HK1243962B - Adapter with media separation membrane for a breastshield - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an adapter with a media separation membrane for a breast shield of a breast pump for extracting human breast milk.

STATE OF THE ART

Breast pump systems for extracting human breast milk are well known. They comprise a manually or electrically operated vacuum pump, at least one breast shield placed on the mother's breast, and a milk collection container in which the extracted milk is collected. The breast shield is directly connected to the vacuum pump or via a suction tube, allowing a cyclically varying negative pressure to be applied to the breast, thereby enabling the milk to be pumped out of the breast.

Common breast shields are either held in a connector by means of a locking mechanism or are fixedly connected to it. The connector is used to connect to a milk collection container and a vacuum pump. The pump can be connected to the connector via a suction tube or can be directly arranged on the connector. Similarly, the milk collection container, usually a bag or a bottle, is either directly detachably mounted on the connector or connected to it via a milk tube.

In WO 01/47577, such breast shells are shown. They are connected via a suction tube to the vacuum pump, wherein a cap provided with a media separation membrane attached thereto is located at the pump-side end of the suction tube. This cap is placed over the pump membrane of the vacuum pump together with the media separation membrane and, together with the pump membrane, forms the pumping chamber. The media separation membrane conforms to the surface of the pump membrane and moves together with it in cyclic movements. Thanks to the media separation membrane, the pumping area is protected from contamination and pollution, as it separates the medium "air in the vacuum pump" from the medium "air and milk in the breast shell." It particularly protects against pumped breast milk and bacteria that might enter the suction tube. Therefore, the same pump can be used by several mothers. It can be optimally employed especially in hospitals and can be rented out.

WO 2011/035447 shows a very simple cylindrical adapter connected with only one line. This line serves both as a suction line and as a milk line. The media separation membrane, which also conveys the milk into a milk collection container, is arranged at the pump side end of the suction line and before the vacuum pump. It transmits the cyclically generated vacuum through the suction line to the breast shield and thus to the mother's breast.

Furthermore, breast pump systems are known, in which the media separation membrane is arranged at the breast shell side end of the suction hose in an adapter of the breast shell. This media separation membrane also transmits the cyclically generated vacuum from the vacuum pump into the breast shell and protects the suction hose and the vacuum pump from contamination.

US 5,941,847 discloses such a foldable media separation membrane, which is formed in a cylindrical shape and arranged in the cylindrical neck of the breast cap.

WO 2014/094187 describes a media separation membrane which is located at least partially in the portion of the breast shield in which the nipple protrudes.

The media separation membrane according to US 2010/0324477 is arranged in an upper area of the adapter and covered by a rotating closure lid. The membrane is circularly shaped with annular protrusions and recesses.

US 2004/0087898 shows a hemispherical media separation membrane that is sealed between two adapter parts. The adapter part away from the breast shell has a container connection for attaching a milk collection container. A check valve is arranged in this connecting part. The media separation membrane can be mounted by pivoting the breast shell-side adapter part about an axis.

In WO 2008/057218, a pre-stressed membrane is proposed instead of a foldable media separating membrane. The adapter is relatively complicated in design.

CN 202 184 978 U and CN 202 942 469 U show breast pump arrangements with a chamber having a connecting opening to the breast shield. The milk outlet opening is arranged in each case in the lower area of the arrangement at a duckbill valve.

Flexible, collapsible media separation membranes require a restoring force from the vacuum pump to regain their original shape. There is always a risk that during the pumping process they may no longer fully assume their original shape, thus no longer being able to optimally transmit the cyclically applied negative pressure.

Stiffer media separation membranes have the disadvantage of causing a higher pressure drop across the membrane. This is particularly problematic with large shield or funnel sizes, as in these cases the pumping capacity of the breast pump system is often no longer sufficient to generate an adequate vacuum at the mother's breast.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to create an adapter with a media separation membrane which allows for a minimal pressure drop across the media separation membrane, while the media separation membrane can still reliably return to its original shape.

This task is solved by an adapter according to claim 1 of the patent.

In the inventive adapter for a breast shield of a breast pump for extracting human breast milk, the breast shield is either durable or is integrally connected to it. The adapter has a suction connection for connecting to a vacuum pump and a milk connection for connecting to a milk collection container. The adapter further includes a chamber from which the suction connection and a milk outlet opening extend, wherein the chamber also has a breast shield-side opening leading to the breast shield with a first diameter and a distal opening with a second diameter. Moreover, the adapter includes a flexible media separation membrane, which is accommodated within the chamber and separates the chamber into a pump side and a breast shield side, in order to transmit a vacuum generated by the vacuum pump into the breast shield and to protect the vacuum pump against contamination. The chamber tapers toward the breast shield-side opening and has the shape of a spherical cap, which is cut off in its tapered region. The media separation membrane essentially has the shape of a flattened spherical cap with a flat upper surface, and the flat upper surface of the media separation membrane faces the breast shield-side opening of the chamber.

This special type of chamber, in which the cyclic vacuum generated by the vacuum pump is transmitted in a media-separated manner, and the corresponding form of the media separation membrane allow for the use of a very thin, preferably flexible media separation membrane. As a result, the pressure drop across the membrane is minimized. It usually amounts to 1 to a maximum of 10 mmHg.

Another advantage is that the adapter can be designed as simple as possible, with a minimum number of parts and thus at low cost. Assembling the adapter is easy for the mother and requires little time. In particular, the media separation membrane can be replaced, cleaned, and reinserted into the chamber in a simple manner. The entire adapter can be cleaned optimally, as it mainly consists of large surfaces without interruptions, and above all features large, easily accessible openings and simply designed sealing edges and surfaces.

The function of the media separation membrane is optimized when the flat upper surface of the media separation membrane has a diameter that is approximately equal to the diameter of the opening on the chest cap side.

Preferably, the chamber gradually tapers in the area of the chest guard opening toward the opening. This optimizes the functionality and facilitates cleaning.

Preferably, the media separation membrane is arranged on the inner side of the chamber without any applied pressure. In this preferred embodiment, the media separation membrane is thus particularly not preloaded, and the chamber thus essentially forms the counterpart to the media separation membrane.

Preferably, the media separation membrane is flexible. It requires a restoring force to quickly regain its original shape during the pumping cycle, i.e., in this case, its hemispherical shape. This restoring force is ensured by the vacuum pump, which removes the vacuum.

According to the invention, the media separation membrane has a recess which forms part of a milk passage between the breast shield opening and the milk connection. Thanks to this recess, the media separation membrane can extend along the inside of the chamber, almost or all the way to the breast shield side opening, and yet milk can still flow unobstructed through the chamber toward the milk connection. Thus, the dead volume in the adapter is minimized.

Ideally, this depression is located in a transition area between the flat upper surface and a curved shell surface of the flattened spherical cap of the media separation membrane.

In a preferred embodiment, the chamber has a milk outlet opening in its hemispherical section. Preferably, the media separation membrane is provided with a flexible valve flap that closes this milk outlet opening. The one-piece construction of the media separation membrane together with the valve flap simplifies the assembly of the adapter additionally. There is no separate part required for the milk valve. It can be mounted together with the remaining media separation membrane, thus facilitating the assembly. Furthermore, there is no small separate valve part that could be forgotten during assembly by the nut, or accidentally flushed down the drain during cleaning, or swallowed by a young child. Moreover, the valve flap indicates the exact position where the media separation membrane should be inserted into the chamber. This also facilitates assembly.

In a preferred embodiment, the media separation membrane has a circular peripheral edge which is thicker than the flattened spherical cap and which is provided with a positioning ring at least partially. The seal is simply constructed but extremely effective. It can be achieved by means of a simple friction fit. Moreover, the thickened edge of the media separation membrane provides stability, so that it lies well in the hand during assembly.

Preferably, the adapter has a base body on the breast shield side and a cover on the opposite side of the breast shield, wherein the chamber is arranged in the base body and the cover closes the opening of the chamber that is remote from the breast shield. This makes the chamber easily accessible, and the media separation membrane can be easily inserted and removed.

In a preferred embodiment, the base body has a circular first sealing lip around which the media separation membrane can be reversed, wherein the at least partially circular positioning ring encloses this first sealing lip. Preferably, the positioning ring is not completely circular, leaving a region for a pivot hinge and/or for a snap-on closure of the adapter.

Alternatively or additionally, the lid has a circular, surrounding second sealing edge, over which the media separation membrane can be turned over at its peripheral edge, with the peripheral edge sealing against the second sealing edge.

Ideally, the media separation membrane can be optionally attached to either the lid or the housing body, with the sealing effect when closing the lid being achieved through friction on both sides of the media separation membrane. The adapter is thus reliably sealed.

Preferably, the positioning ring of the media separation membrane forms an outer surface of the adapter between the lid and the main body when the lid is closed. Thus, the ring is visible from the outside when the lid is closed. Furthermore, the adapter is not airtight without the media separation membrane, which is necessary for pumping milk. This prevents twice the risk of using the adapter without the media separation membrane, thereby protecting the vacuum pump from contamination or pollution. The assembly of the adapter is facilitated if the lid is pivotally mounted on the main body about a single pivot axis.

The media separation membrane of the above-described adapter essentially has the shape of a flattened spherical cap with a flat top surface and a depression, and in preferred embodiments, it has the features described above and below.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the drawings, which are for illustration only and should not be construed as limiting. The drawings show: Figure 1: A perspective view of a breast pump system without a vacuum pump with the inventive adapter; Figure 2: An exploded view of the breast pump system according to Figure 1; Figure 3: A side view of the adapter according to Figure 1 with the breast shield mounted; Figure 4: A longitudinal section through the adapter according to Figure 1 with the breast shield mounted; Figure 5: An enlarged view of area A according to Figure 4; Figure 6: A perspective view of the adapter according to Figure 1 from the breast shield side; Figure 7: A perspective view of the adapter according to Figure 1 from the opposite side of the breast shield; Figure 8: A view from the opposite side of the breast shield of an inventive media separating membrane of the adapter according to Figure 1; Figure 9: A view from the breast shield side of the media separating membrane according to Figure 8; Figure 10: A side view of the media separating membrane according to Figure 8; Figure 11: A longitudinal section through the media separating membrane according to Figure 8; Figure 12: A perspective view of the open adapter; Figure 13: A perspective view of a breast pump system including a vacuum pump and with the inventive adapter.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 13 shows a breast pump system with a vacuum pump 6, a shell 5 mounted on a pumping membrane of the vacuum pump 6, a suction tube 3 connecting the shell 5 to an adapter 2, a breast shield 1 connected to the adapter 2, and a milk collection container 7 also connected to the adapter 2. Preferably, the breast shield 1 is inserted into the adapter 2 and detachably connected to it. However, it can also be formed integrally with the adapter 2. In this example, a double pump with two shells, two suction tubes, and two breast shield units is shown.

Shell 5, adapter 2, and breastplate 1 are preferably made of plastic, wherein shell 5 and adapter 2 are preferably rigid, and breastplate 1 can be rigid, soft, or semi-soft.

The bustier illustrated here represents an independent invention. It is detailed in the patent application filed on the same day by the same applicant, titled "Bustier." The contents of this patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

The bowl illustrated here, reference number 5, also represents an independent invention. It is detailed in the patent application filed on the same day by the same applicant, titled "Bowl for a Breast Pump." The contents of this patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

Figures 1 and 2 show the breast pump system without a vacuum pump. The suction line 3 is preferably a flexible suction hose, which is permanently connected to the housing 5 via a non-destructive pump-side connector 31. At the other end, the suction line 3 has an adapter-side plug 30, which is preferably detachably connectable to a suction connection 23 of the adapter 2. Here, it is insertable.

The breast shell 1 has a tubular connecting part 10 and an integrally formed funnel 11 for receiving a human mother's breast, as well as a supporting edge 12 for resting on the human mother's breast. On the outer surface of the funnel 11, tactile elements 13, here in the form of annular protrusions, are present. Instead of this breast shell 1, another known type of breast shell can also be used.

As clearly visible in Figures 2 to 4 as well as 6 and 7, the adapter 2 has a base body 28, which is hollow and forms a chamber 280. A tubular receiving part 20 is formed on the base body 28, into which the connecting part 10 of the cowbell 1 can be inserted. The base body 28 transitions via a neck 21 into a tubular milk connection 22. This is preferably provided with an internal thread 25. It is used for connecting to a milk collection container, particularly a milk bottle.

Cup 1 and adapter 2 form a passage or milk channel 14, which extends from the chest-close end of cup 1 to the milk connection 22, thus enabling milk flow from the mother's breast into the milk collection container.

The adapter 2 has a flexible media separation membrane 4 arranged in the chamber 280 of the base body 28. For this purpose, the adapter 2 has a cover 24, allowing the media separation membrane 4 to be inserted into the housing or into the base body 28 of the adapter 2 and also removed again for replacement or cleaning. In this example, the cover 24 is connected to the base body 28 via a single pivot hinge 240. The pivot hinge 240 is preferably located at the top. At the opposite lower end, a handle 242 is formed, on the back side of which a retaining projection 241 is provided. This retaining projection 241 engages into a retaining edge 26 of an opening in the neck 21 of the adapter 2. Thus, a snap closure is formed. Furthermore, at the milk connection 22, there is a depression 220 which facilitates gripping the handle 242.

On both sides of the handle 242, a downwardly directed, curved flank 243 is formed as a form-fit termination. The flanks 243 and the retaining edge 26 are preferably inclined.

The lid 24 is preferably substantially flat and essentially round in shape. The suction connection 23 is formed in the upper area of the lid 24.

Chamber 280 is shaped like a spherical cap, with its tapered end cut off and forming a first round opening 282 on the breast cup side. The diameter of this breast cup-side opening 282 corresponds to the diameter of the tubular receiving part 20 and is therefore relatively large.

The end of the spherical dome-shaped chamber 280 that is remote from the breast cap forms a second opening 283 remote from the breast cap. This second opening 283 is covered and sealed by the lid 24. The chamber 280 can extend spherically up to this second opening 283 remote from the breast cap, or it can, as in this example, already transition into an approximately cylindrical shape prior to this opening.

As shown in Figure 4, a milk outlet opening 284 is located in the lower area of chamber 280, through which extracted milk can flow into the milk collection container. This milk outlet opening 284 has a circumferential edge directed toward the milk connection 22, which forms a valve seat. A valve flap 40 is integrally formed on the media separation membrane 4, which together with the valve seat forms a check valve and thus limits the dead volume in the adapter 2. The valve flap 40 is angled, preferably at approximately 55°, from a circular peripheral edge 45 of the remaining membrane 4, as clearly visible in Figure 11. As also visible in Figure 11, the valve flap 40 has a rib 400, which rests against two protrusions 249 of the cover 24. These protrusions are visible in Figure 12. A downwardly directed collar 401 surrounding the valve flap 40 provides it with stability.

The media separation membrane 4 has a base body 41, which is also formed in the shape of a flattened spherical cap and to which the valve flap 40 is formed. This base body preferably has no irregularities, except for a recess 42 mentioned further below.

The flattened, round, and flat surface of the base body 41 is marked with the reference numeral 411 and is clearly visible, for example, in figures 8 to 11.

This base body 41 forms the counterpart to the chamber 280. In the assembled state, the base body 41 is substantially or completely in contact with the inner side of the chamber 280, as can be seen in Figure 4. The flat surface 411 is located in the area of the breast cap-side opening 282 or within this opening. This surface 411 preferably has approximately or exactly the same diameter as this breast cap-side opening 282.

In the transition area between the flat surface 411 and the hemispherical-shaped section of the base body 41, the aforementioned recess 42 is present, which appears as an elevation at a distance from the udder cup. This recess 42 is arranged in the lower area when the media separation membrane 4 is correctly mounted, and forms part of the milk channel 14 between the udder cup 1 and the milk connection 22. A corresponding opposite recess in the base body 28 or in the neck 21 may be present, but is not required to be. In this example, it is not present.

The media separation membrane 4 is preferably made of silicone. The main body 41 is relatively thin, preferably designed to be flexible. Typical thicknesses range from 0.2 to 1.0 mm. The valve flap 40 is preferably designed to be thicker.

The base body 41 is designed as a counterpart to the chamber 280. If the chamber 280 has, at a distance from the breast cap, a cylindrical section, this is preferably also true for the base body 41. This is the case here, as can be seen from figures 10 and 11.

The base body 41 has, at a distance from the breast cap, an annular edge 45 that is continuous, closed, and circular in shape. This edge is thickened and gives the base body 41 its position and stability.

A thickening is indicated in Figure 5 with the reference number 410. This thickening 410 seals against a first sealing edge 281 of the base body and against a second sealing edge 29 of the cover. The sealing edges 281, 29 are circularly extending and closed within themselves, and they preferably run conically relative to each other.

On the outer edge 45, there is also a positioning ring 43 directed towards the breast cap. This positioning ring 43 is not completely circular, but there are recesses 44 in the area of the hinge 240 and the handle 242, as can be seen in figures 8 to 10.

As shown in Figure 5, it is evident how the sealing occurs between the cover 24, the base body 28 of the adapter 2, and the media separation membrane 4 in the region of the circumferential edge 45. The base body 28 has the already mentioned first sealing rim 281, whose outer diameter is smaller than the outermost diameter of the base body 28 of the adapter. The first sealing rim 281 is formed by the edge of the opening 283 located away from the breast cap.

As shown in Figure 1, the positioning ring 43 is clamped between the two parts of the adapter 2 when the cover 24 is closed and forms part of the outer surface of the adapter 2. Thus, the media separation membrane 4 is visible from the outside. Moreover, due to the design of the sealing surfaces, edges, and lips of the adapter, the adapter 4 is not sealed when the media separation membrane 4 is not installed. Furthermore, the hinged cover 24 cannot be closed if the media separation membrane 4 is not positioned correctly in terms of rotation and orientation. However, the media separation membrane 4 can be mounted either on the cover 24 or on the base body 28. If it is mounted on the cover 24, it is placed over the second sealing edge 29, with the valve flap 40 being placed or clamped between the two protrusions of the cover. If it is mounted on the base body 28, it is placed over the first sealing edge 281, with the valve flap 40 being placed or clamped between the two pins 27.

The inventive adapter allows a minimal pressure drop across the media separation membrane and ensures reliable restoration to its original shape. BEZUGSZEICHENLISTE

1	Brusthaube	284	Milchauslassöffnung
10	Anschlussteil	29	zweiter Dichtungsrand
11	Trichter
12	Auflagekante	3	Saugleitung
13	haptisches Element	30	adapterseitiger Verbindungsstecker
14	Milchkanal	31	pumpenseitiger Verbindungsstecker
2	Adapter	4	Medientrennmembran
20	Aufnahmeteil	40	Ventilklappe
21	Hals	400	Steg
22	Milchanschluss	401	Kragen
220	Delle	41	Grundkörper
23	Sauganschluss	410	Verdickung
24	Deckel	411	ebene Oberseite
240	Schwenkscharnier	42	Vertiefung
241	Rückhaltenase	43	Positionierring
242	Griff	44	Ausnehmung
243	Flanke	45	Umfangsrand
244	Umfangsrand
25	Innengewinde	5	Schale
26	Rückhaltekante
27	Stift	6	Vakuumpumpe
28	Grundkörper
280	Kammer	7	Milchsammelbehälter
281	erster Dichtungsrand
282	brusthaubenseitige Öffnung
283	brusthaubenferne Öffnung

Claims (14)

1. Adapter (2) for a breast shield (1) of a breast pump for expressing human breast milk, wherein the breast shield (1) is holdable in the adapter (2) or is integrally connected in one piece to said adapter, wherein the adapter (2) comprises a suction connection (23) for connection to a vacuum pump (6) and a milk connection (22) for connection to a milk collecting container (7), wherein the adapter (2) comprises a chamber (280) from which the suction connection (23) and a milk outlet opening (284) lead, wherein the chamber (280) additionally comprises an opening (282) on the breast shield side which leads to the breast shield (1) having a first diameter and an opening (283) which is remote from the breast shield having a second diameter, and wherein the adapter (2) additionally comprises a flexible media separating diaphragm (4) which is received in the chamber (280) and separates the chamber (280) into a pump-side region and a breast-shield-side region for the purposes of transmitting a negative pressure generated by the vacuum pump (6) into the breast shield (1) and for the purposes of protecting against contamination of the vacuum pump, wherein the chamber tapers toward the opening (282) on the breast shield side, wherein the chamber (280) comprises the form of a spherical calotte which has been cut off in its tapering region, wherein the media separating diaphragm (4) comprises substantially the form of a flattened spherical calotte with an even top surface (411) and wherein the even top surface (411) of the media separating diaphragm (4) faces the opening (282) of the chamber (280) on the breast shield side, characterized in that the media separating diaphragm (4) comprises an indentation (42) which forms part of a milk channel (14) between the opening (282) on the breast shield side and the milk connection (22).
2. Adapter according to Claim 1, wherein the even top surface (411) of the media separating diaphragm (4) comprises a diameter which corresponds approximately to the diameter of the opening (282) on the breast shield side.
3. Adapter according to either of Claims 1 or 2, wherein the chamber (280) tapers steplessly toward the opening in the region of the opening (282) on the breast shield side.
4. Adapter according to one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the media separating diaphragm (4) abuts substantially against an inside surface of the chamber (280) in the non-loaded state without negative pressurization.
5. Adapter according to one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the media separating diaphragm (4) is limp.
6. Adapter according to one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the indentation (42) is situated in a transition region between the even top surface (411) and a curved lateral surface of the flattened spherical calotte of the media separating diaphragm (4).
7. Adapter according to one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the milk outlet opening (284) is arranged in the spherical segment-shaped region of the chamber (280).
8. Adapter according to Claim 7 wherein the media separating diaphragm (4) comprises a flexible valve flap (40) which closes said milk outlet opening (284).
9. Adapter according to one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the media separating diaphragm (4) comprises a circular circumferential edge (45) which is realized in a thicker manner than the flattened spherical calotte of the media separating diaphragm (4) and which is provided at least in portions with a positioning ring (43).
10. Adapter according to one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the adapter (2) comprises a basic body (28) on the breast shield side and a cover (24) remote from the breast shield, wherein the chamber (280) is arranged in the basic body (28) and wherein the cover (24) closes the opening (283) of the chamber (280) remote from the breast shield.
11. Adapter according to Claims 9 and 10, wherein the basic body (28) comprises a circular circumferential first sealing edge (281), over which the media separating diaphragm (4) can be pulled, wherein the at least partially circumferential positioning ring (43) surrounds said first sealing edge (281).
12. Adapter according to one of Claims 9 to 11, wherein the cover (24) comprises a circular circumferential second sealing edge (29), over which the media separating diaphragm (4) can be pulled by way of its circumferential edge (45), wherein the circumferential edge (45) abuts in a sealing manner against the second sealing edge (29).
13. Adapter according to Claims 11 and 12, wherein, with the cover (24) closed, the positioning ring (43) of the media separating diaphragm (4) forms an outside surface of the adapter (2) between the cover (24) and the basic body (28).
14. Adapter according to one of Claims 10 to 13, wherein the cover (24) is arranged on the basic body (28) so as to be pivotable about one single pivot axis (240).