HK40007468A - Breast cup - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a breast pump for extracting human breast milk.

STATE OF THE ART

Manual and motor-driven breast pump units for extracting human breast milk are known. They include a breast shield or two breast shields for sealing against the mother's breast. At least one breast shield is directly or via a suction tube connected to a manually or motor-driven breast pump. The breast pump generates a cyclically changing vacuum, which is transmitted to the breast shield in order to extract milk from the mother's breast.

Breast pump units are designed to extract breast milk in a way that comes as close as possible to the natural sucking of a baby. For this purpose, special pumping sequences with varying levels of suction and pumping frequency are used. Moreover, breast shields are available in a wide variety of designs, which are intended to ensure a comfortable fit against the mother's breast thanks to soft inserts, so-called liners. Furthermore, breast shields are known which are intended to stimulate the mother's breast through massage.

The classic breast shields have a funnel for the sealing surface and for receiving the areola. The funnel ends in a tubular spout, which can be connected via an adapter either directly or through a suction tube to the breast pump and also to a milk collection container. During use, the nipple is inserted into this spout and is drawn into the spout when the cyclically changing negative pressure is applied. The spout should be large enough to not hinder the movement of the nipple.

In order to use the created vacuum as optimally as possible, efforts are made to keep the volume to be evacuated as small as possible. Thus, the dead volume is minimized.

US 4,607,596 discloses a device whose basic principle is intended to be used in milking apparatus for animals as well as for pumping human breast milk. The corresponding breast shell comprises a rigid base body with a flexible insert. There are two chambers that can be acted upon by a pulsating vacuum, wherein the vacuum is generated by the same breast pump. The first chamber is formed by the inner space in which the mother's breast is received. The second chamber is located between the flexible insert and the base body.

In US 7,988,661 B2, the breast shell also has two chambers, which can be pressurized with different and independently adjustable pressures. In particular, negative pressure as well as positive pressure can be applied. This publication shows a variety of different breast shells. Figures 16A and 16 show a breast shell with three chambers intended to simulate a baby's sucking. When negative pressure is applied, the nipple is drawn out. The three chambers can be pressurized independently of each other, allowing for a rotational movement around the longitudinal axis of the breast shell to be simulated. In the embodiment according to Figure 17, the flexible insert has inwardly directed ribs in a hollow cylindrical area, which massage and stimulate the nipple and the adjacent tissue of the mother's breast. In the embodiments according to Figures 18 and 19, the chambers form recesses toward the nipple in order to massage it.

WO 2014/094186 A2 describes a breast shield unit with a flexible insert for receiving the mother's breast and nipple, as well as a separate media separation membrane for protecting the vacuum source. The movement of the media separation membrane is such that it does not contact the nipple and thus does not hinder the movement of the nipple.

WO 2014/063261 A1 discloses a breast shell with a flexible insert which simultaneously serves as a media separation membrane. This flexible insert is twisted into a hollow cylindrical receptacle and accommodates the nipple. When a vacuum is applied between the receptacle and the insert, the insert increases its milk passage.

WO 2011/037841 A2 shows a bra cup that has inflatable cushions in the transition between the funnel and the tubular spout.

US 9,248,223 B2 describes a breast shell with a soft insert that applies a peristaltic pressure on the nipple via suction to extract milk. WO 2016/007561 A1 shows a breast shell insert provided with grooves in the area of the nipple to increase the surface area.

US 2016/0058928 A1 discloses a breast shield intended to correspond to the mouth of a baby. The nipple is received in a flexible breast shield part, which can asymmetrically collapse to mimic the baby's mouth movements. The negative pressure is directed to the breast shield via the milk collection container. WO2016/145173 belongs to the prior art according to Article 54(3) EPC and discloses a breast shield with sensor technology. US2005/059928 discloses a breast shield with sensors.

Although these newer breast shells show partially good approaches to come close to natural sucking, an optimal imitation of nature, and thus the optimal shape and pressure distribution of a breast shell, has not yet been found.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to create an alternative breast shell and a breast pump unit that allow for maximum suction performance and minimized suction time per pumping session.

This task solves a bust cup with the features of claim 1 and a breast pump unit with the features of claim 15 or 17.

In a non-inventive method for operating a breast pump unit for extracting human breast milk, the breast pump unit comprises a vacuum pump for generating pressures and at least one breast shell for sealingly engaging a breast to be pumped. The breast shell includes an inner chamber for receiving a mother's nipple and at least one outer chamber surrounding the nipple at least partially. According to the invention, the inner chamber is supplied with a first pressure from the vacuum pump, and the at least one outer chamber is supplied with at least one second pressure from the vacuum pump. For the first pressure, a substantially constant pressure over time is used, and for the at least one second pressure, a pulsating pressure is employed. Alternatively, for the first pressure, a pulsating pressure is used, and for the at least one second pressure, a substantially constant pressure over time is employed.

The nearly time-constant pressure is a pressure that either remains constant throughout the entire pumping period or changes in time by a multiple slower compared to the second pulsating pressure.

Under "pulsating pressure," a changing pressure is understood, which preferably varies cyclically. Preferably, the pressure changes uniformly, for example, in a sinusoidal manner. However, the pressure can also change unevenly within a cycle and/or there may be regular or irregular pauses between the cycles.

In the state of the art, a pulsating, that is, a changing pressure is applied in the cavity of the breast shell, in which the nipple is inserted, in order to simulate the sucking action of an infant. Due to the applied negative pressure, the nipple is stretched and pulled during the pumping process. In contrast, according to the non-inventive method, hereinafter referred to as the first method, the nipple is not or only slightly stretched. On the other hand, by applying the external, varying pressure, the natural milk ducts running through the nipple are kept open, regularly opened and/or further radially expanded, allowing the milk to flow freely.

The constant negative pressure applied in the hollow space of the breast shell, that is, directly against the nipple, has little effect on the shape of the nipple and mainly serves to hold the position of the breast shell and to drain the extracted breast milk.

Preferably, the values of the first pressure and at least one second pressure are within a range in which the mother's nipple remains essentially unchanged in length.

This process thus allows for maximum pumping performance. Since the diameter of the milk ducts in the nipple is maximized, it also enables a minimized pumping time per session.

In a variant of the non-inventive method, the breast shell has a flexible inner part, a so-called liner. This flexible inner part divides the breast shell into the inner chamber and at least one outer chamber. The flexible inner part is subjected to the first pressure from the inside and to at least one second pressure from the outside.

It is preferable, in a first step, to apply the first pressure in the first chamber to position the breast shield on the mother's breast, so that the flexible inner part is pulled inward to make contact with the nipple, and in a further step, at least the second pressure is applied. This minimizes the dead space. The nipple is massaged, and the outer, varying pressure can be optimally adjusted to the nipple.

In an alternative variant, for positioning the breast shield on the mother's breast, a first step involves applying at least a third pressure in at least one second chamber, wherein the third pressure is constant over time, and the flexible inner part is drawn outward by this third pressure to form an inner space for receiving the nipple. In a further step, the first pressure and at least the second pressure are applied to extract milk. This ensures that the tissue of the nipple is optimally protected when placed inside the breast shield, and the flexible inner part can then closely fit around the entire circumference of the nipple.

It is preferable to use a vacuum for the first pressing and a vacuum and/or positive pressure for at least one subsequent pressing. By having the second pressing be a varying vacuum that occasionally switches to positive pressure, a wide range of possibilities is provided for activating and massaging the nipple.

Usually, the first edition and at least one subsequent edition are used independently of each other. This also increases the bandwidth of the aforementioned possibilities.

Preferably, the first print and at least a second print are created in dependence on each other by means of a control unit.

There can be exactly one second chamber. This type of breast shield can be manufactured easily and at low cost. In another embodiment, at least two second chambers are provided, each being independently supplied with a second pressure. Preferably, the ratio of the at least two second pressures is changed over time relative to each other. This allows for a very natural massage of the nipple during pumping, that is, a stimulation of the nipple similar to the situation in the mouth of an infant.

In a further non-inventive method for operating a breast pump unit for extracting human breast milk, the breast pump unit comprises a vacuum pump for generating pressures and at least one breast shield for sealingly engaging a breast to be pumped. The breast shield includes a flexible inner part having an inner chamber for receiving a nipple of the breast and at least one outer chamber which at least partially surrounds the nipple. The inner chamber is supplied with a first pressure from the vacuum pump, and the at least one outer chamber is supplied with at least a second pressure from the vacuum pump. The flexible inner part is pressurized such that it engages the nipple in a first position in a ring-shaped manner and releases the nipple radially in a second position.

This second procedure described below also allows for the removal of breast milk without stretching the nipple and without reducing the diameter of the natural milk ducts. Depending on the type of pressure applied, it is also possible to increase the open space of the natural milk ducts.

In the prior art, the nipple is captured in the breast cup in a contact-free manner. The breast cup usually contacts exclusively the adjacent breast tissue. These breast cups massage the breast tissue. In the second method, however, the nipple is contacted, preferably closely enclosed, and massaged depending on the variant of the second method. Preferably, only the nipple or at most a part or the entire areola is contacted.

In one variant of the non-inventive second method, the first pressure is pulsating and the at least one second pressure is constant. In another variant, this is reversed.

The non-inventive methods, in particular the first method described above, can be optimally used, for example, with the breast pump units and breast shells described below. However, the breast pump units and breast shells described below can also be operated with other methods.

A first inventive breast pump unit for extracting human breast milk comprises a vacuum pump for generating pressures and at least one breast shell according to claim 1 for sealingly engaging a breast to be extracted. The breast shell includes an inner chamber for receiving a nipple of the breast and at least one outer chamber which at least partially surrounds the nipple. The inner chamber is designed to receive a first pressure from the vacuum pump, and the at least one outer chamber is designed to receive at least a second pressure from the vacuum pump. The first pressure is approximately a constant pressure over time, while the at least one second pressure is a pulsating pressure.

The chest shell of this first breast pump unit preferably includes a flexible inner part that divides the chest shell into the inner chamber and at least one outer chamber. The flexible inner part can be subjected to the first pressure from the inside and to at least a second pressure from the outside. Such flexible inner parts are often referred to as liners. The liner can be removably held in a rigid or semi-rigid chest shell body, or it can be manufactured together with it and be removable without damage.

This first breast pump unit comprises at least one sensor for determining the position of the nipple during the pumping process. This makes it possible to determine whether and, if so, how much the nipple is stretched or compressed by the applied pressures. Preferably, the control is designed to vary the first pressure and/or the at least one second pressure according to the specific position of the nipple. This allows the breast pump to be individually adjusted to the needs of the mother. As a result, each mother can express milk without her nipple being overly stretched or the milk ducts of the nipple being excessively narrowed. The at least one sensor can additionally or alternatively be used to determine the location along the longitudinal axis of the breast shield at which the inner chamber collapses or the flexible inner part closes the chamber.

The following are various embodiments of breast shells, which can be particularly used in the aforementioned methods and in the breast pump units described in this text. These breast shells each have a support area for sealing contact with the human mother's breast and an inner chamber for receiving the mother's nipple.

A first of these inventive breast shells comprises at least one outer chamber which at least partially surrounds the nipple. The inner chamber is designed to accommodate a first pressure from the vacuum pump, and the at least one outer chamber is designed to accommodate at least a second pressure from the vacuum pump. The first pressure is an approximately time-constant pressure, and the at least one second pressure is a pulsating pressure.

Since the breast shield only needs to enclose the nipple, it can be relatively small. It can also be used discreetly and hidden under clothing in a hands-free solution. Moreover, the dead space is minimized, allowing the breast pump unit that creates two pressures to be correspondingly small. This reduces costs and optimizes performance.

This first breast shell preferably has a flexible inner part which divides the breast shell into the inner chamber and at least one outer chamber. The flexible inner part can be pressurized from the inside with the first pressure and from the outside with at least a second pressure. Preferably, the flexible inner part is a flexible insert which is fixedly or detachably connected to a breast shell body. The flexible inner part simplifies the manufacturing of the breast shell. Moreover, it allows for a sealing contact with the nipple and provides a pleasant and effective massage as well as optimal stimulation of the nipple.

In a second of these inventive breast shells, the inner chamber is conically shaped over the entire receiving area. The conical design prevents the nipple from being excessively pulled lengthwise by the applied vacuum, thus avoiding a reduction in the diameter of the natural milk ducts. Furthermore, the conical shape allows for an optimal snug fit around the entire length of the nipple.

The inner chamber of this second breast shield has an inner wall that is additionally equipped with retention means for retaining the nipple during the pumping process, either in addition to or alternatively to the conical shape. These retention means prevent the nipple from being pulled out during the suction process.

A third of these breast shells according to the invention is equipped with at least one sensor for determining the position of the nipple during the pumping process. As mentioned above, the pressures can be adjusted according to this measurement signal so that the length change of the nipple is optimized. In particular, the change is minimized.

The inner chamber of one of the fourth breast shells according to the invention has a longitudinal axis. The inner chamber collapses according to the applied pressure. The breast shell is equipped with at least one sensor for determining the location where the inner chamber collapses. This collapsing also holds back the nipple and thus prevents unwanted stretching of it. Thanks to the sensor, it can be determined whether the inner chamber collapses at the desired location. If not, the applied pressure or pressures can be changed and/or the positioning of the breast shell on the nipple can be corrected.

The support area of a fifth of the inventive breast shell ends, on the chest side, with a surrounding, soft, and sealing cushion. The cushion preferably has a surrounding inflatable cavity. This cushion allows for a pressure-free yet sealing contact with the nipple or the areola. This is pleasant for the mother, especially for sensitive or already inflamed breasts. Furthermore, the breast shell does not create any crease on the breast even if the mother presses the breast shell too strongly. The milk flow is not impaired or affected.

A sixth of the inventive breast shields has a circumferential receiving pocket on the chest side for collecting drops of breast milk when removing the breast shield. Thus, no drops are lost when removing the breast shield from the breast. The entire breast milk can be used up to the last drop. This is particularly important in the case of premature births, when the mother can produce very little milk in the initial period.

Preferably, this sixth breast shell has a flexible inner part forming a contact area for sealing against the mother's breast and an inner chamber for receiving the mother's nipple, wherein the surrounding pocket is formed in the flexible inner part. Preferably, the flexible inner part is reversible outwardly, allowing the collected milk droplets to be removed more easily from the breast shell.

A seventh breast shell according to the invention includes an outer breast shell body and a flexible inner part, wherein the flexible inner part forms the contact area for sealing contact with the human mother's breast. The flexible inner part divides the breast shell into an inner chamber for receiving the mother's nipple and at least one outer chamber which at least partially surrounds the nipple. The inner chamber is designed to receive a first pressure from the vacuum pump, and the at least one outer chamber is designed to receive at least a second pressure from the vacuum pump. The flexible inner part is formed as a single piece. The breast shell has another chamber in the form of a cavity, which is divided off by the at least one outer chamber, by means of a fixed or removable connection between the flexible inner part and the outer breast shell body forming a surrounding partition wall. The cavity is arranged in the contact area of the breast shell. This makes it possible to create an inflatable cushion to optimally position the breast shell on the nipple. The same division principle can also be used to create more than one outer chamber, which can be subjected to different pressures, thereby enabling the nipple to be massaged and stimulated differently at various locations.

An eighth of the inventive breast shields defines a longitudinal axis. The inner chamber is bounded by an outer area that is asymmetrically shaped. At least one partial area of the outer area has an outer chamber whose inner side is subject to pressure. Preferably, a partial area of the outer area has a variable stiffness and/or hardness, for example by means of a rigid adjusting element. This breast shield imitates the mouth of an infant with a palate and tongue.

A second inventive breast shield unit of a breast pump for expressing human breast milk includes a vacuum pump for generating pressures. The breast shield unit comprises a breast shield with an inner chamber for receiving a nipple and a flexible milk collection container. The inner chamber has a first opening for receiving the nipple and as the only other opening a connecting opening to the milk collection container, wherein the breast shield is airtightly connected to the milk collection container via this opening. Means are provided which cyclically enlarge the inner chamber in order to generate a negative pressure within the inner chamber for extracting the breast milk. This second breast shield unit can be a further development of the first breast shield unit described above. This breast shield unit minimizes the contact of the milk with ambient air, thereby largely avoiding contamination of the milk. This is particularly important in the neonatology field.

The means of this second bust cup unit are preferably spring tongues and the cords actuating the spring tongues. Such a bust cup unit can be manufactured cost-effectively and easily. Its use is also relatively simple. In turn, it can be optimally used in the neonatology field.

One ninth of the inventive breast shells has a fan that blows air towards the mother's breast. The air blown onto the breast mimics the baby's breathing and thus promotes the mother's milk production.

The invention is a bustle according to claim 1. Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, which are merely for explanation and should not be construed as limiting. The drawings show: Figure 1: a schematic representation of a human mother's breast with possible shapes of the nipple; Figure 2a: a schematic representation of a breast shield in a first embodiment before pressure is applied; Figure 2b: the breast shield according to Figure 2a with pressure applied in an inner chamber, e.g., vacuum; Figure 2c: the breast shield according to Figure 2a with pressure applied in both an inner and an outer chamber; Figure 3a: a schematic representation of a breast shield according to the invention in a second embodiment with sensors in an initial position; Figure 3b: the breast shield according to Figure 3a with pressure applied in an inner chamber; Figure 4a: a schematic representation of a breast shield in a fourth embodiment before being placed on the mother's breast; Figure 4b: the breast shield according to Figure 4a when placed on the mother's breast; Figure 4c: the breast shield according to Figure 4a with pressure applied in an inner chamber; Figure 4d: the breast shield according to Figure 4a with pressure applied in both an inner and an outer chamber; Figure 5a: a schematic representation of a breast shield in a fourth embodiment when placed on the mother's breast; Figure 5b: the breast shield according to Figure 5a with the cover removed; Figure 6a: a schematic representation of a breast shield in a fifth embodiment before being placed on the mother's breast; Figure 6b: the breast shield according to Figure 6a in the fully open state after being placed on the mother's breast; Figure 6c: the breast shield according to Figure 6a in the closed state after being placed on the mother's breast; Figure 6d: the breast shield according to Figure 6a during the pumping of breast milk; Figure 7a: a schematic representation of a breast shield in a sixth embodiment before being placed on the mother's breast; Figure 7b: the breast shield according to Figure 7a when being placed on the mother's breast; Figure 7c: the breast shield according to Figure 7a after being placed on the mother's breast; Figure 7d: the breast shield according to Figure 7a during the pumping of breast milk; Figure 8a: a schematic

Elements that are the same or similar are marked with the same reference designations.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a human mother's breast B with a nipple WN of average size, a small nipple WK, and a large nipple WG. The diameter of the nipples of different mothers ranges from approximately 10 mm to approximately 24 mm, with an average value of about 16 mm. The length of the nipple, without external influence, varies from mother to mother from approximately 3 mm to approximately 20 mm, with an average value of about 7 mm.

Prior art breast shells typically do not contact the nipples, allowing the variability of nipples from different mothers to remain unnoticed. However, the breast shells according to the invention preferably fit against the nipples and are intended to stimulate them through close contact and radial release in order to extract milk. Preferably, the breast shells rest exclusively on the nipple or only additionally on the areola, but not on the surrounding breast tissue of the mother's breast. The breast shells described below can preferably be used for the entire above-mentioned range of possible nipple shapes, either by being offered in different sizes themselves, or even more preferably, by adapting their shape and, if present, their flexible inner part to the shape and size of the respective nipple.

Figures 2a to 2c show a first embodiment of a breast shield according to the invention. It has a rigid or semi-rigid breast shield body 1, which is preferably made of plastic. In this example, the breast shield body 1 is designed as two parts. It comprises a base 10 and a cover 11.

The lid 11 has a first vacuum connection 2 for connecting to a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump comprises at least one vacuum unit for generating a vacuum. The vacuum pump is shown in Figure 13 and will be described later in this text.

The base 10 is essentially conical frustum-shaped in this example. It can also have a different shape, for example, it can be hollow cylindrical. In this example, it has a chest-side and a pump-side mounting flange. A second vacuum connection 3 is provided on the base 10, which allows a connection to preferably the same pump unit or to another pump unit of the vacuum pump.

The base 10 and the cover 11 enclose a cavity that is divided by a flexible inner part 4, also called a liner, into an inner chamber 5 and an outer chamber 6.

The inner chamber 5 has a breast-side opening through which the nipple W is inserted into the breast shell during use. The first vacuum connection 2 terminates on the pump side in the inner chamber 5, thus connecting this chamber to the vacuum pump. The inner chamber 5 preferably has only these two openings. In other embodiments, the inner chamber 5 also has a milk outlet.

The outer chamber 6 is preferably completely closed up to the second vacuum connection 3. The walls of the outer chamber 6 are preferably formed by the rigid or semi-rigid chest cover body 1 and the flexible insert element 4.

The flexible inner part 4 is slipped over the base 10 and is held in this position by it. It can also be injection-molded. Preferably, it is made of a soft plastic, preferably silicone. If it is a loose part, it is preferably held in place by means of the cover 11.

The flexible inner part 4 comprises a base body 40, a surrounding support area 41, and a surrounding fastening flange 42. The fastening flange 42 is clamped between the cover 11 and the base 10. With the support area 41, the breast shield in its intended use rests on the nipple W and/or tightly adheres to the surrounding areola. In this example, the support area 41 is the underside of the thickened flange, which is placed over the base 10. As a result, it is soft towards the breast, but stabilized on its back side by the base 10, allowing the nut to exert a sufficient pressing force for tight sealing either by hand or via a hands-free bra. The thickened area is, for example, designed as a surrounding hollow or solid cushion.

The base body 40 can move between these two flanges relative to the longitudinal center axis L of the breastplate, as is evident from the combined view of figures 2a, 2b, and 2c.

The base body 40 can be designed with smooth walls. In this embodiment, it has retaining elements 43 for the nipple W. The nipple W cannot stretch too much even under negative pressure in the inner chamber 5, as its expansion is limited by the retaining elements 43.

Preferably, the retention elements 43 are formed by circumferential ribs extending over at least a part of the length of the base body. The ribs are preferably directed towards the chest side. However, they may also extend radially inward toward the longitudinal central axis L of the breast cup. Preferably, the ribs taper toward their free end. However, they may also have a different shape, for example, rounded free ends. The ribs are preferably relatively soft in order not to irritate or even injure the nipple W. However, they should preferably be stiff enough to prevent excessive elongation of the nipple W during milk expression. Instead of ribs, other types of retention elements 43 can be used, for example, by appropriately selecting the material of an otherwise smooth inner wall of the base body 40, that is, by choosing a material with a sufficiently high coefficient of friction.

In the situation according to Figure 2a, the breast shield is placed on the nipple W and tightly surrounds it. No vacuum has been applied yet. The main body 40 of the flexible inner part 4 is spaced from the nipple W or slightly contacts it without exerting any significant pressure. The nipple W retains its natural shape unaffected by external forces.

In the situation according to Figure 2b, a time-approximately constant vacuum is applied via the first vacuum connection 2 by means of the vacuum pump. This vacuum can remain constant throughout the subsequent pumping process, or be adjusted according to the mother or a control system of the vacuum pump, but it can again remain constant over a subsequent period until the next adjustment. However, it can also change cyclically, where the cycle duration is very long, for example, one or several minutes. Alternatively or additionally, the average value of the cycle can also change.

As clearly visible in Figure 2b, the base body 40 of the flexible inner part 4 is pulled inward toward the longitudinal center axis L due to the negative pressure prevailing in the inner chamber 5. The nipple W is contacted and firmly enclosed. However, the retaining means 43 prevent the nipple W from being excessively stretched at the same time. Preferably, the possible elongation of the nipple W is only a few percent, preferably less than 20%.

In the situation according to Figure 2c, the constant negative pressure in the inner chamber 5 is still maintained. Through the second vacuum connection 3, a pulsating negative pressure is simultaneously applied in the outer chamber 6, which can additionally include a positive pressure component. Preferably, the applied negative pressure oscillates between a maximum negative pressure and atmospheric pressure or even features a continuously present base vacuum. The second maximum negative pressure is preferably greater in absolute value than the first maximum negative pressure, that is, the outer chamber 6 is evacuated more strongly than the inner chamber 5.

By creating the pulsating negative pressure in the outer chamber 6, the base body 40 of the flexible inner part 4 is pulled back outward and away from the longitudinal central axis L of the breast cup. The base body can relax again and bulges outward. This massaging effect causes the nipple W to relax and the natural milk ducts of the nipple W to widen.

In this third situation, milk flows from the nipple W into the inner chamber 5. Depending on the design of the breast shield, there may be an additional connection which is directly or via a line connected to a milk collection container. In this embodiment, the milk flows through the first vacuum connection 2 to the breast pump and then into the milk collection container. That is, the vacuum line for the constant negative pressure also serves simultaneously as the milk line.

By applying a constant pressure in the inner chamber 5 and a pulsating pressure in the outer chamber 6, the inventive method can be carried out, which relaxes the nipple W and preferably pulls it outward, thereby opening the natural milk ducts. However, this breast shell can also be used in other methods, for example by applying a pulsating, i.e., cyclically changing negative pressure, to the inner chamber 5, while the outer chamber 6 is subjected to a pulsating and/or constant pressure depending on the variant. This results in a massaging effect. The same applies to the breast shells described below.

Figures 3a and 3b show a second embodiment of the inventive breast shield. The basic structure of the breast shield is the same as in the first embodiment and therefore will not be explained in detail here again. There is again a rigid or semi-rigid breast shield body 1, in which a flexible inner part 4 is arranged. The first vacuum connection leads into the inner chamber 5 and the second vacuum connection 3 leads into the outer chamber 6. The outer chamber 6 surrounds the outside of the flexible inner part 4. The inner wall of the base body 40 is smooth in this representation. In other variants, it can also be provided with retaining elements 43, for example with ribs. In the inner chamber 5, a constant negative pressure is preferably applied again, while in the outer chamber 6, a pulsating negative pressure exceeding this in magnitude is present. That is, the inventive method can also be applied here, in which the extension of the nipple W is limited, and the nipple W is massaged and optionally radially stretched by the negative pressure in the outer chamber 6 via the flexible inner part 4.

Figure 3a shows the situation where no vacuum or a vacuum is applied in both chambers 5, 6. Figure 3b shows the situation when a vacuum is applied only in the inner chamber 5 or when it at least dominates in terms of magnitude.

As shown in Figure 3b, the base body 40 is drawn inward toward the longitudinal center axis L of the breast cup, thereby partially or completely closing the passage formed between the chest-side end of the breast cup and the pump-side end of the breast cup. In Figure 3b, it is not yet fully closed. The closure 44 preferably takes place immediately before the free end of the nipple W, thus preventing the nipple W from extending further in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the closure 44 forms a retention means for the nipple W.

In this embodiment, the inner side of the base body 40 can also be provided either with a smooth surface or with additional retention means.

All embodiments of the invention have at least one, preferably two sensors 7, 7'. The first sensor 7 is arranged in the extension of the nipple W, here in the lid 11, and measures along the longitudinal central axis L of the breast cup. It detects the position of the tip of the nipple W as well as the closure 44. The second sensor 7' is arranged radially with respect to the base body 40 of the flexible inner part 4 and detects the radial movement of the base body 40. Both sensors 7, 7' are preferably optical sensors. Instead of a single second sensor 7', several sensors 7' can also be used, arranged around the circumference of the breast cup.

Using these two sensors 7, 7', the position of the closure 40 and the change of the nipple W can be determined. These sensors 7, 7' are preferably connected to an optical and/or acoustic display and/or to a control of the breast pump. Based on these measurement signals, the pump parameters, such as, for example, the pumping frequency and/or the vacuum level, can be adjusted, so that the closure 44 is located at an optimal position for the respective size of the nipple W, thus allowing the nipple W to be optimally limited in its elongation in the longitudinal direction.

Figures 4a to 4d show a third embodiment of the breast shield according to the invention. The breast shield body 1 is formed as a single piece and again has the two connections 2 and 3, the inner chamber 5, and the outer chamber 6. The flexible inner part 4 is slipped over both front surfaces of the breast shield body 1 and held there. The base body 40 of the flexible inner part is essentially designed as a hollow cylinder, transitioning at its chest-side end into an outwardly directed, continuous, and closed arc 400. This arc 400 can have the same wall thickness as the cylindrical part of the base body 40. However, it can also be thickened. The base body 40 can be manufactured using a multi-component, in particular a two-component injection molding process.

The circumferential chest-side flange of the flexible inner part 4 is directed outward and in turn forms the circumferential, self-contained support area 41 for resting on the nipple W or the adjacent areola. The support area 41 is preferably thickened. Preferably, it is relatively soft, similar to a circumferential cushion.

The inner chamber 5 is in turn subjected to a constant vacuum, while the outer chamber 6 is provided with a pulsating, in particular a cyclically varying vacuum.

In Figure 4a, the breast cap is shown in its basic state before being placed on the breast. In Figure 4b, the breast cap is positioned on the nipple W and surrounds it. At this point, the free end of the nipple W is inserted into the hollow cylindrical part of the base body 40. This part can also have a different shape. For example, it can be frustum-shaped.

In Figure 4c, the inner chamber 5 is subjected to a constant pressure. The base body 40 of the flexible inner part is pulled toward the longitudinal central axis L of the cup, the arc 400 changes its shape, and the base body 40 forms a closure 44 again. As a result, the nipple W is again prevented from elongating, without being exposed to excessive external forces. When the interior of the outer chamber 6 is now provided with a pulsating vacuum, the base body 40 moves at least partially radially outward again and thus releases the nipple W at least partially. During this process, the arc 400 changes its shape, but preferably remains in contact with the nipple W throughout the entire suction process and surrounds it. Preferably, the arc 400 is designed to be soft and flexible so that it does not create any pressure points on the nipple W. Thus, the milk flow is not hindered.

The movement of the 400 arc on the nipple W and/or the areola leads to a massage and stimulation of the nipple W, thus resulting in an increased milk flow. The continuous pressure of the 400 arc can, for example, be ensured by keeping the amount of applied constant vacuum higher during the entire cycle than the amount of pulsating vacuum.

The embodiment according to FIGS. 5a and 5b is particularly suitable for mothers with very low milk production, especially for mothers of premature infants. The parts already explained above are not described in detail here. The applied pressures are preferably as described above. In addition to the preferred arc 400 that always rests on the nipple W, a pouch 46 for collecting individual drops of milk is provided. The pouch 46 is preferably formed around the breast shield, so that it does not affect the rotational position of the breast shield on the nipple W. Sucked milk that is not aspirated through the milk duct, or through the first vacuum connection 2 depending on the embodiment, is collected in this pouch 46. When the breast shield is removed from the nipple W after suction, this additional milk is retained in the pouch 46 and can also be collected and used. In this way, no drop of the precious breast milk is lost.

Figures 6a to 6d show another embodiment of the invention's breast shield, which is preferably operated with a constant internal pressure and a pulsating external pressure.

In this embodiment, the flexible inner part 4 is slipped over at its pump side end onto a connector nozzle 12, which forms the first vacuum connection 2. The main body 40 also transitions here on the chest side into a curve forming a contact area 45. This contact area 45 preferably contacts the nipple W during the entire suction process, and the contact area 45 preferably lies against the nipple W over its entire circumference, as in the previous example.

In Figure 6a, the breast cap is shown in its basic state. The inner diameter of the base body 40 is preferably equal to or smaller than the diameter of the smallest or relevant nipple W.

In Figure 6b, the breast cup is placed on the nipple W, with a constant negative pressure applied in the outer chamber 6, but not in the inner chamber 5. As a result, the base body 40 of the flexible inner part 4 has moved radially outward. The inner chamber 5, which serves to accommodate the nipple W, has reached its maximum volume. Therefore, the breast cup can be easily placed over the nipple W. This is particularly advantageous for sensitive or inflamed nipples W.

Subsequently, as shown in Figure 6c, a vacuum is generated in the inner chamber 5, and preferably the absolute value of the vacuum in the outer chamber 6 is reduced, set to atmospheric pressure or even increased to overpressure. As a result, the base body 40 is drawn towards the longitudinal central axis L of the breast cup and the nipple W. The support area 45 surrounds the nipple W and lies against it over the entire circumference. In the end region of the nipple W, the closure 44 is formed again. The effective pumping process can now begin.

This is shown in Figure 6d. A constant vacuum is applied to the inner chamber 5 via the first connection 2, while a pulsating vacuum, preferably of a higher absolute value, is applied via connection 3.

During the pumping process, the shape of the flexible inner part 4 changes from the form shown in Figure 6d to the form shown in Figure 6c and back. In Figure 6d, pumping occurs, while in Figure 6c, massage and stimulation take place.

The chest shell can be easily and painlessly removed after the pumping process is completed, when the situation according to Figure 6b is achieved again by means of the applied pressures.

This embodiment has the further advantage that the flexible inner part 4 does not have any creases or folds, and that the flexible inner part 4 can be adjusted to the optimal fit with respect to the individual nipple 1 by means of pressure changes when the breast shell is placed on the mother's breast.

The embodiment according to figures 7a to 7d differs from the above essentially in that, in addition to the outer chamber 6, another continuous outer closed cavity 410 is formed, which is also pressure-loadable. Accordingly, two second connections 3, 30 are provided. This is achieved in this embodiment by the flexible inner part 4 having a continuous partition wall 47, which divides the area between the rigid or semi-rigid chest piece body 1 and the flexible inner part 4 into two areas.

Preferably, this partition wall 47 is designed such that it is connected or connectable along its entire perimeter with a corresponding projecting or recessed counterpart of the inner wall of the breast cap body 1.

The distal outer chamber 6 is in turn used for moving the main body 40 of the flexible inner part 4, analogous to the examples already described above. The chest-proximal inflatable cavity 410 forms a surrounding inflatable cushion for the support area 41.

In Figure 7a, the breast cap is shown in its basic state. The inner diameter of the breast receiving area of the flexible inner part 4 is preferably equal to or larger than the diameter of a nipple W.

In Figure 7b, it is placed on the nipple W. A constant overpressure is applied via the second connection 30 to the chest-adjacent cavity 410, so that the cavity 410 expands and forms an inflated, circular cushion that rests against the nipple W and/or the areola. The nipple W is thus inserted into the flexible inner part 4, where it is slightly compressed.

According to Figure 7b, the pressure in the cushion, that is, in the cavity 410, is now reduced. Preferably, atmospheric pressure or a vacuum is generated in this cavity 410. The nipple W can thus relax again and shorten in length. However, it remains held in the flexible inner part 4 such that this part contacts the nipple W over its entire circumference.

Subsequently, the pumping process begins, which is illustrated in Figure 7d. A constant vacuum is generated via the first vacuum connection 2 in the inner chamber 5. A pulsating vacuum is generated via the second vacuum connection 3 in the pump-proximal and thus breast-distal outer chamber 6. This in turn leads to massage and stimulation of the nipple W and to milk ejection.

Figures 8a to 8f show another embodiment of the inventive breast shield. This simulates the conditions in the mouth of an infant.

The rigid or semi-rigid breast shell body is again provided with the reference mark 1. It in turn has a first vacuum connection 2 for applying a constant pressure, in particular a vacuum, to an inner chamber 5. A second vacuum connection 3 for applying a pulsating negative pressure leads to an outer chamber 6. The nipple W is received in the inner chamber 5 as described in the above examples.

In the chest cover body 1, a flexible inner part 8 is arranged, which is now no longer formed as a single piece, as in the previous examples. Instead, it comprises an upper part 80, 81, 82, which imitates the palate of the infant, and a lower part 84, which imitates the tongue of the infant and thus forms a tongue part. Both parts 80, 81, 82, 84 are preferably fixedly connected to the chest cover body 1, but are movable relative to it in order to change the size of the inner and outer chamber 5, 6. The lower part 84 together with an adjacent area of the chest cover body 1 defines the outer chamber 6. The upper part 80, 81, 82 together with an adjacent area of the chest cover body 1 and with the lower part 84 defines the inner chamber 5.

The upper part has a front-facing surface 82 directed toward the chest, which serves as a contact area for sealing against the nipple W or the areola. The lower part 84 has a corresponding counterpart, which carries the reference numeral 41 as a contact area.

The upper area 80, 81, 82 can consist of regions with different hardness, depending on the selected materials. It can be designed as a single piece or multiple pieces. In this example, it is designed as two pieces, wherein the chest-facing support area 82 and the adjacent first area 81 are harder than the second area 80 located away from the chest. The second area 80 forms the posterior soft palate part, while the first area 81 forms the anterior soft palate part. The posterior soft palate part 80 is formed in a downward curved manner and, depending on its position, limits or closes the inner chamber 5 towards the first vacuum connection 2. The front and rear soft palate parts 81, 80 abut each other and are connected together.

In the upper area between the breast shield body 1 and the two palate parts 80, 81, an adjustment element 83 is slidably held in the longitudinal direction of the breast shield. By changing the position of this adjustment element 83 relative to the two palate parts 80, 81, the hardness of the palate can be varied. In Figure 8a, it is located exclusively over the softer rear palate part 80, in the area away from the chest, and has an influence on the behavior of the breast shield during the pumping process. In the other figures, the adjustment element 83 is moved closer to the chest and also covers part of the front palate part 81. Thus, the covered area becomes stiffer and its movement is restricted. The behavior of the flexible inner part 8 during the pumping process is therefore influenced. The vertical downward arrows in Figures 8a to 8e indicate the position of the adjustment element 83.

In Figure 8f, a possible embodiment of such an adjusting element 83 is shown. It is a partial section of a rigid hollow cylinder. Other shapes are possible. Furthermore, the adjusting part 83 can be moved into the corresponding position by means of other types of motion instead of linear movement. Instead of a mechanical adjusting element 83, the tongue parts can also be designed as hollow and their rigidity can be varied by applying overpressure.

In Figure 8a, the breast shield is again shown in its basic state when not in use. In Figure 8b, the breast shield is placed over the nipple W, so that the nipple W is received between the two cheek parts 80, 81 and the tongue part 84.

According to Figure 8c, a constant negative pressure is then applied to the inner chamber 5, while a pulsating negative pressure is applied under the gripping part 84, that is, in the outer chamber 6.

The nipple W is massaged and stimulated similarly to how it would be in a baby's mouth, and here too, the longitudinal stretching of the nipple W toward the second vacuum port 2 does occur, but is limited. This limitation is essentially achieved by the downward-bent shape of the posterior soft palate part 80. The milk flowing out from the nipple W is shown in the figures with dashed lines and an arrow. This embodiment can be combined, as also described above, with one or more of the sensors 7, 7' described previously for detecting the nipple W and the closure.

Figure 9 shows a variant of the pressure application. In this case, there is a breast shell in which the vacuum in the outer chamber 6 is arranged so that it rotates by 360° over time. In the situation according to Figure 9, the pressure of the flexible inner part 4 currently acts from below on the nipple W. This is illustrated by the straight arrow shown with solid lines. The dashed arrows indicate that the pressure acting on the nipple W rotates around the longitudinal central axis L of the breast shell, thus resulting in a rotating massage and stimulation of the nipple W. This can be easily achieved through appropriate design, for example by dividing the outer chamber 6.

Figures 10a to 10e show an inventive breast pump unit. As clearly visible in Figure 10a, it comprises a rigid base body 1', a flexible breast shell 4', and a milk collection container 9. The breast shell 4' and the milk collection container 9 are formed as a single piece and together form a flexible element. The flexible element is made of a soft material, for example, silicone. The wall thickness of the flexible element is relatively thin, preferably membrane-like or film-like.

The flexible element forms a pouch with an opening whose shape is suitable to lie tightly and without wrinkles against the mother's breast. Preferably, the opening is round, elliptical or oval. The edge of the opening is preferably reinforced, for example, with a reinforcing cord or by thickened construction. This reinforced edge forms the support area 41 of the breast shield 4', which tightly adheres to the breast during use. The front part, i.e., the breast-close area of the pouch thus forms the breast shield 4' together with the flexible base body 40 and the support area 41. The rear, i.e., the breast-remote area forms the milk collection container 9. In the middle area of the flexible element, at least one, preferably several pockets 49 are formed. A rigid or elastic ring 90 is preferably provided, which surrounds the breast-remote ends of the pockets 49.

In Figure 10a, the base body 1' is clearly visible. It is designed as a ring-shaped structure and has a central passage opening 14. Several spring tongues 15, shaped like leaf springs, are arranged around this central passage opening 14. Their free ends point toward the central passage opening 14 and pass through it. The spring tongues 15 are secured to the base body 1' with pins 18. In the area near the pins, the spring tongues 15 are supported by spiral springs 16 on the inner wall of the base body 1' that is opposite the chest. This can be seen clearly in Figure 10e. Furthermore, a rope 17 or cord is attached to each spring tongue 15, which also passes through the central passage opening 14 or, as shown here, through a separate opening 14' (see Figure 10d). For each rope 17, there may be a separate individual opening 14'. These ropes 17 and separate openings 14' are not shown in Figure 10a.

The spiral springs 16 can be arranged between the tapes 17 and the bolts 18, as shown in figures 10d to 10f. However, it is also possible to arrange the tapes 17 between the bolts 18 and the spiral springs 16, as shown in figure 10g.

The assembly of this inventive breast pump unit and its mode of operation can be well explained with the aid of figures 10c to 10f. Figure 10c shows the one-piece flexible element that forms the breast shield 4' and the milk collection bag 9. In practice, it is not used separately or placed directly on the breast. However, the figure facilitates understanding of the invention. The breast shield preferably surrounds not only the nipple W but also the surrounding breast tissue B. It preferably presses tightly against the breast tissue B. The flexible element is placed on the nipple W in such a way that the pockets 49 are located in the area of the nipple. Preferably, they extend beyond the end of the nipple W.

In Figure 10d, the entire bra cup unit is now visible, as it is applied to the nipple A in practice. The flexible element passes through the base body 1', with the spring tongues 15 inserted into the pockets 49 of the flexible element and held there. The threads 17 are shown shortened. They usually end together in a pulling device not shown here, which is preferably manually operable. The pulling device, for example, is a button or rod to which all threads 17 are attached and which can be held in the hand. Alternatively, it may be designed, for example, as a slider, part of a housing not shown here.

In the position according to Figure 10d, the nipple W is enclosed and slightly compressed by the spring tongues 15. Since the spring tongues 15 tend to converge toward the free end of the nipple W, the longitudinal stretching of the nipple W is limited. In this initial state before milk is extracted, the milk collection container 9 is compressed. There is no air inside the milk collection container 9. The area in front of the nipple W, formed by the spring tongues 15, is the inner chamber 5.

In Figure 10e, the pumping process has begun. By pulling on the cords 17, the spring tongues 15 can be lifted against the force of the spiral springs 16. The nipple W is released from its circumference and can expand and relax. Milk flows from the nipple W into the inner chamber 5. The milk is represented by dashed lines in the figures and marked with the reference number M. By reducing the pull on the cords 17, the spring tongues 15 are lowered again and massage the nipple W. As a result, the extracted milk M is pressed into the milk collection container 9. By repeatedly tightening and releasing the cords 17, that is, by repeatedly lifting and lowering the spring tongues 15, the nipple W is massaged and stimulated. When released, the natural milk ducts expand, allowing milk to be optimally extracted without an external suction source.

The milk collection container 9 can already be supplied by the manufacturer as an airless tube. Figure 10g shows one possibility for ensuring that the milk collection container 9 is airless before use. The main body is equipped with a lid 11, which on one hand accommodates the cords 17. On the other hand, a pressing lever 19 is movable within it. The pressing lever 19 is connected via a hinge 190 to an extension 111 of the main body 1'. The extension 111 and the pressing lever 19 together form a receptacle for the milk collection container 9. When the pressing lever 19 is pressed towards the extension 111, the milk collection container 9 is compressed and any remaining residual air is squeezed out through the breast shield 4'. After the extraction of the breast milk, the pressing lever 19 is then released again.

In Figure 11, another embodiment of the inventive brassiere is shown. For this, one of the brassieres described above or a brassiere of known type can be used. The brassiere body 1 is merely shown schematically here. It can have a different shape and size. In particular, it can also accommodate a larger area of breast tissue, similar to known classic brassieres.

According to the invention, the breast shield is provided with air outlet openings 110 through which air is actively blown toward the chest. In other words, the breast is blown into by the breast shield. As a corresponding fan, for example, an exhaust of the breast pumping unit can be used, or the fan can be a blower or ventilator arranged on or within the breast shield body. Other types of fans for generating an air flow are also possible.

In Figure 11, a cover 100 is shown in a purely schematic manner mounted on the breast shell body 1, wherein the cover 100 has air outlet openings 110 for pressurizing the mother's breast. Preferably, the air outlet openings are located only in a partial area of the circumference of the breast shell, to simulate a baby's nose.

Figures 12a and 12b show another embodiment of the inventive breast shield in two variants. It again comprises a breast shield body 1 and a flexible inner part 4 with a support area 41. The breast shield again surrounds the nipple W and the areola as much as possible. The nipple W is closely enclosed by the base body 40 of the flexible inner part 4.

In the embodiment according to Figure 12a, a constant or approximately constant vacuum is applied in the inner chamber 5, into which the milk flows, via the first vacuum connection 2. A pulsating vacuum is applied in the outer chamber 6, which surrounds the nipple W, via the second vacuum connection 3. The nipple W is massaged, and the natural milk ducts open and close during the suction process.

In the embodiment according to Figure 12b, a pulsating vacuum is applied via the first vacuum connection 2, and a temporally constant or approximately constant vacuum is applied via the second vacuum connection 3. In this way, the natural milk ducts remain open throughout the entire suction process, since the nipple W is radially pulled outward due to the negative pressure in the outer chamber 6. The main body 40 of the inner part 4 in the embodiment according to Figure 12b has one or more interruptions 40'.

In both embodiments according to figures 12a and 12b, the nipple W is ring-shapedly enclosed by the base body 40 of the flexible inner part, which firmly encloses the nipple W like the mouth of an infant.

In Figure 13, a breast pump unit is shown schematically, which can be used with the above-mentioned breast shells, except for the embodiment according to Figures 10a to 10g. It includes the breast shell, here with the breast shell body 1. The first vacuum connection 2 of the breast shell body 1 is connected via a first vacuum line 21 to a vacuum pump 200. The vacuum pump 200 may include one or more pump units as well as a control unit 201. If sensors are present in the breast shell, the control unit receives the sensor data and controls the at least one pump unit accordingly.

The second vacuum connection 3 is also connected to the vacuum pump 200 via a second vacuum line 31. A milk line 91 leads from the vacuum pump to the milk collection container 9. As explained above, for all described breast cups, except for the embodiment according to Figures 10a to 10g, either a separate milk connection can lead directly from the inner chamber 5 or via a line to a milk collection container. However, it is also possible, as shown here, to use the first vacuum connection 2 as a milk connection and to guide the milk through the first vacuum line to the breast pump or a preceding chamber, and from there directly or via a milk line 91 into the milk collection container 9. Alternative paths for the extracted milk are also possible.

The inventive breast pump units as well as the inventive breast shells allow for maximum pumping performance and minimized pumping time per session. BEZUGSZEICHENLISTE

1	Brusthaubenkörper	41	Auflagebereich
1'	Grundkörper	410	Hohlraum
10	Basis	42	Befestigungsflansch
100	Aufsatz	43	Rückhalteelement
110	Luftaustrittsöffnungen	44	Verschluss
111	Verlängerung	440	Bogen
11	Deckel	45	Kontaktierungsbereich
12	Anschlussstutzen	46	Tasche
14	Durchgangsöffnung	47	Trennwand
14'	separate Öffnung	49	Aufnahmetasche
15	Federzunge
16	Spiralfeder	5	innere Kammer
17	Leine
18	Bolzen	6	äussere Kammer
19	Presshebel
190	Scharnier	7	erster Sensor
7'	zweiter Sensor
2	erster Vakuumanschluss
21	erste Vakuumleitung	8	flexibles Innenteil
200	Vakuumpumpe	80	hinteres Gaumenteil
201	Steuerungseinheit	81 82	vorderes Gaumenteil Auflagebereich
3	zweiter Vakuumanschluss	83	Einstellelement
30	dritter Vakuumanschluss	84	Zungenteil
31	zweite Vakuumleitung
9	Milchsammelbehälter
4	flexibles Innenteil	90	Ring
4'	Brusthaube	91	Milchleitung
40	Grundkörper
40'	Unterbrechung	B	Brust
400	Bogen	M	Milch
W	Brustwarze	grosse Brustwarze
durchschnittliche Brustwarze	L	Längsmittelachse
kleine Brustwarze

Claims (18)

1. Breast shield of a breastpump unit for expression of human breastmilk, wherein the breastpump unit has a vacuum pump for generating pressures, wherein the breast shield has an application region (41) for sealing application to the human mother's breast and an inner chamber (5) for receiving a nipple (W) of the mother's breast, characterized in that the breast shield is provided with at least one sensor (7, 7') for determining the position of the nipple (W) and/or the position of a closure of the inner chamber (5) during the pumping operation.
2. Breast shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner chamber (5) has a longitudinal axis (L) and wherein the inner chamber (5) collapses in accordance with an applied pressure, wherein the breast shield is provided with at least one of the sensors (7, 7') is configured to determine the position with regard to the longitudinal axis (L) at which the inner chamber (5) collapses.
3. Breast shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application region (41) ends in an encircling, soft and sealing pad on the breast side.
4. Breast shield as claimed in claim 3, wherein the pad has an encircling inflatable cavity (410).
5. Breast shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein the breast shield has a receiving pocket (46) on the breast side for collecting breastmilk drops when the breast shield is removed.
6. Breast shield as claimed in claim 5, wherein the breast shield has a flexible inner part (4) which forms the application region (41) for sealing application to the human mother's breast and an inner chamber (5) for receiving a nipple (W) of the mother's breast, wherein the pocket (46) is formed in the flexible inner part (4).
7. Breast shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein the breast shield has an outer breast shield body (1) and a flexible inner part (4), wherein the flexible inner part (4)

   - forms an application region (41) for sealing application to the human mother's breast, and

   - subdivides the breast shield into the inner chamber (5) and into at least one outer chamber (6) which at least partially surrounds the nipple (W),

   wherein the inner chamber (5) is configured to be subjected to a first pressure of the vacuum pump (200) and the at least one outer chamber (6) is configured to be subjected to at least one second pressure of the vacuum pump (200), wherein the flexible inner part (4) is configured in one piece and the breast shield has a further chamber in the form of a cavity (410) which is subdivided by the at least one outer chamber (6), wherein a fixed or releasable connection between the flexible inner part (4) and the breast shield body (1) forms an encircling partition wall (47), and wherein the additional chamber (410) is arranged in the application region (41) of the breast shield.
8. Breast shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner chamber (5) is bounded by an outer region (80, 81, 82, 84) which is formed in an asymmetrical manner, and wherein at least one subregion (84) of the outer region has an outer chamber (6), the inner side of which is able to be subjected to a pressure.
9. Breast shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein the breast shield also has a fan which blows air in the direction of the breast.
10. Breast shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein the breast shield has at least one outer chamber (6) which at least partially surrounds the nipple (W), wherein the inner chamber (5) is configured to be subjected to a first pressure of the vacuum pump and the at least one outer chamber (6) is configured to be subjected to at least one second pressure of the vacuum pump, wherein the first pressure is an approximately temporally constant pressure and the at least one second pressure is a pulsating pressure.
11. Breast shield as claimed in claim 10, wherein the breast shield has a flexible inner part (4) which subdivides the breast shield into the inner chamber (5) and the at least one outer chamber (6), and wherein the flexible inner part (4) is able to be subjected to the first pressure from the inside and to the at least one second pressure from the outside.
12. Breast shield as claimed in claim 11, wherein the flexible inner part (4) is a flexible insert which is connected fixedly or releasably to a rigid or semirigid breast shield body (1).
13. Breast shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner chamber (5) is configured in a conical manner over an entire receiving region.
14. Breast shield as claimed in claim 13, wherein the inner chamber (5) has an inner wall (40) which is equipped with retaining means (43) for retaining the nipple (W) during the pumping operation.
15. Breastpump unit for expression of human breastmilk, wherein the breastpump unit has a vacuum pump (200) with at least one pump aggregate for generating pressures and at least one breast shield as claimed in one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the breast shield has an inner chamber (5) for receiving a nipple (W) of the breast and also at least one outer chamber (6) which at least partially surrounds the nipple (W), wherein the inner chamber (5) is configured to be subjected to a first pressure of the vacuum pump (200) and the at least one outer chamber (6) is configured to be subjected to at least one second pressure of the vacuum pump (200), wherein the vacuum pump is configured to generate the first pressure in the shape of a approximately temporally constant pressure and to generate the second pressure in the shape of a pulsating pressure.
16. Breastpump unit as claimed in claim 15, wherein at least one sensor (7, 7') is provided to determine the position of the nipple (W) during the pumping operation, and wherein a controller (201) is provided which is configured to vary the first pressure and/or the at least one second pressure in accordance with this determined position of the nipple (W).
17. Breast shield unit of a breastpump unit for expression of human breastmilk, wherein the breastpump unit has a vacuum pump (200) for generating pressures, , wherein the breast shield unit comprises a breast shield as claimed in one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the inner chamber (5) has a first opening for receiving the nipple (W) and, as the only other opening, a connecting opening to a milk collection container (9), wherein the breast shield is connected to the milk collection container (9) in an airtight manner via this opening, characterized in that means (15, 17) are provided which cyclically enlarge the inner chamber (5) for the purpose of generating a negative pressure in the inner chamber (5) for expression of the breastmilk.
18. Breast vshield unit as claimed in claim 17, wherein the means are flexible tongues (15) and lines (17) that actuate the flexible tongues (15).