Breast pumps

Abstract

An example breast pump system can include: a control unit including a processor and memory, the control unit including an interface to control the breast pump system; a vacuum unit controlled by the control unit, the vacuum unit including pump motors to create suction for pumping milk; a support mechanism located remotely from the control unit; and a member extending between the control unit and the support mechanism, the member being movable to allow the control unit to be repositioned relative to the support mechanism. The memory encodes instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the breast pump system to: select at least a first pump motor from the plurality of pump motors for a first pumping timeframe; and select at least a second pump motor from the plurality of pump motors for a second pumping timeframe.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]Breast milk expression and collection through pumps is an essential tool for nursing mothers. When mothers are not able to be in the same proximity to the baby, breast pumps provide a vital lifeline to capture milk when it is available, so milk supply remains high and the baby can consume the milk on its own schedule.[0002]Today, pumps are also used outside of a retail setting in the hospital, as well as in the rental market. In the hospital and rental spaces, pumps need to last for multiple mothers who may be one of just many different users of a pump over a multi-year life span that the pump is intended to be in service. Breast pumps today generally include a single motor connected to at most two diaphragms and / or they are systematically connected to a single printed circuit board and / or single solenoid or pressure release valve.[0003]Breast pump manufacturers have continually focused on improving pump reliability by sourcing specialized components that have singul...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]The disclosed device is a high reliability design for a breast pump in which the entire pumping system can perform longer without ceasing to function compared to traditional breast pumps. Traditional breast pumps only contain one motor to drive suction to one or both breasts or, in rare occasions, breast pumps contain two motors that independently suction one breast at a time in double pumping mode.

[0008]This disclosure provides multiple different embodiments such that a user could use adjust the position of major parts of the pumping system in space relative to each other with ease to facilitate easier workflows within the breast pumping regime.

Problems solved by technology

Breast pump manufacturers have continually focused on improving pump reliability by sourcing specialized components that have singular high reliability, which has limited the reliability and performance characteristics of pumps largely to single components of each type within a single breast pump.

Unfortunately, as a result, most pumps cannot function at a high degree of performance for more than one or two years without repair and maintenance, due to the limitations of each individual component.

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