Patent ID: 8079975

Claim:
An apparatus for extracting milk from a human breast, the apparatus comprising: a pliant member having a first end, a second end, an inner surface configured to contact at least a portion of a human breast during operational use of the apparatus, the inner surface extending between the first end and the second end, the first end having a first opening sized to receive the human breast and the second end defining a second opening smaller than the first opening, an outer surface, at least a portion of which is configured to interface with a rigid outer member, a plurality of recesses formed within the inner surface, a plurality of passageways formed within the inner surface, each passageway extending between one of the recesses and the second end, the passageway providing fluid communication between the recess and the second end upon application of negative pressure to the second end, and at least one peripheral passageway formed within the outer surface and providing fluid communication with the atmosphere to inhibit the application of negative pressure between the outer surface of the pliant member and the rigid outer member.