Automated compression nursing and pumping system

Abstract

A system for hands-free nursing and breast pumping includes a breast compression device with a plurality of thermoformed fluid bladders designed to fit adjustably against each breast and inflate and deflate with minimal power requirements. The compression device and its controller fit inside of a nursing garment designed to receive the device and controller for optimal compression. The nursing garment and the compression device have openings over the nipples so that a breast pump flange can be inserted through them and used in a typical manner for the extraction of breast milk, thus increasing the amount of milk expressed.

1 . An inflatable breast massage cushion for hands-free compression during nursing comprising:
 an inner sheet and an outer sheet sealed together forming a C-shaped pad, wherein the inner sheet and the outer sheet are sealed together at an inner circumference of the C-shaped pad, an outer circumference of the C-shaped pad, and along an entire length of at least two radii of the C-shaped pad, thereby forming at least three fluid bladder sectors, wherein the inner sheet and the outer sheet are sealed together with seals having a width between 2.5 mm and 3 mm,   a fluid egress opening serving each of the fluid bladder sectors; and   a connection means for adjustably connecting the ends of the C-shaped pad together such that the pad forms a frustum for placement over a breast, the frustum having an angle that is adjustable by said connection means.   
     
     
         2 . The inflatable breast massage cushion of  claim 1  wherein a radius of curvature of any edge of the C-shaped pad is between 2.5 mm and 3.5 mm. 
     
     
         3 . The inflatable breast massage cushion of  claim 1  wherein each fluid bladder sector is further subdivided into one or more subsectors formed by one or more partially inflated ridges on the inner sheet. 
     
     
         4 . The inflatable breast massage cushion of  claim 2  wherein each fluid bladder sector is further subdivided into one or more subsectors formed by one or more partially inflated ridges on the inner sheet. 
     
     
         5 . The inflatable breast massage cushion of  claim 3  wherein each subsector comprises an inner ridge and an outer ridge, wherein the outer ridge height is greater than that of the inner ridge height. 
     
     
         6 . The inflatable breast massage cushion of  claim 4  wherein each subsector comprises an inner ridge and an outer ridge, wherein the outer ridge height is greater than that of the inner ridge height. 
     
     
         7 . An automated nursing system comprising:
 a left breast pad and a right breast pad, each breast pad comprising
 an inner sheet and an outer sheet sealed together forming a C-shaped pad, wherein the inner sheet and the outer sheet are sealed together at an inner circumference of the C-shaped pad, an outer circumference of the C-shaped pad, and along an entire length of at least two radii of the C-shaped pad, thereby forming at least three fluid bladder sectors, wherein the inner sheet and the outer sheet are sealed together with seals having a width between 2.5 mm and 3 mm, 
 a fluid egress opening serving each of the fluid bladder sectors; and 
 a connection means for adjustably connecting the ends of the C-shaped pad together such that the pad forms a frustum for placement over a breast, the frustum having an angle that is adjustable by said connection means; and 
   a massage controller comprising an electric pump and a plurality of solenoid valves connected to each fluid supply tube.   
     
     
         8 . The automated nursing system of  claim 7  further comprising a nursing garment comprising an inner layer and a compression layer, the inner layer and the compression layer forming a pocket for receiving the left breast pad and the right breast pad, and the compression layer further comprising a holster for receiving the massage controller, and wherein the compression layer is comprised of a lower elasticity material than the inner layer whereby the left breast pad and right breast pad inflate towards the inner layer. 
     
     
         9 . The automated nursing system of  claim 8  wherein the massage controller fits within the holster and comprises a curved surface such that the massage controller is substantially torus sector-shaped, whereby when placed within the holster the massage controller may align with a user's sternum.