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 automated system for controlling pumping cycles to pump milk from a human breast, the system comprising:
a breast pump assembly shaped to fit within a bra, the breast pump assembly including:
a housing sized to fit within the bra;
a breast adapter configured to contact and form a seal with the breast, the breast adapter being attached to the housing and including a nipple receiving cavity;
a pumping mechanism contained within the housing, the pumping mechanism including a pumping region above the nipple receiving cavity and configured to facilitate creating a suction on the human breast;
a milk collection container attached to the housing; and
a controller contained within the housing.
2 . The automated system of claim 1 , wherein the breast adapter is visually clear.
3 . The automated system of claim 1 , wherein the controller automatically changes application of suction from a letdown phase to an expression mode upon sensing letdown.
4 . The automated system of claim 1 , wherein an operational setting of the automated system is based on time.
5 . The automated system of claim 1 , further comprising a first driver and a second driver, wherein the first and second drivers are configured in a series arrangement and configured to cooperate to facilitate generating vacuum pressure within the pumping region.
6 . The automated system of claim 5 , wherein the first drive and the second driver are compression drivers.
7 . The automated system of claim 1 , further comprising a first piezoelectric device and a second piezoelectric device, the first and second piezoelectric devices each configured as a driver to facilitate stimulating milk letdown and milk extraction.
8 . The automated system of claim 7 , wherein the first piezoelectric device and the second piezoelectric device are mounted to the breast adapter.
9 . The automated system of claim 1 , wherein the breast pump defines a generally breast shaped profile.
10 . The automated system of claim 9 , wherein the collection container forms part of the generally breast shaped profile.