EP4661926A1 - Breast pump system with a breast pump device and a sensor device - Google Patents

Breast pump system with a breast pump device and a sensor device

Info

Publication number
EP4661926A1
EP4661926A1 EP24703556.1A EP24703556A EP4661926A1 EP 4661926 A1 EP4661926 A1 EP 4661926A1 EP 24703556 A EP24703556 A EP 24703556A EP 4661926 A1 EP4661926 A1 EP 4661926A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
housing
temporary reservoir
breast pump
receiver
sensor device
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP24703556.1A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Sebastian Höner
Martin THÜRING
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.)
Medela AG
Original Assignee
Medela AG
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 Medela AG filed Critical Medela AG
Publication of EP4661926A1 publication Critical patent/EP4661926A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M1/00—Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems
    • A61M1/06—Milking pumps
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M1/00—Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes; Devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body-liquids; Drainage systems
    • A61M1/06—Milking pumps
    • A61M1/062—Pump accessories
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/33—Controlling, regulating or measuring
    • A61M2205/3306—Optical measuring means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/33—Controlling, regulating or measuring
    • A61M2205/3379—Masses, volumes, levels of fluids in reservoirs, flow rates
    • A61M2205/3389—Continuous level detection

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a breast pump system built to accumulate milk expressed from a breast of a lactating mother in a temporary reservoir and particularly in a container.
  • the system has a breast pump device and a sensor device.
  • the sensor device is provided to measure the volume of expressed milk particularly standing in the temporary reservoir.
  • Such a breast pump is e.g. known from WO 2022/038006 A1.
  • a first expressed milk can be detected when it reaches the bottom of the container.
  • the measurement principle is insufficient for an efficient milk expression in that it cannot quantify the actual amount/volume of milk in the container.
  • the breast pump of WO 2018/229504 A1 may quantify the amount of milk.
  • the measurement is however adversely affected by the gas volume above the milk, which may contain milk vapor, air and contamination.
  • the breast pump of EP 3 610 900 A1 may quantify an amount of milk in a container by means of emitters and receivers.
  • the solution is however rather complex.
  • a breast pump system that is built to accumulate milk expressed from a breast of a lactating mother in a temporary reservoir or in a temporary reservoir and in a container, the breast pump system having a breast pump device and a sensor device provided to measure the volume of expressed milk standing in the temporary reservoir.
  • the breast pump device comprises:
  • the interface body may be adapted to have removably connected thereto and/or hold at least one of the following: the container and/or a suction pump for creating a vacuum in the temporary reservoir and/or a breast interface that is designed for creating a fluid seal against the breast;
  • the sensor device comprises:
  • At least one receiver adapted to receive the electromagnetic waves and to generate a receiver signal as a function of a reception of the electromagnetic waves; - wherein the at least one emitter and the at least one receiver are held by a housing of the sensor device.
  • the sensor device further comprises:
  • controller held by the housing which is adapted to control the at least one emitter and the at least one receiver and to receive the receiver signal
  • the sensor device is configured to be detachable from the breast pump device and wherein the housing is adapted in size and shape to surround the temporary reservoir housing at least partially.
  • the breast pump device shall contain the temporary reservoir in the temporary reservoir housing.
  • Said housing shall be supported by the interface body.
  • Said body may be connected to, may hold and/or may have: the container, a suction pump to create a negative pressure in the temporary reservoir and/or a breast interface such as funnel meant for the human breast.
  • the sensor device shall contain a housing, a controller supported by the housing, the emitter for an emission of the waves, especially light, and the receiver for a reception of the waves.
  • the receiver shall generate the receiver signal that correlates to the reception of the waves. Both the emitter(s) and the receiver(s) shall be supported/held by the housing.
  • the sensor device is meant to be attachable to the breast pump device. Particularly, the size and shape of the housing are chosen to surround the temporary reservoir housing at least in parts.
  • the invention enables that the sensor device including the controller, the emitter(s) and the receiver(s) may be separated from the breast pump device. This enables an easier cleaning of the breast pump device, for example under water. As such, the controller, the emitter and the receiver can easily be detached and used for a different breast pump device and/or when the breast pump device shall be cleaned. For example, in case a plurality of breast pump devices are used in an environment, the environment may make use of a number of sensor devices which is lower than the plurality of breast pump devices. This may save cost.
  • the housing may have a first section and a second section each of them protruding separately from a housing body of the housing at a distance (relative to reach other), particularly to at least partially surround the temporary reservoir housing.
  • the two sections may enable a large surface area to face the temporary reservoir housing so that the measurement of milk in the temporary reservoir may be more precise.
  • the distance may correspond, at minimum, to a width of the temporary reservoir housing perpendicular to a milk path in the temporary reservoir.
  • the milk path may be provided at least essentially vertically, in particular from a top and/or an inlet of the reservoir to a bottom and/or an outlet of the reservoir.
  • the milk path particularly defines the direction of flow of the milk in the temporary reservoir. As such, the sections may closely face the temporary reservoir (housing) in order to enable a more precise measurement of milk.
  • the housing may have a connection area, particularly with the sections, wherein the connection area may be adapted to establish a form-fitting contact with the temporary reservoir housing by means of a push-on action, in particular by means of a deformation of the sections and/or the temporary reservoir housing.
  • the connection area may be of a fork and/or a V-shape and/or a U-shape particularly with each section representing a section of the U-shape or V- shape.
  • the connection area may comprise a part of an outer shape of the temporary reservoir housing.
  • the sections and/or the temporary reservoir housing may be designed to elastically deform upon detaching/attaching the sensor device from the breast pump device. This enables a loss-proof connection and an end-user friendly easy attachment/detachment.
  • the housing may have an encompassing section to encompass the temporary reservoir housing at least in part.
  • the encompassing section may have at least one protrusion adapted to grasp the temporary reservoir housing.
  • the encompassing section may be shaped to enable a form fit with the temporary reservoir housing.
  • the encompassing section may have two opposite protrusions, particularly each protrusion being provided at one section.
  • the encompassing section may span a width of the temporary reservoir housing, particularly up to 10 % less than the width.
  • the housing, the sections, the temporary reservoir housing and/or the interface body may be made from plastics. This realizes a safe connection which particularly may provide a sound that is easy to remember upon attachment/detachment.
  • the interface body may have at least one support area for the housing, wherein by means of the support area the housing is limited along a/the milk path in the temporary reservoir when the sensor device is arranged to measure the expressed milk in the temporary reservoir.
  • the support area may have a surface, particularly a circular-shaped surface. The support area may enable a reliable placement upon attaching the sensor device to the breast pump device in order to have repeatable measurements without the need of zeroing the sensor device relative to the milk volume in the temporary reservoir.
  • the temporary reservoir housing may have a valve and an outlet with the valve.
  • the temporary reservoir housing may be provided to communicate with the container via the valve.
  • the valve may be a passive valve that opens upon a change in pressure in the temporary reservoir, particularly upon an increase of pressure therein.
  • the valve may have a temporary reservoir section to protrude into the temporary reservoir at least in part.
  • the temporary reservoir section may serve to raise/lift the effective level zero of milk volume in the temporary reservoir.
  • the temporary reservoir section may be understood as a displacement body to displace volume in the temporary reservoir by means of a part of the valve. As such, the measurement is facilitated and the measurement can take place in a region easier to access by means of electromagnetic waves, more distant from the lowermost position of the temporary reservoir (housing).
  • the breast pump system may not have a/the container, preferably in order to accumulate the milk merely in the temporary reservoir (housing).
  • the temporary reservoir (housing) may comprise the valve and/or may not comprise the/a valve or an outlet, which particularly is placed at the bottom of the temporary reservoir (housing).
  • the temporary reservoir (housing) may be designed in order to accumulate very small amounts of milk in the range of 0 up to a maximum of 5 ml, 10 ml, 25 ml or 50 ml, particularly without any accumulation in a container separate from the temporary reservoir (housing).
  • At least one or a plurality of emitters is held in at least one of the sections and at least one or a plurality of receivers is held in at least one of the sections, particularly the at least one emitter and the at least one receiver or the pluralities thereof in the same or in different sections.
  • the emitters and receivers may all be placed in one section or may be somehow distributed in both sections. In any case, the configuration enables a precise measurement of the milk in the temporary reservoir.
  • the sensor device may further comprise at least one further emitter adapted to emit further electromagnetic waves.
  • the sensor device may further comprise at least one further receiver adapted to receive the further electromagnetic waves and to generate a further receiver signal as a function of a reception of the further electromagnetic waves.
  • the further electromagnetic waves are preferably intended to be reflected by the milk possibly contained in the container, in order to have a possibility to measure the fill level, e.g. within the container.
  • the further emitter and the further receiver may be placed and configured in order to have the further electromagnetic waves pointed towards the temporary reservoir and/or the container at a distinct fill level, wherein the further electromagnetic waves are reflected in presence of milk at the distinct fill level.
  • the controller may be adapted to control the at least one further emitter and the at least one further receiver and to receive the further receiver signal.
  • the at least one further emitter and the at least one further receiver are held by the housing of the sensor device.
  • the further emitter and the further receiver may be held adjacent to each other and/or pairwise, for example within a certain section of the first section and the second section.
  • the at least one further emitter may be held in at least one of the sections, particularly of the first section and the second section.
  • the at least one further receiver may be held in at least one of the sections, particularly of the first section and the second section.
  • the at least one further emitter and the at least one further receiver may be held in the same section, together, pairwise and/or adjacently, particularly in order to conduct the reflection of the further electromagnetic waves and an according reception of these waves at least essentially at the same location, particularly in order to conduct a measurement of the fill level of milk, e.g. in the container.
  • the at least one further emitter and/or the at least one further receiver may be located at an outside surface of the housing.
  • the outside surface may be an outside surface of one of the sections, in particular the outside surface facing away from the other section, particularly of the first section and the second section.
  • the at least one emitter and/or the at least one receiver may be located at an inside surface of the housing.
  • the inside surface may be an inside surface of one of the sections, in particular the inside surface facing towards the other section, particularly of the first section and the second section.
  • the milk in the container and/or temporary reservoir may serve as a reflector for the (further) electromagnetic waves coming from the (further) emitter. Reflected (further) electromagnetic waves may be detected/caught by the (further) receiver. When there is no milk in the container and/or temporary reservoir, no or at least less (further) electromagnetic waves may be reflected compared to the (further) electromagnetic waves which may be reflected when there is milk in the container and/or temporary reservoir.
  • At least one printed circuit board in the housing may be provided in order to support the at least one emitter, the at least one receiver and/or at least parts of the controller.
  • the printed circuit board(s) may serve to electrically connect and position emitter, receiver and/or controller.
  • a battery may be provided that can be received within the housing to power the controller. As such, an enhanced autonomy of the breast pump system may be enabled.
  • connection means may be provided which is/are connected to the controller.
  • the connection means may serve to communicate the measured milk volume to an end user device and/or to the end user. This may enhance usability.
  • A/the milk path in the temporary reservoir may be arranged between an outlet of the temporary reservoir and a suction aperture of the temporary reservoir.
  • the suction aperture may be connectable to a suction pump of the breast pump system, for example via a hose or a tube or directly to the suction pump, especially wherein the suction pump may be configured to provide a vacuum to the suction aperture. Milk expressed by means of the suction pump may accumulate in the temporary reservoir. As such, a steady fluid level may be realized which is easy to be measured particularly by means of the sensor device.
  • the above described sensor device may be provided on its own to serve the purpose of the present invention.
  • a sensor device may be provided to measure the volume of milk expressed from a breast of a lactating mother.
  • the volume to be measured may be of the milk standing in a temporary reservoir of a breast pump device that is built to accumulate the expressed milk in the temporary reservoir, the breast pump device being the one describe herein and/or comprising: a temporary reservoir housing surrounding the temporary reservoir; an interface body holding the temporary reservoir housing and adapted to have removably connected thereto and/or hold: the container, and/or a suction pump for creating a vacuum in the temporary reservoir, and/or a breast interface that is designed for creating a fluid seal against the breast.
  • the sensor device may be the one described herein and/or may comprise: at least one emitter adapted to emit electromagnetic waves; at least one receiver adapted to receive the electromagnetic waves and to generate a receiver signal as a function of a reception of the electromagnetic waves; wherein the at least one emitter and the at least one receiver are held by a housing of the sensor device; and a controller held by the housing which is adapted to control the at least one emitter and the at least one receiver and to receive the receiver signal, wherein the housing has a first section and a second section protruding separately from a housing body of the housing at a distance, the first section and the second section having a gap in between, and/or wherein the sensor device is configured to be detachable from the breast pump device, and/or wherein the housing is adapted in size and shape to surround the temporary reservoir housing at least partially.
  • the above solution of the sensor device contains that the sensor device can be handled easily: by having a free space between two protrusions, preferably shaped that at least a part of the temporary reservoir housing and/or the container can fit in the gap, by being designed as an attachment to the breast pump device, and/or by being designed to at least partially encompass the temporary reservoir housing.
  • the sensor device is a solution on its own to the particular problem to quantify the volume of milk with respect to sufficient hygiene in the temporary reservoir or the container where the milk may be quantified.
  • a sensor device may be provided equipped with any of the features named in the present application, in particular parts of the features named herein.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a breast pump system having a breast pump device and a sensor device in a detached state
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the breast pump system of Fig. 1 in an attached state
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of internals of the sensor device of Fig. 1 ,
  • Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the sensor device of Fig. 1 .
  • Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a temporary reservoir of the breast pump device of Fig. 1.
  • a breast pump system 1 is shown that is built to accumulate milk M expressed from a breast of a lactating mother in a temporary reservoir and in a container 200.
  • the breast pump system 1 has a breast pump device 100 and a sensor device 2 provided to measure the volume of expressed milk M standing in the temporary reservoir.
  • the sensor device 2 can be attached to the breast pump device 100; the corresponding attached state is shown in Fig. 2.
  • the container 200 is schematically shown.
  • a suction aperture 120 of the breast pump device 100 is connectable to a suction pump (not shown) of the breast pump system 1, for example via a hose.
  • the breast pump device 100 comprises a temporary reservoir housing 112 surrounding the temporary reservoir and an interface body 110 holding the temporary reservoir housing 112.
  • the interface body 110 is adapted to have removably connected thereto: the container 200, a suction pump for creating a vacuum in the temporary reservoir, and a breast interface 300 that is designed for creating a fluid seal against the breast.
  • the interface body 110 may hold the container 200, e.g. integrated in or at the interface body 110, especially wherein both the container 200 and the temporary reservoir housing 112 may be integrated in or at the interface body 110.
  • the sensor device 2 is illustrated.
  • the sensor device 2 is illustrated without its housing 4.
  • the housing 4 essentially encases what is shown in Fig. 3.
  • the sensor device 2 has the housing 4 (see in particular Fig. 4), has emitters 24 adapted to emit electromagnetic waves (see in particular Fig. 3) and has receivers 34 adapted to receive the electromagnetic waves and to generate a receiver signal as a function of a reception of the electromagnetic waves (see in particular Fig. 3).
  • the emitters 24 and/or the receivers 34 may emit I receive the electromagnetic waves along a linear path 10.
  • the path preferably points between their sections 20, 30.
  • the emitters 24 and the receivers 34 are held by the housing 4 of the sensor device 2.
  • the emitters 24 and the receivers 34 are each located at an inside surface of the sections 20, 30, where there are two inside surfaces facing each other, cf. Fig. 4.
  • Fig. 4 there may be at least one further emitter and at least one further receiver that are located at an outside surface of the housing, wherein however two outside surfaces are present in Fig. 4.
  • the outside surfaces are outside surfaces at each of the sections 20, 30, where the outside surfaces face away from the other section 20, 30, particularly from each other.
  • a controller 40 is held by the housing 4 and is adapted to control the emitters 24 and the receivers 34 and to receive the receiver signal.
  • the sensor device 2 is configured to be detachable from the breast pump device 100.
  • a plurality of emitters 24 is held in a first section 20 of the housing 4 and a plurality of receivers 34 is held in a second section 30 of the housing 4.
  • Three printed circuit boards 22, 32, 42 in the housing 4 are provided in order to support the emitters 24, the receivers 34 and/or parts of the controller 40 or the controller 40.
  • the printed circuit boards 22, 32, 42 serve to electrically connect and position emitter 24, receiver 34 and/or controller 40.
  • the two printed circuit boards 22, 32 are arranged at least essentially perpendicular relative to the printed circuit board 42.
  • the printed circuit board(s) 22, 32, 42 may be bendable, e.g. bent around a corner, e.g. bent by 90 degrees or 180 degrees. As such, instead of more than two printed circuit boards 22, 32, 42 a fewer amount may be used, for example one or two.
  • a battery 44 is provided (not shown) that is received within the housing 4 to power the controller 40.
  • a connection means 46 is provided which is connected to the controller 40.
  • the housing 4 is adapted in size and shape to surround the temporary reservoir housing 112 at least partially.
  • the housing 4 has the first section 20 and the second section 30 protruding separately from a housing body 6 of the housing 4 at a distance 8 to partially surround the temporary reservoir housing 112.
  • the two sections 20, 30 have a gap in between so that the temporary reservoir housing 112 fits in the gap.
  • the distance 8 corresponds to a width 114 of the temporary reservoir housing 112 perpendicular to a milk path P in the temporary reservoir (cf. Fig. 1).
  • the sensor device 2 may be attached and detached in a direction perpendicular to the milk path P to the breast pump device 100.
  • the housing 4 has a connection area 12 with the sections 20, 30, wherein the connection area 12 is adapted to establish a form-fitting contact with the temporary reservoir housing 112 by means of a push-on action.
  • the connection area 12 has a fork and/or a U-shape with each section 20, 30 representing a U-section of the U-shape.
  • the connection area 12 comprises a part of an outer shape of the temporary reservoir housing 112.
  • the sections 20, 30 and the temporary reservoir housing 112 are designed to each elastically deform upon detaching/attaching the sensor device 2 from the breast pump device 100.
  • the housing 4 has an encompassing section 13 to encompass the temporary reservoir housing 112 at least in part.
  • the encompassing section 13 has two protrusions adapted to grasp the temporary reservoir housing 112.
  • the encompassing section 13 is shaped to enable a form fit with the temporary reservoir housing 112.
  • the encompassing section 13 has two opposite protrusions, each protrusion being provided at one section 20, 30.
  • the encompassing section 13 spans in its width 5 % less than the width 114 of the temporary reservoir housing 112.
  • the housing 4, the sections 20, 30, the temporary reservoir housing 112 and/or the interface body 110 are made from plastics.
  • the interface body 110 has at least one support area 126 for the housing 4, wherein by means of the support area 126 the housing 4 is limited along the milk path P in the temporary reservoir when the sensor device 2 is arranged to measure the expressed milk M in the temporary reservoir.
  • the support area 126 has a circular-shaped surface.
  • the sensor device 2 is attached to the breast pump device 100 in order to measure the volume of expressed milk M standing in the temporary reservoir.
  • the expressed milk M can be temporarily collected in the temporary reservoir.
  • the sensor device 2 can estimate the volume of milk M in the temporary reservoir e.g. by means of an observation of the fill level.
  • the receiver 34 may produce a receiver signal that depends on the presence of milk, particularly depends on the volume of expressed milk M standing in the temporary reservoir.
  • the receiver 34 may generate the receiver signal as a function of electromagnetic waves transmitted through and/or reflected by the temporary reservoir and/or as a function of electromagnetic waves transmitted through and/or reflected by the milk M.
  • the temporary reservoir housing 112 has a valve 116 and an outlet 118 with the valve 116.
  • the temporary reservoir housing 112 is provided to communicate with the container 200 via the valve 116.
  • the valve 116 is a passive valve 116 that opens upon a change in pressure in the temporary reservoir.
  • the valve 116 has a temporary reservoir section 117 to protrude into the temporary reservoir at least in part.
  • the temporary reservoir section 117 may essentially lift the lowermost fluid level (i.e. at the fill level zero) in the temporary reservoir.
  • the temporary reservoir section 117 is optional and passively reduces volume that may not be observed and/or measured by the sensor device 2.
  • the milk path P in the temporary reservoir is arranged between the outlet 118 of the temporary reservoir and a suction aperture 120 of the temporary reservoir.
  • the suction aperture 120 may contain and/or be equipped with a media separation membrane, which may be a flexible media separation membrane, and which may prevent milk from entering a tube, a hose and/or a path to the suction pump .

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Anesthesiology (AREA)
  • Pediatric Medicine (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • External Artificial Organs (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a breast pump system (1) built to accumulate milk (M) expressed from a breast of a lactating mother in a temporary reservoir or in a temporary reservoir and in a container (200), the breast pump system (1) having a breast pump device (100) and a sensor device (2) provided to measure the volume of expressed milk (M) standing in the temporary reservoir, the breast pump device (100) comprising: - a temporary reservoir housing (112) surrounding the temporary reservoir; - an interface body (110) holding the temporary reservoir housing (112) particularly adapted to have removably connected thereto and/or hold: the container (200) and/or a suction pump for creating a vacuum in the temporary reservoir and/or a breast interface (300) that is designed for creating a fluid seal against the breast; the sensor device (2) comprising: - at least one emitter (24) adapted to emit electromagnetic waves; - at least one receiver (34) adapted to receive the electromagnetic waves and to generate a receiver signal as a function of a reception of the electromagnetic waves; - wherein the at least one emitter (24) and the at least one receiver (34) are held by a housing (4) of the sensor device (2); and - a controller (40) held by the housing (4) which is adapted to control the at least one emitter (24) and the at least one receiver (34) and to receive the receiver signal, - wherein the sensor device (2) is configured to be detachable from the breast pump device (100) and wherein the housing (4) is adapted in size and shape to surround the temporary reservoir housing (112) at least partially.

Description

Breast Pump System with a Breast Pump Device and a Sensor Device
The present invention relates to a breast pump system built to accumulate milk expressed from a breast of a lactating mother in a temporary reservoir and particularly in a container. The system has a breast pump device and a sensor device. The sensor device is provided to measure the volume of expressed milk particularly standing in the temporary reservoir.
Such a breast pump is e.g. known from WO 2022/038006 A1. In this known breast pump a first expressed milk can be detected when it reaches the bottom of the container. However, the measurement principle is insufficient for an efficient milk expression in that it cannot quantify the actual amount/volume of milk in the container.
The breast pump of WO 2018/229504 A1 may quantify the amount of milk. The measurement is however adversely affected by the gas volume above the milk, which may contain milk vapor, air and contamination.
The breast pump of EP 3 610 900 A1 may quantify an amount of milk in a container by means of emitters and receivers. The solution is however rather complex.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a breast pump system which provides a reliable measurement of the volume of expressed milk and/or quantification of the actual amount of milk in the temporary reservoir, and particularly in the container. Particularly the breast pump system may be cleaned more easily.
As a solution to this problem, it is suggested to provide a breast pump system that is built to accumulate milk expressed from a breast of a lactating mother in a temporary reservoir or in a temporary reservoir and in a container, the breast pump system having a breast pump device and a sensor device provided to measure the volume of expressed milk standing in the temporary reservoir. The breast pump device comprises:
- a temporary reservoir housing surrounding the temporary reservoir; and
- an interface body holding the temporary reservoir housing;
- wherein the interface body may be adapted to have removably connected thereto and/or hold at least one of the following: the container and/or a suction pump for creating a vacuum in the temporary reservoir and/or a breast interface that is designed for creating a fluid seal against the breast;
The sensor device comprises:
- at least one emitter adapted to emit electromagnetic waves; and
- at least one receiver adapted to receive the electromagnetic waves and to generate a receiver signal as a function of a reception of the electromagnetic waves; - wherein the at least one emitter and the at least one receiver are held by a housing of the sensor device.
The sensor device further comprises:
- a controller held by the housing which is adapted to control the at least one emitter and the at least one receiver and to receive the receiver signal,
- wherein the sensor device is configured to be detachable from the breast pump device and wherein the housing is adapted in size and shape to surround the temporary reservoir housing at least partially.
Therefore, the breast pump device shall contain the temporary reservoir in the temporary reservoir housing. Said housing shall be supported by the interface body. Said body may be connected to, may hold and/or may have: the container, a suction pump to create a negative pressure in the temporary reservoir and/or a breast interface such as funnel meant for the human breast.
The sensor device shall contain a housing, a controller supported by the housing, the emitter for an emission of the waves, especially light, and the receiver for a reception of the waves. The receiver shall generate the receiver signal that correlates to the reception of the waves. Both the emitter(s) and the receiver(s) shall be supported/held by the housing. In addition, the sensor device is meant to be attachable to the breast pump device. Particularly, the size and shape of the housing are chosen to surround the temporary reservoir housing at least in parts.
The invention enables that the sensor device including the controller, the emitter(s) and the receiver(s) may be separated from the breast pump device. This enables an easier cleaning of the breast pump device, for example under water. As such, the controller, the emitter and the receiver can easily be detached and used for a different breast pump device and/or when the breast pump device shall be cleaned. For example, in case a plurality of breast pump devices are used in an environment, the environment may make use of a number of sensor devices which is lower than the plurality of breast pump devices. This may save cost.
The housing may have a first section and a second section each of them protruding separately from a housing body of the housing at a distance (relative to reach other), particularly to at least partially surround the temporary reservoir housing. In other words, there may be two sections of the housing at a distance to each other, i.e. with a gap in between, so that the temporary reservoir housing may fit in the gap. The two sections may enable a large surface area to face the temporary reservoir housing so that the measurement of milk in the temporary reservoir may be more precise.
The distance may correspond, at minimum, to a width of the temporary reservoir housing perpendicular to a milk path in the temporary reservoir. The milk path may be provided at least essentially vertically, in particular from a top and/or an inlet of the reservoir to a bottom and/or an outlet of the reservoir. The milk path particularly defines the direction of flow of the milk in the temporary reservoir. As such, the sections may closely face the temporary reservoir (housing) in order to enable a more precise measurement of milk.
The housing may have a connection area, particularly with the sections, wherein the connection area may be adapted to establish a form-fitting contact with the temporary reservoir housing by means of a push-on action, in particular by means of a deformation of the sections and/or the temporary reservoir housing. The connection area may be of a fork and/or a V-shape and/or a U-shape particularly with each section representing a section of the U-shape or V- shape. The connection area may comprise a part of an outer shape of the temporary reservoir housing. The sections and/or the temporary reservoir housing may be designed to elastically deform upon detaching/attaching the sensor device from the breast pump device. This enables a loss-proof connection and an end-user friendly easy attachment/detachment.
The housing may have an encompassing section to encompass the temporary reservoir housing at least in part. The encompassing section may have at least one protrusion adapted to grasp the temporary reservoir housing. The encompassing section may be shaped to enable a form fit with the temporary reservoir housing. The encompassing section may have two opposite protrusions, particularly each protrusion being provided at one section. The encompassing section may span a width of the temporary reservoir housing, particularly up to 10 % less than the width. Particularly, the housing, the sections, the temporary reservoir housing and/or the interface body may be made from plastics. This realizes a safe connection which particularly may provide a sound that is easy to remember upon attachment/detachment.
The interface body may have at least one support area for the housing, wherein by means of the support area the housing is limited along a/the milk path in the temporary reservoir when the sensor device is arranged to measure the expressed milk in the temporary reservoir. The support area may have a surface, particularly a circular-shaped surface. The support area may enable a reliable placement upon attaching the sensor device to the breast pump device in order to have repeatable measurements without the need of zeroing the sensor device relative to the milk volume in the temporary reservoir.
The temporary reservoir housing may have a valve and an outlet with the valve. The temporary reservoir housing may be provided to communicate with the container via the valve. For example, the valve may be a passive valve that opens upon a change in pressure in the temporary reservoir, particularly upon an increase of pressure therein. The valve may have a temporary reservoir section to protrude into the temporary reservoir at least in part. The temporary reservoir section may serve to raise/lift the effective level zero of milk volume in the temporary reservoir. The temporary reservoir section may be understood as a displacement body to displace volume in the temporary reservoir by means of a part of the valve. As such, the measurement is facilitated and the measurement can take place in a region easier to access by means of electromagnetic waves, more distant from the lowermost position of the temporary reservoir (housing).
The breast pump system may not have a/the container, preferably in order to accumulate the milk merely in the temporary reservoir (housing).
The temporary reservoir (housing) may comprise the valve and/or may not comprise the/a valve or an outlet, which particularly is placed at the bottom of the temporary reservoir (housing).
The temporary reservoir (housing) may be designed in order to accumulate very small amounts of milk in the range of 0 up to a maximum of 5 ml, 10 ml, 25 ml or 50 ml, particularly without any accumulation in a container separate from the temporary reservoir (housing).
At least one or a plurality of emitters is held in at least one of the sections and at least one or a plurality of receivers is held in at least one of the sections, particularly the at least one emitter and the at least one receiver or the pluralities thereof in the same or in different sections. In other words, the emitters and receivers may all be placed in one section or may be somehow distributed in both sections. In any case, the configuration enables a precise measurement of the milk in the temporary reservoir.
The sensor device may further comprise at least one further emitter adapted to emit further electromagnetic waves.
The sensor device may further comprise at least one further receiver adapted to receive the further electromagnetic waves and to generate a further receiver signal as a function of a reception of the further electromagnetic waves.
The further electromagnetic waves are preferably intended to be reflected by the milk possibly contained in the container, in order to have a possibility to measure the fill level, e.g. within the container. For example, the further emitter and the further receiver may be placed and configured in order to have the further electromagnetic waves pointed towards the temporary reservoir and/or the container at a distinct fill level, wherein the further electromagnetic waves are reflected in presence of milk at the distinct fill level.
Particularly, the controller may be adapted to control the at least one further emitter and the at least one further receiver and to receive the further receiver signal.
Particularly, the at least one further emitter and the at least one further receiver are held by the housing of the sensor device. The further emitter and the further receiver may be held adjacent to each other and/or pairwise, for example within a certain section of the first section and the second section. The at least one further emitter may be held in at least one of the sections, particularly of the first section and the second section.
The at least one further receiver may be held in at least one of the sections, particularly of the first section and the second section.
The at least one further emitter and the at least one further receiver may be held in the same section, together, pairwise and/or adjacently, particularly in order to conduct the reflection of the further electromagnetic waves and an according reception of these waves at least essentially at the same location, particularly in order to conduct a measurement of the fill level of milk, e.g. in the container.
The at least one further emitter and/or the at least one further receiver may be located at an outside surface of the housing. The outside surface may be an outside surface of one of the sections, in particular the outside surface facing away from the other section, particularly of the first section and the second section.
The at least one emitter and/or the at least one receiver may be located at an inside surface of the housing. The inside surface may be an inside surface of one of the sections, in particular the inside surface facing towards the other section, particularly of the first section and the second section.
The milk in the container and/or temporary reservoir may serve as a reflector for the (further) electromagnetic waves coming from the (further) emitter. Reflected (further) electromagnetic waves may be detected/caught by the (further) receiver. When there is no milk in the container and/or temporary reservoir, no or at least less (further) electromagnetic waves may be reflected compared to the (further) electromagnetic waves which may be reflected when there is milk in the container and/or temporary reservoir.
At least one printed circuit board in the housing may be provided in order to support the at least one emitter, the at least one receiver and/or at least parts of the controller. The printed circuit board(s) may serve to electrically connect and position emitter, receiver and/or controller.
A battery may be provided that can be received within the housing to power the controller. As such, an enhanced autonomy of the breast pump system may be enabled.
A connection means may be provided which is/are connected to the controller. The connection means may serve to communicate the measured milk volume to an end user device and/or to the end user. This may enhance usability.
A/the milk path in the temporary reservoir may be arranged between an outlet of the temporary reservoir and a suction aperture of the temporary reservoir. The suction aperture may be connectable to a suction pump of the breast pump system, for example via a hose or a tube or directly to the suction pump, especially wherein the suction pump may be configured to provide a vacuum to the suction aperture. Milk expressed by means of the suction pump may accumulate in the temporary reservoir. As such, a steady fluid level may be realized which is easy to be measured particularly by means of the sensor device.
The above described sensor device may be provided on its own to serve the purpose of the present invention.
According to another solution, a sensor device may be provided to measure the volume of milk expressed from a breast of a lactating mother.
The volume to be measured may be of the milk standing in a temporary reservoir of a breast pump device that is built to accumulate the expressed milk in the temporary reservoir, the breast pump device being the one describe herein and/or comprising: a temporary reservoir housing surrounding the temporary reservoir; an interface body holding the temporary reservoir housing and adapted to have removably connected thereto and/or hold: the container, and/or a suction pump for creating a vacuum in the temporary reservoir, and/or a breast interface that is designed for creating a fluid seal against the breast.
According to the solution, the sensor device may be the one described herein and/or may comprise: at least one emitter adapted to emit electromagnetic waves; at least one receiver adapted to receive the electromagnetic waves and to generate a receiver signal as a function of a reception of the electromagnetic waves; wherein the at least one emitter and the at least one receiver are held by a housing of the sensor device; and a controller held by the housing which is adapted to control the at least one emitter and the at least one receiver and to receive the receiver signal, wherein the housing has a first section and a second section protruding separately from a housing body of the housing at a distance, the first section and the second section having a gap in between, and/or wherein the sensor device is configured to be detachable from the breast pump device, and/or wherein the housing is adapted in size and shape to surround the temporary reservoir housing at least partially.
Particularly and in other words the above solution of the sensor device contains that the sensor device can be handled easily: by having a free space between two protrusions, preferably shaped that at least a part of the temporary reservoir housing and/or the container can fit in the gap, by being designed as an attachment to the breast pump device, and/or by being designed to at least partially encompass the temporary reservoir housing. As such, the sensor device is a solution on its own to the particular problem to quantify the volume of milk with respect to sufficient hygiene in the temporary reservoir or the container where the milk may be quantified.
According to another solution, a sensor device may be provided equipped with any of the features named in the present application, in particular parts of the features named herein.
Further details, advantages or features of the present invention will become apparent particularly from the following description of a specific embodiment in combination with the drawings and with the rest of the description. In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a breast pump system having a breast pump device and a sensor device in a detached state,
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the breast pump system of Fig. 1 in an attached state,
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of internals of the sensor device of Fig. 1 ,
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the sensor device of Fig. 1 , and
Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a temporary reservoir of the breast pump device of Fig. 1.
With reference to Fig. 1, a breast pump system 1 is shown that is built to accumulate milk M expressed from a breast of a lactating mother in a temporary reservoir and in a container 200. The breast pump system 1 has a breast pump device 100 and a sensor device 2 provided to measure the volume of expressed milk M standing in the temporary reservoir. The sensor device 2 can be attached to the breast pump device 100; the corresponding attached state is shown in Fig. 2. In addition, in Fig. 2 the container 200 is schematically shown.
A suction aperture 120 of the breast pump device 100 is connectable to a suction pump (not shown) of the breast pump system 1, for example via a hose.
The breast pump device 100 comprises a temporary reservoir housing 112 surrounding the temporary reservoir and an interface body 110 holding the temporary reservoir housing 112. The interface body 110 is adapted to have removably connected thereto: the container 200, a suction pump for creating a vacuum in the temporary reservoir, and a breast interface 300 that is designed for creating a fluid seal against the breast.
Particularly the interface body 110 may hold the container 200, e.g. integrated in or at the interface body 110, especially wherein both the container 200 and the temporary reservoir housing 112 may be integrated in or at the interface body 110.
With particular reference to Figs. 3 and 4, the sensor device 2 is illustrated. In Fig. 3, the sensor device 2 is illustrated without its housing 4. In Fig. 4, the housing 4 essentially encases what is shown in Fig. 3.
The sensor device 2 has the housing 4 (see in particular Fig. 4), has emitters 24 adapted to emit electromagnetic waves (see in particular Fig. 3) and has receivers 34 adapted to receive the electromagnetic waves and to generate a receiver signal as a function of a reception of the electromagnetic waves (see in particular Fig. 3).
The emitters 24 and/or the receivers 34 may emit I receive the electromagnetic waves along a linear path 10. The path preferably points between their sections 20, 30.
The emitters 24 and the receivers 34 are held by the housing 4 of the sensor device 2.
The emitters 24 and the receivers 34 are each located at an inside surface of the sections 20, 30, where there are two inside surfaces facing each other, cf. Fig. 4.
Not shown in Fig. 4 is that there may be at least one further emitter and at least one further receiver that are located at an outside surface of the housing, wherein however two outside surfaces are present in Fig. 4. In Fig. 4, the outside surfaces are outside surfaces at each of the sections 20, 30, where the outside surfaces face away from the other section 20, 30, particularly from each other.
A controller 40 is held by the housing 4 and is adapted to control the emitters 24 and the receivers 34 and to receive the receiver signal.
The sensor device 2 is configured to be detachable from the breast pump device 100.
A plurality of emitters 24 is held in a first section 20 of the housing 4 and a plurality of receivers 34 is held in a second section 30 of the housing 4.
Three printed circuit boards 22, 32, 42 in the housing 4 are provided in order to support the emitters 24, the receivers 34 and/or parts of the controller 40 or the controller 40. The printed circuit boards 22, 32, 42 serve to electrically connect and position emitter 24, receiver 34 and/or controller 40.
The two printed circuit boards 22, 32 are arranged at least essentially perpendicular relative to the printed circuit board 42.
The printed circuit board(s) 22, 32, 42 may be bendable, e.g. bent around a corner, e.g. bent by 90 degrees or 180 degrees. As such, instead of more than two printed circuit boards 22, 32, 42 a fewer amount may be used, for example one or two.
Not shown is an embodiment, where exactly two printed circuit boards 22, 32, 42 or even exactly one printed circuit board 22, 32, 42 are/is provided, particularly in order to support the emitters 24, the receivers 34 and/or parts of the controller 40 or the controller 40. A battery 44 is provided (not shown) that is received within the housing 4 to power the controller 40.
A connection means 46 is provided which is connected to the controller 40.
The housing 4 is adapted in size and shape to surround the temporary reservoir housing 112 at least partially.
The housing 4 has the first section 20 and the second section 30 protruding separately from a housing body 6 of the housing 4 at a distance 8 to partially surround the temporary reservoir housing 112. The two sections 20, 30 have a gap in between so that the temporary reservoir housing 112 fits in the gap.
The distance 8 corresponds to a width 114 of the temporary reservoir housing 112 perpendicular to a milk path P in the temporary reservoir (cf. Fig. 1). The sensor device 2 may be attached and detached in a direction perpendicular to the milk path P to the breast pump device 100.
The housing 4 has a connection area 12 with the sections 20, 30, wherein the connection area 12 is adapted to establish a form-fitting contact with the temporary reservoir housing 112 by means of a push-on action. The connection area 12 has a fork and/or a U-shape with each section 20, 30 representing a U-section of the U-shape. The connection area 12 comprises a part of an outer shape of the temporary reservoir housing 112. The sections 20, 30 and the temporary reservoir housing 112 are designed to each elastically deform upon detaching/attaching the sensor device 2 from the breast pump device 100.
The housing 4 has an encompassing section 13 to encompass the temporary reservoir housing 112 at least in part. The encompassing section 13 has two protrusions adapted to grasp the temporary reservoir housing 112. The encompassing section 13 is shaped to enable a form fit with the temporary reservoir housing 112. The encompassing section 13 has two opposite protrusions, each protrusion being provided at one section 20, 30. The encompassing section 13 spans in its width 5 % less than the width 114 of the temporary reservoir housing 112. The housing 4, the sections 20, 30, the temporary reservoir housing 112 and/or the interface body 110 are made from plastics.
With reference to Fig. 1, the interface body 110 has at least one support area 126 for the housing 4, wherein by means of the support area 126 the housing 4 is limited along the milk path P in the temporary reservoir when the sensor device 2 is arranged to measure the expressed milk M in the temporary reservoir. The support area 126 has a circular-shaped surface.
With reference to Fig. 2, the sensor device 2 is attached to the breast pump device 100 in order to measure the volume of expressed milk M standing in the temporary reservoir. The expressed milk M can be temporarily collected in the temporary reservoir. The sensor device 2 can estimate the volume of milk M in the temporary reservoir e.g. by means of an observation of the fill level. For example, when the emitter 24 emits the electromagnetic waves towards and/or through the temporary reservoir, the receiver 34 may produce a receiver signal that depends on the presence of milk, particularly depends on the volume of expressed milk M standing in the temporary reservoir.
Particularly, in order to measure the volume of expressed milk M standing in the temporary reservoir the receiver 34 may generate the receiver signal as a function of electromagnetic waves transmitted through and/or reflected by the temporary reservoir and/or as a function of electromagnetic waves transmitted through and/or reflected by the milk M.
Particularly, with regard to the underlying principle to measure the volume of expressed milk M, reference is made to EP 3610 900 A1. With reference to Fig. 5, the temporary reservoir housing 112 has a valve 116 and an outlet 118 with the valve 116. The temporary reservoir housing 112 is provided to communicate with the container 200 via the valve 116. The valve 116 is a passive valve 116 that opens upon a change in pressure in the temporary reservoir. The valve 116 has a temporary reservoir section 117 to protrude into the temporary reservoir at least in part. The temporary reservoir section 117 may essentially lift the lowermost fluid level (i.e. at the fill level zero) in the temporary reservoir. The temporary reservoir section 117 is optional and passively reduces volume that may not be observed and/or measured by the sensor device 2.
The milk path P in the temporary reservoir is arranged between the outlet 118 of the temporary reservoir and a suction aperture 120 of the temporary reservoir. The suction aperture 120 may contain and/or be equipped with a media separation membrane, which may be a flexible media separation membrane, and which may prevent milk from entering a tube, a hose and/or a path to the suction pump .
List of Reference Signs
1 breast pump system
2 sensor device
4 housing
6 housing body
8 distance
10 linear path
12 connection area
13 encompassing section
20 first section
22 printed circuit board
24 emitter
30 second section
32 printed circuit board
34 receiver
40 controller
42 printed circuit board
44 battery
46 connection means
100 breast pump device
110 interface body
112 temporary reservoir housing
114 width
116 valve
117 temporary reservoir section
118 outlet
120 suction aperture
126 support area
200 container
300 breast interface
M expressed milk
P milk path

Claims

Claims
1. A breast pump system (1) built to accumulate milk (M) expressed from a breast of a lactating mother in a temporary reservoir or in a temporary reservoir and in a container (200), the breast pump system (1) having a breast pump device (100) and a sensor device (2) provided to measure the volume of expressed milk (M) standing in the temporary reservoir, the breast pump device (100) comprising: a temporary reservoir housing (112) surrounding the temporary reservoir; an interface body (110) holding the temporary reservoir housing (112) particularly adapted to have removably connected thereto and/or hold: the container (200) and/or a suction pump for creating a vacuum in the temporary reservoir and/or a breast interface (300) that is designed for creating a fluid seal against the breast; the sensor device (2) comprising: at least one emitter (24) adapted to emit electromagnetic waves; at least one receiver (34) adapted to receive the electromagnetic waves and to generate a receiver signal as a function of a reception of the electromagnetic waves; wherein the at least one emitter (24) and the at least one receiver (34) are held by a housing (4) of the sensor device (2); and a controller (40) held by the housing (4) which is adapted to control the at least one emitter (24) and the at least one receiver (34) and to receive the receiver signal, wherein the sensor device (2) is configured to be detachable from the breast pump device (100) and wherein the housing (4) is adapted in size and shape to surround the temporary reservoir housing (112) at least partially.
2. The breast pump system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (4) has a first section (20) and a second section (30) each of them protruding separately from a housing body (6) of the housing (4) at a distance (8) to at least partially surround the temporary reservoir housing (112).
3. The breast pump system (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the distance (8) corresponds at minimum to a width (114) of the temporary reservoir housing (112) perpendicular to a milk path (P) in the temporary reservoir.
4. The breast pump system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (4) has a connection area (12), particularly with the sections (20, 30), wherein the connection area (12) is adapted to establish a form-fitting contact with the temporary reservoir housing (112) by means of a push-on action, in particular by means of a deformation of the sections (20, 30) and/or the temporary reservoir housing (112).
5. The breast pump system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (4) has an encompassing section (13) to encompass the temporary reservoir housing (112) at least in part.
6. The breast pump system (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the encompassing section (13) has at least one protrusion adapted to grasp the temporary reservoir housing (112).
7. The breast pump system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interface body (110) has at least one support area for the housing (4), wherein by means of the support area the housing (4) is limited along a milk path (P) in the temporary reservoir when the sensor device (2) is arranged to measure the expressed milk (M) in the temporary reservoir.
8. The breast pump system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temporary reservoir housing (112) has a valve (116) and an outlet (118) with the valve (116) and is provided to communicate with the container (200) via the valve (116), wherein the valve has a temporary reservoir section (117) to protrude into the temporary reservoir at least in part.
9. The breast pump system (1) according to any of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that at least one or a plurality of emitters (24) is held in at least one of the sections (20, 30) and at least one or a plurality of receivers (34) is held in at least one of the sections (20, 30), particularly the at least one emitter (24) and the at least one receiver (34) or the pluralities thereof in the same or in different sections (20, 30).
10. The breast pump system (1) according to any of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the sensor device (2) further comprises: at least one further emitter adapted to emit further electromagnetic waves and at least one further receiver adapted to receive the further electromagnetic waves, particularly reflected at the container (200), and to generate a further receiver signal as a function of a reception of the further electromagnetic waves, wherein the controller (40) is further adapted to control the at least one further emitter and the at least one further receiver and to receive the further receiver signal, and wherein the at least one further emitter and the at least one further receiver are held by the housing (4) of the sensor device (2), particularly adjacent to each other and/or pairwise.
11. The breast pump system (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the at least one further emitter and the at least one further receiver are held together and/or adjacently in at least one of the sections (20, 30).
12. The breast pump system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one printed circuit board (22, 32, 42) in the housing (8) to support the at least one emitter (24), the at least one receiver (34) and/or at least parts of the controller (40).
13. The breast pump system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a battery (44) received within the housing (4) to power the controller (40) and/or a connection means (46) which is/are connected to the controller (40).
14. The breast pump system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a or the milk path (P) in the temporary reservoir (112) is arranged between an outlet (118) of the temporary reservoir (112) and a suction aperture (120) of the temporary reservoir (112).
15. A sensor device (2) provided to measure the volume of milk (M) expressed from a breast of a lactating mother comprising: at least one emitter (24) adapted to emit electromagnetic waves; at least one receiver (34) adapted to receive the electromagnetic waves and to generate a receiver signal as a function of a reception of the electromagnetic waves; wherein the at least one emitter (24) and the at least one receiver (34) are held by a housing (4) of the sensor device (2); and a controller (40) held by the housing (4) which is adapted to control the at least one emitter (24) and the at least one receiver (34) and to receive the receiver signal, wherein the housing (4) has a first section (20) and a second section (30) protruding separately from a housing body (6) of the housing (4) at a distance (8), the first and the second sections (20, 30) having a gap in between.
16. The sensor device (2) according to claim 15 comprising any of the characterizing features of claims 2 to 14.
EP24703556.1A 2023-02-10 2024-02-06 Breast pump system with a breast pump device and a sensor device Pending EP4661926A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP23156094 2023-02-10
PCT/EP2024/052899 WO2024165550A1 (en) 2023-02-10 2024-02-06 Breast pump system with a breast pump device and a sensor device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4661926A1 true EP4661926A1 (en) 2025-12-17

Family

ID=85225036

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP24703556.1A Pending EP4661926A1 (en) 2023-02-10 2024-02-06 Breast pump system with a breast pump device and a sensor device

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4661926A1 (en)
CN (1) CN120676975A (en)
AU (1) AU2024218644A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2024165550A1 (en)

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US20160296681A1 (en) * 2014-03-20 2016-10-13 Naya Health, Inc. Fluid measurement accessory for breast pumps
DE202018006777U1 (en) 2017-06-15 2022-12-14 Chiaro Technology Limited breast pump system
US11298445B2 (en) * 2018-01-09 2022-04-12 Moxxly, LLC Breast pump milk flow rate sensor system and apparatus
EP3536359A1 (en) * 2018-03-06 2019-09-11 Medela Holding AG Breast shield
EP3610900A1 (en) 2018-08-16 2020-02-19 Medela Holding AG Baby bottle with bottle attachment
WO2020051438A1 (en) * 2018-09-06 2020-03-12 Lansinoh Laboratories, Inc. Closed loop electric breast pump
EP3865159A1 (en) * 2020-02-17 2021-08-18 Medela Holding AG Apparatus for accumulating a fluid
EP3957342A1 (en) 2020-08-18 2022-02-23 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Sensor arrangement for a breast pump device and breast pump device using the sensor arrangement

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AU2024218644A1 (en) 2025-08-21
CN120676975A (en) 2025-09-19

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