Breast shield

Abstract

A method for operating a breastpump unit for expression of human breastmilk and various breast shields for use in this method allow a maximum pumping performance and a minimum pumping duration per pumping session. The breast shield has an inner chamber for receiving a nipple (W) of the breast and also at least one outer chamber which at least partially surrounds the nipple. The inner chamber is subjected to a constant pressure and the at least one outer chamber is subjected to a pulsating pressure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A breast shield of a breastpump unit for expression of human breastmilk, wherein the breastpump unit has a vacuum pump for generating pressures, wherein the breast shield has an application region for sealing application to the human breast and an inner chamber having a receiving region for receiving a nipple (W) of the breast, wherein the inner chamber is configured in a conical manner over an entire receiving region. 
     
     
         2 . The breast shield as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inner chamber has an inner wall which is equipped with retaining means for retaining the nipple (W) during the pumping operation. 
     
     
         3 . A breast shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the breast shield has at least one outer chamber which at least partially surrounds the nipple (W), wherein the inner chamber is configured to be subjected to a first pressure by the vacuum pump and the at least one outer chamber is configured to be subjected to at least one second pressure by the vacuum pump, wherein the first pressure is an approximately temporally constant pressure and the at least one second pressure is a pulsating pressure. 
     
     
         4 . The breast shield as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the breast shield has a flexible inner part which subdivides the breast shield into the inner chamber and the at least one outer chamber, and wherein the flexible inner part is able to be subjected to the first pressure from the inside and to the at least one second pressure from the outside. 
     
     
         5 . The breast shield as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the flexible inner part is a flexible insert which is connected one of fixedly or releasably to one of a rigid or semirigid breast shield body. 
     
     
         6 . A breast shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner chamber has a longitudinal axis (L), wherein the inner chamber collapses in accordance with an applied pressure, and wherein the breast shield is provided with at least one sensor for determining the position with regard to the longitudinal axis (L) at which the inner chamber collapses. 
     
     
         7 . The breast shield as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the application region ends in an encircling, soft and sealing pad on the breast side. 
     
     
         8 . The breast shield as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the pad has an encircling inflatable cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The breast shield as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the breast shield has a receiving pocket on the breast side for collecting breastmilk drops when the breast shield is removed. 
     
     
         10 . The breast shield as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the breast shield has a flexible inner part which forms the application region for sealing application to the human breast and an inner chamber for receiving a nipple (W) of the breast, wherein the pocket is formed in the flexible inner part. 
     
     
         11 . The breast shield as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inner chamber is bounded by an outer region which is formed in an asymmetrical manner, and in that at least one subregion of the outer region has an outer chamber, the inner side of which is able to be subjected to a pressure. 
     
     
         12 . The breast shield as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the breast shield also has a fan which blows air in the direction of the breast.