ES2618344B1 - Protective device for breast areolas with improved liquid collector - Google Patents

Abstract

Protective device for breast areolas with improved liquid collector, to be used by nursing mothers, comprising a protective base (2) preferably made of pure operculum beeswax, which is a natural and harmless material for the health of the mother and infant, it is endowed with antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and healing properties; and it presents, in its internal face, in contact with the mammary areola, a collecting organ (10, 11, 12) for the guided drainage, towards a separate chamber (14), of the exudated milk when the mother is not breastfeeding at baby.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Protective device for breast areolas with improved liquid collector.

The present invention relates generally to a protector for breast areolas, and, more particularly, to a protector for areolas, to be carried mainly by lactating women, with elements for controlling chest moisture by means of an improved manifold for channeling and effectively store excess milk and other fluids that drain from the breast areola.

Breastfeeding is a very special and desirable practice for both the mother and undoubtedly for the baby, which brings innumerable benefits for the proper integral development of the infant, the mother, and the family in general. That is why it should be as comfortable as possible in order to prevent premature replacement of it by other methods, either using the mother's own milk, artificially extracted, or substitutes for it.

During breastfeeding, the mother's areolas tend to become more sensitive, and it is normal for the appearance of irritations and cracks in them, which make feeding the baby by this route very painful and even unfeasible. On the other hand, milk exudate after pregnancy is common in some women, as well as during and after breastfeeding. This is not only embarrassing, but such milk can form deposits that increase irritation and the appearance of cracks already described, or prevent the healing of existing ones.

In the practical scope of the invention, of course these problems are not new, and various methods are known through which it is intended to prevent the occurrence of irritations or cracks in the breast areola, or to protect it when these have already been appeared. Thus, the use of barriers or breast shields date from before the sixteenth century, and were made in various materials, such as lead, leg, wax, wood, and other materials. Currently the most used materials are rubber, latex or silicone. However, all of them have been used to date merely as a protective barrier, without scarring, antiseptic or lubricating activity.

On the other hand, the control of excess milk exuded by the areola has been subject to many patents, evident evidence of the great inconvenience this causes in mothers. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 166,686, granted in 1875, in which a complex device for the collection of excess breast milk is described; and other solutions in U.S. Pat. numbers 66,978 (1867); 16,396 (1857); 77,393 (1868); 296,609; 1,012,473 (1911); 2,364,866 (1944); 2,495,307 (1950); 2,891,544 (1959); and 2,896,623 (1959).

None of these patents has satisfactorily resolved the problems that are the subject of the present invention.

Thus, US Patent Nos. 2,891,544 and 2,896,623 describe a milk collector by means of disposable discs made of an absorbent fabric, thus being an expensive solution for the mother.

On the other hand, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,840,012, granted in 1974, describes a protective device for breast areolas, with milk collection function. Currently, the areolas protectors on the market, with liquid collection function, comprise the same structural characteristics described in said patent, with a base made of plastic, which has a wide and circular opening in its center, where it is housed in breast nipple Said protector, not only is not designed to have an active therapeutic or medicinal effect in the healing of the cracks that the mother could present, being

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made merely in plastic, but also exposes the nipple to contact with the liquids collected in the tank that it forms. Said liquid, in contact with both the air present in the tank itself and with the skin, will begin to decompose and, after a while, due to bacterial and fungal proliferation, since the mother's areola is not a sterile tissue, it will favor the development of breast areola infections, aggravating and even causing more irritations and cracks.

The objective of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a protector for breast areolas, which not only serves to prevent the appearance of irritations and cracks in such a delicate area of the mother, but also for its characteristic construction and material chosen for its manufacture favors the accelerated healing of those that may have already developed, and which, in turn, serves as a collector for the excess of exudate. In addition, it must be easy to sanitize and reusable.

In its broadest aspect the invention starts from the conventional structuring described in the Rushton U.S. patent. No. 3840012 of 1973, and therefore in the public domain, of a breast catcher and breast areola protector, in which an inner protective base is defined, generally circular in contact with the breast areola, and an outer cover that engages in conditions of reciprocal adjustment on said base, being defined a compartment between both parts that serves as a collector of the excess of exudate milk.

The innovation that is recommended in this invention patent focuses its characteristics on the fact that the protective base acts in functions not only as a protector, but as a dressing with curative and preventive properties against irritations and cracks. According to a characteristic of the invention, said base is in intimate contact with the breast areola on its entire surface, so that the oxygen that could remain between the areola and the protector will be displaced by placing it. In turn, the inner face of the protective base, in contact with the areola, presents a series of grooves in drainage functions, preferably in radial arrangement, and that start from the center of it, at the height of the breast nipple . A series of small openings made in said base, in functions of mouths of the drains, communicate said grooves with the external face of the protective base.

With the construction described, the protective base, which will remain in intimate contact, on its entire surface, on the breast areola, without the presence of oxygen between both parties, will serve to drain the excess of exudate milk, directing it to a defined deposit between the base and the protector cover. For this, said grooves will have a depth such that the pressure of the areola tissue in contact with them is substantially lower than that exerted on the surface of the base devoid of these. In this way, the exudate milk can be evacuated to the collector without resistance, and in a guided way.

The protective and lubricating properties of breast milk are well known to those skilled in the art, as long as it is not decomposed by its exposure to oxygen and / or pathogenic microorganisms. Thanks to the described characteristic construction of the protective base, the milk present in these grooves will suffer a continuous drainage, always being fresh, and not decomposed, milk that could remain in contact with the breast areola.

Operculum beeswax, of its own nature known to those skilled in the art, has numerous beneficial properties for skin care. It is a completely natural product, and it has not been documented that it presents adverse reactions for either the mother or the infant. Among its properties on the skin and mucous membranes, it has a high antioxidant content, is moisturizing, emollient, and nourishing. It also has an antibacterial and antifungal effect. Therefore, it has an anti-inflammatory and healing effect. As listed, the application of operculum beeswax on the breast areola, not only

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It will help prevent irritations and cracks associated with breastfeeding, as already described above, but it will also have a preventive effect against its occurrence.

Accordingly, and in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention which is recommended in this specification, the protective base, in contact with the areola, will be made of operculum beeswax.

So that the invention can be clearly understood, a preferred embodiment will now be described in detail, by way of example, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a detail perspective plane of a breast areola protector, in accordance with an optional and preferable embodiment of the invention, with its two main components decoupled, that is the cover and the protective base;

Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of the breast protector cover, in accordance with the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a bottom perspective view of the protective base, according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side view of the breast protector, with its components coupled for use;

Figure 5 is a detailed plan showing a partial and sagittal sectional view along line 5-5 of Figure 4, and illustrating the milk collecting organ, in accordance with the present invention.

With reference now to Figure 1 of the drawings, the halo shield (1) comprises a cover (3), preferably made of a transparent plastic, for a visual control of the collected liquid, and a protective base (2) on which said cover is coupled, a chamber being defined between both parts in coupling conditions, as shown in Figure 5. The cover (3) of the halo shield (1) has a preferably circumferential conformation, with a front surface ( 9), slightly convex outwards This general configuration is common to that described in the US Rushton patent No. 3840012 of 1973. However, the conformation of the coupling elements defined between the cover and the base, as described in said patent, makes it very difficult to separate the parts for emptying and / or cleaning the milk, then once coupled, there is no continuity solution between the two that allows manual decoupling.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cover (3) incorporates a perimeter sealing lip (8), the free edge of which is oriented outwards, and which acts as a stopper for its seat on the protective base ( 2). Said base (2) also has a circumferential conformation, congruent with the cover (3), and comprises a main body (6) equally convex outwards, with a perimeter shoulder (7) in functions of the seat of the cover (3) , leaving a circumferential step (4) between it and the main body (6) that acts as a retentive element on which the inner face of the sealing lip (8) is engaged in reciprocal adjustment conditions, and is shaped, in combination with the inner face of the sealing lip (8) of the cover (3), to achieve a peripheral seal between both parts throughout its travel. Likewise, and as an additional sealing element, the planning between the lip (8) and the perimeter shoulder (7) will be precise to achieve intimate congruent contact between both parties. It will therefore be understood that both pieces, the cover (3) and the protective base (2), are connected, in an uncoupling way, in conditions of reciprocal adjustment, the spontaneous separation of both being prevented due to the friction established between the inner edge of the lip (8) and the step (4). With the construction described, the user can decouple

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both parts in a simple way, by digital clamping of one of the elements with one hand, and the other with the other, without the need to use an auxiliary instrument to perform this task.

Holes (10) arranged in the main body (6) of the protective base (2) form an integral part of the collecting organ, and will be described in detail with reference to Figures 3 and 5.

With reference to Figure 2, this Figure is a bottom perspective view of the breast protector cover, in accordance with the embodiment shown in Figure 1, and has a hole (13) for the escape of air, whose function will be described with reference to figure 5. This solution is already used in the Rushton US patent. No. 3840012 of 1973, and therefore part of the state of the art.

According to another feature of the invention, as depicted in Figures 3 and 5, the halo shield acts as a collector of breast milk that can be spontaneously exuded by the mother. For this, the protective base (2), as shown in Figure 3, comprises a collecting organ formed by a central receiver (12), made on the inner face of the main body (6) of the base (2) , by means of a circular central depression, from which a series of radial drainage channels (11) start, in number of three in the embodiment shown. The opposite end of each of said channels (11) is topped by a hole (10) that communicates said channels with the outer face of the main body (6) of the protective base (2). The dimensions in diameter and depth of the central receiver (12) will be such that it serves as a tactile reference so that the wearer can place the protector in a position centered with the nipple of the areola, and that the pressure that this area (12) exerts on the nipple is slightly lower than that exerted by the main body (6) on the rest of the areola, so that the exudate milk is channeled into the drainage channels (11). Likewise, the depth of the aforementioned channels (11), will maintain a similar pressure relationship with the main body (6), so that the drainage of the milk is continuous not only by the effect of the force of gravity, but also by tension shallow milk itself. Effect itself known to those skilled in the art.

According to another feature of the invention, the support perimeter shoulder (7) of the protective base (2) on its inner face, arranged towards the maternal areola, will preferably be slightly oversized with respect to the main body (6) , so that it exerts, in turn, a pressure on the areola slightly higher than that exerted by the main body (6), thus acting as an additional sealing element.

Although it has been chosen to represent the collecting organ by means of three drainage channels (11), in radial arrangement, and flowing independently into three separate openings, one for each channel, it will be understood that said distribution may be varied in number, arrangement, Shape and configuration. The essential feature is to dispose of drain elements of the exudate milk, guided inwards to the chamber or reservoir of the areolas protector.

On the other hand, the degree of concavity of the inner face of the protective base (2) will be such that it allows a coupling on the mammary areola by exerting a homogeneously distributed pressure on said areola.

Likewise, as described above, and in accordance with another feature of the invention, it will be preferable and especially advisable to use beeswax as the matter of choice for the manufacture of the protective base (2).

Figure 4 represents the breast protector (1), with its components coupled for use. As described in relation to Figure 1, the cover (3) is mounted

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on the protective base (2) in conditions of reciprocal fit, in exact position, leaving the sealing lip (8) facing outward, and resting on the perimeter shoulder (7), which acts as a stopper on its upper face , and sealing gasket on the breast areola on its inner face.

Figure 5 shows a partial and sagittal sectional view of the areolas protector along line 55 of Figure 4, and illustrates the milk collecting organ, in accordance with the present invention. As already described herein, with the guard elements (1) coupled, a chamber (14) with an anterior or external wall (9) providing the cover (3), and a posterior wall is defined or internal (6) that provides the protective base (2). Both parts are coupled under adjustment conditions by means of connection elements. As can be seen better in this Figure, the connection of the sealing lip (8) with the perimeter shoulder (7) is reciprocal and intimate, in order to avoid its spontaneous disconnection, as well as the spilling of the milk collected in the chamber or reservoir (14).

With the construction described, by placing the carrier the protector (1) on the breast areola, in a centered position with respect to the nipple, the exudate milk will be initially collected by the central recipient (12), and channeled through the drainage channels (11) until it is poured into the chamber or main tank (14) through the open holes (10) that communicate said tank with the channels (11). A hole (13) strategically located in the upper part of the cover (3) will allow the air contained in the chamber (14) to escape, as it is filled with milk.

It is not considered necessary to make this description more extensive so that any person skilled in the art understands the scope of the invention and the advantages derived therefrom.

The materials, shape, size and arrangement of the elements will be subject to variation as long as this does not imply an alteration in the essence of the invention.

The terms in which this report has been written must always be taken in a broad and non-limiting sense.

Claims (5)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 ES 2 618 344 A1 1. Protective device for breast areolas with improved liquid collector, preferably circumferentially shaped, comprising a protective base (2) for placing on the breast areola, and an outer cover (3), said cover (3) being coupled to the protective base (2) under sealing conditions and in a detachable manner, characterized in that the protective base (2) contains a liquid collecting element, with guided drain elements (10, 11, 12) on its inner face, in contact with the breast, for the circulation of the liquid through them and deposit the collected material in a chamber (14) separated from the contact with the areola and the drainage elements. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said liquid collecting organ comprises a series of drainage channels or grooves (11), or at least one, arranged on the inner face of the base (2), in contact with the areola , which start from a central area, and are connected to a chamber or reservoir (14) by at least one hole (10) made at its distal end, for the evacuation of drained liquid from the areola. Device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the liquid collecting element optionally comprises a central receiver (12), made by means of a depression, preferably circular perimeter, arranged on the inner face of the protective base (2), which communicates with the medial end of the drainage channels (11). Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that according to an optional and preferred embodiment, the protective base (2) has a support perimeter shoulder (7), whose outer diameter is slightly greater than that of the outer cover ( 3), and is slightly oversized with respect to the inner face of the main body (6) of the protective base, there being, in turn, an outer perimeter step (4) between the support shoulder (7) and the main body ( 6) of said base (2); and because the outer cover (3) has a perimeter lip (8) whose free edge is oriented outwards, being adjusted in intimate contact on the support shoulder (7), and coupled under reciprocal fitting conditions, through its edge more medial, on the step (4) of the protective base (2). 5. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in accordance with an optional and preferred embodiment of the protective base (2), this is made of operculum beeswax.