Patent ID: 7648467

Claim:
An apparatus for treating inverted nipples and/or collecting nipple aspirate fluids comprising: a flexible attachment part including an opening, the attachment part being adapted for attachment to at least an areola of a nipple to create an airtight seal between the attachment part and the areola; a chamber extending away from the opening toward which the nipple may project upon application of a vacuum to the chamber while the attachment part is attached; a syringe plunger; a syringe body including a curved longitudinal axis which is curved around the chamber, the syringe body engaging an outer surface of the chamber, the syringe body including a first open end for receiving the syringe plunger which creates an airtight seal with an interior surface of the syringe body when received in the syringe body and a second end; a valve in fluid communication with the body, the syringe body being in fluid communication with the chamber, the valve opening to expel air away from the chamber upon movement of the syringe plunger within the syringe body toward the second end, movement of the syringe plunger within the syringe body away from the second end causing aspiration of air from the chamber to create a partial vacuum within the chamber when the attachment part is attached at least to the areola; and a cap rotatably attached to an outer surface of the chamber, the cap carrying the syringe plunger and rotation in a first direction while the syringe plunger is received in the syringe body causing air to be expelled from the syringe body through the valve and when an airtight seal exists between the attachment part and the breast surrounding the nipple air is rotation in a second direction moving the syringe plunger away from the second end to produce a partial vacuum within the chamber to apply an outward force to the nipple.