Breastmilk collection system

Abstract

A breastmilk collection device includes breast contacting flange, a vacuum reservoir, flexible diaphragm separating the breast contacting flange and the vacuum reservoir, and a flange receiver between the breast contacting flange and the flexible diaphragm. The breast contacting flange has a wide portion for accepting the breast and a narrow portion. The flexible diaphragm is located between the narrow portion and the vacuum reservoir. The flexible diaphragm moves between a sealed configuration, in which the breast contacting flange is sealed off from the vacuum reservoir, and an open valve configuration, in which the flexible diaphragm acts as a one-way valve to allow expressed milk to flow through a milk flow opening between the flexible diaphragm and the breast contacting flange when an opening pressure is reached in the breast contacting flange.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A breastmilk collection device, comprising:
 a flange for accepting a breast;   a vacuum reservoir; and   a single flexible diaphragm separating the flange from the vacuum reservoir;   wherein the single flexible diaphragm is positioned in a sealed configuration, in which the flange is sealed off from the vacuum reservoir, and   wherein the single flexible diaphragm allows expressed breastmilk to flow through an opening formed by the single flexible diaphragm when an opening pressure is reached in the flange.   
     
     
         28 . The breastmilk collection device of  claim 27 , wherein the single flexible diaphragm forms a planar sealing surface extending along an entire circumference of the single flexible diaphragm. 
     
     
         29 . The breastmilk collection device of  claim 27 , further comprising a flange receiver defining a receiver opening therethrough, wherein:
 a first end of the opening is in fluid communication with the flange; and   a second end of the opening is sealed by the single flexible diaphragm.   
     
     
         30 . The breastmilk collection device of  claim 29 , wherein the single flexible diaphragm forms a planar sealing surface extending along an entire circumference of the flange receiver. 
     
     
         31 . The breastmilk collection device of  claim 30 , wherein the opening through which the expressed breastmilk flows is formed between the a portion of the single flexible diaphragm and a portion of the entire circumference of the flange receiver. 
     
     
         32 . The breastmilk collection device of  claim 29 , wherein the flange receiver is coupled to the flange. 
     
     
         33 . The breastmilk collection device of  claim 27 , further comprising a container for storing the expressed breastmilk. 
     
     
         34 . The breastmilk collection device of  claim 27 , wherein the flange includes a wide portion for accepting the breast and a narrow portion extending to the single flexible diaphragm. 
     
     
         35 . The breastmilk collection device of  claim 27 , wherein the single flexible diaphragm acts as a one-way valve. 
     
     
         36 . The breastmilk collection device of  claim 27 , wherein the single flexible diaphragm both: (i) seals off the vacuum reservoir; and (ii) acts as a one-way valve to allow the expressed breastmilk to flow into a container for storage. 
     
     
         37 . A method of collecting breastmilk from a breast, the method comprising:
 positioning a flange of a breastmilk collection device on the breast, wherein the breastmilk collection device comprises: a vacuum reservoir; and a single flexible diaphragm separating the flange from the vacuum reservoir;   wherein the single flexible diaphragm is positioned in a sealed configuration, in which the flange is sealed off from the vacuum reservoir, and   wherein the single flexible diaphragm allows expressed breastmilk to flow through an opening formed by the single flexible diaphragm when an opening pressure is reached in the flange.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the single flexible diaphragm forms a planar sealing surface extending along an entire circumference of the single flexible diaphragm. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the breastmilk collection device further comprises a flange receiver defining a receiver opening therethrough, wherein:
 a first end of the opening is in fluid communication with the flange; and   a second end of the opening is sealed by the single flexible diaphragm.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the single flexible diaphragm forms a planar sealing surface extending along an entire circumference of the flange receiver. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the opening through which the expressed breastmilk flows is formed between the a portion of the single flexible diaphragm and a portion of the entire circumference of the flange receiver. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the flange receiver is coupled to the flange. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the breastmilk collection device further comprises a container for storing the expressed breastmilk. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the flange includes a wide portion for accepting the breast and a narrow portion extending to the single flexible diaphragm. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the single flexible diaphragm acts as a one-way valve. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the single flexible diaphragm both: (i) seals off the vacuum reservoir; and (ii) acts as a one-way valve to allow the expressed breastmilk to flow into a container for storage.