CA2127325A1 - Apparatus and method for controlling human lactation - Google Patents

Apparatus and method for controlling human lactation

Info

Publication number
CA2127325A1
CA2127325A1 CA002127325A CA2127325A CA2127325A1 CA 2127325 A1 CA2127325 A1 CA 2127325A1 CA 002127325 A CA002127325 A CA 002127325A CA 2127325 A CA2127325 A CA 2127325A CA 2127325 A1 CA2127325 A1 CA 2127325A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
protrusion
support
nipple
breast
human female
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002127325A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Suzanne E. Morrissey
Gerald Morrissey
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA002127325A priority Critical patent/CA2127325A1/en
Publication of CA2127325A1 publication Critical patent/CA2127325A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61FFILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/14Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads specially adapted for the breast or abdomen
    • A61F13/141Milk breast pads
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41WEARING APPAREL
    • A41CCORSETS; BRASSIERES
    • A41C3/00Brassieres
    • A41C3/04Brassieres for nursing mothers
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61JCONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
    • A61J13/00Breast-nipple shields
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61FFILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F2013/15008Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterized by the use
    • A61F2013/15016Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterized by the use for breast; pads for bras

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Nursing (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Corsets Or Brassieres (AREA)

Abstract

An apparatus comprising a support having an outer surface and an inner surface that is shaped to conform substantially to a human female breast and having a protrusion which extends away from the support and is positioned to align substantially with and contact a nipple of a human female breast prevents a human female breast from lactating when placed over the breast. The present invention also provides a method for controlling human lactation which utilizes the present apparatus and includes the steps of placing and positioning the apparatus over the breast and applying pressure on the apparatus sufficient to prevent lactation.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
CONTROLLING EIUMAN LACTATION

S FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an appalallls and method for controlling lactation in human females.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, breast feeding of newborn babies has seen a re~ulgence in popularity. Breast feeding is becoming more popular for a variety of reasons relative to both baby and mother. These advantages include increased protection of the infant from illness through the development of protective antibodies, decreased risk of developing childhood cancers, avoiding potential allergies to commercial infant form~ c, and enhanced jaw, teeth, and speech development, among others. Furthermore, it has been suggested that nursing mothers have a lower risk of developing breast cancer. Breast feeding has also been suggested to improve the emotional bond between mother and child.
Although breast feeding is enjoying renewed use, it is not without disadvantages. The outpouring of milk is known as the "let-down" or "milk-ejection"
reflex. A let-down can occur several times during a feeding. It is well known that the milk-ejection reflex can be triggered at inapplopliate times by various stimuli. A baby's crying, for example, may cause let-down in a nursing mother. This can result in let-down at very inopportune times.
This inapplopl;ate let-down can be particularly 35 problematic for working mothers who are nursing. Solutions designed to alleviate problems associated with inappropl;ate let-down include absorbent breast pads or breast shields that operate, essentially, as a well or reservoir to collect leaking milk. These solutions aredisadvantageous because of the limited capacity of both types of devices as well as the likelihood that milk will leak into clothing despite their use.
It is also known that nursing mothers can apply direct ples~u~e to the nipples with the heels of their hands or forearms to temporarily halt leakage. However, this type of solution likewise presents obvious disadvantages for the nursing mother who is ROC10:33700 212732~
working or otherwise in public. Therefore, there continues to be a need for apparatus that can effectively conkol inopportune lactation in nursing mothers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an al)pa~dlus and method for controlling human lactation. The al~paldlus compri~es a support having an outer surface and an inner surface that is shaped to conform subst~nti~lly to a human female breast. The inner surface has a protrusion which extends away from the support and is positioned to align substantially with and contact a nipple of a human female breast when the ~pal~lus is placed over the breast. In this way, the prol~ ion substantially prevents the breast from lactating.
The a~alalus can be used alone or include a brassiere which the support is either placed into or 30 integrated with (e.g., sewn into). The brassiere can be either a conventional or nursing brassiere.
The present invention also provides a method for controlling human lactation which utilizes the present apparatus. The method includes the steps of placing the apparatus over the breast and applying pressure on the apparatus sufficient to prevent lactation.
The apparatus and method of the present invention provide a convenient and effective way to prevent inopportune milk leakage in the nursing mother. The apparatus can be inexpensively constructed in a variety of shapes from a variety of materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and an absorbent breast pad.
FIG. 2 is a front view of an absorbent breast pad.
FIG. 3 is a side view of an absorbent breast pad. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inner surface and protrusion of the present appaldlus.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the outer surface of the support of the present apparatus.

ROC10:33700 -FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the present a~pal~lus, including a brassiere, placed over a human female breast.
FIG. 8 is a is a cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the inner surface of the support and protrusion of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of one embodiment of the a~paldlus of the present invention and an absorbent breast pad. Apparatus 1 includes support 2 having an inner surface 3 and an outer surface 5. Inner surface 3 has a protrusion 7 which extends away from support 2. Referring to FIG. 7, which is a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of the present appaldlus, including a brassiere, placed over a human breast, protrusion 7 is positioned to align substantially with and contact nipple N of human female breast B. Protrusion 7 operates to depress nipple N, whereby breast B is prevented from lactating.
Support 2 is shaped to conform substantially to a human female breast.
Support 2 can, for example, be substantially circular with a concave/convex shape covering a relatively small area of breast B as shown in FIG. 7. Support 2 can also take a variety of other forms, substantially conforming to larger or smaller areas of breast B. Preferably, support 2 is constructed in a substantially circular, concave/convex form and having a radius from about 3 to 5 inches for m~xhllulll comfort and to allow use of the appalalus on breasts of various sizes. Most preferably, support 2 is shaped such that suc;ion is created between breast B and appaldlus 1 after al~palalus 1 is placed over breast B. The suction helps to m~int~in the alignment of app~alus 1 with nipple N.
Support 2 can be made from a variety of flexible m~teri~l~ including moldable plastic or rubber. Preferably, the support is made from a moldable, flexible plastic material to allow m;-xi",l-", comfort and ease of manufacture. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, perspective views of the inner and outer sllrf~ces, respectivèly, of support 2, support 2 can be provided with holes 4 to allow air circulation around the nipple and areolar region of breast B to prevent local irritation which commonly occurs in nursing mothers.

ROC10:33700 Protrusion 7 can be produced separately and then attached to inner surface 3 or, preferably, integrated with inner surface 3. This preferred embodiment is shown by FIG. 5, a cross-sectional side view of FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5. Protrusion 7 can be integrated with inner surface 3 by molding protrusion 7 and support 2 together from the same material. Protrusion 7 can be made from a variety of materials, as long as the material is sufficiently rigid to depress nipple N when nipple N is contacted by protrusion 7. Exemplary materials for forming protrusion 7 include any of the rigid plastics 10 known in the art or sufficiently rigidized rubber.
Protrusion 7 can be any shape, so long as it is capable of depressing nipple N when apparatus 1 is brought into contact with breast B and, in turn, pl~v~llL~ug lactation.
For example, protrusion 7, can be a flattened, planar surface formed in the center of the inner surface 3 of support 2, as shown by FIG. 8, a cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the inner surface of the support and protrusion of the present invention. Protrusion 7 is preferably cylindrical, having a size approxim~ting a human female nipple, as shown in FIG. 7. Most preferably, as illustrated by FIGS. 7 and 9, nipple-contacting surface 8 of protrusion 7 is concave to make the appaldlus more comfortable for the wearer and aid in keeping apparatus 1 in place.
Preferably, absorbent pad 9 is placed over inner surface 3 to absorb any small amount of leakage resulting, for example, from mi~lignment of protrusion 7 and nipple N. This embodiment is illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 7.
As shown by FIG. 7, the above-described appaldLus can be used by placing it over breast B and applying pressure to the a~aldlus sufficient to depress and, in turn, prevent milk release by nipple N of breast B. The amount of pressure need not be great and can normally be produced by the force provided when appalalus 1 further comprises brassiere 11. Support 2 can be placed inside the cup of brassiere 11 which is then put on by the lactating woman, as illustrated by FIG. 7. Support 2 can either be manll~lly placed into or actually integrated with (e.g., sewn into) the cup of the brassiere. Brassiere 11 can be a conventional or nursing brassiere commonly worn by nursing mothers.
Although the invention has been described in detail, for the purpose of illustration, it is understood 10 that such detail is for that purpose and variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is defined by the following claims.

ROC10:33700

Claims (20)

1. An apparatus for the control of human lactation comprising a support having an outer surface and an inner surface that is shaped to conform substantially to a human female breast, said inner surface having a protrusion with a nipple-contacting surface extending away from said support and positioned to align substantially with and contact a nipple of said human female breast when said apparatus is placed over said human female breast, whereby said protrusion substantially prevents said human female breast from lactating.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said outer surface is convex and said inner surface is 15 concave.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said protrusion is substantially the same size as said nipple.
4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 20 said protrusion is substantially larger than said nipple.
5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the nipple-contacting surface of said protrusion is concave.
6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 25 said support is constructed from a flexible material.
7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said flexible material is a plastic.
8. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a brassiere having a cup, wherein said support 30 is placed in side the cup of said brassiere.
9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said brassiere is a conventional brassiere.
10. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said brassiere is a nursing brassiere.
11. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an absorbent breast pad placed on said inner surface of said support.
12. An apparatus for the control of human lactation comprising a flexible support having an outer convex surface and an inner concave surface that is shaped to conform substantially to a human female breast, said inner surface having a protrusion extending away from said support and positioned to align substantially with and contact a nipple of said human female breast when said apparatus is placed over said human female breast, whereby said protrusion substantially prevents said human female breast from lactating.
13. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 15 said apparatus further comprises a brassiere with which said support is integrated.
14. A method for controlling human lactation comprising the steps of:
providing an apparatus comprising a support having an outer surface and an inner surface that is shaped to conform substantially to a human female breast, said inner surface having a protrusion with a nipple-contacting surface extending away from said support and positioned to align substantially with and contact a nipple of said human female breast when said apparatus is placed over said human female breast, whereby said protrusion substantially prevent said human female breast from lactating, placing said apparatus over said breast;
positioning said apparatus to align said protrusion substantially with and contact said nipple of said breast; and applying pressure to said apparatus sufficient to prevent said breast from lactating.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein said outer surface is convex and said inner surface is concave.
16. A method according to claim 14, wherein said protrusion is substantially the same size as said nipple.
17. A method according to claim 14, wherein said protrusion is substantially larger than said nipple.
18. A method according to claim 14, wherein the nipple-contacting surface of said protrusion is concave.
19. A method according to claim 14, wherein said support is constructed from a flexible material.
20. A method according to claim 19, wherein said flexible material is plastic.
CA002127325A 1994-07-04 1994-07-04 Apparatus and method for controlling human lactation Abandoned CA2127325A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002127325A CA2127325A1 (en) 1994-07-04 1994-07-04 Apparatus and method for controlling human lactation

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002127325A CA2127325A1 (en) 1994-07-04 1994-07-04 Apparatus and method for controlling human lactation

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2127325A1 true CA2127325A1 (en) 1996-01-05

Family

ID=4153948

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002127325A Abandoned CA2127325A1 (en) 1994-07-04 1994-07-04 Apparatus and method for controlling human lactation

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2127325A1 (en)

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EEER Examination request
FZDE Discontinued