DE102014103567A1 - Milk removal module for the manual lactation of milk from the female breast - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a breast-feeding module for the female breast with a collection container, which collects lactated milk, which is connected to the milk-removal module. The object of the invention is to provide a means with which in addition to the stimulation of the nipple and the adjacent areas and a milking, for the effective secretion of the milk can be effected without the need for strong negative pressure and the associated pain and problems at the woman, whereby the milk is at the same time completely and hygienically caught. On the arrangement side, the object is achieved in that a milk removal module is designed as a milking cuff having an opening for the lactated milk such that it has at least one flexible part with which the milking cuff can be placed on the female breast, at least on the areola and is configured such that a manual, a lactation effecting milking on the nipple and the adjacent areas is executable, wherein at the opening a valve is arranged.

Description

The invention relates to a breast-feeding module for the female breast with a collection container, which collects lactated milk, which is connected to the milk-removal module.

• – Frühgeburtlichkeit oder Krankheit des Kindes
• – die Milchmenge der Mutter soll erhöht werden,
• – bei wunden oder verletzten Mamillen,
• – bei Erkrankungen der Mutter, die ihr nicht gestatten, dem Kind die Brust zu geben und trotzdem die Brust entleert werden muss.

It may be important to get breast milk without breastfeeding baby from the female breast. The reasons for not having a child suck directly on the mother's breast can be very different. Examples for this are:

• - prematurity or illness of the child
• - the milk quantity of the mother should be increased,
• - in case of sore or injured moms,
• - in diseases of the mother, which does not allow her to give the child the breast and still the chest must be emptied.

Also, for purely practical reasons, it may be desirable to enable a person other than the mother to feed the infant with breast milk.

• A) In der Brust selbst wirkt ein Innendruck, der durch die über die Blutbahnen vermittelte Oxytozin-Wirkung verursacht wird. Dabei bewirkt das Oxytozin die sofortige Kontraktion der kleinen Muskeln, die die milchbildenden Zellen (Alveolen) umhüllen. Dieser Effekt wird auch als Milchspendereflex bezeichnet. Er wird am stärksten hervorgerufen und positiv beeinflusst durch Stimulation der Brustwarze bei gleichzeitiger Entspannung, Wärme, Angst- und Schmerzfreiheit und sanften Massagen an allen geeigneten Punkten des mütterlichen Körpers. Ein wichtiger Unterschied zu den im Folgenden genannten Effekten ist, dass die Milch allein dadurch in Fluss kommt, dass die Milchbläschen innerlich zusammengedrückt werden. Ohne das Oxytozin gäbe es so gut wie keine Milchsekretion, auch nicht bei stark gefüllter Brust und starkem Saugen.
• B) Ein weiterer Effekt, der bewirkt, dass Milch aus der Brust kommt, ist ein deutlich ausgeübter mechanischer Druck auf die weibliche Brust, der nachfolgend als Melkdruck bezeichnet wird, da die Art und Weise Ähnlichkeit mit den Abläufen beim Hand-Melken, wie es aus der Tierzucht bekannt ist, hat. Zum einen (Variante-B1) kann dieser Druck ganz natürlich durch das Kind erzeugt werden, indem es auf die Areola und die Brustwarze eine melkende Kaubewegung mithilfe von Gaumen, Zunge, Wangen und Kieferleisten ausübt. Zum andern kann ein sehr ähnlicher Druck wie durch das Kind (Variante B1), durch melkende Fingerbewegungen der Mutter oder einer Hilfsperson (Variante-B2) auf die Areola ausgeführt werden. Dieser rhythmisch ausgeführte Melkdruck ist im Zusammenhang mit einem wirkenden Milchspendereflex (Effekt A) allein ausreichend, um volle Brüste in kurzer Zeit zu leeren. Ein entscheidender Nachteil der Variante-B2 ist bisher, dass das Auffangen der Milch problematisch ist. Denn die bis zu 20 Milchausführungsgänge verteilen sich über die gesamte Mamillenspitze und die Milch kann in alle Richtungen meterweit spritzen.
• C) Der dritte bekannte Effekt, der eine Milchsekretion bewirkt, ist der auf die Brust wirkende Unterdruck oder Saugdruck durch den Säugling oder eine angelegte Milchpumpe. Der Nachteil bei der Verwendung von Pumpen ist, dass diese eine starke Dehnbelastung auf die Brustwarzen ausüben. Der Unterdruck durch eine elektrische Milchpumpe ist deutlich höher als durch einen Säugling und ist bis zu 300 mmHg einstellbar. Ein Säugling erzeugt jedoch lediglich einen Unterdruck von 55 bis 150 mmHg. Bei festen Mamillen ist die Milchgewinnung mit einer Pumpe sehr schwer bis gänzlich unmöglich.

For breast milk secretion, three effects are known that cause breast milk to come out of the breast:

• A) In the chest itself, an internal pressure is caused by the oxytocin effect mediated through the bloodstream. The oxytocin causes the immediate contraction of the small muscles that surround the milk-forming cells (alveoli). This effect is also called milk donor reflex. It is most elicited and positively influenced by stimulation of the nipple with simultaneous relaxation, warmth, freedom from anxiety and pain and gentle massage at all appropriate points of the maternal body. An important difference to the effects mentioned below is that the milk comes into flow solely by compressing the milk sores internally. Without the oxytocin, there would be virtually no milk secretion, even with a heavy breast and heavy sucking.
• B) Another effect that causes milk to come out of the breast is a pronounced mechanical pressure on the female breast, hereafter referred to as milking pressure, as the way it resembles the processes of hand-milking is known from animal breeding. On the one hand (variant B1), this pressure can naturally be generated by the child by exerting a milking chewing motion on the areola and the nipple with the help of the palate, tongue, cheeks and jaw strips. On the other hand, a very similar pressure as by the child (variant B1), by milking finger movements of the mother or a helper (variant B2) can be performed on the areola. This rhythmically executed milking pressure in conjunction with an effective milk donor reflex (effect A) alone is sufficient to empty full breasts in a short time. A major disadvantage of the variant-B2 so far is that the collection of milk is problematic. Because the up to 20 Milchausführungsgänge spread over the entire Mamillenspitze and the milk can inject in all directions meter-wide.
• C) The third known effect which causes milk secretion is the infant's vacuum or suction applied to the breast or a fitted breast pump. The disadvantage of using pumps is that they exert a strong strain on the nipples. The negative pressure through an electric breast pump is significantly higher than by an infant and is adjustable up to 300 mmHg. However, an infant only produces a negative pressure of 55 to 150 mmHg. In the case of solid nipples, it is very difficult or even impossible to obtain milk with a pump.

These three effects A, B and C can act differently together, resulting in milk secretion.

In case a baby is breastfed directly on the breast, all three effects A, B and C are combined. This means that a healthy baby, when effect A works, causes effect B1 through its sucking effect C and simultaneously with the palate, tongue, etc. as described above.

US Pat. No. 7,607,965 B1 for example, discloses a kind of suction extension for nursing mothers who do not want to bare their breasts in public. The suction extension is applied to the bra of the mother and the end of this extension out to the mouth of the infant, which sucks over the milk from the breast. The US Pat. No. 7,607,965 B1 only represents a connection piece between the breast of the mother and the breastfeeding infant. Only effects A and C are effective.

Another way of milk secretion is the squeezing of breast milk or the emptying of the breast by hand. Only effects A and variant B2 are used. In 2003, the inventor himself published a video ( Teaching video from the Still Practice E. Kurth, IBCLC: "Forcing Breastmilk - Emptying the Breast by Hand", 2003 ) describes a method of breastmilk production by hand, in which only a collecting vessel is needed as an aid. With this method, the woman can exercise a rhythmic, precisely metered, milking mechanical pressure on the areola area, which in combination with oxytocin is perfectly sufficient to thoroughly empty a full breast. By the way causes this pressure stimulates the nerves, which, as described above, is necessary for the ejection of the milk, the exercise of the milking mechanical pressure, in addition to the action of the oxytocin, being essential for the promotion of the delivery of milk. It is not a massage, but a milking process.

However, the collection of valuable breast milk is not so easy.

Another possibility of milk secretion is the use of milk pumps. These, when effect A works, only use effect C by utilizing the negative pressure created by the pumping action to effect milk secretion. Many women find the strong stretching load on the nipples very uncomfortable. In DE 697 32 861 T2 On the basis of previous studies, a number of physiological and psychological factors influencing and stopping milk production are given. Two key factors are highlighted: stimulation of the breast to trigger the milk injection, which is usually through the child's jaw and lips (a mechanical pressure is exerted) and the actual suction (there is a negative pressure) which occurs, when the child drinks at the breast.

Furthermore, in the cited document a good overview of the state of the art is given for various embodiments of breastpumps comprising a breastbell ( US 5,049,126 ; US 4,680,028 ; EO 198 469 . WO 92/07493 . US 4,064,851 ; EP 727,234 ; US 2006/0111665 A1 ; US 2006/0106334 A1 ).

DE 697 32 861 T2 discloses a female breast milk suction device comprising a breast cup having various stimulating elements arranged to stimulate the nipple and a region immediately around the nipple and a breast area 2.5 to 3 cm away from serve the base of the nipple and are connected to a vacuum source and a pressure source such that a pulsating wave is generated from the chest area farthest from the nipple to the part of the breast closest to the nipple.

DE 881 20 30 U1 discloses a breast milk pump with a flexible, can be placed on the female breast funnel, at its inner funnel end is followed by a drainage channel for the milk sucked off, the funnel and the discharge channel are connected to a vacuum device and evacuated and surrounded the funnel as a roll-up protection of a rigid support member is.

DE 93 06 631 U1 discloses a cone-shaped flexible aspirator for breast milk pumps, with a mouthpiece which can be placed on the mother's breast, and a neckpiece for embracing the nipple, thereby avoiding overstretching of the nipples during suction through a perforated support wall, and the neckpiece with a vacuum-generating device connected is.

In the DE 87 02 791 U1 is described an insert for breast pumps, which consists of a soft spring-back polymer material, wherein the suction effect is caused by a connected pump.

A major disadvantage of the solutions described above is that during pumping, which is done by means of electrically or mechanically generated negative pressure, the breast is physiologically extremely stressed by the very strong negative pressure and hardly or no mechanical pressure acts, which is essential for the promotion of milk delivery , For many women, this can be very uncomfortable and associated with pain and injury to the breasts. For swelling of the breast, e.g. When the milk or milk jam is injected, it may be that neither the baby can properly breastfeed nor a pump is applicable, because it moves even more lymph fluid to the already dammed up Mamille. Also, the daily pumping time is relatively long, and in women with a fixed nipple structure, this type of milk production is very difficult to impossible. Furthermore, with a pumping duration of several weeks, the mummies can increase, which some women find unpleasant. Another disadvantage is the use of rigid or not suitable for all breast sizes breast bells or funnels to catch the milk.

Furthermore, recent studies on the lactation of breast milk from the female breast have shown that babies on the chest exert a high degree of mechanical pressure, that even this pressure alone is sufficient to empty the chest, and that negative pressure (as caused by a pump is performed) plays a rather subordinate role. Just the mechanical pressure by the infant causes in addition to the stimulation of the nerve endings a significant promotion of the amount of milk to be gained in a much shorter time than is possible only by the negative pressure of a conventional breast pump.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a means with which in addition to the stimulation of the nipple (for effect A) and the effect described above, can be effected for the effective secretion of the milk and at the same time the effect C described above is used in such a supportive manner that the excessive negative pressure caused by conventional breastpumps and leading to pain and problems in the female can be avoided, the milk at the same time completely and hygienically.

On the arrangement side, this object is achieved in that a milk removal module is designed as a milking cuff having an opening for the lactated milk such that it has at least one flexible part with which the milking cuff can be placed on the female breast, at least on the areola is designed such that a manual, a lactation effecting milking on the nipple and the adjacent areas is executable, wherein at the opening a valve is arranged. The term "milking pressure" refers to the mechanical pressure, which acts and is exerted on the breast analogously to the movements of the palate, tongue, etc. of the infant.

The valve is configured to prevent backflow of air into the milk removal module and to release the lactated milk from the female breast from the milk collection module. The valve may be formed as a check valve. The arrangement of the valve at the opening for the lactated milk in the milking cuff in the immediate vicinity of the breast has the advantage that thus the space formed by the placement of the milk removal module around at least the areola, a negative pressure generated by a milking motion of a hand effective acts on the breast area to be stimulated. This effect would be little or no effect without a valve disposed, a check valve. This negative pressure is not comparable to the above-mentioned strong negative pressure, which is caused by breastpumps. Rather, the negative pressure created by the interaction of the valve with the flexibility of the milk removal module is comparable to the suction pressure of a child and accordingly supports the lactation. The flexible part of the milk removal module is made of a soft elastic material, preferably silicone or rubber, which is designed so flexible that it can enclose any breast size and breast shape, in particular the nipple and the adjacent areas (FIG. 2 ) so that the expressed milk splashes into the milk removal module and not into the environment.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, reinforcing rings and / or reinforcing struts can be formed in the soft-elastic material.

The flexible portion of the milk collection module may be configured such that with the fingers of one hand, the female breast tightly enclosed by the milk collection module may be grasped so that manual, secretion-inducing milking pressure can be applied to the female breast, through the mother's fingers In contrast to the conventional pump, a rhythmic, precisely metered milking pressure can be exerted on the areola / chest area and causes stimulation of the nerves as well as effective emptying of the bladder. The milking of the breast can take place in various ways, in particular with a "thumb-up-finger-down-method" ( 1a ), in particular a "two-to-ten-finger method" ( 1b ), in particular a "five-finger method" ( 1c ). Thus, a rapid and permanent milk injection is achieved in a physiological manner. In case of swelling of the breast, especially when shooting the milk or in case of milk congestion, gentle pressure on the areola can easily be exerted for a few minutes in order to move away the stagnant lymph fluid. The applied milking pressure continues to cause a significant increase in the amount of milk that can be obtained in the same time. This leads - in addition to the time savings - with sufficiently frequent application to the fact that the almost full potential of the mother for milk production is exhausted - if she wants. The flexible part of the milk removal module can be designed as a kind of glove with protuberances for fingers of a hand ( 3a . 3b ) that the female breast / areola can be easily wrapped with the fingers of one hand and a manual, lactation-inducing milking pressure can be applied to the nipple and adjacent areas with the fingers.

The protuberances of the flexible portion of the milk extraction module for the fingers of a hand may be formed such that at least the fingertips of the hand are receivable therein and the protuberances with their outwardly directed towards the female breast cavity form a cavity that the female breast flexible and sealing encloses.

In this case, a flexible connection between the milk removal module and the collected milk collecting receptacle may be formed so that the milk, lactated by means of the milking pressure, which is performed by the fingers of the hand from the nipple and the surrounding areas, collected in a collection container can be.

In this case, the milk extraction module and the flexible connection can be formed in one piece and the transition from the milk extraction module to the flexible connection as a flexible, elastic process be formed for the lactated milk, wherein in an advantageous embodiment at the transition from the milk extraction module for flexible connection, the valve is arranged, for example in the form of a check valve.

The glove with protuberances ( 2 ) formed for the fingers of a hand-trained flexible part of the milk removal module flexible elastic process for the lactated milk should be arranged such that it does not hinder the manually executable, causing lactation milking and connected to the collection container via a flexible connection, for example, a hose be.

The flexible, elastic process for the lactated milk should have at least a length such that the collecting container can always assume an upright position so that the woman can carry out the extraction of the breast milk in any body position, in particular sitting, lying or standing.

The flexible detachable connection between the milk extraction module and the collecting container can be designed as a screw or plug connection, wherein in an advantageous embodiment, the valve can be screwed in, for example in the form of a check valve at the transition from the milk extraction module to the flexible detachable connection.

The milk removal module can be used in combination with an electric breast pump or in manual mode, each working with negative pressure and either for support by effect C or for milk removal.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that the milk removal module is provided with attachable to the fingers of a hand finger loops. On the one hand the handling can be improved by these finger loops, since the milking cuff is in firm engagement with the handling fingers. On the other hand, it is thereby possible to also pull the milking cuff away from the breast, whereby a suction effect can be achieved.

Thus, the invention provides a means whereby a hand / finger mediated stimulation of the breast, a significant milking pressure, and a precisely adequate negative pressure also produced by the hand or fingers, will effect an effective and gentle milk secretion, with the milk at the same time complete and is collected hygienically clean.

In the following, the invention will be explained with reference to exemplary embodiments. In the accompanying drawings shows

1a an embodiment of the invention for a milk removal module with which the female breast, especially the nipple and the adjacent areas are tightly umschließbar,

1b another embodiment in which the milk removal module 1 with which the female breast 6 , especially the nipple 7 , is wraparound,

3a and 3b an embodiment of the invention for a milk removal module 1 which is designed as a milking cuff,

4 a further embodiment of the invention for a milk removal module with the female breast 6 , especially the nipple 7 as well as the adjacent areas 8th are tightly umschließbar,

5a an embodiment of the proposed milk removal module 1 with one at the opening 10 for the lactated milk arranged valve 9 .

5b the same design as in 5a with one hand,

5c a view of the embodiment of the invention as shown in 5a pictured is from below and

6 shows the operating principle of the milk removal module.

1a represents a milk removal module with which the female breast, in particular the nipple and the adjacent areas are tightly umschließbar. 1b shows a further embodiment in which the milk removal module 1 with which the female breast 6 , especially the nipple 7 , is umschließbar.

In 3a and 3b is a milk collection module 1 shown, which is designed as a milking cuff, such that these with the female breast 6 , especially the nipple 7 as well as the adjacent areas 8th is tightly umschließbar, such that these as a kind of glove with protuberances 2 is designed for fingers of a hand, so that at least the fingers or the whole hand can be absorbed and the lactated milk, preferably via a hose 4 , preferably to a connected collecting container can be removed.

According to 4 is the female breast with a milk removal module 6 , especially the nipple 7 as well as the adjacent areas 8th tightly enclosable, such that the flexible and elastic material can wrap around the fingers, so that the manually executable, a lactation effecting milking, which on the nipple 7 and the adjacent areas 8th should be exercised, can be performed easily with your fingers and the milk at the same hygienic over a drain 5 and a connection 4 , preferably a hose is collected in a collecting container.

In 5a is the milk removal module 1 with one at the opening 10 for the lactated milk arranged valve 9 shown, which is a back flow of air into the milk removal module 1 prevents and the lactated milk from the female breast from the milk removal module 1 lets emerge. The valve 9 may for example be designed as a check valve. The flexible, soft-elastic material of the milking collar and the arrangement of the valve 9 are designed such that it snuggles ergonomically into the palm and thus the use is very comfortable.

5b and 5c replaces the solution 5a in function with one hand, as operated by the person using it.

The use of a valve like him in the 5a to 5c can, of course, with the in the 3a and 3b illustrated and described embodiments of the invention are used as a type of glove.

The representation in 6 shows the principle of action of the valve solution according to the illustrations in 5a to 5c ,

Here is the little finger 11 , the ring finger 12 , the middle finger 13 , the index finger 14 and the thumb 15 represented by a hand.

The milk removal module 1 is with a finger loop 16 in the area of the nipple 7 is near and that the admission of the thumb 15 can serve provided. Furthermore, the milk removal module 1 a finger loop 17 in the field of connection 5 on, the recording of the index finger 14 can serve provided.

The arrows indicate the directions of action of the fingers, with the loop 17 by pulling a vacuum in the cavity 3 can be caused by the valve 9 is supported.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 Milk extraction module

2

 protuberances

3

 cavity

4

 connection

5

 procedure

6

 female breast

7

 nipple

8th

 adjacent areas

9

 Valve

10

 opening

11

 pinkie finger

12

 ring finger

13

 middle finger

14

 index finger

15

 thumb

16

 finger loop

17

 finger loop

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 7607965 B1 [0007, 0007]
• DE 69732861 T2 [0010, 0012]
• US 5049126 [0011]
• US 4680028 [0011]
• EO 198469 [0011]
• WO 92/07493 [0011]
• US 4064851 [0011]
• EP 727234 [0011]
• US 2006/0111665 A1 [0011]
• US 2006/0106334 A1 [0011]
• DE 8812030 U1 [0013]
• DE 9306631 U1 [0014]
• DE 8702791 U1 [0015]

Cited non-patent literature

• Educational video from the Still Practice E. Kurth, IBCLC: "Breastfeeding - Emptying the Breast by Hand", 2003 [0008]

Claims (14)

Milk removal module for the female breast ( 6 ) containing a lactated milk collecting receptacle connected to the milk collection module ( 1 ), characterized in that the milk extraction module ( 1 ) as one, one opening ( 10 ) is formed for the lactated milk milking cuff, so that it has at least one flexible part, with which the milking cuff on the female breast ( 6 ), at least on the nipples is tightly placed and is designed such that a manual lactation causing milking pressure on the nipple ( 7 ) and the adjacent areas ( 8th ) is executable, wherein at the opening a valve ( 9 ) is arranged. Milk removal module ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve ( 9 ) is designed as a check valve. Milk removal module ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible part of the milk removal module is formed of a soft elastic material. Milk removal module ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the soft elastic material consists of silicone and / or rubber. Milk removal module ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the soft elastic material reinforcing rings and / or reinforcing struts are formed. Milk removal module ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible part of the milk extraction module is designed such that with the fingers of one hand the milk collection module ( 1 ) tightly enclosed female breast ( 6 ) and a manual, a lactation causing milking pressure on the female breast is executable. Milk removal module ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible part of the milk removal module as a kind of glove with protuberances ( 2 ) is designed for fingers of a hand that the female breast ( 6 ) can be enclosed with the fingers of a hand and a manual, a lactation effecting milking is executable. Milk removal module ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protuberances ( 2 ) of the flexible part of the milk extraction module for the fingers of a hand are designed such that at least the fingertips of the hand are receivable therein and the protuberances ( 2 ) with her outward to the female breast ( 6 ), a cavity ( 3 ) forming the female breast ( 6 ) encloses flexible and sealing. Milk removal module ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a flexible connection between the milk removal module and the lactated milk collecting collecting container is formed. Milk removal module ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the milk removal module ( 1 ) and the flexible connection ( 4 ) is formed in one piece and the transition from the milk extraction module to the flexible connection as a flexible, elastic process ( 5 ) is formed for the lactated milk. Milk removal module ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at the glove with protuberances ( 2 ) designed for the fingers of a hand formed flexible part of the milk removal module flexible, elastic drain ( 5 ) is arranged for the lactated milk such that it does not hinder the manually executable lactation effecting milking pressure and is connected to the collecting container via a flexible detachable connection. Milk removal module ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible detachable connection ( 4 ) between the milk removal module ( 1 ) and the collecting container is designed as a screw or plug connection. Milk removal module ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the milk extraction module can be combined with a working with negative pressure milk pump. Milk removal module ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the milk removal module ( 1 ) is provided with attachable to the fingers of a hand finger loops.

Images