Breast pump system and methods

Abstract

Systems and methods for pumping milk from a breast, wherein the milk is expressed from the breast under suction and milk is expulsed from the pumping mechanism to a collection container under positive pressure.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automated method of pumping milk from a breast of a user, the method comprising:
 providing a breast pump system including a closed loop control system capable of sensing and controlling suction pressure waveforms to optimize filling milk of a user during minimum suction and optimize extraction during increase suction greater than minimum suction;   forming a seal between the breast pump system and a breast;   pumping milk expressed from the breasts through a conduit; and   delivering milk to a storage container;   wherein natural physiology of producing milk is facilitated.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second breast pumps and coordinating the pumping of the first breast pump with the second breast pump. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein expansion of the conduit generates suction, wherein expansion of the conduit is supplemented by driving structure attached to the conduit. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the suction applied to the breast for expression of the milk comprises a first suction level, and wherein, during expulsing, a second suction level is maintained against the breast, the second suction level being lower than the first suction level, wherein the second suction level is a latch suction which is maintained throughout a pumping session. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising compressing at least one portion of the conduit and reducing compression of the at least one portion, wherein the returning of the at least one portion toward its uncompressed state generates suction sufficient to extract milk from the breast. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a battery and monitoring battery charge. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising generating a histogram reflecting pumping action. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising measuring flow rate of extracted milk. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more motors and tracking the position of the motors. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing one or more controllers, the controllers operating to recommend pumping patterns. 
     
     
         11 . An automated system for controlling pumping cycles to pump milk from a breast of a user, the system comprising:
 a closed control system capable of sensing and controlling suction pressure waveforms to optimize filling milk ducts of a user during minimum suction and optimize extraction during increased suction greater than the minimum suction;   a breast adapter configured and dimensioned to form a seal with a breast;   a storage container for storing the milk pumped from the breasts; and   a conduit in fluid communication with, and interconnecting the adapter and the storage container;   wherein natural physiology of producing milk is facilitated.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising first and second pump systems, wherein pumping of milk from a first breast is coordinated with pumping of milk from a second breast. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising structure attached to the conduit to facilitate expansion of the conduit. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a controller configured to generate a histogram reflecting pumping action. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein suction applied to the breast for expression of the milk comprises a first suction level, and wherein, during expulsing, a second suction level is maintained against the breast, the second suction level being lower than the first suction level, wherein the second suction level is a latch suction which is maintain throughout a pumping session. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a battery and a controller monitoring the battery. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a sensor that senses flow rate. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a display configured to display an image of a baby or project recorded sounds of the baby. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a motor and a sensor for tracking a position of the motor. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a controller configured to track inventory. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a controller configured to track dates of extracted milk. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a controller, wherein the controller adaptively controls one or more of maximum suction pressure level, latch suction pressure level, suction pressure waveform over a pumping cycle, phases of extraction or feeding times, rest times, heating temperatures and times, vibration frequency and duration, and pumping session time. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a controller, wherein the controller controls one or more of pumping mode; frequency of pumping cycle, maximum suction pressure achieved during a pumping cycle; latch suction pressure achieved during the pumping cycle, pumping force and pumping session time. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the conduit includes a non-circular region. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the conduit includes a section with opposing flat sections. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a contouring shell configured to provide an appearance of a natural breast contour when the skin contact member is sealed to the breast. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a controller, wherein the controller provides or controls one or more of a sleep mode, pumping goals, tracking of efficiency, weaning modes, growing modes, communication with health care providers, maintenance modes, and maximum pump modes. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a living gate configured to inhibit loss of milk. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein walls of the conduit are collapsible to suck remaining milk out of the conduit. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising one or more controllers, wherein one or more controllers control pumping to match desired waveforms.