Abstract:
A hands-free breast pump system uses an advanced air bag for excellent contact between the air bag and breast so that a vacuum near the nipple can be guaranteed. The breast pumping and non-pumping condition can be easily converted by inflation and deflation of air bag using a computer-controlled microsystem. These properties not only make breast-pumping hands-free, but also allows the wearer to keep her clothing and bra on. The automatic control of breast milk expression also realizes hands-free breast milk pumping in public or during sleep. The control of pump time and duration can be programmed in a program or in an app. The breast milk expression system can be used independently, or together with a bra, or a shirt. The system disclosed in this patent can also simulate breast milk expression by a real baby by using a pulsing pressure in the air bag, which can squeeze the nipple periodically according a predetermined program.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The embodiment of the present invention is generally related to a breast milk pump system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hands-free and automatic breast milk pump system. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Breast pump systems for breast milk expression are well known and in high demand in market. The general methodology is to apply a vacuum to aid in breast milk expression combined with a funnel piece held against a woman&#39;s breast. The vacuum is applied to the nipples to express breast milk. The breast milk flows from a nipple through the funnel to a breast milk container. 
         [0003]    Breast milk pumping systems currently available in-market use the method mentioned above. It requires a woman to remove her clothing and bra and takes about 20 to 30 minutes. It is a cumbersome and inconvenient process, and mother&#39;s rooms are not available in every company or public area. 
         [0004]    Therefore, a hands-free breast pump system is proposed. However, for various reasons, the methods proposed have not gained popularity. In order to solve the technical problems, some patents have been filed. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,307,463 (Ritchie) disclosed a method for a hands-free pump and bra system. The method uses multiple layers of a bra and multiple elastic bands to maintain the vacuum around the nipple area. However, variation in the shape and size of breasts may cause vacuum leaking, and the tight elastic band may cause discomfort. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,167,855 and 8,323,070, as well as U.S. Pat. No. 8,192,247 (Abbaszadeh) disclosed a pumping/nursing bra that aims to make breast nursing and hands-free pumping easier. He also used an elastic band to ensure the effective contact with breast. However, a tight band causes discomfort, whereas a loose band will lose vacuum near nipple, resulting in breast pumping failure. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,801,495 (Guindon) invented an apparatus that integrated the bra and pump. The apparatus uses a cup held by a bra to cover the breast. The cup is held against the breast to seal a space for vacuum pumping. U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,936 (Mandoza) disclosed a hands-free pump differing from a traditional one. It includes a detachable cup for hands-free breast pumping. When not nursing, the cup is detached. U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,840 (Han) disclosed a hands-free breast pumping system. It uses a strong elastic material to hold the pumping system so pumping can be operated hands-free. For these inventions, the challenges are still the vacuum security. The tight contact between funnel and breast can secure the vacuum but is not comfortable for the wearer. 
         [0008]    The most challenge technology for a hands-free breast pumping system is the maintaining of the vacuum around the nipple while maintaining comfort for the wearer. Current methods use a cup shape or funnel covering the breast while pushing against the breast using strong bands. If the elastic is not strong enough, the vacuum seal will break and breast milk expression will not work. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    The principle object of this invention is to provide an advanced, easy-to-use, hands-free breast pump system that is fully operated with clothing on and is programmable. The new system also supports mobile device apps for programming and nighttime use during sleep. The key part of the system is the specially designed air bag seal device. The main advantage is its comfort when not pumping, and easy vacuum seal during breast milk expression. There is no need for any strong bands, only a slight hold. This advantage results from the vacuum space seal ensured by one side of air bag effectively making contact with the breast. Another advantage is the simulation of baby&#39;s sucking motion of breast milk. The air bag can be programmed to have a pulse pressure function, causing periodical suction of nipple. 
         [0010]    This invention provides hands-free breast pumping with a very simple hookup without the need to remove the bra or clothing. When not in use, the parts of system on end users are only an air bag (with the air pumped out), a connector, a milk hose, and a hose coupling. These parts can be attached to bra or shirt without being detected. 
         [0011]    The air bag is made of soft materials, such as silicone gel, silicon rubber, or thin plastics. With the inflation of the air bag, the air bag changes its surface shape to fit breasts of a variety of shapes. Due to the good contact between soft material and breast, very low pressure is applied by the air bag, so that there is no need to use a strong elastic band to hold it in place. The soft material used for air bag also makes the cup shape cover commonly used for hands-free pumping unnecessary because the excellent seal enabled by air bag material can ensure the vacuum buildup near the nipple area. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of hands-free breast pump system using a separate vacuum pump and air bag pump; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  depicts one embodiment of hands-free breast pump system using only one air pump for both pumping breast milk and inflation or deflation of the air bag, controlled by using an automatic control device; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  depicts one embodiment of hands-free breast pump system using only one air pump for both pumping breast milk and inflation of the air bag; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  depicts one embodiment of breast area setup of the hands-free breast pump system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Embodiments of the present invention generally provide apparatus for hands-free pumping of milk from the breasts. Particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus for pumping milk from breast with hands-free and programmable capability. In one embodiment, a pulsating suction is applied on nipple during breast pumping to simulate the motion of a baby sucking milk from his or her mother&#39;s breast. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a hands-free breast pumping system  100  at the condition of in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The pumping system  100  generally comprises a vacuum space  122 , air bag  118 , and milk hose  124 . In one embodiment, air bag  118  has a donut shape for securing vacuum in vacuum space  122 . 
         [0019]    The key to pumping breast milk is keeping a moderate vacuum around nipple area. In one embodiment, the vacuum space  122  is built by using air bag  118 . By inflating air bag  118  using air bag pump  114 , one surface of air bag  118  makes contact with the breast to seal vacuum space  122  effectively. The contact areas include areola  104  and its surrounding area on breast  106 . 
         [0020]    The inflation of air bag  118  is performed by supplying air from air bag pump  114  to air bag  118  through pump hose  150 , air bag hose coupling  112 , and air bag hose  110 . In one embodiment, the air bag pump  114  is controlled by control system  132 . The control system  132  controls the pressure in air bag  118  based on the measurement result from air bag pressure sensor  108  feeding back to control system  132 . 
         [0021]    For effective contact between air bag  118  and areola  104  and the surrounding area of areola  104  on breast  106 , moderate surface area is ensured by design of air bag  118 . Materials of air bag  118  play an important role in effectiveness of seal of vacuum space  122 . In one embodiment, the material of air bag  118  is latex rubber. In another embodiment, the material of air bag  118  is silicon rubber, or silicone gel. 
         [0022]    To maintain the stability of vacuum space  122 , the connector  120  is configured to keep the contact area in correct position. In one embodiment, one end of the connector  120  is in contact with areola  104  or the side surface of nipple  102 . The other end of the connector  120  connects to the milk hose  124 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  depicts that the air bag  118 , connector  120 , and milk hose  124  are fixed on bra  116 . In one embodiment, air bag  118 , connector  120 , and milk hose  124  are held by a specially designed strip which is independent of bra  116 . 
         [0024]    When a baby sucks milk from the breast, a vacuum and periodical squeeze on nipple are applied. To simulate a baby&#39;s sucking of breast milk, in one embodiment, nipple  102  is periodically squeezed by connector  120  by using a pulse pressure in air bag  118  controlled by control system  132 . To achieve a comfortable feeling for the wearer, in one embodiment, the material of connector  120  is silicone gel or silicon rubber. 
         [0025]    Breast milk is sucked from nipple  102  through connector  120 , milk hose  124 , milk hose coupling  126 , and bottle hose  138  to milk bottle  134 . The milk pumping strength is determined by the vacuum pressure in milk bottle  134 . In one embodiment, vacuum sensor  136  is located in milk bottle  134  for the purpose of control of the vacuum in vacuum space  122 . The vacuum pressure data obtained by vacuum sensor  136  is input to control system  132 . Control system  132  adjusts pump air flow rate in air hose  128  by vacuum pump  130  to control the vacuum in milk bottle  134 . 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, control system  132  comprises a central process unit (CPU), dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), non-volatile memory, analog/digital (A/D) converter, and digital/analog (D/A) converter. The control program is saved in non-volatile memory. 
         [0027]    One of the important advantages of this invention is the programming capability. In one embodiment, the breast pumping schedule is controlled by a program stored in control system  132 . This advantage is necessary for breast pump during sleep in the evening when the baby&#39;s mother is tired and wishes to have a good night&#39;s sleep. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, breast expression is controlled and programmed by using a cell phone with a pre-programmed mobile app. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  schematically illustrates a hands-free breast pumping system  200  at the condition of in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The pumping system  200  generally comprises a vacuum space  222 , air bag  218 , and milk hose  224 . 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, the vacuum space  222  is built by using air bag  218 . By inflating air bag  218  using vacuum pump  230 , one surface of air bag  218  makes contact with the breast to secure a vacuum in vacuum space  222  effectively. The contact areas include areola  204  and its surrounding area on breast  206 . 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, only one vacuum pump  230  is used to pump breast milk from vacuum space  222  to milk bottle  234 , and also inflate or deflate air bag  218  by controlling on-off states of milk bottle valve  240 , out valve  242 , bypass valve  244 , loop valve  246 , and inhale valve  248 . 
         [0032]    The inflation of air bag  218  is performed by supplying air from vacuum pump  230  to air bag  218  through pump hose  250 , air bag hose coupling  212 , and air bag hose  210  at the closed condition of loop valve  246  and out valve  242  and the open conditions of bypass valve  244  or inhale vale  248 . In one embodiment, the vacuum pump  230  is controlled by control system  232 . The control system  232  controls the pressure in air bag  218  based on the measurement resulting from air bag pressure sensor  208  feeding back to control system  232 . 
         [0033]    For effective contact between air bag  218  and areola  204  and the surrounding area of areola  204  on breast  206 , moderate surface area is ensured by design of air bag  218 . The materials of air bag  218  plays an important role in effectiveness of seal of vacuum space  222 . In one embodiment, the material of air bag  218  is latex rubber. In another embodiment, the material of air bag  218  is silicon rubber, or silicone gel. 
         [0034]    To keep a stable vacuum space  222 , the connector  220  is configured to keep the contact area in correct position. In one embodiment, one end of the connector  220  makes contact with areola  204  or the side surface of nipple  202 . The other end of the connector  220  connects milk hose  224 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  depicts that the air bag  218 , connector  220 , and milk hose  224  are fixed on bra  216 . In one embodiment, air bag  218 , connector  220 , and milk hose  224  are held by a specially designed strip which is independent of bra  216 . 
         [0036]    When a baby is sucking milk from the breast, a vacuum and periodical squeeze on nipple are applied. For the simulation of the real sucking of breast milk, in one embodiment, nipple  202  is periodically squeezed by connector  220  by using a pulse pressure in air bag  218  controlled by control system  232 . For the purpose of comfort, in one embodiment, the material of connector  120  is silicone gel or silicon rubber. 
         [0037]    Breast milk is sucked from nipple  202  through connector  220 , milk hose  224 , milk hose coupling  226 , and bottle hose  238  to milk bottle  234  in the open condition of milk bottle valve  240 . The milk pumping strength is determined by the vacuum pressure in milk bottle  234 . In one embodiment, vacuum sensor  236  is located in milk bottle  234  for the purpose of control of the vacuum in vacuum space  222 . The vacuum pressure data obtained by vacuum sensor  236  is input to control system  232 . Control system  232  adjusts pumping air flow rate in air hose  228  by vacuum pump  230  to control the vacuum in milk bottle  234 . 
         [0038]    In one embodiment, when breast pumping is finished, the air in air bag  218  is pumped out of air bag  218  using vacuum pump  230  at the close conditions of milk bottle valve  240 , bypass valve  244 , and inhale valve  248 , and at the open conditions of loop valve  246  and out valve  242 , controlled by control system  232 . 
         [0039]    In one embodiment, control system  232  comprises a central process unit (CPU), dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), non-volatile memory, analog/digital (A/D) converter, and digital/analog (D/A) converter. Control program is saved in non-volatile memory. 
         [0040]    One of the important advantages of this invention is the programmable capability. In one embodiment, the breast pumping schedule is controlled by a program stored in control system  232 . This advantage is necessary for breast pump during sleep in the evening when the baby&#39;s mother is tired and wishes to have a good night&#39;s sleep. 
         [0041]    In one embodiment, the breast pump is controlled and programmed by using a cell phone with a pre-programmed mobile app. 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  schematically illustrates a hands-free breast pumping system  300  at the condition of in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The pumping system  300  generally comprises a vacuum space  322 , air bag  318 , and milk hose  324 . In one embodiment, air bag  318  has a donut shape for securing a vacuum in vacuum space  322 . 
         [0043]    The key to pumping breast milk is keeping a moderate vacuum around the nipple area. In one embodiment, the vacuum space  322  is built by using air bag  318 . By inflating air bag  318  using vacuum pump  330 , one surface of air bag  318  contacts the breast to seal vacuum space  322  effectively. The contact areas include areola  304  and its surrounding area on breast  306 . 
         [0044]    The inflation of air bag  318  is performed by supplying air from vacuum pump  330  to air bag  318  through pump hose  350 , air bag hose coupling  312 , and air bag hose  310 . In one embodiment, the vacuum pump  330  is controlled by control system  332 . In one embodiment, the control system  332  is a switch. 
         [0045]    For effective contact between air bag  318  and areola  304  and surrounding area of areola  304  on breast  306 , moderate surface area is ensured by the design of air bag  318 . The materials of air bag  318  play an important role in effectiveness of seal of vacuum space  322 . In one embodiment, the material of air bag  318  is latex rubber. In another embodiment, the material of air bag  318  is silicon rubber, or silicone gel. 
         [0046]    To keep stable vacuum space  322 , the connector  320  is configured to keep the contact area in its correct position. In one embodiment, one end of the connector  320  contacts areola  304  or side surface of nipple  302 . The other end of the connector  320  connects to milk hose  324 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 3  depicts that the air bag  318 , connector  320 , and milk hose  324  are fixed on bra  316 . In one embodiment, air bag  318 , connector  320 , and milk hose  324  are held by a specially designed strip which is independent on bra  316 . 
         [0048]    In one embodiment, the opening of out valve  342  is adjusted by valve adjuster  348 . By adjusting the opening of out valve  342 , pressure in air bag  318  is adjusted. For this embodiment, the whole system is very simple and thus low-cost. 
         [0049]    Breast milk is sucked from nipple  302  through connector  320 , milk hose  324 , milk hose coupling  326 , and bottle hose  338  to milk bottle  334 . The milk pumping strength is determined by the vacuum pressure in milk bottle  334 . The air in milk bottle  334  is pumped out by vacuum pump  330  via air hose  328 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 4  schematically illustrates the breast area setup  400 . The breast area setup  400  includes nipple  402 , areola  404 , breast  406 , air bag hose  410 , air bag hose coupling  412 , bra  416 , air bag  418 , connector  420 , milk hose  424 , and milk hose coupling  426 . 
         [0051]    In one embodiment, air bag  418  is not inflated when not in use. The milk hose coupling  426  and air bag hose coupling  412  are easily connected to the other part of the pumping system. 
         [0052]    In one embodiment, the air bag hose  410 , air bag hose coupling  412 , milk hose  424 , and milk hose coupling  426  are configured to be attached to bra  418  hidden inside a shirt or a coat. 
         [0053]    When pumping breast milk, the air bag hose coupling  412  and milk hose coupling  426  are connected to other part of the system without the need to take off the shirt or bra. This configuration makes it very convenient to use.