GB2126899A

GB2126899A - Breast pump

Info

Publication number: GB2126899A
Application number: GB08303843A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Eric Sponsel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-03-16
Filing date: 1983-02-11
Publication date: 1984-04-04
Also published as: GB2126899B; GB8303843D0

Abstract

A breast milk collection system comprises a Venturi pump (a) connected to a water tap via a universal screw-on adaptor (b), which may be left in place, and click-on connector (c), which allows easy removal of the pump between feeds. Tubing (d) transmits suction to the nipple and safety trap (e) prevents backflow of water vapour. Breast cup (f) is applied to aerolar skin, and evacuation of the milk bottle and breast cup achieved when valve (h) is occluded by the mother's finger. Expressed milk enters the bottle via internal channel (g). Pulsatile sucking action is created by repeated light touch and release of the finger valve (h). <IMAGE>

Description

**WARNING** start of DESC field may overlap end of CLMS **.

SPECIFICATION Automatic breast pump This application extends the definition of the maternal breastpump described previously in U.K.

Patent Applications 8207544, 8212397, and 8213016 filed on 16/3, 29/4, and 6/5 of 1982, respectively. The form of words and illustration provided are those used in a forthcoming publication in the British Medical Journal, which will be the first public notice of the invention. Only the relevant descriptive passages are included here.

Introduction An inexpensive and efficient maternal breast pump suitable for both clinical and home use is described. Despite its simplicity this 'Bristol breast pump' offers several important practical advantages over existing mechanical devices.

Description

Those who have worked in scientific laboratories will be familiar with the water-driven Venturi 'filter-pump' which provides a bench-top vacuum source for filting biological or chemical extracts. Suction pressures up to 200 mbar (150 torr) can be generated using water pressures of only 1.4 kg f/cm2 (27.8 psi), a level well below domestic supply pressures. Thus a Venturi pump's evacuation capacity can actually exceed that of a typical 2800 rpm 1/8 hp electric pump.

The breast pump illustrated in the figure is lightweight and easy to hold and operate in one hand. The operator may freely adjust the suction pressure at the top, and the rate of suckling at her fingertip. The standard 3.7 cm (1.5 in) baby-bottle thread eliminates the usual need to transfer the expressed milk into another bottle, and the entire apparatus is submersible in any of the available aqueous sterilizing solutions. In informal preliminary trials quite favourable results have been obtained both in homes and at hospital, where some mothers opted to use the waterdriven pump in preference to readily available electric machines on the ward.

Additional note The illustration and figure legend attached show a single-piece construction of the breastcup/bottle adaptor which has not been previously described.

Figure legend: Breastmilk collection system: The Venturi pump (a) is connected to water tap via a universal screw-on adaptor (b) which may be left in place, and a click-on connector (c) (Hozelock UK, Ltd) which allows easy removal of the pump between feeds. Tubing (d) transmits suction to the milking apparatus, and safety trap (e) prevents backflow of water vapour. Breast-cup (f) is applied to the aeriolar skin, and evacuation of milk bottle and breast-cup is achieved when valve (h) is occluded by the mother's finger. Expressed milk enters the bottle via internal channel (g). A pulsatile sucking action is created by a repeated light touch and release of this simple finger valve.

Addendum A further method for achieving an airthight seal between breast apparatus and milk bottle is as follows: If the breastcup section is manufactured without an integral screw-adaptor (i.e. so that the shaft of the airtube is cut clean at its base) it is possible to pass the airtube through an ordinary rubber feeding nipple which has had its end removed. This arrangement provides a flexible but securely airtight junction between breastcup and bottle and allows screwcaps of varying internal dimensions to be used with their matching bottles in conjunction with the breastpump. This approach simplifies breastcup manufacture and makes the breastpump universally adaptable to virtually any type of baby bottle.

Claims (Filed on 10.3.83) 1. A breastmilk expressing device with suction generated by a water-driven vacuum pump.

2. A breastpump wherein the rate of suckling may be controlled by a finger valve which allows suction to be intemittently interrupted.

3. A breast pump which incorporates a nipplecup with an open-end diameter of less than five centimeters, a value approximating the physiological dimensions of a normal infant's mouth and maternal areola.

4. A breast pump according to claims 1,2 or 3 which incorporates a bottle adaptor which may screw directly onto a standard 1.5 inch baby bottle thread.

5. A breast pump with or without an integral screw adaptor in which passage of the breastmilk delivery tube through a modified feeding nipple* provides an airtight junction between the apparatus and a collecting bottle of any dimensions.

6. A breast pump according to any preceding claim utilizing a vapour-backflow trap, whether incorporated into the pump, vacuum line, breastcup segment, or existing separately as a baby bottle sterilizing unit or carrying case.

7. A breast pump according to claims 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 in which suction is generated by electrical means.

8. A breast pump according to claims 2, 3, 5, and 6 in which suction is generated by either a bulb-aspirator or high-efficiency hand- or footoperated vacuum pump.

9. A breast pump according to claim 1 which utilizes detachable tap adaptors of varying sizes such as those patented and produced by Hozelock, UK. Ltd., Aylesbury, UK.

10. A breast pump, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. Any suction device substantially as herein * or similar gasket

Claims

SPECIFICATION Automatic breast pump This application extends the definition of the maternal breastpump described previously in U.K. Patent Applications 8207544, 8212397, and 8213016 filed on 16/3, 29/4, and 6/5 of 1982, respectively. The form of words and illustration provided are those used in a forthcoming publication in the British Medical Journal, which will be the first public notice of the invention. Only the relevant descriptive passages are included here. Introduction An inexpensive and efficient maternal breast pump suitable for both clinical and home use is described. Despite its simplicity this 'Bristol breast pump' offers several important practical advantages over existing mechanical devices. Description Those who have worked in scientific laboratories will be familiar with the water-driven Venturi 'filter-pump' which provides a bench-top vacuum source for filting biological or chemical extracts. Suction pressures up to 200 mbar (150 torr) can be generated using water pressures of only 1.4 kg f/cm2 (27.8 psi), a level well below domestic supply pressures. Thus a Venturi pump's evacuation capacity can actually exceed that of a typical 2800 rpm 1/8 hp electric pump. The breast pump illustrated in the figure is lightweight and easy to hold and operate in one hand. The operator may freely adjust the suction pressure at the top, and the rate of suckling at her fingertip. The standard 3.7 cm (1.5 in) baby-bottle thread eliminates the usual need to transfer the expressed milk into another bottle, and the entire apparatus is submersible in any of the available aqueous sterilizing solutions. In informal preliminary trials quite favourable results have been obtained both in homes and at hospital, where some mothers opted to use the waterdriven pump in preference to readily available electric machines on the ward. Additional note The illustration and figure legend attached show a single-piece construction of the breastcup/bottle adaptor which has not been previously described. Figure legend: Breastmilk collection system: The Venturi pump (a) is connected to water tap via a universal screw-on adaptor (b) which may be left in place, and a click-on connector (c) (Hozelock UK, Ltd) which allows easy removal of the pump between feeds. Tubing (d) transmits suction to the milking apparatus, and safety trap (e) prevents backflow of water vapour. Breast-cup (f) is applied to the aeriolar skin, and evacuation of milk bottle and breast-cup is achieved when valve (h) is occluded by the mother's finger. Expressed milk enters the bottle via internal channel (g). A pulsatile sucking action is created by a repeated light touch and release of this simple finger valve. Addendum A further method for achieving an airthight seal between breast apparatus and milk bottle is as follows: If the breastcup section is manufactured without an integral screw-adaptor (i.e. so that the shaft of the airtube is cut clean at its base) it is possible to pass the airtube through an ordinary rubber feeding nipple which has had its end removed. This arrangement provides a flexible but securely airtight junction between breastcup and bottle and allows screwcaps of varying internal dimensions to be used with their matching bottles in conjunction with the breastpump. This approach simplifies breastcup manufacture and makes the breastpump universally adaptable to virtually any type of baby bottle. Claims (Filed on 10.3.83)

1. A breastmilk expressing device with suction generated by a water-driven vacuum pump.

11. Any suction device substantially as herein * or similar gasket

**WARNING** end of CLMS field may overlap start of DESC **.