Illuminated nipple cup
View Patent ↗A device suitable for viewing and illuminating a mammary duct orifice comprising a hollow receptacle defining an interior volume and an open aperture at a distal end thereof sized to circumscribe the nipple. The open aperture preferably is surrounded by an outwardly extending flange that can be provided with an adhesive. A vacuum port suitable for connection to a vacuum source to create a vacuum in the interior volume may also be configured as part of the hollow receptacle. An illumination source is provided within the device to illuminate nipple orifices when a nipple is positioned within the hollow receptacle.
1. A device suitable for viewing and illuminating a mammary duct orifice defined by a human breast nipple, the device comprising:
a hollow receptacle defining an interior volume and having an open distal end sized to circumscribe the nipple;
an observation window at a proximal end of the hollow receptacle;
at least one access port;
a warming port for introducing a warming agent into the interior volume;
a vacuum port for connection to a vacuum source for creating a vacuum in the interior volume; and
an illumination source mounted to the receptacle and to illuminate a nipple situated in the interior volume.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the open distal end is surrounded by a flange.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the flange is made of a rigid material.
4. The device of claim 2 , wherein the flange is made of a pliant material.
5. The device of claim 2 , wherein the flange includes a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed thereon for removable securement of the device to the human breast.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the illumination source comprises a plurality of light emitting sources located within and about a proximal end of the hollow receptacle.
7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of light emitting sources are located within a channel.
8. The device of claim 6 , wherein the light emitting sources are light emitting diodes.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the hollow receptacle is cylindrical.
10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the hollow receptacle is frusto-conical.
11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one access port is located adjacent the observation window.
12. The device of claim 1 , wherein the access port permits introduction of a tool.
13. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a warming liquid source in operable association with the warming liquid port.
14. The device of claim 13 wherein the warming liquid source supplied liquid water at a temperature above body temperature.
15. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a rim circumscribing the observation window.
16. A device suitable for viewing and illuminating a mammary duct orifice defined by a human breast nipple, the device comprising:
a hollow receptacle defining an interior volume, and having an open aperture sized to circumscribe the nipple;
an observation window at a proximal end of the hollow receptacle;
an illumination source within the receptacle and positioned to illuminate the interior volume, the illumination source comprising a plurality of light emitting sources located about the observation window; and
a warming liquid port.
17. The device of claim 16 , further comprising a warming liquid source in operable association with the warming liquid port.