Method, apparatus, and system for expression and quantification of human breast milk

Abstract

Disclosed herein are devices, systems, and methods for the expression and collection of breast milk. A device in accordance with embodiments comprises an actuatable assembly and a breast interface configured to engage a breast and fluidly seal thereagainst. The breast interface comprises a movable member disposed within at least a portion of the breast interface. The device further comprises a tensile element operatively coupling the actuatable assembly to the movable member. Actuation of the actuatable assembly applies a tensile force to the tensile element, and the tensile element transmits the tensile force to the movable member to move the movable member away from the breast, thereby applying negative pressure to the breast to express milk therefrom.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for expression and collection of breast milk, said device comprising:
 an actuatable assembly;   a breast interface configured to engage a breast and fluidly seal thereagainst, the breast interface comprising a movable member disposed within at least a portion thereof; and   a tensile element operatively coupling the actuatable assembly to the movable member, wherein the tensile element is disposed within an axial load absorbing member,   wherein actuation of the actuatable assembly applies a tensile force to the tensile element, and wherein the tensile element transmits the tensile force to the movable member to move the movable member away from the breast, thereby applying negative pressure to the breast to express milk therefrom, and   wherein the axial load absorbing member is axially stiff to absorb reactive forces of the tensile element during application of the tensile force to the tensile element.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tensile element extends continuously between the movable member and the actuatable assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tensile element comprises a cable, wire, or rope. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the axial load absorbing member comprises a tube or coil having an axially stiff geometry to absorb the reactive forces of the tensile element. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a tube extending between the breast interface and the actuatable assembly, and wherein the tensile element and the axial load absorbing member are disposed within the tube. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the tensile element is concentrically disposed within the axial load absorbing member, and wherein the axial load absorbing member is concentrically disposed within the tube. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the breast interface further comprises an interface housing having the movable member disposed therein, and the actuatable assembly further comprises a driving element and an assembly housing having the driving element disposed therein, wherein the tensile element comprises a first end coupled to the movable member and a second end opposite the first end and coupled to the driving element, and wherein the axial load absorbing member comprises a first end coupled to the interface housing and a second end opposite the first end and coupled to the assembly housing. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a driving mechanism releasably coupled with the actuatable assembly, wherein the actuatable assembly comprises a driving element, and wherein actuation of the driving mechanism displaces the driving element from a rest position to move the movable member away from the breast or replaces the driving element to the rest position to move the movable member toward the breast. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the movable member comprises a deformable member configured to fluidly seal against the breast. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the movable member comprises a flexible membrane. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible membrane comprises a corrugated region configured to expand and collapse. 
     
     
         12 . A device for expression and collection of breast milk, said device comprising:
 an actuatable assembly;   a breast interface configured to engage a breast and fluidly seal thereagainst, the breast interface comprising a movable member disposed within at least a portion thereof; and   a tensile element operatively coupling the actuatable assembly to the movable member, the tensile element extending continuously between the movable member and the actuatable assembly,   wherein actuation of the actuatable assembly applies a tensile force to the tensile element, and wherein the tensile element transmits the tensile force to the movable member to move the movable member away from the breast, thereby applying negative pressure to the breast to express milk therefrom.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the tensile element comprises a cable, wire, or rope. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the device further comprises an axial load absorbing member, and wherein the tensile element is disposed within the axial load absorbing member that is axially stiff to absorb reactive forces of the tensile element during application of the tensile force to the tensile element. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the axial load absorbing member comprises a tube or coil having an axially stiff geometry to absorb the reactive forces of the tensile element. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the device further comprises a tube extending between the breast interface and the actuatable assembly, and wherein the tensile element and the axial load absorbing member are disposed within the tube. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the tensile element is concentrically disposed within the axial load absorbing member, and wherein the axial load absorbing member is concentrically disposed within the tube. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the breast interface further comprises an interface housing having the movable member disposed therein, and the actuatable assembly further comprises a driving element and an assembly housing having the driving element disposed therein, wherein the tensile element comprises a first end coupled to the movable member and a second end opposite the first end and coupled to the driving element, and wherein the axial load absorbing member comprises a first end coupled to the interface housing and a second end opposite the first end and coupled to the assembly housing. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a driving mechanism releasably coupled with the actuatable assembly, wherein the actuatable assembly comprises a driving element, and wherein actuation of the driving mechanism displaces the driving element from a rest position to move the movable member away from the breast or replaces the driving element to the rest position to move the movable member toward the breast. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the movable member comprises a deformable member. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the movable member comprises a flexible membrane. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the flexible membrane comprises a corrugated region configured to expand and collapse.