Breast pump assembly
Systems and methods for pumping milk from a breast, wherein the milk is expressed from the breast under suction and milk is expulsed from the pumping mechanism to a collection container under positive pressure. In one approach, the breast pump assembly includes a breast adapter and a receptacle configured to cup the breast adapter, and the breast adapter is removable from the receptacle.
1. An automatic breast pump system, comprising:
a breast adapter sized and shaped to receive and surround a user's nipple;
a conduit attached to the breast adapter, the conduit extending upwardly when the breast adapter is placed on the user's nipple and configured to provide an upward path for milk to a milk container;
a receptacle configured to cup a portion of the breast adapter that surrounds the user's nipple and to receive the conduit attached to the breast adapter, the conduit extending upwardly within the receptacle;
a pump mechanism configured to provide a suction within the breast adapter; and
a controller associated with the pump mechanism and configured to control pump function;
wherein the breast adapter is configured to be removable from and replaceable with the receptacle.
2. The breast pump system of claim 1 , further comprising a window formed on the receptacle.
3. The breast pump system of claim 1 , further comprising a one-way valve, the one-way valve configured along the upward path between the milk container and the breast adapter.
4. The breast pump system of claim 1 , wherein the pump mechanism is configured within the receptacle.
5. The breast pump system of claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is configured to house the breast adapter and receive the user's nipple.
6. The breast pump system of claim 1 , wherein the milk container is removably connected to the receptacle.
7. The breast pump system of claim 1 , wherein the milk passes through the receptacle.
8. The breast pump system of claim 1 , wherein the milk container defines a compliant bag.
9. The breast pump system of claim 1 , further comprising a body temperature sensor.
10. The breast pump system of claim 1 , further comprising a milk temperature sensor.
11. The breast pump system of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor installed in the breast adapter, the sensor communicating wirelessly with an external device.
12. The breast pump system of claim 1 , wherein the breast adapter is compliant.