnel  14 . The release pin  40  is biased in the locked position by a spring  42 . To disengage the housing  28  from the vent  24 , the release pin  40  is pushed inward to vertically align vertical segments of the L-shaped grooves  38  with the bosses  36  that allow for vertical disengagement of the bosses  36  and grooves  38 . Engagement of the housing  28  to the vent  24  is accomplished by simply vertically inserting the bosses  36  against a tapered lip (not shown) of the L-shaped grooves  38  to reposition the pin  40  horizontally and align the bosses  36  with the vertical segment of the L-shaped grooves  38  and allowing the insertion bosses  36  therein. Upon the bosses passing the vertical segment of the grooves  38 , the bias associated with the pin  40  locks the bosses  36  within the horizontal segment of the L-shaped grooves  38 .  
         [0030]     A bleed valve  44  is located approximate the release pin  40  and is adapted to manipulate the volumetric flow of fluid traveling between an external environment and the depressurized chamber  26  by way of a passage (not shown). The end of the passage includes an opening  48  adapted to receive a needle  50  of the bleed valve  44 .  
         [0031]     Referencing  FIGS. 3-7 , the bleed valve  44  comprises a hollowed body  52  comprising a circumferential wall  54  coupled to a radial wall  56 . A stop  58  extends outward from an inner circumferential wall surface  60  and an inner radial wall surface  62 . The radial wall  56  includes an orifice  64  therethrough that is generally opposite a larger orifice  66  defined by the circumferential wall  54  and two detents  68 ,  70  extending from the circumferential wall  54 . The detents  68 ,  70  are adapted to be secured within two corresponding recesses  72 ,  74  (see  FIG. 1 ) within the housing  28  to mount the bleed valve  44  thereto. The larger orifice  66  of the hollowed body  52  provides a throughput for insertion of a dual helix  76  adapted to be seated within the hollowed body  52 .  
         [0032]     Referencing  FIGS. 8-11 , the dual helix  76  includes two spiral legs  78 ,  80  extending from a disc  82  having an axial D-shaped orifice  84  therethrough. The D-shaped orifice  84  includes a circumferential projection  86  that tapers in an hourglass shape. A top surface  88  of the disc  82  is radially planed to provide a cam surface  90  having a radial step  92 . An outer circumferential surface  94  of the disc  82  is comprised of a first segment  96  and a second segment  98  divided by two circumferential steps  100 ,  102  evidencing the change in radial length between the segments  96 ,  98 . The circumferential steps  100 ,  102  are adapted to interface with the stop  58  to inhibit rotation of the dual helix  76  within the hollowed body  52  beyond 210 degrees.  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIGS. 3, 4 ,  8 ,  12 , and  13 , the smaller orifice  60  of the hollow body  52  provides a throughput for receiving the needle  50  therethrough. The needle  50  includes a D-shaped key  104  riding circumferentially thereabout which is adapted to pass through the smaller orifice  60  irrespective of orientation. The D-shaped key  104  is also adapted to pass through the axial D-shaped orifice  84  centered within the disc  82  of the dual helix  76  upon proper orientation. The needle  50  includes a recess  106  adjacent to the D-shaped key  104  and a block  108  adjacent to the recess  106 . The recess  106  is adapted to receive the circumferential projection  86  of the D-shaped orifice  84  to mount the dual helix  76  onto the needle  50 . The needle  50  also includes a cylindrical segment  110  having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the smaller orifice  60  to allow actuation of the needle  50  by a dial  112  coupled thereto.  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIGS. 3, 4 ,  8 ,  12 , and  13 , clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the dial  112  repositions the needle  50  with respect to the opening  48  associated with the passage. The hollowed body  54  of the bleed valve  44  is secured to the housing  28  via the detents  68 ,  70 , thereby allowing rotation of the needle  50  and dual helix  76  therein. The cam surface  90  rides upon the stop  58  to transform the rotation of the dial  112  into linear motion of the needle  50  with respect to the opening  48 . For example, clockwise rotation of the dial  112  results in clockwise rotation of the needle  50 , causing clockwise rotation of the dual helix  76  such that the stop  58  rides upon the cam surface  90  to increase the distance between the D-shaped key  104  of the needle  50  and the inner radial wall surface  62  of the radial wall  56  thereby moving the needle  50  closer to the opening  48 , eventually plugging the opening  48  upon sufficient clockwise rotation. Conversely, counterclockwise rotation of the dial  112  results in moving the needle  50  farther from the opening  48  creating a correspondingly larger passage for fluid through the opening  48 .  
         [0035]     Referencing  FIGS. 1 and 2 , to withdraw milk from a breast, the liner  16  and funnel  12  are placed adjacent to the breast. A fluidic seal is created therebetween as the piston  30  is withdrawn from the front of the depressurized chamber  26  to increase the available volume for fluid occupying the funnel  12 , diversion tunnel  14 , vent  24 , and depressurized chamber  26 . This increase in available volume leads to a decrease in pressure that creates a pressure differential between fluid within the funnel  12 , diversion tunnel  14 , vent  24 , and pressurized chamber  26  and the milk within the breast. Milk is secreted from the breast in accordance with fluid dynamics principles dictating fluid flow from high to low pressure areas. Those of ordinary skill are very familiar with such fluid dynamics principles.  
         [0036]     The milk secreted from the breast is carried by the funnel  12  and into the diversion tunnel  14 . Once in the diversion tunnel  14 , the milk is gravity feds to the check valve  20 . The check valve  20  comprises at least one flexible flap  114  allowing the milk to flow past the flap and enter the container  22 . Upon depressurization (i.e., the piston  30  being withdrawn from the front of the depressurized chamber  26 ), the flap  114  seals off the contents of the container  22 , thereby discontinuing fluid communication between the contents of the container  22  and the diversion tunnel  14 . As milk enters the container  22 , air is displaced and flows through the valve  20  and mildly increases the pressure within the system.  
         [0037]     A high pressure differential between the depressurized chamber  26  and the breast may cause discomfort in the breast region. Such a pressure differential may be manipulated by using at least two methods. A first method includes slowing the withdrawal stroke of the piston  30  within the depressurized chamber  26 . When the stroke is slowed, the milk withdrawn from the breast occupies a larger percentage of the volume within the breast pump  10  and is operative to decrease the pressure differential between the depressurized chamber  26  and the breast. However, as the piston  30  is biased by way of the leaf spring  34  coupled to the handle  32 , this option may become tiresome.  
         [0038]     A second method includes providing the bleed valve  44  as discussed above. By including the bleed valve  4 , higher pressure fluid, typically air, is allowed to enter the depressurized chamber  26  by way of the opening  48  and passage to reduce the pressure differential between the depressurized chamber  26  and the breast. The bleed valve  44  may include various positions corresponding to unique flow rates for fluid to enter the depressurized chamber  26  from the atmospheric pressure environment and thereby reduce the pressure differential slowly or more quickly.  
         [0039]     It should be understood that the above methods for manipulating the internal pressure within the breast pump  10  may be used in combination or exclusively.  
         [0040]     Following from the above description and invention summaries, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the methods and apparatuses herein described constitute exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the inventions contained herein are not limited to these precise embodiments and that changes may be made to them without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the claims and it is not intended that any limitations or elements describing the exemplary embodiments set forth herein are to be incorporated into the meanings of the claims unless such limitations or elements are explicitly recited in the claims. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of any claim, since the invention is defined by the claims and since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.